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The DP/Flex is a simple rule that gets VERY confusing when you try to think of the great dream plays. Our state handed out a basic card to explain the majority of the rule. I am trying to find the link to that card, it is good to laminate and carry it with you to the games.
The basics of the DP are they bat and they can play defense for anyone BUT the Flex without having a substitution. So you can have the Flex and the DP on defense at the same time. And just like with any defensive players they can swap defensive positions at any time with no penalty, or substitution charged. This is powerfull as if your ss is booting the ball, put the DP in at ss and bring Susie over to have a nice talk with the coach, Susie still bats and there is no substitution charged. Next inning your 3rd basewoman needs a nice talking to so DP plays 3rd and Becky gets a talking to, still no substitution is charged. So the only time you get a substitution charged is if the Flex does not play defense, and the DP does.
Now on offense the DP always bats and the flex never bats. If the Flex does bat they MUST bat in the DP's batting position. Basically these two players are locked into the same batting position. So the Flex and DP can NEVER be on offense at the same time.
I think one thing that makes it easier to see how the DP/Flex option works is to look at offense and defense seperately. Like I mentioned above defensive subs are unlimited using the DP (as long as the Flex still plays defense). Offense has no free subs. And the DP and Flex are tied together so only one of them can bat at a time, and if it is the Flex, your DP has been removed from the game. This is hard for some to get their minds around, they are so use to having a sub anytime someone leaves the defense and sits on the bench. This rule locks the batting order but leaves the DP free to roam (as long as they report when required, and don't replace the Flex) on defense.
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