EP, DP, FLEX points

[Crabby_Bob]

Originally Posted by teebob21

Yes. The USA Softball definition of "batting order" is the official listing of offensive players in the order in which they bat. (USA Rule 1).

While the letter of the law is unclear now, the original intent remains. In the original DP/FLEX rule, the Flex is listed last on the lineup (10th). The Flex must play defense at all times to remain in the game, and any other 8 of the 9 in the batting order fill the rest of the defensive positions. The Flex can bat for the DP only, in the spot in the order where the DP was listed at pregame.

Now that an EP is sanctioned, if and EP is used, the Flex is still listed last on the lineup (11th). The Flex must play defense at all times to remain in the game, and any 8 of the 10 in the batting order fill the rest of the defensive positions. The Flex can bat for the DP.

4.4.F refers to the fact that the Flex can be subbed for: any legal substitute or the DP. The EP is not a legal substitute; she is a starter.

The rules are contradictory, as we all know. The March 2022 Plays and Clarifications state, in part:

[snip] Can the EP play defense?**Yes, an EP can play defense at any time in any position.**Can the EP play defense for the FLEX if the team is using the EP in addition to the DP/FLEX?**Yes, the EP can play defense for the FLEX and the FLEX has left the game and has one re-entry. [snip]

This is the result of mixing the EP rule from the slowpitch universe with the DP/Flex rule from the fastpitch universe.