DP/Flex question

[Steve M]

David,
You're doing what most of us have done - when we first ran into the DP/Flex. Let me point you at our eTeamz site where Tom & I have some stuff in the handouts section on the DP/Flex. That site is:

http://eteamz.active.com/softballumpires/

One of the articles I put there is a comparison between the DH and DP. I was using the Fed DH from a few years ago. Since you're primarily baseball (if I remember correctly), you may find this one very helpful.

I'll also suggest that you hit Emily Alexander's site and look at her info. That site is:

http://www.cactusumpires.com/

Now, your last questions -
Batting in the DP spot in the lineup does *not* necessarily make you the DP. That is evident by the fact that the FLEX can bat in the DP's spot. That doesn't make the FLEX the DP, does it?

For anyone other than the Flex Player, yes, batting for the DP is a substitution & it does make that player the DP. For the Flex batting, it means that the lineup has dropped to 9 and the DP has left the game.

So, again, if a substitute bats in the DP's spot, isn't it possible that the batter is actually substituting for the FLEX and *then* immediately batting in the DP's spot?

That's possible, but we're properly handling the lineup card and are going to clarify what exactly the coach is doing. So we'll know if this happens.

Let's say that just prior to Donna batting, the defensive coach goes up to the umpire and makes a lineup change. Patty is substituting for Felicity. Therefore, Patty is the new FLEX.

Fine.

But now it's Donna's turn to bat. The coach NOW exercises his option for the FLEX to bat for the DP. That means Patty gets to bat. And Patty was the FLEX.

Correct, and the DP has left the game.

So why can't Donna later return as the DP?

Donna may return as the DP, and only as the DP, provided she still has re-entry rights. Anyone else who is eligible may also enter as the DP

It seems all the provisions are adhered to.

Donna is returning to the SAME spot in the lineup. She is also returning into the SAME position ... DP.

Patty, who originally entered the game as a FLEX, can now resume her previous position as FLEX and go into the 10th spot in the lineup, thus allowing her to continue to play defense.

This is illegal?

No, not illegal, and you will frequently see this.

[rwest]

Originally posted by ASA/NYSSOBLUE
..and just to cover all the bases in your situation,

After Felicity(?? where have you seen a Felicity lately??) has run for Donna, PATTY can bat the next time up,and Donna still has her re-entry rights.....

I'm new to the fast pitch game, so I'm not an expert on this DP/FLEX situation, so I could be wrong on this.

First, let me make sure I understand what you are saying. In the above situation, Donna was the DP and was replaced on the bases by the FLEX. We are now down to 9 players and there is no DP. Do we still have a FLEX? The FLEX is now playing both offense and defense and is batting in the 3rd spot. If Patty bats the next time up, then she has replaced Felicity, correct? We are still down to 9 players and there is no FLEX/DP at this time. Correct? Or does Patty become the new DP and Felecity then returns to the FLEX position?

If not then how do we get the DP/FLEX positions back in the game?

My head hurts!

[Steve M]

RWest,
Take a look at the handouts we put together at the eTeamz site. Those handout may wel answer many of your questions.

[rwest]

Thanks! I did and that explains alot.