Short a Player

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by blueump

1. Can a coach come to the pre-game meeting with 9 eligible players on the line-up and then remove one of them to play the rest of the game with 8, without that player ever stepping on the field to play one pitch of offense or defense?

NFHS rules...

The player is in the game once the lineup is official, so stepping onto the field or up to bat has no bearing.

However, the game starts not at the end of the plate meeting, but when the umpire calls "Play ball" (4-1-5).

So, if the player is removed at the plate meeting, then the game is a forfeit (4-3-1f), but if the player is removed after the start of the game, they may continue with 8 players (4-3-1g).

If the coach is using a "player" who will not actually play to have a legal linup card to submit and start the game, I don't really have an issue with it, especially in light of the general intent of the NFHS rules to foster participation. You can't participate in a forfeited game!