Okay... I'm now our association guru on the FED "flex" rule. By this, I of course mean they said, "here's the new wording, teach the class". Now, I have to figure out the specifics. I have heard this is now in line with other organizations, but I have not done much other than NFHS in the last 4 or 5 years.

I think I understand it, but I'm wanting to double check myself. I'm about 60% through developing the PowerPoint presentation. I am hoping to have it 95% done by the end of today, Sunday, Jan 11th.

Is there anyone out there willing to be my guinea pig and look it over for mistakes? It would be especially appreciate it from those of you that do ball where this rule is already in place.

If so, e-mail me at [email protected] and I will send the PowerPoint presentation your way. I will be using this to accompany a talk, but it is pretty self-explanatory on its own.

Thanks,

By the way, the title I had for the thread was <b><i>Being "Flex"ible</i></b>, but I guess the system doesn't like the quote marks.

SCUmp,

go here and get the best two teaching aides available.
I was asked to do the same here for our Coaches.
The coaches asked for a meeting to go over the rule.

http://www.eteamz.com/sites/GCBUmpire/

Thanks Steve and Tom.

Is there any chance I could see the PowerPoint presentation? I'm trying to get all the info I can to get a better grip on the rule. I'm a newbie to the Fed scene, so the more help the better, although I may not see the rule that much. Thanks. Email: [email protected]. :D

Dan, & Big John,
I'm pretty knowledgable about the DP/Flex rule and comfortable in presenting it & reviewing other presentations, along with addressing some questions - even the "what if's". Feel free to email, my email address is in my profile.

If I remember right, Big John, you're in the West Mifflin area outside of Pittsburgh. I grew up pretty close to there and am a PIAA chapter interpreter.

Steve M

I just got back from the Texas State meeting for TASo. There was a Power Point presentation on this. They told us you could download it by Friday the 16th from this address


http//www.saumpires.com

It's almost exactly the same as the ASA's handling of the Flex player. Just don't go looking for something that's not there. http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/Gif/homer2.gifSorry, I just had to do that.

Rick

In addition to the other suggested references, try this:

http://www.cactusumpires.com/

Click on the link for downloading a presentation of line up card management - even though that seems off-topic, the last half of that presentation is a pretty good discussion of the flex rule.

Yep, you're right, Steve, I'm in West Mifflin. I thought I noticed your name on the annual rules meeting list on the PIAA site. You're with the Susquehanna chapter, right? I got a recommendation to join Chartiers Valley by a fellow umpire in it. Funny I don't remember his name though.

Anyway, I do have a FLEX rule question. DP is offense, FLEX is defense, but FLEX can bat for DP as long as it is in the DP's slot in the order, right? Does the FLEX need to report when they are batting for the DP? I remember something in the case book saying it's not necessary, but the DP still needs to be taken out of the game and is still allowed to re-enter. I just want to make sure. Thanks.

John,
Yeah, I'm with the Susquehanna Valley chapter - we're about 70 miles north of Harrisburg.

Yes, DP is primarily offensive and Flex is defensive. I let coaches know at the pre-game that I want to know about every change they want to make - if they'll do that, I won't let them get into any trouble with substitutions. I want the Flex to report when coming in for the DP because we've had a lineup change (DP leaving the game and yes, must re-enter when/if coming back in). And that's a good catch/find, it is not required that the Flex report when coming in for the DP.

I'll also recommend Emily's lineup card presentation at cactusumpires.com

Steve M

There was another well presented class at the State Meeting, I thought. Nell Bennett did an excellent presentation. If you didn't understand the FLEX rule going into it, then you certainly did coming out. If you understood the rule already, then you still should have gleaned something useful out of her presentation.

Why is it "almost exactly the same as the ASA's handling "? The idea was to make all books the same. Any "almost exactly" causes more trouble than a "nowhere near".

From what I can tell they are the same, with just a slight tweak on the wording.

Scott,

Did you meet coach/umpire Jerry Gore from our chapter.
I asked him to look you and Gary up and say Hi. Any other
good news from the TASO meet?

No glen, I didn't meet any of the folks from this board that I had hoped to meet. (Nor any of their agents)

Of course, one reason may be that since the State Meeting was only an hour from my house, I opted not to stay at the hotel this year.

As for good news??? Hmmm...I guess a good time was had by all. There were some informative break out meetings, and of course, I spent way too much with the vendors!

You know fellows that when I un retire, I'll need a lot of your help to get back on board! Until then, I guess I'm sort of a 'newbie'! http://www.stopstart.freeserve.co.uk/smilie/newbie.gif

Thanks in advance from your Georgia umpire friend!
http://www.stopstart.freeserve.co.uk/smilie/otq.gif

What's the tweak?

Nothing that changes the meaning of the rules or anything. Just some slight word differences, maybe a little better grammar. ;)

OK, I guess I'll be able to read it for myself soon.