Batter obstructing the plate on pitches.

Question
I've noticed lately in 14yr and younger playing that coaches have there player in girls softball squatting lower and placing there heads and shoulders directly over the home plate while batting. Although using face guards on there batting helmets are good for safety they are now being used to throw off the pitcher. By lowering there bodies and leaning way over the plate blocking the strike zone and blocking the catchers view, Umpires are calling batter hit even within the strike zone, I searched everywhere but can't find a rule against this, does a rule exist ?  

Answer
Hello Fred,

I'll quote USSSA rules, and Mark can correct me if ASA is different.  A batter can not "permit" a pitch to hit him.  The penalty is a ball or strike is rewarded, depending on the location of the pitch.  The interpretation of this rule is that a batter must make an effort to avoid the pitch so your scenario of a player leaning over the plate to get a free base should not be permitted my any umpire and should be appealed.  The umpire should reference a batter's natural strike zone and not acknowledge a batter squatting in an attempt to make her strike zone smaller.  You can find a copy of these rules at USSSA.COM Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Coach Mike