Dp/flex

[jmkupka]

The DP can play defense for any player and at any position (4.3.E). Can the FLEX play defense for anyone besides the DP? I can't find anything saying she can or cannot, & I thought I had this rule down pat.

Can someone take a minute to explain how the more knowledgable coaches use DP/FLEX creatively & to its full potential. Most coaches (that I've officiated for) don't have a clue about it.

[reccer]

Understanding the ASA/NFHS DP / Flex Rule
by
Tom Bell, Fastpitch Umpire, Minnesota
Starting Lineup
With DP/Flex, you have 10 starters, not 9. Both the DP and the Flex are starting players. The DP/Flex must be indicated on the starting lineup. Once the starting lineup has been given to the umpire, these positions cannot be added.

Batting Order / Substitutes
As with any lineup, a substitute bats where the player she replaced was batting.

DP/Flex are joined at the hip with respect to the batting order. If both players are in the game, the Flex has number 10 in the batting order (i.e. she does not bat). The only place in the batting order that either DP or the Flex can bat is the place the DP occupied at the beginning of the game.

In a normal substitution, one player leaves the game and one player enters the game. However, swapping the DP/Flex for each other is a "half substitution" - that is, only one member of the pair officially leaves the game or officially re-enters the game.

For example, if the DP comes in on defense for the Flex, the Flex has left the game (the lineup goes from 10 to 9 players). If the Flex re-enters on defense (which she can, 1 time), the DP returns to offense only and the lineup goes back to 10 players. This move has not affected the DP's starter / substitution / re-entry status in any way.

Let's take the reverse example: If the Flex comes in on offense for the DP, she is replacing the DP in the batting order (the lineup goes from 10 to 9). In this case, the DP is removed from the game, and the substitute re-entry rules apply to the DP. If the DP re-enters, she will re-assume her original position in the batting order, and the lineup will go from 9 to 10, and the DP will have used up her re-entry rights. The Flex will return to playing defense only. This move has not affected the Flex's starter / substitution / re-entry status in any way.

Either the DP or the Flex can be substituted for in the usual ways by other players, but the substitute takes on the position of the DP or Flex (depending on who she is substituting for).

Defensive Position Swaps Involving the DP and Flex
As with any lineup, defensive position swaps are not substitutions.

The DP starts at the defensive position of "F10"1 - benchwarmer. This means you can swap the DP with any player other than the Flex on defense and no one has left the game; it is not a substitution.

The player removed from defense continues to bat in her normal place in the batting order.

The Flex can be moved from her starting defensive position to any other defensive position (except for "F10" - benchwarmer), and she remains the Flex, and it is not a substitution.

Playing Shorthanded with DP/Flex
If you start with DP/Flex, while your starting lineup was 10 players, only the offensive lineup counts for the shorthanded rule. This means with DP/Flex you need 8 players offensively to continue the game, just as before.

The Power of the DP/Flex Rule2
The DP/Flex is a powerful tool in the hands of a coach who understands the rule.

Suppose a team has a hot glove - a true vacuum cleaner in the infield - but she can't hit a lick - a guaranteed out when she comes up to bat. Suppose a team has a player who is almost guaranteed to get on base one way or another, can steal second before the catcher can stand up, but struggles defensively. DP/Flex allows a team to turn this situation into an advantage instead of a disadvantage. They can use 10 weapons against the opposition's nine. They can use their 9 best fielders and bat their 9 best even if they aren't the same nine.

Most coaches understand this part of the DP/Flex rule since it is very similar to the DH rule from baseball. However, if this is all they use the DP/Flex rule for, they are missing it's most powerful possibilities.

Have you wanted to give your players a breather during those hot championship tournaments, but you don't want to burn your substitution possibilities too early in the game? The DP/Flex rule can allow you to do this.

Have you ever been late in game, and one of your players can't go on the field, but you have used all of your substitutes? The DP/Flex rule can allow you to continue with 9 on defense.

Here are some examples:

DP is batting for the pitcher (Flex).
1. It is a hot August day, with oppressive humidity. This is your third game of the afternoon, and your players are dragging. In the 2nd inning, your SS is struggling. So, you send the DP out to play SS. This is not a substitution, it is merely a defensive position swap.

The DP is now handling the defensive function of the SS and is handling the offensive function of the pitcher. Next inning, the SS is back & ready to take the field, but the LF now needs a breather. Now, the DP is going to play LF defensively - just like at SS the earlier inning. All this time, the DP is still the DP, the pitcher is still the pitcher, the SS is still the SS, and the LF is still the LF. There have been no lineup additions, no substitutions, just defensive position changes.
2. It is bottom of the 7th on a long tournament day, you are the visitors and have a one run lead. Your opposition is a power hitting team, and has been giving your outfield a workout all game with long outfield fly balls. Your CF cannot continue due to the heat. The top of their order is due up. You have used all of your substitutes.

Without the DP/Flex, you would be forced to try to hold back this team with 8 players on defense. You, however, understand the DP /Flex rule, and you send the DP in to play CF. Just like in example 1, this is not a substitution it is merely a defensive position swap. You can avoid having to try to finish the game shorthanded, with a huge gap in the outfield against this power-hitting team. And, if they do tie the game, you have not removed the center fielder from the game, so she has time to recover for her time at bat.

[MNBlue]

Situation 1. Good defense, good stick, bad foot speed:
A. Use the player as your FLEX.
B. If you are visitors, start the game by dropping to 9 players (terminate the DP; the starting DP has left the game once). The FLEX will bat in for the DP.
C. If you are home, stay at 10 players until the DP is scheduled to bat. Let the FLEX play defense.
D. The FLEX bats for the DP and gets on base.
E. Now re-enter the starting DP. The FLEX drops down to the 10th spot in the lineup, and the starting DP runs for the slow FLEX. You are back to 10 players. Note the FLEX has never left the game.
F. When the inning ends, the FLEX will play defense. Next time the DP position comes to bat, again drop down to 9 players by letting the FLEX bat for the DP. This is the second time the DP has left the game, so she (the starting DP) is done.
G. Again the FLEX bats for the DP and gets on base.
H. Go back up to 10 players by re-instating the DP. But since the starting DP has used her re-entry, use a sub for the DP. This DP will run for the FLEX.
I. Repeat by going to step F. each time the DP successfully reaches base.

Note you are burning substitutes, but at the expense of the DP, not the FLEX. The FLEX has never left the game.

Situation 2. Good defense, bad stick, good foot speed:
A. Use this player as your FLEX only.
B. In general, do not terminate the DP when it is her turn to bat. Let the DP bat unless the DP gets injured.
C. However, if the DP gets on base, you may one time choose to terminate the DP so the speedy FLEX can run for her. The second time you try this, the starting DP is done. However, the DP position in the lineup can always be filled by a legal sub.
D. Be sure to re-enter the DP before her slot in the order is scheduled to bat again. This drops the FLEX back to the 10th slot, and the DP will bat for herself.
E. If the DP gets on base again, you can go back to step C., except you will need a sub for the DP the next time you reach step D.

Situation 3. Good defense, bad stick, bad foot speed:
A. Use this player as your FLEX only.
B. Do not terminate the DP when it is her turn to bat. Let the DP bat unless the DP gets injured.

Situation 4. Good defense, good stick, good foot speed:
A. You want this player in the game as much as possible.
B. Either do not use the DP (play with 9), or use the DP/FLEX combination to make up for some other deficiency in the lineup.

Situation 5. Bad defense, bad stick, bad foot speed:
A. Can she chart pitches?
B. Either do not use the DP (play with 9), or use the DP/FLEX combination to make up for some other deficiency in the lineup.

Situation 6. Bad defense, bad stick, good foot speed:
A. This player’s ideal role is a pinch-runner, not a starter.
B. Either do not use the DP (play with 9), or use the DP/FLEX combination to make up for some other deficiency in the lineup.
C. Alternatively, this is the ideal “DP” for the Nuveman case, Situation 1.

Situation 7. Bad defense, good stick, bad foot speed:
A. This player’s ideal role is a pinch-hitter, not a starter.
B. Either do not use the DP (play with 9), or use the DP/FLEX combination to make up for some other deficiency in the lineup.

Situation 8. Bad defense, good stick, good foot speed:
A. This is the ideal player to use as DP.
B. Stay at 10 players the whole game.

[jmkupka]

Can't ask for anything better... thanks Reccer.

[jmkupka]

Thanks Blue. Big qualifier tourney this weekend, & wanted to be on top of the rule.

[ASA/NYSSOBLUE]

I have always thought the optimum use of the DP/FLEX would be at catcher. In a tournament, if you have two catchers, and both are relatively the same defensively, but one is a weaker hitter, you start the weaker hitter, bat her at 9, start the better hitter as the FLEX, then throw her in defensively for the 3rd or 4th - this way your starter will be really rested for games 2, 3 and 4, if you keep doing that way. Even if your starter is better defensively, she will still be in there for the 5th, 6th and 7th innings of every game.....rested. on the first day of the tournament, this would give you a better chance of a nice seed for Sunday, and on Sunday, it gives u a much more rested C for the elimination games...

[reccer]

A buddy Blue of mine has this to say at the plate conference when he is presented with a lineup card that has DP/Flex. "Coaches, do you understand dp/flex? If not, then you can't use it nor can you stop the game and question me about what the other team is doing."

[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.

[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.

[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