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Like everyone here, I also wish all sanctions of softball was consistent in its rules and interpretations, and I also have my preferences about which interpretation I would use, and which one rule set I would start with if that was a possibility. But, it isn't. We should be pleased that NFHS and ASA are working together as much as they are these days, to minimize rule change differences (if not standing rules).
All that aside, we can't blame the ridiculously renamed FLEX on NFHS; yes, DEFO was so much clearer. To everyone but college coaches, who questioned how a position called "defense only" could play offense. To the rest of the world, the answer was simple; when that person was no longer playing DEFO(!!), but that just wasn't clear enough for the NCAA, which changed to FLEX first. Remember, this is the rule set which allows only C and 1B to wear mitts, but allows the player assigned to 1B to play anywhere on the right side of the infield, so long as they don't report a defensive change!! (Not so the catcher who must start each pitch in the catchers box, nor could any other player be in foul territory to start a pitch; but not by definition of who can use a mitt.)
Anyway, ASA, NFHS, and ISF changed to FLEX to match what the NCAA started, not an NFHS creation.
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