I had a tourney two weeks ago where coaches did not know what the DP/Flex was. I wasn't about to have a rules clinic at home plate during our pregame conference, so when he asked I told them to remember that the DP and Flex are "twins" that can not ever be on offense at the same time.

He lists his Flex at number 10 pitching. His DP is batting 4th.

Sixth inning and the home coach comes to me and says:

"Blue, my right fielder hurt her arm and she can't play anymore. I have no other subs. I'm going to put my Flex in for her and have my DP pitch. Can I do that?"

"Coach, your Flex can play right field. Then you have your DP come in the field and go from 10 players down to nine. But if the original right fielder can't bat, there will be an out called when her position in the lineup comes up to bat. The Flex can't bat for her."

"Why not, I'm just subbing her in."

"Remember that the DP and Flex can not play offense at the same time. Ever. The Flex has a position in the lineup. She is number 10. She can't take someone else's spot in the lineup. In the field yes, but at bat no."

Coach turns away, then turns back to me and says "Even though I don't like it...unfortunately, that makes a lot of sense."

That strat is for when there is a few mins left, and you face having to start a new inning if time doesnt expire during the end of this inning. You forgot that you gotta clean the plate before starting. Definately cant have a dirty plate in these final crucial moments.

Its also good if visitors look like they are gaining momentum and getting a little excited and might catch up thus having to play the home team's last 1/2 inning. Ice em a bit.

You guys better be careful what you say... someone might think you are serious.

Oh, wait... that was wade... he WAS serious!:D

No one's rule book does a very good job with this rule; they make it seem convoluted. But, if someone is willing to spend a few extra minutes reading some of the other material available on the rule (such as the brilliantly written article posted earlier in this thread :D) or the stuff on Cactus Umpires, I truely don't understand why it would be confusing after that. It really is not that complicated.

I was able to get "College Statistics" faster then the DP/Flex.;)

DP bats, gets on base, FLEX runs for her. Next half-inning, DP reenters, gets on base again.
Other team now claims the FLEX can't play defense after running for the DP, insisting that's an unreported sub or illegal reentry. :rolleyes:

After my trying to get the coach to understand a few times, I'm about to say "I know this is correct, so please let's play", when he says please ask your partner.

If I came to you as partner, would you know the rule or would you be confused?

Well this one seems to be a no brainer. :)

I would know the rule. The interesting stuff is the verbiage of some of the coaches. I usually ask them a couple of questions if they sound confused so I can get them where they want to go.

I finally got to use the following reply this weekend after hearing it 2 years ago. It would have come in handy for your situation.

"Coach, you have 2 choices. You can either believe that I am right and we continue playing or I can get the UIC and he can tell you I'm right! It will be less fun for both of us if you choose option 2."