Dp/flex

[IRISHMAFIA]

One of the biggest issues is that people who don't understand it or want to take it farther than what the actual rule allows, *******ize the rule to suite themselves.

To help prevent this, a few years ago I gave the coaches at a national a quick clinic on the DP/Flex. Had a coach from Ohio who insisted that he is allowed to have two Flex players. I explained the rule again and told him that it is one Flex and one DP. Coach insisted that at the state tournament in OH at which he team qualified allowed him two. I was sort of hoping he had ASA confused with another assn., but told him the rule is clear and showed him the rule in the book. He was really confused because his whole season, he used two and now "I" was changing the rule.

Go figure.

[reccer]

Below is link to a must have line-up managment system that explains dp/flex in a very clear manner. Print it out and you will be the hero under your tent, or tree, or whatever area you claim as For Blues Only.

Go to bottom of page for the download.
Cactus Umpires: High School Umpire Stuff

[wadeintothem]

If you have a defensive stud but weak hitter, use it like a designated hitter rule in little ball. DP is your DH, Flex is your defensive player.

Other than that, just dont use it. Everyone gets all confused, including 1/2 the umpires, and it just wastes time.

[Dukat]

I had a high school coach who had myriad subs available to her use it as an extra "courtesy runner" for another player.

Started a good hitter in the FLEX position and a "sub" at DP.
As soon as DP was to come to bat she states she wants the FLEX to bat for the DP. - She Bats and then she wants DP to return to run for her and return her to FLEX.

Next time the DP comes up she subs for her DP (Who is now burnt) then wants the FLEX to bat for that subbed DP and does it again which burns a player each time she does it but since she had just about an entire JV team at her disposal for subs it worked.

Does anyone see any reason this is not legal?

[jmkupka]

Dukat...

See MNBlue's response, Situation 1

[Dukat]

oops, Missed that. Thanks

[reccer]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

Other than that, just dont use it. Everyone gets all confused, including 1/2 the umpires, and it just wastes time.

Blues are not without their own strategy to slow this down. Ex:

Know it all coach trailing by 2 runs with 5 minutes left on the clock jogs out to swap flex/dp. Talks fast, "I'm dropping down to 9."

A. Blue takes off mask.
B. Pulls rag from pocket, wipes off brow.
C. Whatya got Coach?
D. Coach repeats, talking even faster.
E. Slowly reach into back pocket and pull out the lineup gizmo holder.
F. Purposely pull wrong teams lineup sheet.
G. Study for a moment, then say you don't have players number blah blah.
H. Find correct lineup card, carefully record substitution.
I. Amble to score keeper, announce change. Linger there for a moment making sure she gets it right (nice legs)

When batter gets on, and coach runs and talks even faster to go back to 10, repeat starting at step A

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by reccer

Blues are not without their own strategy to slow this down. Ex:

Know it all coach trailing by 2 runs with 5 minutes left on the clock jogs out to swap flex/dp. Talks fast, "I'm dropping down to 9."

A. Blue takes off mask.
B. Pulls rag from pocket, wipes off brow.
C. Whatya got Coach?
D. Coach repeats, talking even faster.
E. Slowly reach into back pocket and pull out the lineup gizmo holder.
F. Purposely pull wrong teams lineup sheet.
G. Study for a moment, then say you don't have players number blah blah.
H. Find correct lineup card, carefully record substitution.
I. Amble to score keeper, announce change. Linger there for a moment making sure she gets it right (nice legs)

When batter gets on, and coach runs and talks even faster to go back to 10, repeat starting at step A

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.

[Dakota]

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

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

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

If you have a defensive stud but weak hitter, use it like a designated hitter rule in little ball. DP is your DH, Flex is your defensive player.

Other than that, just dont use it. Everyone gets all confused, including 1/2 the umpires, and it just wastes time.

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 ) or the stuff on Cactus Umpires, I truely don't understand why it would be confusing after that. It really is not that complicated.

[Chess Ref]

Originally Posted by Dakota

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 ) 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.

[CecilOne]

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.

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?

[Chess Ref]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

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.

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.

[MNBlue]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

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.

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?

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."

[Chess Ref]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

One of the biggest issues is that people who don't understand it or want to take it farther than what the actual rule allows, *******ize the rule to suite themselves.

To help prevent this, a few years ago I gave the coaches at a national a quick clinic on the DP/Flex. Had a coach from Ohio who insisted that he is allowed to have two Flex players. I explained the rule again and told him that it is one Flex and one DP. Coach insisted that at the state tournament in OH at which he team qualified allowed him two. I was sort of hoping he had ASA confused with another assn., but told him the rule is clear and showed him the rule in the book. He was really confused because his whole season, he used two and now "I" was changing the rule.

Go figure.

Funny. Your next National Coach of the year candidate.