FED coach ejected (only coach)

[David Emerling]

What I have done, however - more along the lines that you are suggesting - is allow the state association to decide a matter under dispute regarding a player's eligibility to play.

On two different occasions in my high school umpiring career, I've had one manager object to the participation of an opposing player. In one case, the coach claimed that the player was illegally enrolled in the school because he was out of the school's district. In another case, the coach claimed that the player had been ejected in a previous game and should be serving a suspension.

I noted the objection and made that known to the other coach. I then ordered the game to be played and that the matter would be forwarded to the state association for resolution. I also said that, for the purposes of the game, I would consider all players in the line-up to be eligible and that the coach assumes the responsibility for each player's eligibility. It was not my job to know the details of school zoning, what is on a player's birth certificate, or what may have transpired in previous games that may affect subsequent games.

The objection was duly noted and the game proceeded. I forwarded the information via our state's standard "Incident Report" form. I have no idea what happened in both cases. I was never given any feedback on the matter.

I assume a team forfeits if they use a player who is not eligible to be on the team. But, at the time, I figured that was not my call.

This is a far cry from the simple determination that a team does not have 9 players to begin the game.