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Speaking ASA
Sounds like a local rule.
The outfielders can position themselves anywhere in fair territory except in the infield. Doing that would violate the male/female defensive ratio required by 4.1.C.6
They definition of outfielder (Rule 1) is someone who "defends the area of the field that the left, left-center, right-center, and right fielders normally play."
Please note it said normally. It doesn't mean that they cannot stagger a player to cover a short hit (roamer, rover, shortfielder, etc.)
However, what is not allowed is that an outfielder cannot play so shallow they can cover the area normally covered by an infielder. In turn, you cannot have an infielder playing so deep it gives the impression that they are part of the outfield.
This does not mean that the entire outfield cannot play up short on a weak hitter as long as the defense can be visually recognized as four outfielder and four infielders by the umpire.
PLEASE NOTE: LOCAL RULES MAY VARY.
Hope that helps.
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The bat issue in softball is as much about liability, insurance and litigation as it is about competition, inflated egos and softball.
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