Answering 'Rules' questions during a game

[Raymond]

Backdrop: Locally there was an HS regional softball (girls fast-pitch) play-off that ended when the winning run scored because of an illegal pitch. The illegal pitch was caused by the defensive coach placing a fielder behind the catcher.

Supposedly the coach asked the plate umpire before the play if this positioning was legal and his response was "Coach you can do whatever you want".

So, in our b-ball games, how do you handle similar type situations? If a coach asks if he can do "XYZ" would you quote the rule or give the answer allegedly given above.

What if the coach were to ask "What does the rule book say about 'XYZ'?"