I agree with you to an extent. Higher level girls do situational hit, like sac flys, hit to the right side etc. But I don't see a coach telling the players to purposely hit it to leftfield because she stinks. Especially if the pitcher generally throws outside. You wouldn't want your players reaching/casting to TRY and pull it to left. At high levels, sure, most outfielders can do a relatively decent job in the outfield but if you have a giant stick and are already using a dp, stick her in left.
I agree, no matter the event there are teams that will have a weak defensive player in left or at first base however; as teams progress through tournaments these teams are less and less so, my comment was more about the need for quality outfield play especially when facing the top 20% of teams in any area or event. At 16/18U, I did not have to tell my players when to hit or where to hit. I would say most of the programs we faced worked the same.
At16/18U and currently at 18O my players understood/understand what a productive out was, how to move runners, and to see what the D was giving them. We also use reverse signs that works with getting the ladies focused on what needs to happen. After the on deck batter has had time to survey the situation prior to coming to the plate they would signal what they intended to do. I would signal back a change or ok.
Over the years we faced teams where 1-9 could spray the ball and hit to all fields. My team was not as deep in doing this but, I did have 5 that could pretty much hit a pitch in for a safety to all areas of the field regardless of location. You will find your "very proficient" slappers (and this is a small number over the years I only had 4) are able to dink, dunk and drive the left side all day no matter where the ball is pitched and given the opportunity from the D turn on one and drive it through the right side so if your weak spot is LF/RF they will be challenged. I also was blessed to have two others that could flat out crush the ball and swung the bat just as effectively no matter what side of the plate they chose to swing from, if it was a strike inside/outside they could drive it there are teams out there that have 9 that can do this. A few years back we faced two teams that stood out, Illinois FORCE and Texas Impact Gold. These teams had the best line ups we have ever faced. No cheep outs, ladies could hit bullets anywhere no matter where it was pitched and they played very good D as well so, when playing them a weak outfielder could end the game quick.