[Manny A]

I've always treated it as the ten seconds starts when the pitcher has the ball, which is what the rule states. All three players have to be in their positions within those ten seconds. It's very unlikely that the batter and the defense are going to violate the rule simultaneously, so I don't see a situation where both a ball and a strike are awarded at the same time. And there is no NCAA interpretation that you can have two violations at once. But in the off chance that all three players are fiddle-faddling around and not in position, I'll call Time and tell them, "Let's go, players! We've got ten seconds when she has the ball to get into proper position."

Also, there is no requirement that the batter is the first who has to be in position. If she takes too long and the pitcher is in the circle waiting on her but not on the plate, I'm going to rule a strike on her. Similarly, if the batter is in the box waiting, and then she steps out without Time called, because the pitcher is messing around with her arm band trying to figure out signals, I'll rule a ball on the batter.

At the end of the day, this is nothing more than a game management rule, so use your best judgment how to enforce.