ABA's 13th Man Rule

The ABA has a rule that teams can dress and play(!) a 13th player on their roster. It is seen as a public relations scheme to increase fan interest. It seems to draw its friends and foes, but I like it.

Unfortunately, the Rainmen have not really been using it to their advantage. Past 13th players have been Jordan Croucher, a local R&B artist (probably a good choice since a lot of people cheered his introduction), Cindy Day, the local weather personality (maybe for the "rain" connection? Uninspired selection in my opinion), and mostrecently Barry Barnet our provincial Minister of Health. Only Barnet actually played, even though it was only for the final minute of so of a game that the Rainmen had well in hand.

I would like to see some local b-ballers get the nod for 13th player and actually see them play. It is one of the rules in this league, designed to put more people in the seats. How about the university player of the week be named the 13th man? There are probably some issues with eligibility, even if high school players were used, but there must be some contractual way around that. Why not make it a charity fund-raiser? The 13th player rule can be a positive thing, if it is used in the right way. Even though it is a gimmick. it doesn’t have to bring down the level of play in the game.