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Q:  Can you clarify for me, is it OK during open gym and out of season for one of our baseball coaches to pitch batting practice only and not instruct? 

A: They cannot throw batting practice.  In addition, they may not hit ground balls or drop balls into the pitching machine.  Under schools, eligibility Q&A there are some open gym questions:

3-15-10
Q.: Can a coach feed a ball machine for those who want to have batting practice in pre-season baseball and soft- ball open gyms for all students who are interested in those sports? Can the coach pitch? Can the coach hit ground balls?
A.: Open gym, fine. But coach or anyone may not instruct or drop balls in the machine. Coaches cannot be pitching batting practice, hitting ground balls, etc. Implements such as bats and balls or machines may be used. By definition, open gyms are for recreation, not instruction (by the coach or anyone). Keep in mind that protective equipment can only be issued during the sport season and summer with Board of Education approval. Just to clarify: during the school year out-of-season, no protective gear such as bat- ting helmets or catcher's gear. So if you are going to use helmets you'll need to get them from the youth league or American Legion, etc. Common sense would indicate they should be wearing batting helmets.

10-27-07
Q.: I would just like further clarification on a few things concerning Open Gyms. When you mentioned no organized drills or resemblance of a practice, does the following count or not. Example: You have an open gym posted. There are cones set up for those interested in dribbling around (possible basketball players?), the pitching machine set up for those interested in hitting (possible baseball/softball players?) and maybe even a blocking/spiking apparatus for those interested (possible volleyball players?). I have only "heard" of such cases in the conferences & talk isn't always accurate. If all of the above is set-up for fun & games is it wrong? Or is this going over the line, or at least on thin ice? Sometimes ignorance is an excuse and sometimes it really is for real and education is definitely needed! If you could further clarify, I would greatly appreciate it.
A.: To preface, WIAA Bylaws and Rules of Eligibility prohibit coaches and schools from being involved in out-of-season practice with/for student athletes. However, the interpretation of those provisions have afforded schools the opportunity to sponsor "Open Gyms" for their student population, in any activity, provided they are conducted according to the Open Gym guidelines (Art. II-D of Rules At A Glance). We think these guidelines are about as clear as anything we've written – both in text as well as 'spirit.' The simple act of making 'implements' available to students in open gym in-and-of-itself, has never been a violation. Bats, balls, T's, shot/disc, hurdles, starting blocks, and all of the items you identify above are all categorized as 'implements' and can be made available, and a simple amount of operation/safety instruction is reasonable. (DO remember that batting helmets, catcher's equipment - are apparel/protective equipment and may not be issued outside the season – except in the summer/with School Board approval.) As a reasonable and responsible person/supervisor – you might also need to consider if allowing the vaulting horse and/or vaulting poles, e.g., or certain other implements – in a setting where we may not coach/instruct – is a prudent choice, even though they might be permitted. Sometimes that answer might need to be 'NO"... Not from a WIAA compliance perspective – but from a common sense perspective. Another reason to say "NO" - to an implement is if your coach is simply not able to resist from instructing/providing coaching, feedback, e.g. In that scenario, even though the implement might be 'OK', the act/action accompanying it's use is "not in compliance." In this case, it's not the 'machine's fault.' The availability and use of implements is in many ways viewed separate from the essential/fundamental requirements for compliance with Open Gym provisions.

Q.: Is it now acceptable for coaches to pitch batting practice at open gyms? Hitting ground balls to multiple kids by a coach or parent would be considered NO also?
A.: In an open gym focused narrowly/primarily on skill development - Answer's NO. Pitching in batting practice would be contrary to intention of new interpretation. This change is not about adding a dimension to facilitate an out-of-season practice. It is to afford an opportunity for students and staff to interact in recreational 'play.' If the open gym concludes with a kick ball, stick ball or mush ball game, coach may pitch to their heart's content.