Coaches on the field

Question
I am one of the co-commissioners for our towns little league and youth softball league.  We have a coach from one of our girls softball teams that questions the coaches being allowed on the field when their players are on there offensively and defensively.  To my understanding the coaches are NOT allowed when their players are on the field defensively unless a time out is called and they are only allowed as base coaches during their players at bat time and then they are not allowed to interfere with the opposing teams defensive player or "cover the base" causing the defensive player not to have full access to the base or the play at hand.  This coach is wanting to see something in writing pertaining to these, as he likes to say, so-called rules.  Can you please help me?  Thanks!!

Answer
Hi Emily,

You can show him this "real rule"

5-12
coaches, players, substitutes or other bench personnel shall not be outside the designated bench, dugout/team area except when the rules allow or justified by the umpire.

effect 1st offense is a team warning, any repeat offense shall result in the ejection of the team member.

The rules allow 2 offensive coaches in the coaches box, a batter, an on-deck batter and defensive players involved in the game in live ball territory.

They are allowed 3 def conf per 7 innings and 1 off conf per inning and time is called during these conf.

Of course if a coach wants a little chat w/ us (umpires) or something similar we're going to call time and they can come see us.

"They are only allowed as base coaches during their players at bat time and then they are not allowed to interfere with the opposing teams defensive player or "cover the base" causing the defensive player not to have full access to the base or the play at hand." I don't know what you mean by "cover the base" but of course they're not allowed to impede, hinder or confuse the defense.

They can leave the coaches box only to signal a runner to slide, advance or return to base or  move out of a fielders way as long as the coach doesn't intentionally interfere with the play. 4-7-2 (another "real" rule)

mark