I believe Pennsylvania Fed was testing out the DP/DEFO this season, seeing if it might eventually replace the DH. Anybody work Fed in PA and can tell me how it went? I'm in nearby Maryland and wonder how the coaches as well as the umps feel about it.

Pennsylvania was one of four states that experimented with the rule. I'm in Pa's district 4 and the experiment seemed to go pretty well. Those coaches who only do high school ball were afraid of the rule change and only warmed up to it late in the season. The coaches who also handle ASA ball loved the change and didtake advantage of it. In a district playoff game last week, one of the coaches was under the impression that it worked as the DH rule - she thought her DP was done for the game when she brought the Flex in to run. I had to explain in 30 seconds or less that her understanding was wrong, she would be able to bring her DP back if she wanted to. Didn't much matter for that game, they lost 4-0 in about 50 minutes.

The umpires who only work Fed ball had lots of fear at the beginning of the year. The ones in my chapter seemed to gain a fair understanding of it as the season progressed. It is helpful that mine is a small chapter and most of them also work ASA ball and several of us do college ball.

Steve M

I umpire in Minnesota and we went with the flex this year. It has worked great. I hope all of fed. goes with it.

Rachel,
Minnesota Fed ball went with the DP/FLEX this year, too? I thought that only four states were doing that - Pennsylvania, Indiana, New Mexico, and Arizona. Since Jimmy is from Maryland, I'll assume that Maryland did not join the experiment. Were there any other states that joined the experiment?

Steve M

Here in CT we used the FLEX this season too.
It went pretty well for the most part. It was coaches who had the most difficulty in employing it.
We made a handout that I gave the coaches at each game I worked to help them through it.
Even so, many were still hesitant to use it.

Personally I hope it sticks. It gives the coaches a bit more FLEXibility and get more kids involved in the game.

Personally, I'd like to see it disappear. Hate the rule! If you want to include more players just go to an EP or straight DH.

JMHO,

I think it is a wonderful rule. Any rule that results in coaches who are less than sure of themselves on the rules is a GOOD thing! (JK) :D

Actually, I do think it is a good rule. Not to increase participation, but to give a team more flexibility in how it uses the best skills of every player. IOW, flexiblity it benefit and should be the goal, not participation (IMO).

Is it easier to learn by comparing with the rest of NFHS or to ASA or maybe to PONY? What aspect has been most confusing to coaches? Are they the same ones who don't understand the CR?

Nope, I believe a player should play both sides of the game all the time. It makes the decisions much more interesting and forces more strategy into this game.

I understand and respect that opinion, Mike.