DP and Flex

[rsklinge]

Hey all,

I've been skimming and searching the website and forums all morning, and I guess I'm crying "Uncle" and asking you guys.

I'm sorry if this has been already addressed, but in the Player Info screen, the batting options at the bottom are No, Yes, DP, and Flex.

What do DP and Flex mean? It's been bugging me for some time now.

I'm using iScore to keep track of my Strat-O-Matic baseball games. So far, it's been awesome. Far better than trying to come up with scoresheets for all of the games (about five reams of paper for a full season! Death to all trees!)

Thanks in advance for your help,
Rob K.

[CSThunderCoach]

DP and Flex are for softball (at least that is the only place I have seen it used.)
It is like the DH rule in baseball. The DP bats and the Flex plays the field. The real difference is how you use the Flex and DP players.
There is a great article on how to implement the DP/Flex in the lineup. http://www.fastsports.com/tips/tip25/index.shtml

[rsklinge]

Wow. This is both really interesting, and it also kinda makes my head hurt a little. So the DP is like a DH, except (s)he can swap into any defensive position other than who (s)he's flexing, and it won't count as a substitution or change the order or anything. This rule must not be in beer-league-type softball. It's hard enough trying to figure out the "The second foul ball after 2 strikes is a strikeout" rule!

Regardless, I guess this means I can safely ignore the options. Thanks for your help!

[Bryan D Shepherd]

As an umpire that tries to keep track of the subs (because once a player leaves the lineup, they can re-enter one time), that rule sucks. In fact, there was a one hour powerpoint that was delivered at my board meeting a couple years ago that was solely on one way to keep everything straight with the DP/FLEX rule on the lineup card.

[CSThunderCoach]

The beauty of the rule is that the DP/Flex players really aren't leaving the lineup except when coming in/out for each other - than that whole 1/2 substitution comes in - then I'm with you - too confusing .
On hot summer days I can rest players throughout a game without the penalty of substitution.
I don't generally ding umpires (except after a game ), but I get different rulings from umpires when I try to use the DP/Flex with pitchers - some say I can swap pitchers every batter - some say I can't. I usually have to clerify prior to a game before I make a pitcher the DP.

[Bryan D Shepherd]

I could give you my interpretation if you like. I've never had to do it with pitchers before..but I can look it up for you.

Won't change the fact that I hate the rule..

[CSThunderCoach]

Thank you.

Scenario:
DP is a backup pitcher / Flex is the Catcher.

Question: Can I swap out starting pitcher with DP as many times as I like? For example, by backup pitcher is a lefty and has been dominating certain batters on the other team. Each time that batter comes to the plate, swap pitchers. Some umpires allow it some say that my starting pitcher will only be allowed the 1 re-entry - but she is still in the starting lineup -that hasn't changed with the use of the DP. I have learned to check prior to submitting my lineup just to be sure.

[Bryan D Shepherd]

Okay, I found it. Under Rule 3.3.2 Note, it says "A pitcher may be removed as a pitcher and return as pitcher only once per inning provided the return does not violate either the substitution or charged conference rule" then under 3.3.6d-e, it says that the DP may be substituted for at ANY TIME...The DP may play defense at any position. Should teh DP play defense for a player other then the FLEX, that player will continue to bat but not play defense (becoming the temporary DP).

This means you can swap out the starting pitcher with the DP as a positional change once per inning for each player (i.e. 1 starts, 1-DP, then DP-1, then 1-DP and each has left the pitcher and returned to pitcher that inning). Also, if a player returns to pitch in the same inning, there are no warm-up pitches allowed. Make sure each time, you let the umpire know.

[CSThunderCoach]

Thanks Bryan.
I think the "charged conference rule" is maybe where I am running into problems. Thanks for the clarification.

[Bryan D Shepherd]

I doubt it, it says you can walk out and talk to your pitcher 3 times per game. After that the pitcher must be removed from the circle for the remainder of the game.