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Proper ruling:
If the umpire's do not correct the situation at the coach's request, a protest will be upheld based on Rule 8.9.O and POE #22.
In this scenario, the offensive coach has the choice of accepting the play as it unfolded or having the play nullified by reseting the field as it was prior to last pitch. F3 should then be told that if s/he intends to play a position other than what a first baseman normally covers, the mitt must be left in the dugout or they will not be allowed to play.
It has nothing to do with what an umpire believes should be fair or not. Please note that this can be avoided by alert preventive umpiring. Also, this rule concerns where the fielder is located at the time the pitch begins, not where the fielder may be when making a play on a batted ball.
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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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