After the first time this happened, I asked the leader of PDL 3 to step up and he declined. Moving on to second (which was joint second of about 7 players!) didn't seem right. I guess I need to amend the rules.
Yeah I see the point of the thread and it sucks. I never thought there would be this many replacements. Its a hard one to have a hard and fast rule though - at what point does the new player not have protection. I agree if he comes in the first game he probably shouldn't, but it gets very subjective.
Boldblade - you did make your point, it got plenty of fair air and discussion and I don't think that is going to be the right answer here. I did also ask everyone in the league for their opinion (results soon I promise), but a lot of people want that to remain as is and not reduce the number of relegations.
I also have noticed that all the surrenders/resignations are people near the bottom. But of course it is - if you are winning every game you are unlikely to lose the passion to play! Is that a real thing or is it sore loser syndrome? Again very hard to tell.