Dp flex

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Thanks guys.

So once the flex is introduced into the batting order, she can only pop in and out of that spot in the order, correct?

You've mostly right here, though I wouldn't want you to think that the flex can bat anywhere you want her to for her first at bat. When the roster becomes official, the only place that the flex can bat is for the DP and the DP is considered to have left the game when that happens.

 

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Ok, another scenario...10 players, using DP/Flex. Player A is pitching, Player B is catching and is the DP, and Player C is Flex. Player A is injured on a play. No players on the bench to sub. Is there a way to manipulate the lineup to get the injured player A as the flex, and Players B and C on defense?

 

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Ok, another scenario...10 players, using DP/Flex. Player A is pitching, Player B is catching and is the DP, and Player C is Flex. Player A is injured on a play. No players on the bench to sub. Is there a way to manipulate the lineup to get the injured player A as the flex, and Players B and C on defense?

Yes, kind of...

The DP and Flex are linked and can't take another replace a player already in the batting order, which would be player A.

Having said that, both the DP and the Flex can field at the same time, so you can still have 9 players in the field, but when Player A's position comes up to bat, you would have to take an out, since you do not have a replacement batter.

 

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Can Player A bat?

 

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Well you said she was injured, but if you're asking can she bat if she's able to do that and not play in the field, then the answer is yes. By the way, you said Player B was catching and was the DP. The DP can play a defensive position, but the DP spot is technically for a hitter who doesn't play defense.

 

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Yes, Jeff, that description had me a little confused about who was doing what at the time of the injury and I posted a reponse that I took down in light of sideliner's post. Assuming that the flex and the DP were both in the field at the time of Player A's injury, there was clearly a body on the bench that could come in to play defense when Player A had to leave. But as sideliner points out, when that "body on the bench" comes in to play defense, she already has a spot in the offensive line-up, so she can't hit for Player A.

sideliner, as usual you were spot on.

 

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Player A is pitching, Player B is catching and is the DP, and Player C is Flex.

Sorry I meant, Player B is catching and is the Flex, and Player C is DP.

 

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Sorry I meant, Player B is catching and is the Flex, and Player C is DP.

I don't think this changes the result. I assume that Player C is on the bench at the time of Player A's injury. Player C can come in to play defense when Player A has to leave, but Player C can only bat in her previously assigned offensive spot (and Player B as Flex can only bat as a sub for the DP in that same offensive spot), so unless Player A can bat, the team will have to take an out in Player A's spot in the offensive line-up.

 

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Here is how I remember the differences:

The FLEX player:
Must ALWAYS play the field. Removing the FLEX player from the field is a substitution.

Can ONLY bat if she bats in the DP position. Since they are already in the game, they can not hit for any other player who is already in the batting order. If the FLEX bats, it is a substitution - the DP is now out of the game, and the lineup card now technically contains only 9 players.

The DP:
Must ALWAYS bat in their assigned position in the order.

Can play the field for any position EXCEPT the FLEX player (If the DP is fielding, and the FLEX player is on the bench, this is a substitution.)

SUBSTITUTING IN THE DP/FLEX ROLE:

Any player not in the game can be substituted into the DP position or the FLEX position. The lineup card does not change (the DP/FLEX card is still intact).

If the DP fields for the FLEX, or if the FLEX bats for the DP, it is a substitution and the lineup card technically is now reduced to 9 players. The lineup can be restored to the DP/FLEX configuration by announcing a re-entry, since the player who left has one re-entry left.

If the same DP/FLEX substitution happens a second time, then the player who left is out of the game, and the lineup is now permanently locked at 9 players.

That is exactly my understanding and we use it A LOT! Very helpful and allows you to make lots of (substitutions that don't count as substitutions). Teams who understand this rule have a big advantage against teams who don't, IMO.

 

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It also helps to forget positions played. Changes in position are not substitutions, and with the possible exception of having a person pitch twice in an inning do not have to be reported.

Focus on who is batting and who is fielding and it is easier to keep it straight.

One additional comment - I would disagree that the DP is a position for a hitter who doesn't play defense. A smart coach will use the DP slot to enhance the fielding capability of the team. A flexible fielder could go in to give someone a break, allow the coach to talk to a player, or to allow a second pitcher already fielding to warm up. She can play for anyone but the FLEX with no restrictions, which simply means that one of the other eight players (not the FLEX) is on the bench.

 

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She can play for anyone but the FLEX with no restrictions, which simply means that one of the other eight players (not the FLEX) is on the bench.

On the bench but not out of the game for sub purposes. That's one of the many features of the DP/flex rule that sometimes trips me up.