NFHS Substitution Question

[David Emerling]

Originally Posted by fastpitch

Our HS season is just starting - 2007 NFHS rules.

Coach starts with 9 and Flex listed last and DP indicated. In third inning she substitutes for the Flex (#7 for #8) and tells me her DP will be pitching. I note the sub and asked her if she was sure she wanted to sub for the Flex. I also suggested she be sure the Flex is on the field playing defense.

Despite the substitution that was made, there would be no strict requirement for the FLEX to play defense as long as the umpire was informed of this. The team would simply have 9 players - the 9 that take the field.

The "new" FLEX player would be out of the game for the time being; but could be reentered at any time.

Next inning she wants the Flex to bat for the pitcher (#2) she removed (in her mind). She said I meant to substitute for #2. I explained she has already made a substitution for the Flex and the only way she can bat is if she enters the game for the DP. She says, "the DP is pitching, I took # 2 out." I told her she did not take #2 out, she simply had the Flex and DP playing defense at same time and that she could have any 9 of the 10 playing defense as long as the Flex is one of them. There was no argument.

Did I get this right according to NFHS? Would there be any difference in ASA?

It sounds like you understand the DP/FLEX thing pretty well - probably better than most coaches and umpires.

But the mere fact that you had to ask a question about, what SHOULD be, a simple substitution rule, tells you all you need to know about the DP/FLEX rule. It's too complicated for most people.

Wouldn't it be nicer if a team could simply allow two players to occupy the same spot in a 9-man lineup? Their names would appear side-by-side. Either one could bat in that spot (and that spot only), and either one (or both) could take the field. You could call them FLEX1 and FLEX2, for all it matters. It would be virtually impossible to make a mistake, even if you tried.

Simple. Easily understood. Easily implemented. No substitutions. Everybody is happy. And it essentially accomplishes the same thing as the current DP/FLEX rule, without the needless complications.

David Emerling
Memphis, TN