DP/Flex

Question
Hi Dr. Mark -

I enjoy reading your past answers and use them as a personal trivia game to test my knowledge!  My question pertains to the ever misunderstood DP/Flex.  I am confused by the asa rule book and think that there may be a contradiction.  Rule4-3-D; "if the starting dp is replaced on offense by the flex.....  .....A starting dp may re-enter one time......". This is considered a substitution -correct?

But in a later rule 4-3-I; "the flex replacing the dp is not considered a substitution... "

In our umpire school, the instructor had told us that flex/dp could flip-flop as many times as they wanted without being considered subbed/re-entered.  I am still unclear on the interpretation.   I honestly believe most coaches are afraid of this rule because they don't understand it fully.  I know if there is a trick to remember it, you will have it.

Thanks again for your help.  I look forward to your answer.

-Mike
NY

Answer
Hi Mike,

IMO the DP/Flex is simple, once you take the time to understand each piece and then move to the next piece and understand that and so on.  

Yes when the Flex replaces the DP (now the Flex both plays defense and offense) the game goes from 10 to 9 and it is considered a substitution for the DP

"The FLEX replacing the DP is not considered a substitution for the FLEX".  This simply says  we don't count moving the Flex into the DP's position as a substitution for the Flex, however as mentioned above it is for the DP, who can re-enter once.

the instructor had told us that flex/dp could flip-flop as many times as they wanted without being considered subbed/re-entered.  This would be true ONLY as it concerns the Flex going into the DP's position or the DP playing defense for the Flex(see below).  If you put the Flex into bat for the DP, the DP leaves. the game goes form 10 to 9 and it considered a substitution for the DP. Later you re-enter the same player as DP and the Flex moves back to 10th.  It is a re-entry for the DP but nothing for the Flex.  Later on you put the Flex in again to bat for the DP, who now leaves the game and cannot re-enter.  Later still you put a player not yet into the game at the DP's position and the Flex again moves back to 10th, again this nothing on the Flex, and so on.The same Flex player can move back and forth into the DP's position as many times as they want.

If the DP plays defense for the Flex, the game goes form 10 to 9 and it considered a substitution for the Flex, but nothing for the DP.  and now just reverse what I told you above re the Flex and DP changing.

The DP may play defense for any other player other than the Flex and that player still bats in their bp and they are NOT considered to have left the game, it is nothing for both players.In this case both the FLEX and the DP are playing defense at the same time and this is legal.

ps

I found this answer I gave quite a while ago on the DP/Flex and thought I'd add it for anyone interested....

This rule is not complicated but people like to make it so.  Just read each section, understand it, and that's what it is.

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 1-9 (for examples later this DP is going to be #1 batting 3rd) the DP bats (plays offense) for the FLEX player.

The FLEX who plays only defense MUST be listed 10th (for examples later this will be player #2) the flex does not bat in this position, we only bat the 1st 9.

The DP and any sub for the DP must stay in the original batting position (in this case B3)  If you put in #4 for #1, #4 is now the DP

The FLEX any any sub for the flex stay in the 10th position.  If you put #5 in to play defense for #2, #5 is now the FLEX.

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

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

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


Those are the basics...here's some more complicated stuff....

If the DP (#1) is playing defense for the FLEX (#2)(your playing w/ 9) and you wish to re-enter the FLEX, the DP can leave the game and #2 bats at B3, still playing w/9.....

OR the DP may continue to bat at B3 and play offense only (now you're playing w/10) and #2 goes back to 10 and does not bat......

OR the DP may continue to bat at B3 and play defense for ANOTHER PLAYER(as explained below). In all the above cases this 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) #3 is not considered to have left the game and this is not considered a substitution. #3 continues to bat in the B8 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 to bat at B3, the FLEX is not batting.

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.