[Rich1]

We need the forum to help settle a difference of interpretation.

Player A6 reports to the table as a sub wearing #12 and is beckoned onto the court by the referee. Before the ball becomes live the table recognizes that this player is listed in the book as #10, the referees are informed, and issue a technical. The debate centers around the following questions:

When does the sub with an illegal or incorrect number become a player? Rule 3-3-3 says "a substitute becomes a player when he legally enters the court; if entry is not legal then he becomes a player when the ball becomes live". Does the first sentence apply because he entered the court legally when he was beckoned or does the second sentence apply because this would not be "entering legally" since his number is wrong?

Can the coach decide not to play this player and avoid the Tech? Again, some are hanging there hat on the fact that if the sub does not enter the game and PLAY with the wrong number then we can't give the Tech. It seems the confusion stems from the fact that a coach can decide not to play a player with an illegal number to avoid the T but does this apply to a player with the wrong number?

Most of us are going with rule 3-2-1 and 3-2-2 which state that the names and numbers of all team members must be in the book by the 10 minute mark and since #10 is a team member but was listed with the wrong number it does not matter whether or not he becomes a player, the book must be changed when the error is discovered and and a Tech must be given.

It should also be noted that a team member with an illegal number who is listed in the book (penalized if he participates) is not the same as a team member listed with the wrong number (penalized when discovered regardless of participation).

Does rule 3-3-3 apply here at all or is this simply a situation where the book MUST be changed (resulting in a T) even if #10 never gets up off the bench?