fastpitch dp/flex

Question
QUESTION: assume a 10 player line-up utilizing a dp & flex. the pitcher bats in this line-up.  pitcher throws wildly and is replaced by another fielder.  pitcher goes to the bench.  a substitution is made for the dp and the replacement dp goes to the field and replaces the person who is now pitching.  the dp continues to field and bat.  the pitcher who left the game continues to bat.  is this legal or an illegal substitution?

ANSWER: Hi Micheal,

I'm trying to understand this....ie...starting F1 #2 bats at B1,  "is replaced by another fielder" (let's say they #1 batting at B2, they're already playing defense somewhere, you said "fielder").  "pitcher goes to the bench"  Ok now now you need a sub from the bench to come into play defense somewhere for F1 (#2)and they would bat at #2's B1.  Later you sub in for the DP (B3) and this DP now goes in and plays defense for #1 who goes to the bench.  Is this correct?

If so the DP can play defense for any other player in the BO, who would now continue to bat (#1 @ B2), but not play defense and it is not considered a substitution for that player.  Sub DP continues to bat at B3 and pitch.  #2 should not be batting anywhere.


Mark

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks mark but i think i muddied the water too much. i'll try using your symbols.

we have F1 (#1) B1.
F2 (#2) B2.
DP1 (#3) B3.
and, BW1 (#4) -- benchwarmer.

F1 (B1) replaces F2 (B2) on the field.
F2 goes to bench and continues to bat at B2.

BW1 (#4) replaces DP1 (#3) who was batting at B3.
(#4) takes the vacant F1 position.  (#4) fields and bats at B3.

DP1 (#3) neither bats nor fields.

legal or illegal?

Answer
Ok got it now,

Legal and here's why

We don't care what position they play defense, only where they bat.  So we don't care if #2 moves from Fx to pitch.

What we have is

#4 subs for #3 and #4 is now the DP
#4 now plays defense for #2 (f position doesn't matter)
#2 continues to bat at B2, not play defense and is not considered to have left the game.  You are still playing w/10

#4 is playing defense (for #2) and batting at B3, both the flex and the dp are playing defense at the same time and this is legal

#3 is not in the game, but may re-enter once at B3.

Mark