Regarding the DP/Flex and courtesy runners

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Jun 21, 2012
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So here is my question.

DP is a hard-hitting, slow-moving player.
Flex is starting pitcher.

DP hits a single, arrives at first safely. Enter the flex to run for DP. Can I now enter a courtesy runner for my pitcher(flex)?
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
No, in order to have a courtesy runner the pitcher or catcher must earn their own way onto base.
 
Jun 21, 2012
74
0
Since the DP is hitting for the flex, hasn't the flex, by normal account, earned the base that the DP was successful in securing?
Provided of course, that the flex is entered before the courtesy runner.

Now, what happens if, the flex is entered, reaches second, can the courtesy runner now be applied?
 

Strike2

Allergic to BS
Nov 14, 2014
2,044
113
Since the DP is hitting for the flex, hasn't the flex, by normal account, earned the base that the DP was successful in securing?
Provided of course, that the flex is entered before the courtesy runner.

Now, what happens if, the flex is entered, reaches second, can the courtesy runner now be applied?

Use a pinch runner for the hard-hitting but slow-moving DP.
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
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The dp is not hitting for the flex, the do is hitting for themselves. The flex is strictly a defensive position. When I say earn their way on base I suppose I should have said bat for themselves. No, a pitcher or catcher may not have a courtesy runner unless they bat for themselves. The only time they may have one and not have batted is if they are the player to be put on 2nd base in a tie breaker.
 
Mar 15, 2014
191
18
The last sentence of my post you quoted says exactly that.
I just checked the 2017 USA edition and it says that a substitute can be entered for a runner but no mention of a courtesy runner.
Is there a reference in the book or is this an unwritten interpretation?
 
Last edited:
Aug 29, 2011
2,581
83
NorCal
So here is my question.

DP is a hard-hitting, slow-moving player.
Flex is starting pitcher.

DP hits a single, arrives at first safely. Enter the flex to run for DP. Can I now enter a courtesy runner for my pitcher(flex)?

In this scenario hasn't the FLEX entered the game in the batting lineup for the DP as a pinch runner for the DP? And wouldn't the DP have to renter to hit for the FLEX removing her from the game?

I know this is separate question from the one OP asked but I'm curious about it since it sort of ties in to what he's asking.
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
When the flex replaced the dp in the lineup, the lineup has dropped to 9 players and for all practical purposes there is no more dp/flex at the moment. If the coach wants the dp back in the batting order they must use a re-entry to come back Into the game and the flex simply moves back to the 10th spot in the lineup and becomes a defensive only player again. The flex has never left the game so they do not have to use a re-entry to move back to being the flex.
 

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