Quote:
Originally Posted by MD Longhorn
When the flex approaches the plate to bat in the DP's normal spot, are you requiring the coach to come tell you that they are batting the flex for the DP? No. When the flex comes to bat ... it is for the DP.
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Yes. Otherwise, it is an unreported substitute.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MD Longhorn
We have an illegal player when the DP and flex are in the game at the same time. Doesn't sound to be the case here as the flex scored on the 1st batter after her.
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FLEX batting for anyone other than DP is an improper (illegal) player, by the rules cited.
We rule based on what the players and coach actually did, not based on what we might assume they must have meant to do. In the OP's situation, as presented, the coach intended for FLEX to bat in the #10 spot, just as he had been doing in whatever rules they were using in travel ball (USSSA, maybe?). To let the coach off the hook for what he actually did by assuming he must have meant to have FLEX bat for DP, but forgot to tell you, and then FLEX bats out of order is hearing hoof beats in West Texas and assuming they must be from zebras.
When FLEX batted, she was an illegal player. Now, can that still be penalized 3 batters later after FLEX has scored? Ejection would still be correct, it seems to me, and all play would stand that resulted from the FLEX at-bat.