2004 softball nfhs dp/flex rule

2004 SOFTBALL

NFHS DP/FLEX RULE

JUA

04/22/232

Fundamental Rule ChangeFundamental Rule Change

• DP rule replaces DH rule.• With the DP rule you can do

everything you did with the DH rule plus a whole lot more!

• The DP position is never terminated

04/22/233

BEGINNING THE GAME BEGINNING THE GAME

• A DP/FLEX does not have to be used.

• If used it must be noted on the starting lineup.

• A team using the DP/FLEX starts the game with 10, but can later play or end with 9 or 10.

04/22/234

THE LINEUP CARD THE LINEUP CARD • The DP is an offensive

player and must be listed in one of the nine batting positions

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

04/22/235

THE LINEUP CARD THE LINEUP CARD • A starting DP may re-enter one

time but must return to the original position in the batting order.

• A starting FLEX may re-enter one time but must return to the 10th position on the lineup card.

04/22/236

SUBSTITUTING FOR THE DP SUBSTITUTING FOR THE DP

• The DP may be replaced by: Substitute hitter or runnerFLEX

• In all cases, the DP has left the game, with one re-entry permitted.

04/22/237

HITTER OR RUNNER HITTER OR RUNNER SUBS FOR THE DPSUBS FOR THE DP

• Baker runs for Cooper

• Cooper (DP) has left the game and has a re-entry remaining

• Baker is now the DP

04/22/238

THE FLEX MAY PLAY THE FLEX MAY PLAY OFFENSE FOR THE DPOFFENSE FOR THE DP

• If the FLEX bats or runs for the DP, the DP leaves the game

• The FLEX (Brown) is now batting in the 7th position

• Lineup down to 9

04/22/239

THE DP RE-ENTERSTHE DP RE-ENTERS• The DP (Cooper) re-

enters to bat or run• The FLEX (Brown):

Returns to #10 position

Plays defense onlyHas never left the game

04/22/2310

THE DP MAY PLAY DEFENSETHE DP MAY PLAY DEFENSE

• The DP may play defense for the FLEX

• The DP may play defense for any player in the top nine positions of the batting order

04/22/2311

THE DP PLAYS DEFENSE THE DP PLAYS DEFENSE FOR THE FLEXFOR THE FLEX

• Cooper goes in to pitch

• Brown has left the game

• Lineup down to 9• Brown may re-enter

04/22/2312

THE DP PLAYS DEFENSE THE DP PLAYS DEFENSE FOR THE FLEXFOR THE FLEX

• If the DP plays defense for a player other than the FLEX, that player still bats and has not left the game

04/22/2313

THE DP ON DEFENSETHE DP ON DEFENSEfor another playerfor another player

• Cooper plays second base and still bats 7th

• Able no longer plays defense but still bats 2nd

• Able has not left the game

04/22/2314

ILLEGAL SUBSTITUTION ILLEGAL SUBSTITUTION

You CANNOT:• Place the FLEX player into the first

nine positions for someone other than the DP…

• Results in an illegal substitution.• FLEX is OUT, disqualified and a legal

substitute is required (the player the FLEX tried to replace can use a re-entry if available)

04/22/2315

KEY POINTS KEY POINTS

• The role of the DP/FLEX is never terminated.

• A team may go from 10 to 9 players and back to 10 players any number of times during the game.

• The game may end with 10 or 9 players.

04/22/2316

EASY REMINDERS EASY REMINDERS • The DP can never be on defense

only. • The FLEX can never be on

offense only. • The DP and FLEX can never

be on offense at the same time. be out of the game at the same

time.

04/22/2317

EASY REMINDERS EASY REMINDERS

• The DP and the FLEX can play defense at the same time.

• Only 9 players can play on offense at a time. defense at a time.

SAMPLE EXERCISES

NFHS DP/FLEX RULE

JUA

04/22/2319

SAMPLE LINEUPSAMPLE LINEUP CARD CARD

All samples will use this card and progress through a series of substitutions

04/22/2320

SAMPLE EXCERCISE #1SAMPLE EXCERCISE #1

• “Jones" (DP) bats and gets on base safely

• The offensive coach asks for time for a change

“Green will run for Jones"

04/22/2321


• Green (FLEX) running for Jones (DP)

• Jones has left the game

04/22/2322


• Two innings later, Green singles to left

• The offensive coach asks for time to make a change

"Smith in to run as the DP and Green will still be playing right field” (now playing with 10)

04/22/2323


• Smith enters the game for the first time and is the new DP

• Green (FLEX) has NOT left the game – back to defense only

04/22/2324


•Smith (sub) (now the DP) running for Green (FLEX)

•Green remains in game playing right field - defense only

04/22/2325


• In the 4th inning, the offensive coach asks for time to make another change

“Jones to re-enter and bat for Smith”

04/22/2326


• Jones is using her re-entry

• Smith is leaving the game and has a re-entry remaining

04/22/2327


• Jones (DP) re-enters for Smith

04/22/2328

SAMPLE EXCERCISE #4SAMPLE EXCERCISE #4• In the next half inning, the

defensive coach asks for time to make another change

“Jones (DP) will play defense in center field for Thomas”

04/22/2329


• Jones (DP) is now playing offense and defense

• Thomas still bats in the 3rd position in the lineup and is playing offense only

• Green (FLEX) still in the field

04/22/2330


• Jones (DP) to play defense in center field for Thomas Note POS change

04/22/2331


• An inning later, the defensive coach asks for time to make another change

“Jones will move to right field and play defense for Green; Thomas will go back to center field.”

04/22/2332


• Jones (DP) is still playing offense and defense

• Green (FLEX) has left the game since she is not playing defense (still has a re-entry remaining)

04/22/2333


• Jones (DP) to play defense in right field for Green (FLEX)• Thomas goes back to center field

NFHS DP/FLEX RULE

QUESTIONS?

JUA

SAMPLECASE STUDIES

NFHS DP/FLEX RULE

JUA

04/22/2336

SITUATION ASITUATION AIn the fifth inning, Jones enters the game

as the DP and is placed at the end of the batting order. RULING:

04/22/2337

SITUATION ASITUATION A In the fifth inning, Jones enters the game as the DP and is

placed at the end of the batting order. RULING: Illegal. The DP must be announced prior to the start of the game with her name entered on the starting lineup.

04/22/2338

SITUATION BSITUATION BDP-Jones hits a triple and sprains her ankle

sliding into third base. The coach has substitute-Howell enter the game to be a pinch-runner for DP-Jones. How does this affect the playing status of DP-Jones and the FLEX player, Green, for whom Jones is batting? RULING:

04/22/2339

SITUATION BSITUATION B DP-Jones hits a triple and sprains her ankle sliding into

third base. The coach has substitute-Howell enter the game to be a pinch-runner for DP-Jones. How does this affect the playing status of DP-Jones and the FLEX player, Green, for whom Jones is batting? RULING: When a pinch-runner or pinch-hitter replaces the DP, that player becomes the new DP. DP-Jones can re-enter later or the FLEX-Green could bat in substitute-Howell's position later and it would be legal.

04/22/2340

SITUATION CSITUATION CIn the first inning, the DP-Jones, listed in

the fourth spot of the batting order, hits a double. Substitute-Brown replaces DP-Jones on second base. In the fourth inning, substitute-Howell bats for Brown and has a 1-1 count. The coach elects to replace Howell with the FLEX-Green. RULING:

04/22/2341

SITUATION CSITUATION C In the first inning, the DP-Jones, listed in the

fourth spot of the batting order, hits a double. Substitute-Brown replaces DP-Jones on second base. In the fourth inning, substitute-Howell bats for Brown and has a 1-1 count. The coach elects to replace Howell with the FLEX-Green. RULING: Legal. The FLEX player must bat in the listed DP's position regardless of the number of substitutions in that batting position.

04/22/2342

SITUATION DSITUATION DFLEX-Green begins the game playing

defense at second base. In the fourth inning, without reporting, she bats in place of Jones, the starting DP. RULING:

04/22/2343

SITUATION DSITUATION D FLEX-Green begins the game playing defense at second

base. In the fourth inning, without reporting, she bats in place of Jones, the starting DP. RULING: Legal, it is not required for FLEX-Green to report when batting in DP-Jones's position. However, when FLEX-Green bats, this removes DP-Jones from the game and requires re-entry to return to the game.

(Team warning for unreported substitute is warranted.)

04/22/2344

SITUATION ESITUATION ETeam A is using 10 players in its lineup,

with the DP-Jones batting third. FLEX-Green is playing right field and is a very fast runner. In the first, third and sixth innings, DP-Jones gets on base and, in each case, the FLEX-Green is put in to run. Is this legal? RULING:

04/22/2345

SITUATION ESITUATION E Team A is using 10 players in its lineup, with the DP-

Jones batting third. FLEX-Green is playing right field and is a very fast runner. In the first, third and sixth innings, DP-Jones gets on base and, in each case, the FLEX-Green is put in to run. Is this legal? RULING: It is legal for the defensive position player (FLEX) to do this since she never leaves the game. However, it would be illegal for the starting DP-Jones to return to

bat in the sixth inning. This is a violation of the re-entry rule.

04/22/2346

SITUATION FSITUATION FThe FLEX-Green enters the game to bat

for F1-Rodgrs, listed ninth and has a 1-1 count at discovery. RULING:

04/22/2347

SITUATION FSITUATION F The FLEX-Green enters the game to bat for F1-Rodgers,

listed ninth and has a 1-1 count at discovery. RULING: Illegal substitution. Since the FLEX-Green is at bat, she is declared out and disqualified. The FLEX-Green can only bat in the DP position. (3-4-1 Pen)

(If the FLEX is to return to the field, a legal substitute is required.)

04/22/2348

SITUATION GSITUATION GThe DP-Jones bats fourth in the lineup. In

the third inning, the DP-Jones plays defense for F2 who bats sixth in the order. In the fifth inning, the FLEX-Green, who is listed 10th, bats for F2. RULING:

04/22/2349

SITUATION GSITUATION G The DP-Jones bats fourth in the lineup. In the third

inning, the DP-Jones plays defense for F2 who bats sixth in the order. In the fifth inning, the FLEX-Green, who is listed 10th, bats for F2. RULING: Illegal batter. The defensive position player (FLEX) can only bat in the DP batting position. The FLEX-Green is OUT, disqualified and replaced with a legal substitute. (3-4-1 Pen)

04/22/2350

SITUATION HSITUATION HDP-Jones is listed fourth in the batting

order and is the runner on third base. R2 is on second and R3 is at first base. The FLEX-Green enters the game replacing R3 as the runner at first base. RULING:

04/22/2351

SITUATION HSITUATION H DP-Jones is listed fourth in the batting order and is the

runner on third base. R2 is on second and R3 is at first base. The FLEX-Green enters the game replacing R3 as the runner at first base.

RULING: Illegal runner. The defensive position player (FLEX) can only run for the listed DP position. The FLEX-Green is OUT, disqualified and replaced with a legal substitute. (3-4-1 Pen)

04/22/2352

SITUATION ISITUATION IDP-Jones is on first base and is replaced

by substitute-Howell. Later in the game, starting DP-Jones re-enters as a batter and reaches first base safely. Substitute-Brown then replaces DP-Jones as a runner. During extra innings, starting DP-Jones is at the plate with a 1-2 count when the situation is brought to the plate umpire's attention. RULING:

04/22/2353

SITUATION ISITUATION I DP-Jones is on first base and is replaced by substitute-

Howell. Later in the game, starting DP-Jones re-enters as a batter and reaches first base safely. Substitute-Brown then replaces DP-Jones as a runner. During extra innings, starting DP-Jones is at the plate with a 1-2 count when the situation is brought to the plate umpire's attention. RULING: Illegal re-entry, DP-Jones is OUT, disqualified and replaced by a legal substitute. (3-3-5; 3-4-1 Pen)

04/22/2354

Bonus Question: T or FBonus Question: T or F It is possible for the FLEX to bat out of order. TRUE

Placing the FLEX into one of the first nine positions for someone other than the original DP is considered an illegal substitution. (3-3-6g). Illegal offensive players may be discovered: when in the batter's box, the ball is live and/or before the batter-runner reaches first base, or is put out and before a pitch is delivered to the next batter of either team (3-4-2a)

PENALTY: The illegal substitute is restricted to the bench/dugout and called out. The proper batter is considered to have lost her turn at bat. The next proper batter shall bat.

NFHS DP/FLEX RULE

MORE QUESTIONS?

JUA

2004 softball nfhs dp/flex rule

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