flex player

Question
Can you explain how the DP and Flex players can be utilized

Thank you

Answer
Hi Kellie,

This rule is not complicated but people like to make it so.  Just read each section, understand what it is saying and move to the next section.

Ok.....if you're going to use a DP and a flex you must make it known prior to starting the game...you cannot do it once the game begins

The DP can be any batting position (for examples later this DP is going to be #1 batting 3rd) the DP bats for the FLEX player.

The FLEX who plays defense must be listed 10th (for examples later this will be player #2)they DO NOT bat in the 10th position.

The DP and any sub for the DP must stay in the original batting position (in this case B3)

The FLEX any any sub for the flex stay in the 10th position,

The flex may bat but only in the DP's position (in this case B3)or may run only for the DP. This takes the game from 10 down to 9 players and #1 the DP is considered  to have left the game and may re-enter once.

The DP may play defense for the FLEX. This takes the game from 10 down to 9 players and #2 the FLEX is considered to have left the game.  They may of course re-enter once.

However if the DP (#1) is playing defense for the FLEX (#2) and you wish to re-enter the FLEX, the DP can leave the game and #2 bats at B3

OR the DP may continue to bat at B3 and play offense only

OR they may continue to bat at B3 and play defense for another player( ie. #3 who continues to bat at B8), and the DP is not considered to have left the game.  In other words this is not a substitution for #1 (or #3 for that matter as explained below).  

It is in all cases a re-entry for the FLEX #2 and should they leave the game again, #2 would be out of the game.

The DP may also play defense for any other player at any position. (Let's use #3,B8-F4) #3 is not considered to have left the game and this is not considered a substitution. #3 continues to bat in the 8th position but not play defense.

In this case both the FLEX and the DP are playing defense at the same time and this is legal.  The DP continues at B3

The DP and the FLEX can never be on offense at the same time.  This makes sense because the DP is batting for the FLEX, the FLEX may only bat in the DP's position (in this case B3)and the DP may only bat at B3.

You can go back and forth between 10 and 9 players the entire game.For example after 2 innings you have #2 bat for #1 at B3.  You now are playing with 9 and you play that way for 2 innings.  In the 5th you re-enter #1 to bat at B3 and #2 moves back to 10th, you are now playing 10 again.  This is not considered a substitution for #2 since they are the flex player returning to their position.

These are the basics, let me know if you have any specific questions

Mark