[DaveASA/FED]

Like Dakota mentioned there is ample material on the DP/Flex.

BUT the way I remember it is there are two basic functions of softball offense and defense. Most players do both, bat and play defense. Now the Flex/DP allows you to have two players perform the function of 1 (with some added advantages). So if we split that one player into two we have 1 that plays defense (Flex) and the other that plays offense (DP), again basics here more to come later.

So as long as the DP plays offense (bats), she has not left the game. And as long as the FLEX plays defense she has not left the game.

Now if the FLEX does play offense then she has to bat for her siamese sister the DP (tied together by FLEX/DP rule). And since the DP is not playing offense she has left the game (still has a re-entry, still can be subbed for like any other player) NOW the real power is that if the FLEX continues to play defense then she has not left the game, even if she stops playing offense later (bring DP in to run for her).

The added advantage is that the DP is a player in the game (an offensive specialist if you will) so she can play defense if the coach needs her to she can play for anyone but the flex and nobody has left the game....BUT since she is tied to the FLEX...who is the defensive specialist, if she plays defense for the FLEX, then the FLEX has left the game (since she is the defensive 1/2 of the flex / dp thing)

One place where it is powerful is if you have a big hitter, say a 1st base person....and lets say she has a lot....of....well power, but she can turn a triple into a single if you know what I mean....so anyway put her as the FLEX. And lets say you have a couple speedsters with great baserunning skills that can't hit or field very well, list the fastest as the DP. Then at the plate conference say you want the FLEX to bat for the DP, once she gets on base re-enter the DP to run for the FLEX, you go back to 10 and the FLEX has not left the game at all. Now next time up, have FLEX bat for DP again, starting DP can not re-enter, but once FLEX gets on base, you can substitute speedster #2 for starting DP and have her run for the FLEX, again FLEX has not left the game at all.

Again basics if FLEX plays defense and DP plays at least offense (could also be defense) nobody has left the game.