17.3.8.3 Varsity Squad Size Limitation -- Championship Segment. An institution shall declare a varsity squad of a maximum of 35 student-athletes by the day prior to its first scheduled contest in the championship segment of the playing and practice season. Only those student-athletes who are declared as varsity squad members at that time shall be eligible to participate in countable athletically related activities with the varsity squad during the remainder of the championship segment. Declared varsity squad members shall not participate in countable athletically related activities with an institution's subvarsity team (e.g., freshman, junior varsity). A student-athlete who is a counter (per Bylaw 15.5.1) must be included in the varsity squad limit.

17.3.8.3.1 Exception -- Season-Ending Injury. An institution may replace a varsity squad member who sustains a season-ending injury prior to the institution’s first scheduled competition in the championship segment, provided medical documentation verifies the student-athlete suffered an incapacitating injury or illness and is unable to participate in team practice and competition for the remainder of the academic year. The student-athlete selected as a replacement shall not have previously received athletically related financial aid and must have participated with the team during the fall academic term.

17.3.8.3.1.1 Application to Replaced Student-Athlete. A student-athlete who has been replaced as a varsity squad member due to a season-ending injury may participate in the following countable athletically related activities with the varsity team:

(a) Participation in limited on-field activities (e.g., hitting fungoes, shagging balls);

(b) Dress in uniform and be in the dugout during contests; and

(c) Participation in rehabilitation activities (including the use of baseball-specific equipment) under the supervision of a coaching staff member conducted at the same time as team practice.

17.3.8.3.2 Exception -- Voluntary Withdrawal. An institution may replace a varsity squad member who voluntarily (on the squad member's own initiative) withdraws from the team for personal reasons before the institution’s first scheduled competition in the championship segment. A student-athlete providing notification to transfer does not constitute a voluntary withdrawal. The student-athlete selected as a replacement shall not have previously received athletically related financial aid and must have participated with the team during the fall term.

17.11.3.1.2 Limit on Number of Participants. There is limit of 110 student-athletes who may engage in practice activities prior to the institution's first day of classes or prior to the seventh day before the day of the institution's first contest, whichever occurs earlier.

17.11.3.1.2.1 Replacement of Student-Athlete Who Voluntarily Withdraws. A student-athlete who has voluntarily withdrawn from an institution's team, has departed the practice site and no longer will engage in any preseason activities may be replaced with another student-athlete without including that individual in the preseason practice limitation.

17.11.3.1.2.2 Replacement of Student-Athlete Due to Injury or Illness. A student-athlete who sustains an injury or illness that prevents further participation in preseason practice activities may be replaced with another student-athlete without including that individual in the preseason practice limitation. The replaced student-athlete shall cease participation in all athletically related activities (including team meetings and film review) and shall not resume participation in athletically related activities before the institution's first day of classes or prior to the seventh day before the day of the institution's first contest, whichever occurs first. The replaced student-athlete may continue to receive preseason practice expenses.

17.11.3.1.2.3 Exception -- National Service Academies -- Bowl Subdivision. In bowl subdivision football, there is no limit on the number of student-athletes who will be attending a national service academy and who may engage in preseason practice activities.

17.11.3.1.2.4 Junior Varsity Exception -- Championship Subdivision. In championship subdivision football, an institution that sponsors a junior varsity team that competes in at least four intercollegiate contests is not subject to the preseason practice limitation.