Designated Player and Flex Player

Question
What are the rules governing these players?  

Answer
Hello Carlo,

I found the following information at
www.vpaonline.org/springguide/softball.htm.  You may want to confer with Mark to verify this is accurate for your organization:

Rule 3-3-6:  (F.P.) A team may use the DP/FLEX option provided it is made known prior to the start of the game.



a.         The DP抯 name is indicated on the lineup as one of the nine hitters in the batting order.

b.         The name of player for whom the DP is batting (FLEX) will be placed in the 10th position in the lineup.

c.         The DP must remain in the same position in the batting order for the entire game.  A starter and any substitute for a starter may not be in the game at the same time.

d.         The DP may be substituted for at any time by a legal substitution or the FLEX may play offense for the DP.  In either case, the DP will leave the game.  If replaced by a substitute, the DP position remains in the lineup.  A starting DP may re-enter one time, provided the DP returns to the original position in the batting order.

1.  If replaced by the Flex, this reduces the number of players from ten (10) to nine

    (9).  The game may legally end with nine (9) players.

2.  If the DP re-enters or a substitute enters as the DP and the FLEX was batting in the DP抯 spot, the FLEX can: a) return to the number 10 position and play defense, or b) leave the game if the DP plays defense for the FLEX

e.         The DP may play defense at any position.  Should the DP play defense for a player other than the FLEX, that player will continue to bat but not play defense, and is not considered to have left the game.  The DP may play defense for the FLEX and the FLEX  is considered to have left the game, reducing the number of players from ten to nine.

f.          The FLEX may be substituted for at any time by a legal substitute or the DP may play defense for the FLEX.  In either ASE, the FLEX will leave the game.  If replaced by a substitute, the FLEX position remains in the lineup.  The FLEX may re-reenter the game one time provided she returns to the tenth position in the lineup.

           1.  if replaced by the DP, this reduces the number of players from ten (10) to nine

(9).  The game may legally end with nine (9) players.

           2.  If the FLEX re-enters or a substitute enters as the FLEX and the DP was playing defense in the FLEX player抯 spot, the DP can return to batting only, play

           defense for another players or leave the game if the FLEX plays offense for the DP.

g.         Placing the FLEX into one of the first nine positions for someone other than the original DP is considered an illegal substitution.  The illegal substitute shall be removed from the game and restricted to the dugout/bench.  See Rule 2-57-2 for additional penalties.