Another FLex Situation

[Dukat]

That is my thoughts but I have had others tell me that when you run for her since she is the player playing DP and she can not actually go back to Flex until the next half inning it would be a sub for her and she would be out of the game for a half inning therefore would be burnt after one reentry. My take is that if the coach states at the switch that the sub is for the DP and the Flex is returning to the FLEX position then that would be legal and she would not have been considered to have left the game.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by Dukat

That is my thoughts but I have had others tell me that when you run for her since she is the player playing DP and she can not actually go back to Flex until the next half inning it would be a sub for her and she would be out of the game for a half inning therefore would be burnt after one reentry. My take is that if the coach states at the switch that the sub is for the DP and the Flex is returning to the FLEX position then that would be legal and she would not have been considered to have left the game.

Let's simplify this. Here is a way to think of it to keep things straight. The DP is supposed to play offense. The FLEX is supposed to play defense. If either don't do what they are supposed to do, then you have a charged substitution. In the situation you provided, the FLEX is still playing defense, in other words, doing what she is supposed to do. Therefore, she cannot be substituted either in or out of the lineup. All she has done is taken on another task, that of batting for the DP. So, obviously the DP isn't doing what she is supposed to be, therefore, she has been subbed for.

Now, the starting DP comes back in to run (re-entry). She is back to doing what it is she is supposed to do. The FLEX is just working her old spot on defense.

In the third inning, it is time for our starting DP to bat again. The coach comes up to you and says "Blue, I want my FLEX to bat for my DP again." You say, "okay." The FLEX, who is still doing her job as a defensive player, has once again taken on the DP's job of playing offense. Therefore, the starting DP is back out of the game (substitution).

FLEX gets a base hit. Wow, she is a consistent hitter but such a slow runner. So, coach comes up to you and says, "I want to designate this legal sub, June Substitute, number 42, to be my new DP. And......I want her to go in and run for the FLEX." You say, "okay."

Has the FLEX ever left her spot on defense? No. Therefore, has she ever been substituted for? No. She has continuously done what she was put in the game for, and even more. Does that make it easier?

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by Dukat

I have had others tell me that when you run for her since she is the player playing DP and she can not actually go back to Flex until the next half inning it would be a sub for her...

One other thing, the FLEX is never the DP. Can she bat for the DP? Yes. Can she run for the DP? Yes. Can she be the DP? No. Never. She is the FLEX. The person who is in the game to play defense. Never call her by any other name. In the same sense, the DP can never be the FLEX. She can play defense for the FLEX, but she can never be the FLEX.

I think that concept is the one most people struggle with the hardest.

[Dakota]

This strategy has one advantage over just using a pinch runner - your big bat never leaves the game and so never uses up her re-entry rights.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Dukat

That is my thoughts but I have had others tell me that when you run for her since she is the player playing DP and she can not actually go back to Flex until the next half inning it would be a sub for her and she would be out of the game for a half inning therefore would be burnt after one reentry. My take is that if the coach states at the switch that the sub is for the DP and the Flex is returning to the FLEX position then that would be legal and she would not have been considered to have left the game.

Then you have "others" who do not understand the rule. The ONLY way for the FLEX to leave the game is to not enter the field when her team is on defense.

[SRW]

I've found this powerpoint presentation on lineup management most helpful in understanding lineup changes, especially with the DP/FLEX.

[Skahtboi]

As a footnote to this, I worked a HS tournament this weekend. On this particular game, I was the BU and my partner was the PU. Coach from the "home" team comes out and asks my partner at the beginning of the game, "Do you want to know when I send my DP in to play defense. I will be putting her in and taking her out on defense throughout the game."

My partner's reply, "No coach. I don't care what you do on defense. Just bring me the offensive changes."

I interrupted and said, "Yes coach, he really does want to know when the DP goes in and out on defense."

Coach replied, "I thought so."

I then informed my partner that he needs to know all subs, and that IF the DP went in to play defense for the FLEX, that he would have a substitute situation. He came back with the old "any of the nine can play defense line," which I told him meant that the FLEX has to play defense. If she isn't in the line-up on defense, then it is a substitution. He still wanted to argue, so I asked him to just trust me on this, and check the book after the game.

I don't know if he ever checked the book or not. If he didn't, then he missed a learning moment. However, I was heartened by the fact that the coach seemed to have a grasp on the rule, even if my partner didn't.