Just wanted to find out if there are any opinions on this. We do use screens but sometimes you can't always get out of the way especially when this league age range is 48 to over 80. Love to hear your thoughts.

Middle is open and always has been. I'm not in support of intentionally trying to "blow up" the pitcher unless provoked by the opposing team doing it to my pitcher which has happened far too often and we take care of it by going back at theirs & then it stops... The objective of our sport is to reach base safely regardless of where you have to hit the ball to get there. If you cant field your position don't play there. And before anyone comes at me and says "why don't you pitch" I will say I have tried and I cant throw a strike to save my life :)
I would gladly stand in front of my pitcher to field batted balls however.

Way to solve it would be making the bats and/or balls not as lively but then you would hear whining about how hard it is to hit homeruns

"EXACTLY"

I pitched for about 13 years and loved it. Middle is part of the game and part of the field. If you don't want be hit at sometimes don't pitch there are 9 other places you can play plus DH'n like GPATOOT said. They pulled me out of pitching because I was more valuable to the team in the outfield but I'm always politicking to get back on the rubber and it usually goes in one ear and out the other LOL LOL.....Ive heard from time to time when somebody lasers one up the middle at the pitcher they say "YOU HAVE ONE STANDING THERE TO". Its all fun and games, I just laugh my butt off when it happens and I enjoy the jawing back and forth.... ...

Always like your posts GPATOOT....

Thanks nickname36, I like your attitude in regard to the post and being a pitcher and understanding it. Our 55 Major Worlds starts in 8 days and you can bet your backside I'll be protecting my pitcher and listening to the others jabber jaw :)

Excuse me 50 Major, lord I must be getting old...