The Fastpitch Chronicle

I get lots of questions at this time of the year in every year about summertime high school coach contact with softball players.

Here is the rule right out of the WIAA Softball Season Regulations. Those season regulations are a chapter within the Spring Sports Seasons regulations. Softball regulations begin on Page 27.

High School coaches ought to understand this rule as many athletic directors do not understand it.

Rule 1. PRESEASON AND OUT-OF-SEASON

Skip down to Part D of Rule 1 and go to part 2-b under that rule. 

Here it is:

(B) Unlimited nonschool coaching contact beyond the five unrestricted days is permitted to continue throughout the summertime (when school is not in session) in the sports of baseball, cross country, golf, gymnastics, soccer*, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field and wrestling, in accordacne with the Bylaws and as described above.

Be sure to read and understand the Note below that: Coaches or others may not mandate participation or provide incentives to athletes for participating in summertime/out-of-season activities/programs. Participation may not be a requirement for making a school team or earning a letter award, etc.

That means that telling player that they won't make the team or get to play in the next season for their school violates this rule. Any written or verbal mention of such action would be a violation