piaa_ump - thank you for your responses - I have been looking through other areas of the message board and you really take your time responding to questions and you express yourself very well so that those of us who are not as gifted in the rules area can understand them. In this case, yes, the out-of-play area was at the far end of the dugout towards third base. It was an area where most teams' coaches sit on buckets or coaches and players hang out lounging against the fence (and clear out when there's a play about to occur) so "habit" stepped in and everyone cleared out for the play - only then to be penalized for it! So this is really a case of live and learn. I know that next time our coaches will be more in tune with how the play might develop and help the defensive player decide whether to go for it or not.