. A Board of Directors meeting (2/1/05) has changed a few rules relating to tryouts.
Tryout Rules/Buddy Picks
1.  All tryout players need to have their dues paid before the draft. If the dues aren't in, they will not be added to the draftable list of tryout players for the draft. The Board decided there will not be a single exception to this. The list will not change. This will give the League ample time to finalize the list of draftables and distribute it to all GM's. This requirement will be conveyed to the tryout players many times. There won't be any more players rushing to the draft room to pay up. In implementing this, much confusion (and errors) will be eliminated.

2.  Teams will no longer be able to pay the dues of a tryout player on draft day. This was decided to be the case even before the discussion of the above deadline. This will also eliminate a lot of questions.

3.  In years past there has always been a tryout player or 2 who for some reason pinned on a number, tried out, but later decided he was a "Buddy Pick" or otherwise already knew he was a Buddy Pick but just wanted the practice. No more. This has always put me in a position to approve, deny or other wise explain to some teams why a tryout player wasn't available to them. Last year there were many of these who knowingly were Buddy Picks (mostly all for 1 Division) but "tried out" anyway. This year if a player has a number pinned on, he will be available to be drafted by any team. This will be 100% implemented and there aren't any exceptions that will be heard. If you have a Buddy Pick make sure they understand this. No more lack of communication, honest mistakes or not knowing. If your Buddy Pick shows up wearing a tryout number, he'll no longer be your Buddy Pick. Divisional rules won't take precedence in this case as the tryouts and draft are run by and funded by the League and not individual Divisions. Also, tell your existing players NOT to show up on the tryout field just for the practice. This also happens every year without them wearing a number. These players will be asked to leave the field.