2004 SOFTBALL NFHS DP/FLEX RULE

1. 2004 SOFTBALL NFHS DP/FLEX RULE

2. Fundamental Rule Change • DP rule replaces DH rule. • With the DP rule you can do everything you did with the DH rule plus a whole lot more! • The DP position is never terminated

3. BEGINNING THE GAME • A DP/FLEX does not have to be used. • If used it must be noted on the starting lineup. • A team using the DP/FLEX starts the game with 10, but can later play or end with 9 or 10.

4. THE LINEUP CARD • The DP is an offensive player and must be listed in one of the nine batting positions • The name of player for whom the DP is batting (FLEX) must be placed in 10th position in lineup

5. THE LINEUP CARD • A starting DP may re-enter one time but must return to the original position in the batting order. • A starting FLEX may re-enter one time but must return to the 10th position on the lineup card.

6. SUBSTITUTING FOR THE DP • The DP may be replaced by: • Substitute hitter or runner • FLEX • In all cases, the DP has left the game, with one re-entry permitted.

7. HITTER OR RUNNER SUBS FOR THE DP • Baker runs for Cooper • Cooper (DP) has left the game and has a re-entry remaining • Baker is now the DP

8. THE FLEX MAY PLAY OFFENSE FOR THE DP • If the FLEX bats or runs for the DP, the DP leaves the game • The FLEX (Brown) is now batting in the 7th position • Lineup down to 9

9. THE DP RE-ENTERS • The DP (Cooper) re-enters to bat or run • The FLEX (Brown): • Returns to #10 position • Plays defense only • Has never left the game

10. THE DP MAY PLAY DEFENSE • The DP may play defense for the FLEX • The DP may play defense for any player in the top nine positions of the batting order

11. THE DP PLAYS DEFENSE FOR THE FLEX • Cooper goes in to pitch • Brown has left the game • Lineup down to 9 • Brown may re-enter

12. THE DP PLAYS DEFENSE FOR THE FLEX • If the DP plays defense for a player other than the FLEX, that player still bats and has not left the game

13. THE DP ON DEFENSEfor another player • Cooper plays second base and still bats 7th • Able no longer plays defense but still bats 2nd • Able has not left the game

14. ILLEGAL SUBSTITUTION You CANNOT: • Place the FLEX player into the first nine positions for someone other than the DP… • Results in an illegal substitution. • FLEX is OUT, disqualified and a legal substitute is required (the player the FLEX tried to replace can use a re-entry if available)

15. KEY POINTS • The role of the DP/FLEX is never terminated. • A team may go from 10 to 9 players and back to 10 players any number of times during the game. • The game may end with 10 or 9 players.

16. EASY REMINDERS • The DP can never be on defense only. • The FLEX can never be on offense only. • The DP and FLEX can never • be on offense at the same time. • be out of the game at the same time.

17. EASY REMINDERS • The DP and the FLEX can play defense at the same time. • Only 9 players can play on • offense at a time. • defense at a time.

18. NFHS DP/FLEX RULE SAMPLE EXERCISES

19. SAMPLE LINEUP CARD All samples will use this card and progress through a series of substitutions

20. SAMPLE EXCERCISE #1 • “Jones" (DP) bats and gets on base safely • The offensive coach asks for time for a change • “Green will run for Jones"

21. SAMPLE EXCERCISE #1 • Green (FLEX) running for Jones (DP) • Jones has left the game

22. SAMPLE EXCERCISE #2 • Two innings later, Green singles to left • The offensive coach asks for time to make a change • "Smith in to run as the DP and Green will still be playing right field” (now playing with 10)

23. SAMPLE EXCERCISE #2 • Smith enters the game for the first time and is the new DP • Green (FLEX) has NOT left the game – back to defense only

24. SAMPLE EXCERCISE #2 • Smith (sub) (now the DP) running for Green (FLEX) • Green remains in game playing right field - defense only

25. SAMPLE EXCERCISE #3 • In the 4th inning, the offensive coach asks for time to make another change • “Jones to re-enter and bat for Smith”

26. SAMPLE EXCERCISE #3 • Jones is using her re-entry • Smith is leaving the game and has a re-entry remaining

27. SAMPLE EXCERCISE #3 • Jones (DP) re-enters for Smith

28. SAMPLE EXCERCISE #4 • In the next half inning, the defensive coach asks for time to make another change • “Jones (DP) will play defense in center field for Thomas”

29. SAMPLE EXCERCISE #4 • Jones (DP) is now playing offense and defense • Thomas still bats in the 3rd position in the lineup and is playing offense only • Green (FLEX) still in the field

30. SAMPLE EXCERCISE #4 • Jones (DP) to play defense in center field for Thomas • Note POS change

31. SAMPLE EXCERCISE #5 • An inning later, the defensive coach asks for time to make another change • “Jones will move to right field and play defense for Green; Thomas will go back to center field.”

32. SAMPLE EXCERCISE #5 • Jones (DP) is still playing offense and defense • Green (FLEX) has left the game since she is not playing defense (still has a re-entry remaining)

33. SAMPLE EXCERCISE #5 • Jones (DP) to play defense in right field for Green (FLEX) • Thomas goes back to center field

34. NFHS DP/FLEX RULE QUESTIONS?

35. NFHS DP/FLEX RULE SAMPLE CASE STUDIES

36. SITUATION A • In the fifth inning, Jones enters the game as the DP and is placed at the end of the batting order. • RULING:

37. SITUATION A • In the fifth inning, Jones enters the game as the DP and is placed at the end of the batting order. • RULING: Illegal. The DP must be announced prior to the start of the game with her name entered on the starting lineup.

38. SITUATION B • DP-Jones hits a triple and sprains her ankle sliding into third base. The coach has substitute-Howell enter the game to be a pinch-runner for DP-Jones. How does this affect the playing status of DP-Jones and the FLEX player, Green, for whom Jones is batting? • RULING:

39. SITUATION B • DP-Jones hits a triple and sprains her ankle sliding into third base. The coach has substitute-Howell enter the game to be a pinch-runner for DP-Jones. How does this affect the playing status of DP-Jones and the FLEX player, Green, for whom Jones is batting? • RULING: When a pinch-runner or pinch-hitter replaces the DP, that player becomes the new DP. DP-Jones can re-enter later or the FLEX-Green could bat in substitute-Howell's position later and it would be legal.

40. SITUATION C • In the first inning, the DP-Jones, listed in the fourth spot of the batting order, hits a double. Substitute-Brown replaces DP-Jones on second base. In the fourth inning, substitute-Howell bats for Brown and has a 1-1 count. The coach elects to replace Howell with the FLEX-Green. • RULING:

41. SITUATION C • In the first inning, the DP-Jones, listed in the fourth spot of the batting order, hits a double. Substitute-Brown replaces DP-Jones on second base. In the fourth inning, substitute-Howell bats for Brown and has a 1-1 count. The coach elects to replace Howell with the FLEX-Green. • RULING: Legal. The FLEX player must bat in the listed DP's position regardless of the number of substitutions in that batting position.

42. SITUATION D • FLEX-Green begins the game playing defense at second base. In the fourth inning, without reporting, she bats in place of Jones, the starting DP. • RULING:

43. SITUATION D • FLEX-Green begins the game playing defense at second base. In the fourth inning, without reporting, she bats in place of Jones, the starting DP. • RULING: Legal, it is not required for FLEX-Green to report when batting in DP-Jones's position. However, when FLEX-Green bats, this removes DP-Jones from the game and requires re-entry to return to the game. (Team warning for unreported substitute is warranted.)

44. SITUATION E • Team A is using 10 players in its lineup, with the DP-Jones batting third. FLEX-Green is playing right field and is a very fast runner. In the first, third and sixth innings, DP-Jones gets on base and, in each case, the FLEX-Green is put in to run. Is this legal? • RULING:

45. SITUATION E • Team A is using 10 players in its lineup, with the DP-Jones batting third. FLEX-Green is playing right field and is a very fast runner. In the first, third and sixth innings, DP-Jones gets on base and, in each case, the FLEX-Green is put in to run. Is this legal? • RULING: It is legal for the defensive position player (FLEX) to do this since she never leaves the game. However, it would be illegal for the starting DP-Jones to return to bat in the sixth inning. This is a violation of the re-entry rule.

46. SITUATION F • The FLEX-Green enters the game to bat for F1-Rodgrs, listed ninth and has a 1-1 count at discovery. • RULING:

47. SITUATION F • The FLEX-Green enters the game to bat for F1-Rodgers, listed ninth and has a 1-1 count at discovery. • RULING: Illegal substitution. Since the FLEX-Green is at bat, she is declared out and disqualified. The FLEX-Green can only bat in the DP position. (3-4-1 Pen) (If the FLEX is to return to the field, a legal substitute is required.)

48. SITUATION G • The DP-Jones bats fourth in the lineup. In the third inning, the DP-Jones plays defense for F2 who bats sixth in the order. In the fifth inning, the FLEX-Green, who is listed 10th, bats for F2. • RULING:

49. SITUATION G • The DP-Jones bats fourth in the lineup. In the third inning, the DP-Jones plays defense for F2 who bats sixth in the order. In the fifth inning, the FLEX-Green, who is listed 10th, bats for F2. • RULING: Illegal batter. The defensive position player (FLEX) can only bat in the DP batting position. The FLEX-Green is OUT, disqualified and replaced with a legal substitute. (3-4-1 Pen)

50. SITUATION H • DP-Jones is listed fourth in the batting order and is the runner on third base. R2 is on second and R3 is at first base. The FLEX-Green enters the game replacing R3 as the runner at first base. • RULING: