DP/FLEX

1. Training Agenda 2-11-20181. Interaction between officials2. Interaction between officials and coaches3. Uniforms4. DP/FLEX and Managing Line-up Cards

2. DP/FLEX

3. DP/FLEX Basic rules to remember: • DP/FLEX option may be used provided it is made known prior to start of game • DP’s name is on lineup as one of nine hitters in battingorder • Player for whom DP is batting (FLEX) placed in 10th position in lineup

4. DP/FLEX • Basic rules to remember: • Coach decides the ten players he/she wants as starters • List those who will bat in slots 1 thru 9 • List the remaining player – FLEX – on the 10th line • Fill in the defensive positions and the player not initially playing defense (and/or “tied” to the FLEX) as the DP

5. DP/FLEX • When making lineup changes: • The DP cannot play defense only; the FLEX cannot play offense only • When the DP spot in the order comes up – the DP, FLEX or a legal substitute must bat or run bases • The DP may replace anyone on defense at any time, any number of times

6. DP/FLEX • The FLEX may replace the DP any time, any number of times (re-entry restrictions) • When any of the first nine leaves the batting order – they have left the game • When the FLEX doesn’t play defense – she has left the game

7. DP/FLEX • Illegal substitution if FLEX goes in to bat for anyone but the DP • Team may go from 10 to 9 players any number of times or end the game with 10 or 9 players • DP and FLEX may never be on offense at the same time – but may be on defense at the same time

8. Only 2 Ways to TemporarilyTerminate the DP DP/FLEX 1. If the Flex, 10th position on the lineup card, bats or runs for the DP. 2. If the DP plays defense for the flex.

9. DP/FLEX Re-Entry • Like any other player the players playing as DP & FLEX can leave the game & re-enter one time • Just like any starting player they must re-enter in their original slot in the lineup - DP – wherever she was - FLEX – number 10 position

10. Any Starting Player may be sub’ed for: DP/FLEX • If the DP is sub’ed for - The sub becomes the DP - The sub has all the privileges of the DP • If the FLEX is sub’ed for - The sub becomes the FLEX - The sub has all the privileges of the FLEX role

11. DP/FLEX Maintaining your lineup card: • DP/FLEX option may be used only if it is made known prior to start of game • One of the first nine hitters listed in batting order must be designated as the DP. • Player for whom DP is batting (FLEX) must be placed in 10th position in lineup

12. DP/FLEX • A Legal substitute may replace the DP at any time or the FLEX may bat for DP. (When this happens, the DP has left game. Team goes from 10 to 9 players.) • DP may play defense at any position • A Legal substitute may replace FLEX at any time or DP may play defense for FLEX.(When this happens the FLEX has left game. Team goes from 10 to 9 players.)

13. DP/FLEX • It is an illegal substitution if FLEX goes in to bat for anyone but the DP • Team may go from 10 to 9 players any number of times or end the game with 10 or 9 players • DP and FLEX may never be on offense at the same time – but may be on defense at the same time

14. DP/FLEX RULESAMPLE EXERCISES(Rule 3-3-6)

15. Sample Lineup Card All samples will use this lineup card and progress through a series of substitutions A. B C D E F G H J K L M N P

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

17. Sample Exercise #1 Green (FLEX) running for Jones (DP)

18. Sample Exercise #1 Note – • Jones has left the game • Team goes down to 9 players.

19. Sample Exercise #2 • Two innings later, Green singles to left • The offensive coach asks for time to make a change • "Smith running for Green and Green will still be playing right field”

20. Sample Exercise #2 Smith (sub) running for Green (FLEX) Green remains in game playing right field only

21. Sample Exercise #2 Note – • Smith enters the game for the first time and is the new DP • Green (FLEX) has NOT left the game – back to defense only • Team goes back up to 10 players

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

23. Sample Exercise #3 Jones (DP) re-enters for Smith

24. Sample Exercise #3 Note – • Jones has used her re-entry • Smith has left the game and has a re-entry remaining

25. Sample Exercise #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”

26. Sample Exercise #4 Jones (DP) to play defense in center field for Thomas

27. Sample Exercise #4 Note – • Jones the DP is now playing offense and defense • Thomas still bats in the 3rd position in the lineup and is playing offense only

28. Sample Exercise #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”

29. Sample Exercise #5 Jones (DP) to play defense in right field for Green (FLEX) Thomas goes back to center field

30. Sample Exercise #5 Note – • 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) • Team goes down to 9 players.

31. DP/FLEXCase Book Situations (E) • A team is using 10 players in its lineup, with the DP batting 3rd. The FLEX is playing right field and is a very fast runner. In the 1st, 3rd and 6th innings, the DP gets on base and, in each case, the FLEX is put in to run. Is this legal?

32. DP/FLEXCase Book Situations (E) • Ruling: It is legal for the defensive position player (FLEX) to do this since she never left the game. However, it would be a illegal for the starting DP to return to bat in the 6th inning…a violation of the re-entry rule.

33. DP/FLEXCase Book Situations (H) • The 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- Smith enters the game replacing R3 as the runner at first base.

34. DP/FLEXCase Book Situations (H) • RULING: Illegal runner. The defensive position player (FLEX) can only run for the listed DP position. • What is the umpires action when this is discovered? • The FLEX-B. Smith is called out if at bat or on base, disqualified and replaced with a legal substitute. (3-4-1a; 3-3-6g)

35. DP/FLEXCase Book Situations(D) • The FLEX begins the game playing defense at 2nd base. In the 4th inning, without reporting, she bats in place of the starting DP. Is this legal?

36. DP/FLEXCase Book Situations (D) • Ruling: The FLEX is an unreported substitute. The umpire shall issue a team warning to the coach of the team involved and the next offender, along with the head coach, shall be restricted to the dugout for the remainder of the game. (3-6-7) When the FLEX bats, this removes the DP from the game and requires re-entry to return to the game.

37. DP/FLEXCase Book Situations (J) • Team A only has 10 players and is utilizing the DP option. The Flex is pitching and is listed at the 10th player. The DP is batting in the 5th spot in the batting order. In the 3rd inning the flex reports and bats for the DP remaining in the 5th spot in the batting order. In the 4th inning the shortstop (#8 in the order) slides into 3B breaking her foot and is forced to leave the game. What are team A’s options?

38. DP/FLEXCase Book Situations (J) • Ruling: The DP may play shortstop or any defensive position at the same time as the FLEX. The team is able to maintain 9 players on defense, but may only bat 8 (an out being reported when the 8th spot comes up to bat. (3-3-8,4-3-1f)