How to handle on-field pitching machine/coach?

[SC Ump]

I agree that in the spirit of fun play, it should be treated as "in play". But the more important question is safety. That is a question that you need to answer. Could a player diving for the ball near the machine be at unnecessary risk of injury? Does the machine have parts that could injure? These are the types of questions that need to be ask.

If the machine is well padded and free of sharp parts, I would probably think it best to just let it be in play, as long as the ball did not get stuck in on of the pads.