Quote:
Originally posted by BushRef
and is eligible to become a player. He is not eligible to become a player until his name is in the book. It's up to the coach to decide whether to add his name to the book or not. [/B]
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Unfortunately, that is your definition of eligible, it is not the RULES BOOK definition. Simply by being dressed in a uniform and present on the bench, the kid is eligible TO BECOME a player.
Under normal circumstances he does not have to become a player, but the requirement to maintain FIVE PLAYERS in the game forces this team member to enter. And as you know, once he enters, he has to be added to the scorebook, thus the T is forced in this case.
It is not up to the coach to decide. His team MUST have FIVE players in the game, if that is possible.
You could allow the coach to tell you that this kid is either ill or injured, and then you could avoid forcing him to enter the game.
You may not like it, but that is the way the rule works.