Positioning in Coed

Question
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Followup To
Question -
Dear Dr. Ambrose:

Coed game (6 men/4 women), runner on first, last hitter in the order (female) is at bat. Defense positions its 2B, 3B & SS "infield in" and brings its two CF's to the edge of the infield dirt/outfield grass to back-up infielders on a batted ball or cover second base for the force out. The umpire rules that, according to ASA, all outfielders must be positioned at least 10 feet beyond the infield-outfield seam.

What is the ASA coed rule regarding positioning of the defense?

Are outfielders allowed to cover bases on a force play?

Thank you!

Answer -
Good morning Ken,
Under ASA you can play 5&4 with an out at 10 so 6&4 must be a local exception to ASA rules.

An outfielder is is a fielder who defends the area of the field that the left, left center,right center and right fielders normally play.

An infielder is a fielder who defends the area around 1st, 2nd, 3rd and the shortstop areas.  

By rule 2 males and 2 females must play the outfield and 2 males and 2 females must play the infield.  You cannot play what we call a 5 man infield in co-ed.  So the outfielders play the outfield and the infielders play the infield.

Some leagues use a line drawn in the outfield to determine where the outfielders play but ASA does not in qualifying or championship play.  It is the umpires decision what constitues an outfielder's position.  I would not (and have not) let the defense play any outfielder at the edge of the infield.  I'm going to move them until I'm happy that they are playing the outfield and I'm going to keep them in that area until the ball is hit.  There is no 10 foot rule but I guess that's where that umpire is happy.  

I don't think I would be happy with an outfielder's position if they could beat most runners to a base for a force out.

Hope this helps
Mark

Mark,

Yes, thank you, but further clarification would help. First, the 6/4 ratio is an (unfortunate) local exception to ASA that alters the standard 2-IF, 2-OF, 1-Battery mix.

I understand that an umpire would want to position outfielders deep enough so that they are not covering a base on a force play, but is an outfielder covering a base on a force, or any other play, against the rules?

Conversely, can an infielder move into the outfield as a fifth deep outfielder or a "rover" -- in that the infielder moving is too deep to cover a base or to field infield ground balls for a play at first?

I appreciate your help!

Ken Boos

Answer
Hi Ken,
There is no rule about an outfielder covering a base on a force play or any other play.  I have seen outfielders run in in men's games to help with a rundown (usually they just get in the way).

In co-ed (I know you want a specific rule but it isn't in the book the way you want it, you get to it by understanding the other rules) No, an infielder cannot move into the outfield as a rover.  If they are unable to cover a base and/or make a normal play at 1st, in my opinion they are not playing the infield.  An infielder plays the infield and a good umpire in co-ed is going to enforce it.

It is up to the umpire to make sure the spirit of the co-ed rules are enforced.  It is essential to the game that females have an fair opportunity to succeed.

Let me know if you want to discuss this further.

Mark