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Wed Apr 28, 2004, 11:28am
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Sometimes we (coaches, parents, umpires) have a tendancy to try to make things "fair." However, we are not doing young players any favors if we shelter them so that they do not develop.
The ASA 10U rules are intended to help catchers (especially) develop, not to make the game "fair". Same here. If this was an 18U team, no one would think anything of this defensive positioning, except that perhaps they were in desparation mode to keep a runner from scoring (pulling the infield in, that sort of thing), knowing they are giving up the outfield fly ball, but also knowing if the batter gets a long fly they are done anyway. The proper resonse to this kind of shenanigans is for the batter to hit one over everyone's head. That'll stop it quick. If the offense does not have batters capable of an outfield fly ball (very possible at 10U), then this is just effective defensive play. Short of something more obviously unsportsmanlike, this is a time for the offense to toughen up.
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Tom 
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Wed Apr 28, 2004, 12:00pm
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Dakota -
I sincerely enjoy your thoughtful response. You express some great points. THANKS! I will incorporate your sage advice into my style.
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"We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done." Chris Z. Detroit/SE Michigan 
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Wed Apr 28, 2004, 12:04pm
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Wait until the corners start screaming "BUNT!" as they run in. This is acceptable and is done often in the middle levels.
The "line of vision" is that of the batter's seeing the ball. Now, if the fielders charge and are just screaming, you have an unsportsmanlike act if it is anything other than a possible direction for their teammates as noted above.
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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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