Are fielders (not being the catcher) allowed to start in foul territory? This is actually something that I did. As a left outfielder I played/started on foul territory, because of a very strong and low sun in my eyes elsewhere. It could also be useful for right fielders with very fast pitchers. Or place a fielder at the back-stop for a wild pitch.
Also, is it allowed to have the catcher at the back-stop (fence), or right next to the home dug-out (say, for catching foul balls), or somewhere right of the right foul-line but 60 yards away from home plate, or in the infield six feet away from the plate?
Which rule applies, if any?
The American Softball Association does not actively publish their Official Rules - Umpire Edition, but I was able to find a 2005 legacy copy at the ref link above.
A. The pitcher shall not deliver a pitch unless all defensive players are positioned in fair territory, except the catcher who must be in the catcher’s box.
B. A fielder shall not take a position in the batter’s line of vision or, with deliberate unsportsmanlike intent, acts in a manner to distract the batter. A pitch does not have to be released. The offending player shall also be ejected from the game.
4.03 When the ball is put in play at the start of, or during a game, all fielders other than the catcher shall be on fair territory.
(a) The catcher shall station himself directly back of the plate. He may leave his posi- tion at any time to catch a pitch or make a play except that when the batter is being given an intentional base on balls, the catcher must stand with both feet within the lines of the catcher’s box until the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand. PENALTY: Balk.
(c) Except the pitcher and the catcher, any fielder may station himself anywhere in fair territory.
The CATCHER’S BOX is that area within which the catcher shall stand until the pitcher delivers the ball.
Is it a foul in ultimate if the pursuer unintentionally clips the runner from behind?