NCAA D1 Rules Question for Redshirts

Can someone provide clarity on whether a fall game played (1inning pitched) would eliminate a red shirt opportunity if the player never sees action  in a Spring season game?  

Someone who actually knows what they are talking about will need to chime in, but I believe an appearance in a fall scrimmage/game against another school burns a year of eligibility.  A couple of years ago, my son's team had a scrimmage/game like this.  There were 2-3 kids on the bubble for being cut at the end of fall practice.  Coach called them into his office before the game and gave them the option of sitting out in order to preserve a year of eligibility in case they later got cut and decided to transfer. 

Again, someone will need to confirm or correct this understanding.

They're burning up one of their five years to play four just by being at college regardless of whether they play. If they were recruited they have to sit out a transfer year even if they don't play.

Rick (couple of posts above) is an authority in this area. PM him. One of my former travel players didn't play and had to sit a year when he transferred.

Hawkeye, this will depend upon what level of ball you're referring to.  NCAA Division I?  Division II?  Other level?  Can also depend upon whether it was a special type of "charity fundraiser" or perhaps a game against local celebrities for community interest.  An example of how complicated the rules can be.

In Division II, I have seen players make an appearance in a spring game and still be able to be red shirted. One player on our team pinch hit in the first game of the season, then needed Tommy John surgery after an injury in practice the next day. He went on to appear in the next four seasons of play.

Three Bagger, in the situation with the player on your team, I'm sure he received a medical hardship waiver since the pinch hit likely eliminated his chance to be redshirted. 

Also, for Division II, unlike Division I, playing in a Fall game or scrimmage does not count as a season of eligibility used.  There also exceptions for games that serve specifically as a charity fundraiser, for example.

Rick,

I think what confused me about the guy I mentioned is that he also missed another season with a torn ACL, but now I see that he only was on the team for five years.

Quick question about the rules on this. My son will be a medical redshirt this year in his sophomore year. HC said something about if he were hurt again he would have 2 years- one red shirt, one medical waiver? That was when we were contemplating rest and rehab v surgery and possibility of hurting himself on rehab which would probably resulting in a second season lost. I don't expect there to be a need for a 6th year due to injury at this point but just wanted to clarify for future or anyone else's needs.

3FingeredGlove posted:

Yes, that is correct.

BTW, the term "redshirt" has no well defined meaning, but I think most people here use it to mean a player who is on the 35 man roster, but doesn't compete in any game during the season. Using this definition of a redshirt, the player does practice with the team and is part of the team.

So for no value other than trivia, if Wikipedia is to be believed:

The origin of the term redshirt was likely from Warren Alfson of the University of Nebraska who, in 1937, asked to practice but not play and wore a Nebraska redshirt without a number.

ChefMike, it is possible to get a 6th year added to an athlete's "clock" to have another season of playing eligibility in situations where an athlete has missed more than one season due to injury, illness, or other hardship due to circumstances outside the athlete's control.  One season of simple basic redshirt with another season of injury would not be sufficient to get the 6th year, however.

Rick, that makes sense. So in my son's case when we were talking about it. The fear was, he was hurt in first game of season and this year was lost. Then if he rested/ rehabbed with no surgery and retore his UCL while throwing in May, then would lose next year as well both for same injury. That makes sense. Thanks!!! Like I think I said, he had surgery so expectation is he will come back next year fine.

chefmike7777 posted:

Rick, that makes sense. So in my son's case when we were talking about it. The fear was, he was hurt in first game of season and this year was lost. Then if he rested/ rehabbed with no surgery and retore his UCL while throwing in May, then would lose next year as well both for same injury. That makes sense. Thanks!!! Like I think I said, he had surgery so expectation is he will come back next year fine.

Most programs really are willing to only give a player 4 years or in case of injury 5.  

Oh I completely understand that. just was the conversation sons HC and I had and was surprised when he started talking about 6th year if he got hurt in spring. Everything I had heard was 5 year clock etc.