Quote:
Originally posted by Dakota
The real issue with DP/FLEX is people go all ga-ga and forget that these are merely positions, and unless you are dealing with the player playing DP replacing the player playing FLEX (or vice versa) NONE of the rules concerning batting order, substitutions, or re-entry have changed.
Remember that (which if you can't there must be a lot of the other rules you can't remember, either, like my friend and the IFR) and you have 90% of the DP/FLEX rule locked. [/B]
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DP and FLEX "are merely positions?"
Oh - if only it were that simple!
Although true - I think that completely oversimplifies things and does not lend much to comprehensive understanding.
Here's how you know the DP/FLEX rule is extremely complicated: Try to explain it to somebody who has no knowledge of it. How quickly can they "get it?" How long does it take you to explain it? How many questions do they ask?
Or - do they just look at you like a dog that heard a strange sound?
I am an assistant coach for my daughter's 16U team. We play in a lot of ASA and AFA tournaments. For years, I have tried to explain the DP/DEFO (now DP/FLEX) rule to the head coach. In his mind, it's nothing but a Designated Hitter rule. To a large extent, that thinking will work. Unfortunately, there is much more to it. Whenever I suggest to him some kind of substitution option that involves a more advanced aspect of the DP/FLEX rule (highlighting it's incredible flexibility), he always looks at me and says, "Can we do that?"
For instance, there may come a time in the game where it will be helpful for the DP to actually play in the field. I've finally convinced the head coach that the DP
can play the field at any time. So he does! But, every once in a while, he has the DP playing for the FLEX. Sometimes I don't notice that he has done that. He doesn't tell the umpires.
I have to inform him that he CAN'T do that without notifying the umpire. This is a substitution. Fortunately, our opponents almost never notice this - especially when the DP takes over at a low profile position, like the outfield.
Whenever I explain this to him, he says, "I thought you said that I could put the DP in the field at any time without substituting."
Yes -
EXCEPT for the FLEX!
Then he rolls his eyes, and resigns himself to the fact that the rule is simply too complicated. The really sad part is this ... we haven't even begun to scratch the surface of the OTHER aspects of the rule.
I've given up.
* * *
From the
Dirty Little Secret Department:
One thing I've discovered about umpires over the years is that we have a tendency to subconsciously embrace highly complex rules. We fall in love with them. Deep down in places we won't openly admit to - we
like these complicated rules. Complicated rules empower us. As long as such rules exist, it guarantees that WE will be smarter than everybody else. We'll be the experts! We'll know the rules better than the coaches, players, and fans.
This is why umpires just can't wait to point a finger in the sky and bellow out, "Infield fly, batter's out!" We eat that sh*t up! We
love making those rare calls that nobody knows because, it shows how SMART we are. Most people cannot intelligently articulate the Infield Fly Rule ... so we like that rule, too!
Again, I'm not suggesting that these rules shouldn't exist. Certainly, we must have an Infield Fly Rule. I'm simply observing that
some of these rules
are a bit complex.
And, ultimately, the question is this: Which rules are NECESSARILY complex (like the Infield Fly Rule) and which ones are ARTIFICIALLY complex?
I suggest that organizations should root out those rules that are ARTIFICIALLY complex. Perhaps the DP/FLEX rule is one of those as evidenced by the fact that so few, for so long, have had difficulty fully grasping it.
Remember our discussion about what is legal or illegal (in ASA) regarding a batter-runner's ability to break for 2nd base after overrunning 1st?
WestMichBlue:
1. If she turns Right she must return to 1B
2. If she turns Left and starts towards 2B, she must continue to 2B.
3. If she turns Left and starts towards 1B, she must continue to 1B.
4. If she turns left - and stops - then she has option to go to 2B, or return to 1B
Seriously now, is
that necessary? Is this a complexity born of NECESSITY or ARTIFICIALLY asserted by rulesmakers and interpreters?
... stepping down from soapbox.
David Emerling
Memphis, TN
[Edited by David Emerling on Jan 28th, 2005 at 02:00 PM]