If a player showing signs of a concussion is replaced and later cleared to return, is this considered a reentry?

• A. Yes, this counts as a reentry
• B. No, this is not a reentry
• C. Only if the coach requests it
• D. Yes, but only during a time-out

Answer: (B)

In NCAA softball, a player who exhibits signs of a concussion must follow a specific protocol to ensure their safety before returning to play. If a player is replaced due to concussion symptoms, that substitution is considered a temporary removal for health reasons. When the player is later cleared to return, it does not fall under the typical definition of a reentry since they were not substituted out for tactical reasons, but rather for safety and health concerns.

Reentry rules apply to normal substitutions where a player comes out for strategic reasons and later returns to the game. In contrast, when a player is removed for medical reasons like a concussion, the process is focused on their health first. Therefore, their subsequent return is not classified as a reentry as defined by the standard rules of the game. This explains why the correct answer makes a distinction between a medically motivated substitution and a tactical one.