2 Defensive players on 1st base

Question
We want to be able to teach our 8U coach pitch girls the proper way to play.  Therefore, my question.... the opposing team was on defense, their 1st baseman had her foot on 1st base waiting for the bat; when the bat was hit, their right fielder ran behind 1st base to cover, but was standing in the foul ball side and put her foot as well on 1st base. 1st baseman never took her foot off the base.  The R.F. put her glove up and caught the ball when the 1st baseman missed it.  So, they had two players playing 1st base..the 1st baseman and the right fielder.  We don't believe this is right, but don't understand why it's not.  We were told by the umpire later that this was legal, but we are leaning toward the belief this is obstruction of the batter-runner.  Also, could you explain the rules about the "safe-base".  This was an ASA tournament that we played, but no safe bases were used.  We don't understand the rules surrounding it, except we have heard is a huge help toward safety.  

Thank you,
Kay


Answer
Hi Kay.

As long as the b-r was not obstructed going in to 1st base there is no problem.  It is very possible that with 2 people at 1st the batter-runner might be obstructed.

Obstruction is the act of a defensive player not in posession of the ball or not in the act of fielding a batted ball which impedes the progress of a player legally running the bases.

It is a judgement call by the umpire.

A double base is now used at 1st base for safety.  The fielder uses the white part and the b-r the orange.  There are a number of other rules but it doesn't matter here.  It helps to prevent collisions, stepping on feet, etc.

I'm really surprised it was not used in an ASA tournament.  I suppose the td could say we don't have them so we're not going to use them but any tournie hosting ASA should know they have to have them.  The rules state that the "double base shall be used at all levels of play."

As a UIC the TD would know of my extreme displeasure should we not be using them and then I would put in a call to the State UIC for further instructions before we throw a pitch.

Mark