ASA Flex Player - Please confirm role at start of game

Question
This question pertains to ASA 14U Fastpitch.

At the beginning of a game, if a designated player (DP) is listed as a batter and FLEX player is listed as number 10 in the lineup, please confirm that the FLEX player does NOT bat.

The reason I am asking is that in a recent tournament, the other team batted their FLEX player as the 10th hitter in the lineup.  When this was challenged by our team, the umpire (ASA) insisted that the FLEX player does indeed bat.  Our interpretation of the rule was that the FLEX player does not bat unless substitution etc. takes place later.  In other words, only 9 players bat in the lineup at any one time.

We were very confused to say the least by the umpires response to our challenge.

Thanks for any clarification you can provide.

Regards,
Dave

Answer
Hi Dave,

you had an umpire that doesn't understand the flex/dp rule!

the DP bats for the FLEX!

The DP and the FLEX can NEVER be on offense at the same time.  They may play defense together but that's another question.

The FLEX may ONLY bat in the DP's batting position (since the DP is batting for the FLEX)  In which case the DP leaves the game and you are now playing w/ 9.  The DP can re-enter once and the FLEX can leave the game or move back to 10th.  If they move back it is not considered a substitution for the FLEX.

The FLEX does not bat except in the above case and never in the 10th position and never in any other position other than the DP's.

IN FP you can only bat 9 never 10

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