[AtlUmpSteve]

In today's game, there's a 4th reason to stay on the offensive side. With most coaches calling pitches from the mouth of the dugout, this will allow on-deck hitters to "inadvertently" get in the way. Get prepared to deal with that issue; and one more reason why the coach thinks he needs to have a bucket seat on the field.

I also call bullsh!t on the "safety" of intentionally putting on-deck batters "behind" the batter. So, all batters swing late, and that (late) batter fouling a pitch is more dangerous than the dead pull hitter ripping "her" pitch? That may make sense on the bigger and deeper baseball field where the on-deck batter is actually behind the batter, but it is stupid logic on a softball field.

So, two rules that ASA umpires have enforced forever (chin straps to keep the helmet on the head and stay on your side) are now removed, making a mockery of any prior rationale and required enforcement. One of my pet peeves in high school games has been poorly fitted helmets that are worn to NOT stay on the head, so now we get that in ASA, too. Nicely done.