Question Number: 16079

Law 3 - Number of Players 7/21/2007

RE: Rec Under 11

Douglas of Four Seasons, MO united states asks...

If a player is listed on the roster but arrives late to the game may he still play

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Yes. Unless your league rules have a regulation stating otherwise.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Douglas,
always be sure to include possible late arrivals on the roster you hand in because what you can not do is place him on the rooster if he shows up unexpectedly. In a recent match where the youth arrived late and the coach thought he would not be there that day failed to have a premade roster but filled out manually the game sheet that morning and did not include him. So he was not permitted to play.

I encourage coaches to make up the game sheets with all eligable players signed up for that team to avoid such things. Yes some leagues might wave that requirement or a referee ignore the bylaw with permission of the oppopsing coach but it sets up possibilities of protest . Unless you are filling a roster with more names than the leagues team max 18 -22. Some teams allow play ups where a younger player can move up to temporary fill a spot on the roster. The roster can not exceed the team max so a line drawn though a name means that player is not on that roster that day. Then write in the new player. The player of course MUST be registered for league play!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Yes he may! He must be on roster though.