Playing with 4

[Eastshire]

Originally Posted by OKREF

If little Suzy is on the bench and in the books, and hasn't been disqualified, she is available to play.

You simply can't know that. She could have already used up all her allowable quarters. If you force the issue you could cause the team to forfeit and cost the player eligibility.

If a coach says he doesn't have any available players, he doesn't have any available players. If it seems suspicious, report it to the state. Our job is to referee the game, not sit as judge of availability/eligibility.