DP/Flex - illegal sub

Question
Had this happen this past weekend.
PONY rules.
Other team using DP / Flex.  DP in the #6 batting position, #3 position has injury and other team places Flex in #3 position to bat. Bases loaded, one out. First pitch to B1 (Flex) hits ball to F3. Throw to home gets force out on R1. I declare to the umpire an illegal substitution. Other manger said the Blue said this was OK. I stated that it was illegal substation as DP and Flex can not be in the batting order at the same time and asks blue if he needs to see it in the rules. I also said to the other manager that the blue should not be telling you how to sub, use DP/Flex. Blue agrees with me on illegal sub. I ask him if this is ruled like an un reported substitution which would be B1 out, and restricted to the bench and if our force out at home stands. He was unsure and it is not clear in the rules. I stated to him that we will take the out at home and the out on the illegal sub, inning over but am not sure if this is proper. Any ideas on the ruling?

I also had someone later state that you can suspend the flex due to injury but I disagreed and stated that the flex can only be suspended by entering for the DP only. In this case, they would be able to have 9 fielders but bat 8 and this is a chance you take using the DP/Flex with no subs.


Answer
Hi Jeffery,

These are ASA rules!  I do not know if PONY rules differ.

The dp and the flex cannot be in the offense at the same time.

The rules are clear.  If the flex is put in the batting order other than for the dp it is an illegal player and is disqualified.  Infractions are handled as an unreported substitute.

In this case, provided the appeal was made before the next pitch, all runners will return to the last base legally occupied before the batted ball, the IP is disqualified and called out and all other outs that occur on this play stand.

Jeff sounds to me you had it correct, nice job!

I know of no rule that allows you to suspend a flex because of injury (unless you some local rule)  You are again correct.

Mark