Leading off today: How is it possible no one knew and/or understood a rule that has literally been on the books for decades?

   That's the question a fair number of people at Ithaca High School should be asking themselves today following the stunning news that five boys soccer players have been declared ineligible for the remainder of the season by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association after they took part in a senior all-star game.

   The Ithaca Journal reported that Chris Tien, Alex Doliner, Nate Greene, Adam Sullivan and Dan Snedeker played in the Southern Tier Athletic Conference Senior Showcase on Sunday because they were unaware it would affect their status for today's state tournament pre-quarterfinal against Newburgh Free Academy.

   According to the paper, they were removed from the all-star game abruptly when the eligibility issue was raised, and the incident was reported to the NYSPHSAA by school officials. The Ithaca officials sought to have the players' eligibility restored, but the request was denied yesterday.

   NYSPHSAA Executive Director Nina Van Erk said this morning that the rule is spelled out in the organization's handbook and that she does not have the authority to unilaterally waive it.

   "I get it," she said. "I feel bad for the players and their parents, but as the executive director of the membership it's my duty to enforce the rule."

   The rule states that a player cannot participate in such all-star events until their season is over. Besides being in the NYSPHSAA handbook and available online, the implication of holding an all-star game before the end of sectional or state tournaments is specifically referenced

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in an FAQ on the association's Web site. The rule has been in place for at least 20 years, Van Erk said, though it underwent a minor revision approximately two years ago.

   She said administrators and parents seeking relief from the rule have been understanding, but that doesn't make it any less disappointing for her personally to see the players' season end so unexpectedly. "These are days I wish I didn't have to have," she said.

   A provision that led to Rush-Henrietta basketball star Shenise Johnson being able to play in the McDonald's All-America Game in March 2008 does not apply to all-star contests approved by the NYSPHSAA, and Van Erk said two Livonia girls volleyball players were forced to the sideline Friday in the Bulldogs' five-game loss to Wayne in the Section 5 Class B final after they also played in an all-star game.

   To his credit, Ithaca coach Jeff Dumont accepted responsibility for the glitch, even offering his own suspension as an alternative. "The buck stops with me," he told the paper. "They're my charges and I feel that I let them down."

   Realistically, however, you have to ask why organizers of these all-star contests do not know such basic rules.

   More later: I'll be back later today to catch up on more of what's been going on across the state since the weekend.