softball - error or hit?

Question
QUESTION: Runner on first, batter hits the ball to the place the shortstop began the play.  However, the shortstop after the ball was hit, vacates their position to cover 2nd base. If the shortstop had stayed in their position it would have been an easily fielded ball. Is this an error on the shortstop or a hit for the batter?

ANSWER: Bob,

This is a hit.  Mental mistakes on the defense are never counted as errors.

Tom

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Tom.  I was a little confused since I saw the definition of an error was that an error is charged against any fielder for each misplay that prolongs the life of a batter or a runner or permits a runner to advance.  Also, in the ASA rules it states that an error is charged for each player who commits a misplay which prolongs the turn at bat of the batter or extends the existence runner.  I couldn't find the written exception for mental errors in the rules.  There were no definitions of errors in the USSSA, NSA or AFA rulebooks.  Is the mental error exclusion just a "rule-of-thumb" or a commonly used practice that is not documented anywhere?

Answer
Bob,

I use the National Fastpitch Coaches Association scoring guide when I am not sure how to score a situation.  It brings some definition to your questions.  You can find a .pdf of it here:

http://www.whitbygirlssoftball.com/resourcz/files/atec.pdf

Tom