Wow, all this over the word "apply". Where I live is a "shall issue" conceiled carry state. When I filled out the paperwork for mine, did I "apply" (ask for something I didn't have, as in apply for a job) or merely complete the paperwork for what I was already qualified for?
Beyond that it's haggling over that word because the rest of the specs I mentioned are correct (<30%, none in second half of season). And yeah, the 2014-15 DI manual rearranged the section numbering, but not the criteria.
The point remains in this case MarkMac would be granted the fifth year. If he wouldn't no one ever could be under the rules and process as written and defined.
But most importantly, I'd rather have him recover quickly than have to mess around with process and committees.