2004 SOFTBALL

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2004 SOFTBALL NFHS DP/FLEX RULE

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Fundamental 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

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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.

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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

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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.

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SUBSTITUTING FOR THE DP

• The DP may be replaced by
• Substitute hitter or runner
• FLEX
• In all cases, the DP has left the game, with one
  re-entry permitted.

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HITTER OR RUNNER SUBS FOR THE DP

• Baker runs for Cooper

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

• Baker is now the DP

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THE FLEX MAY PLAY OFFENSE 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

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THE DP RE-ENTERS

• The DP (Cooper) re-enters to bat or run

• The FLEX (Brown)
• Returns to 10 position
• Plays defense only
• Has never left the game

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THE 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

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THE DP PLAYS DEFENSE FOR THE FLEX

• Cooper goes in to pitch

• Brown has left the game

• Lineup down to 9

• Brown may re-enter

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THE DP PLAYS DEFENSE FOR THE FLEX

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

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THE DP ON DEFENSEfor 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

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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)

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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.

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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.

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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.

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NFHS DP/FLEX RULE

SAMPLE EXERCISES
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SAMPLE LINEUP CARD

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

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SAMPLE EXCERCISE 1

• Jones" (DP) bats and gets on base safely
• The offensive coach asks for time for a change
• Green will run for Jones"

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SAMPLE EXCERCISE 1

• Green (FLEX) running for Jones (DP)
• Jones has left the game

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SAMPLE EXCERCISE 2

• 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)

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SAMPLE EXCERCISE 2

• Smith enters the game for the first time and is
  the new DP
• Green (FLEX) has NOT left the game back to
  defense only

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SAMPLE EXCERCISE 2

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

• Green remains in game playing right field -
  defense only

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SAMPLE EXCERCISE 3

• In the 4th inning, the offensive coach asks for
  time to make another change
• Jones to re-enter and bat for Smith

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SAMPLE EXCERCISE 3

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

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SAMPLE EXCERCISE 3

• Jones (DP) re-enters for Smith

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SAMPLE 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

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SAMPLE EXCERCISE 4

• 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

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SAMPLE EXCERCISE 4

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

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SAMPLE EXCERCISE 5

• 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.

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SAMPLE EXCERCISE 5

• 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)

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SAMPLE EXCERCISE 5

• Jones (DP) to play defense in right field for
  Green (FLEX)

• Thomas goes back to center field

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NFHS DP/FLEX RULE

QUESTIONS?
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NFHS DP/FLEX RULE

SAMPLE CASE STUDIES
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SITUATION A

• In the fifth inning, Jones enters the game as the
  DP and is placed at the end of the batting order.
  
• RULING

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SITUATION 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.

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SITUATION 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

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SITUATION 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.

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SITUATION 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

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SITUATION 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.

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SITUATION 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

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SITUATION 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.)

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SITUATION 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

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SITUATION 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.

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SITUATION F

• The FLEX-Green enters the game to bat for
  F1-Rodgrs, listed ninth and has a 1-1 count at
  discovery.
• RULING

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SITUATION 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.)

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SITUATION 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

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SITUATION 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)

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SITUATION 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

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SITUATION 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)

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SITUATION 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

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SITUATION 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)

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Bonus 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.

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NFHS DP/FLEX RULE

MORE QUESTIONS?