Forgetting the fact that this rule seems so flimsy in it's ability to be enforced, not to mention how easy it is to get around, if the board thinks a rule change needs to be made to discourage this, then fine. So be it. But you have to be kidding me, right? Changing a rule mid season, regardless of its intention, is ridiculous. And does this mean guys who have been in the league as non-responding firemen for say 4 years, are no longer eligible to play all of a sudden?? And what passes as a responding fireman? "Well this guy hasn't gotten FF-1 yet, and hasn't made it to a call in 9 months, but he did come to that training that one time...so he intends on being active." I don't need to go in to specific names here, but I know for a fact that there are "non-responding" firemen that do a heck of a whole lot more for their company than some "responding" ones. 

I personally think that participation in a fire company with any amount of dedication is a good thing, and if being able to play softball gets a guy there then thats fine. It should be on the individual fire companies to take a hard look at their own by laws and determine if their members are worthy enough to play based on their contributions. 

I get the angle and reasoning. But if you are making the rule you have to grandfather in everyone playing right now, and it has to go into affect at the start of the next season. The only instance in which a rule should be changed mid season is if it is a unanimous yes.