Any Team coach that has a signal or tells a child to hit another child with any pitch, softball or baseball should never be around any kids in the future period. That's not coaching, that's cowardness. It theoretically could be construed as assault with a weapon as well if an injury were to take place, along with contributing to an act of commiting assault for the coach, if it were ever to be proven by anyone the conversation, sign or even an incling that such a sign existed.
With that said, the pitcher has the right to the inside part of the plate, not the batters box, the plate, just as the batter has the right to reach for the outside part of the plate. Kids get hit as part of the game, so be it. Intentionally throwing at anyone, someone should have their head examined....
That's why the TD's should have rules instituted that if you get tossed from a game for whatever reason, you not only are out of that game, but the next one also... ?These are kids we are talking about, regardless of 16, 17, 14, whatever, they are still kids playing a "GAME"