DP Flex

[Andy]

The rules define the FLEX as being able to play any defensive position and also state that all players must have a defensive position listed on the lineup. Since the DP is not a defensive player, s/he is simply noted on the lineup as DP.

Therefore, the FLEX must have a defensive position listed in order for the lineup to be accepted by the PU. This should be addressed at the pregame...."Coach, what position is your FLEX playing?" Note it on the card, then if they want to make a change after the lineups are accepted, you note that as well.

[Insane Blue]

Originally Posted by Andy

The rules define the FLEX as being able to play any defensive position and also state that all players must have a defensive position listed on the lineup. Since the DP is not a defensive player, s/he is simply noted on the lineup as DP.

Therefore, the FLEX must have a defensive position listed in order for the lineup to be accepted by the PU. This should be addressed at the pregame...."Coach, what position is your FLEX playing?" Note it on the card, then if they want to make a change after the lineups are accepted, you note that as well.

Andy is 100% correct, All positions must be listed.

At my plate conference I first note if the DP Flex is being used. Both DP and Flex must be noted in the positions portion of lineup.

I then look for the Pitcher and Catcher announcing each by jersey number.

I then make sure all 9 Defensive positions are accounted for including where the Flex is starting at on Defense.

I then check how many subs and that their is no duplicate Jersey numbers.

I then have each coach double check their lineup cards when they return them to me I say they are official.

I then ask them if they would like to make any changes at this time

All of this takes about a minute for each team and makes sure that nothing is missed.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by Andy

The rules define the FLEX as being able to play any defensive position and also state that all players must have a defensive position listed on the lineup. Since the DP is not a defensive player, s/he is simply noted on the lineup as DP.

Therefore, the FLEX must have a defensive position listed in order for the lineup to be accepted by the PU. This should be addressed at the pregame...."Coach, what position is your FLEX playing?" Note it on the card, then if they want to make a change after the lineups are accepted, you note that as well.

Originally Posted by Insane Blue

Andy is 100% correct, All positions must be listed.

At my plate conference I first note if the DP Flex is being used. Both DP and Flex must be noted in the positions portion of lineup.

I then look for the Pitcher and Catcher announcing each by jersey number.

I then make sure all 9 Defensive positions are accounted for including where the Flex is starting at on Defense.

I then check how many subs and that their is no duplicate Jersey numbers.

I then have each coach double check their lineup cards when they return them to me I say they are official.

I then ask them if they would like to make any changes at this time

All of this takes about a minute for each team and makes sure that nothing is missed.

Yes, of course, but the OP situation was "what if...". How to conduct the plate meeting to avoid it is a MUCH more boring topic!

[CecilOne]

I don't see the need for:
"make sure all 9 Defensive positions are accounted for including where the Flex is starting at on Defense"

"where the Flex is starting " only if P or C.



I don't see the need for:
"ask them if they would like to make any changes at this time
"

[VC Blue]

Andy there is no need to list the position with the flex except pitcher and catcher, and your doing this for line up card management for courtesy runners not the flex. The flex can play any of the nine or she's on the bench. That's all I need to know. I don't even understand why you would need it for line up management.

Ron

[RKBUmp]

Originally Posted by VC Blue

Andy there is no need to list the position with the flex except pitcher and catcher, and your doing this for line up card management for courtesy runners not the flex. The flex can play any of the nine or she's on the bench. That's all I need to know. I don't even understand why you would need it for line up management.

Ron

Because ASA 4-1-a-1 requires the lineup card to list defensive positions as does NFHS 3-1-3 in order to be legal and accepted by the umpire.

[chapmaja]

Originally Posted by RKBUmp

Because ASA 4-1-a-1 requires the lineup card to list defensive positions as does NFHS 3-1-3 in order to be legal and accepted by the umpire.

The rulebook does require the positions to be listed on the card. This means the OP would be illegal since the Flex does not have a position listed.

What is also clear, based on casebook situations 3.3.2 D, and 3.3.5 A and 3.3.5 B is that the player may be withdrawn from the game (substituted for) and has one re-entry remaining.

In this case a legal substitution because the DP can play defense for the FLEX, which reduces the lineup from 10 players to 9 players, provided the coach has informed you that this substitution was taking place. If they did not report this to you, and you or the opponent noticed the DP playing defense, not the FLEX, and it was not reported we now have an unreported substitution situation and the associated penalties for such a violation.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by VC Blue

Andy there is no need to list the position with the flex except pitcher and catcher, and your doing this for line up card management for courtesy runners not the flex. The flex can play any of the nine or she's on the bench. That's all I need to know. I don't even understand why you would need it for line up management.

Ron

Because rules.

[Insane Blue]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

I don't see the need for:
"make sure all 9 Defensive positions are accounted for including where the Flex is starting at on Defense"

"where the Flex is starting " only if P or C.



I don't see the need for:
"ask them if they would like to make any changes at this time
"

Trust me when I say not doing so will bite you one day.

[VC Blue]

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?

[VC Blue]

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

[UmpireErnie]

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.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

I don't see the need for:
"make sure all 9 Defensive positions are accounted for including where the Flex is starting at on Defense"

"where the Flex is starting " only if P or C.

Required by rule as RKB cited

Originally Posted by CecilOne

I don't see the need for:
"ask them if they would like to make any changes at this time
"

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

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by Andy

REF: "I don't see the need for:
make sure all 9 Defensive positions are accounted for "

Required by rule as RKB cited

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

[Andy]

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.