How to make our coed league more coed

Question
I help run a coed slow-pitch softball league with a 7:3 men:women ratio. We are looking for ways to make the league more fair/fun for the women but know our registrations don't justify moving to a 5:5 ratio. I'm curious about other ideas and your impressions of some suggestions that have come our way:

* Use an 11" softball for female batters (we use a 12" ball for all batters currently)

* Eliminate the rover (short fielder) and require 4 outfielders behind our "cones" marking an arc through the outfield

* Require fielding distribution (1 female in battery, 1 in infield, 1 in outfield)

* Add a rule where if a male batter walks on 4 pitches or an IBB, and is followed by a woman, give the man a 2B walk and let the woman choose to walk or hit

Are there other ideas that you have that can help us? Thanks!  

Answer
Hi Matt,

I would absolutely use a 11" ball for the girls.  It's not a big deal for the umpire to switch balls and it helps the girls with more base hits.

I have seen fields with lines that the outfielders can't be in front of before the ball is hit.  It would probably lead to more success for the girls.  I have never umpired such a league.

I would also try to balance females in the infield and outfield as you suggest.

The walk rule you mention is the same as ASA with 2 outs, the female has the choice.  With less than 2 out she must bat.  I like that rule as girls like to bat also and not just get 1st base every time a guy walks.  With an 11" ball I think you see more hits by the girls w/ runners on.

I tried but can't think of much more.

Mark