DP Flex and base running

Normal DP / Flex.
DP hitting 5th
Flex playing 2B.

We are hitting on offense.
DP gets on base with a walk. DP is not currently pitching, but will later in the game. Pitcher is also in the lineup.

We want a faster runner so bring Flex in to run for DP.

1. Would this require a full substitution and you must use a re-entry to bring DP back into the game to hit again?
2. If you re-enter DP, does it need to be reported since the line up didn't change, and Flex never quit playing defense?

Only have 1 sub, and using her as CR to run for pitcher.

Thanks for your help.

The Flex is part of your lineup (though not batting) not a sub. If she runs for the DP you have subbed her in on offense and the DP hitting for her would be a starter reentry removing the Flex from the game. At least that is my understanding of the rule.

Any time a player leaves the batting lineup or reenters the batting lineup it must be reported to the umpire. If your DP gets on base and you bring the flex in to run, the DP has left the game and must reenter if they are to bat or play defense again. You can do it twice with the original DP, but the 2nd time they cannot return to play as they have used their reentry.

Sweet Lou said:

The Flex is part of your lineup (though not batting) not a sub. If she runs for the DP you have subbed her in on offense and the DP hitting for her would be a starter reentry removing the Flex from the game. At least that is my understanding of the rule.

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It is not the flex that has left the game, it is the DP. The flex has simply replaced the DP in the lineup and the DP must use a reentry to return to their spot in the batting order or play defense. The flex would simply return to the 10th spot playing defense only.

Comp said:

Any time a player leaves the batting lineup or reenters the batting lineup it must be reported to the umpire. If your DP gets on base and you bring the flex in to run, the DP has left the game and must reenter if they are to bat or play defense again. You can do it twice with the original DP, but the 2nd time they cannot return to play as they have used their reentry.

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Comp, just so I have this right

So in this case Flex runs for DP. As I understand they now take DP's spot in lineup. If I want DP to bat again I can have them re-enter for Flex in batting order

If I do that and DP gets on, are you saying I could do this one more time and have Flex run again for them or is the 2nd time putting DP back in the game?

Comp said:

It is not the flex that has left the game, it is the DP. The flex has simply replaced the DP in the lineup and the DP must use a reentry to return to their spot in the batting order or play defense. The flex would simply return to the 10th spot playing defense only.

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Yeah I think that's what I was trying to say. Except when DP hits again it is a reentry and I though at that point the Flex is out of the game and can't return. Do I have that wrong?

If you have your flex run or bat for your dp, yes, the flex has taken the dp's spot in the lineup and the dp has left the game. If you want to have the dp bat, or play defense again, they must reenter their original spot in the lineup. They are not replacing the flex, they are simply retaking their original spot in the batting order and the flex simply drops back to being a defensive only player. But, the dp has used their one reentry, you can have the flex run or bat for the dp a second time, but that dp is now done for the game. Any available legal sub can be brought in to replace the original dp, but the player who was originally in the dp spot is done for the game if you remove them from the lineup a 2nd time.

Sweet Lou said:

Yeah I think that's what I was trying to say. Except when DP hits again it is a reentry and I though at that point the Flex is out of the game and can't return. Do I have that wrong?

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In the scenario being used, the flex has never left the game. They moved up to take the dp spot and then dropped back to the flex position. It was the dp who left the game. If the coach did the opposite, had the dp play defense for the flex, then it would be the flex who left the game and would have to reenter to play defense again. In the reverse situation I just used, the dp never left the game they just played defense for the flex and can go back to being just the dp when the flex reenters.

Comp said:

Any time a player leaves the batting lineup or reenters the batting lineup it must be reported to the umpire. If your DP gets on base and you bring the flex in to run, the DP has left the game and must reenter if they are to bat or play defense again. You can do it twice with the original DP, but the 2nd time they cannot return to play as they have used their reentry.

Click to expand...

Thanks Comp,

That makes it very clear. When I was typing the OP, I was trying to think, but nothing was happening.

Thanks Comp, clear as always. Appreciate the education!