DP and FLEX are positions per 4.C.1.a. Once again what does this information provide? What's the theory behind the need for this information?

Insane blue how has it bit you in the as Ass? Please because I don't see it

The Flex has to have a defensive position on the starting lineup. If she does not "start" in a defensive position then the team did not begin the game with the flex/dp option and therefore cannot use it during the rest of the game.

I have "start" in quotes because as others have described above, a team may list the Flex with a positition on the lineup card and then immediately after the lineup is accepted make a change to have the DP play defense for the Flex. The option to use DP/Flex is preserved but the listed starting Flex (who really never played in the game yet) has now left the game for the first time.

If you don't have them completely fill out the line up card, this will certainly bite you because if they slip you a lineup with the top nine players all on defense there IS NO FLEX. But the team thinks there is and will later in the game try to make moves using the DP/Flex and now you have issues.

Required by rule as RKB cited


Not required, but something I do as a courtesy to the coaches in the rare (in my experience) event that there is a change.

Just because required on the lineup or do you mean something more?

Nothing more...all nine defensive players are required to have a defensive position listed on the lineup...I interpret that to mean that all nine defensive positions must be assigned to a player.

I would not accept a lineup that showed two different players listed as F7, for example.

Because rules.

Absorbed by me. :cool:

Yes but the designations DP and FLEX are the positions per 4.C.1.a. And, this is all mute because no one can tell me, except courtesy runner, why you need this information.

Flex is not a defensive position. The rule requires the players to have a defensive position listed on the lineup card when submitted.

4.a states what must be included on a line up including position. 4.b defines the position including the option for a DP FLEX as positions

Your scenario has to do with who is the flex. That has nothing to do with a fielded position and everything to do with the name and number.

One last time, the term flex is not a defensive position. The rules require each player on the lineup card to have a defensive position listed, EXCEPT the dp who is simply designated as such.

And for further proof, August 2014 ASA Plays and Clarifications.

Line-Up Cards
There seem to be a lot of contention/confusion and questions about listing the defensive positions on the line-up card. Specifically the issue of the Flex having a defensive position listed on the line-up card given to the Plate Umpire at the home plate conference. By ASA/USA Softball rules, Rule 4, Section 1A[1]…..The line-up shall contain the first and last name, defensive position and uniform number of each player…..
This question comes up mostly in the game of Fast Pitch when a team is using the DP/ Flex option. In this case the only player without a defensive position listed would be the DP. The Flex must have a defensive position listed. If the Flex does not have a defensive position listed then the umpire should return the line-up card to the coach and have them list a defensive position.

Stand corrected.