DP / FLEX question

[ILcoach]

If a team is batting 10 using DP / FLEX and an AP in USSSA, does the FLEX always have to be in the field on defense or can she sit on the bench for an inning without being substituted out?

 

[Comp]

If using the DP/Flex you dont bat 10, you only bat the first 9 in the order. The flex is listed in the 10th position and does not bat. Are you talking about using an AP along with the DP/Flex?

Regardless, the Flex is a defensive position and must play defense. If they do not, they have left the game and it would be an unreported substitution.

 

[redhotcoach]

Flex and Dp are joined, so think of them as one player. Dp is half a player and Flex is the other half of that player.

Dp can play defense for flex, but if flex came back in, it would be a reentry. Flex can bat in DP spot in the order, which takes dp out and she would be a re entry if she came back in.

A substitute can come in for either dp or flex, but since dp/flex is one (joined) player, it takes them both out of the game.

You can have a dp/flex (joined) player and an "additional player" to have 10 in the batting order. Warning though, if you only have 10-12 players, you can really handcuff yourself doing that. Been there done that.

 

[Seattlecoach]

A substitute can come in for either dp or flex, but since dp/flex is one (joined) player, it takes them both out of the game.

Just to be clear you can put a sub in for just the flex or just the dp correct? Say the pitcher is your flex and you put in another pitcher in the flex position you may still keep your dp.

 

[ILcoach]

I edited my question...batting 10 with DP / FLEX and an AP.

 

[SoCal_Dad]

A substitute can come in for either dp or flex, but since dp/flex is one (joined) player, it takes them both out of the game.

Just to be clear you can put a sub in for just the flex or just the dp correct? Say the pitcher is your flex and you put in another pitcher in the flex position you may still keep your dp.

You are correct and RHC's statement is at best misleading. I checked USSSA rules to make sure their DP/Flex were normal.

D. The DP may be substituted for at any time by a legal substitute or the FLEX player.
If the DP is replaced on offense by the FLEX player, the DP will leave the game. This reduces the number of players in the lineup by one. However the number of batters does not change.
If replaced by a substitute, both the DP position and FLEX position remain in the lineup.

E. A DP may re-enter one time, as long as the DP returns to the original position in the batting order. If the DP re-enters or a substitute enters as the DP and the FLEX player was batting in the DP’s spot, the FLEX player can either return to the FLEX position and play defense only, or leave the game.
...
G. The FLEX player may be substituted for at any time by a legal substitute and the FLEX position remains in the lineup.
If the FLEX player is not playing defense, the non-batting FLEX position is eliminated and the FLEX player is out of the game
Unless the FLEX player is playing offensive in the DP’s position, then the FLEX player may remain in the game and not play defense.
The FLEX position can be re-established if the FLEX player re-enters or is substituted for.

H. The FLEX player may re-enter the game one time provided they return to the non-batting position or to the DP’s position in the lineup.
1. If returning to the FLEX position, the FLEX player will play defense only for any player.
2. If returning to the DP position, the FLEX player will play offense and can play defense in any position. The FLEX position is suspended.

 

[redhotcoach]

Thanks for the correction so cal.

 

[PlayPerfect]

The DP can play defense anytime for any of the non flex's.

But this statement from above confused me..."Unless the FLEX player is playing offensive in the DP’s position, then the FLEX player may remain in the game and not play defense."

My understanding is the following: If the FLEX isn't on defense that means she's out of the game. Please confirm...

 

[SoCal_Dad]

The DP can play defense anytime for any of the non flex's.

But this statement from above confused me..."Unless the FLEX player is playing offensive in the DP’s position, then the FLEX player may remain in the game and not play defense."

My understanding is the following: If the FLEX isn't on defense that means she's out of the game. Please confirm...

It is a continuation of the previous sentence -

If the FLEX player is not playing defense, the non-batting FLEX position is eliminated and the FLEX player is out of the game
Unless the FLEX player is playing offensive in the DP’s position, then the FLEX player may remain in the game and not play defense.

They're not really a FLEX at that point if they're playing offense for the DP, so they don't have to play defense to stay in the game.

 

[PlayPerfect]

They're not really a FLEX at that point if they're playing offense for the DP, so they don't have to play defense to stay in the game.

They better play defense, 'cause you're down to nine players now and I believe all players will need to be in the field of play.