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					Originally Posted by  Dholloway1962
					 
				 
				Personally, I don't understand why the player isn't allowed to come back. I'm sure the rule serves to protect some advantage but don't see what it is. 
			
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 Remember the alternative prior to the shorthanded rule.  The idea of the rule was to avoid forfeits.  The team is already being given a break by being allowed to continue play as opposed to packing their bags.
 
Since a team can start or continue play with less than the "required" number of players without qualifying a cause, I guess there could be an abuse of the rule.