Why specify starters in book?

[chseagle]

What's the rationale for marking who all has been in the game by quarter?

The same argument there as why mark the starters.

For one, it's in the rules. Another reason is, like mbyron states, keeping track of how many quarters a person plays to keep within state requirements for quarters/halves played against an opponent & during the season.

For example: WIAA (Washington Interscholastic Activities Association) states for basketball:

"52.5.0 PLAYER LIMITATION – Each player may play in twenty (20) contests, but in doing so may not exceed eighty (80) quarters. Any appearance in a quarter, regardless of the length of time played, shall be considered as one (1) quarter. This is interpreted as meaning when a player is beckoned onto the floor & the ball becomes alive, that the player has played in one (1) quarter.
52.5.1 Players from all classifications of schools except 1B schools may appear in a maximum of four (4) quarters in one (1) day.
52.5.2 Players in 1B schools may appear in a maximum of five (5) quarters in one (1) day.
52.5.3 Players from all classifications of schools except 1B schools may participate in a maximum of 20 games during the regular season.
52.5.4 Players in 1B schools may participate in a maximum of 80 quarters during the regular season.

52.6.0 COUNTING QUARTERS AND CONTESTS:
52.6.1 Four (4) quarters played against the same squad is one (1) contest.
52.6.2 Four (4) quarters played against the same school, same day, different squads (i.e., varsity & junior varsity squads) is one (1) contest.
52.6.3 Four (4) quarters played against the same school, different days during the same week, different squads (i.e., varsity on Tuesday, junior varsity on Thursday) is one (1) contest.
If a player exceeds four (4) quarters, that player is considered to have participated in two (2) contests (one (1) contest on each day).
52.6.4 A total of four (4) quarters played against two (2) different schools, same day, different squads is one (1) contest.
52.6.5 One (1) or more quarters played against two (2) different schools, different days during the same week, different squads would be two (2) contests.
52.6.6 Postseason games do not count against the game or quarterly season limitation.
52.5.7 FIFTH QUARTER - A fifth quarter may be played only by freshmen basketball squads following the regular contest. The 5th quarter is for players who were not starters & who played in two (2) quarters or less of the regular contest."

Each state probably has similar regulations like above, so keeping track of the number of quarters played for each player is important.

Originally Posted by MelbRef

What is the rationale for the requirement to specify the starters in the book prior to the game?

Just wondering...

Originally Posted by mbyron

The book records who is on the floor at all times. Start with the starters, and record all subs.

Among other reasons, many states have regs restricting the number of quarters a kid can play.