This is an excellent video. A simple way for coaches to keep it straight: Offense... if the flex bats, the DP is out of the game and you no longer have DP/Flex until you re-enter the DP. Defense... If you make a defensive rotation that results in the Flex rotating off the field, the Flex is out of the game and you no longer have DP/Flex until you re-enter the Flex. Also... using the DP/Flex only for Pitchers locks you into the old, outdated baseball DH mindset. Good DP/Flex strategy is 100% driven by your players' abilities, not by their position. Why baseball refuses to adopt DP/Flex is a real head-scratcher! The DP/Flex rule, first used in 2004, was brilliantly crafted and has never had to undergo changes to its wording.
Question: I keep the book for our high school softball coach. He uses DP and Flex. Flex is our catcher. Occasionally she wants to run the bases so he will put her on kind of like a courtesy runner. Is that considered substituting? He also moves people around the field a lot. For example, pitcher got tired so she went to dugout, DP came into Right field, right field moved to first base, first became the pitcher. I like to note it down to track errors. How would you write it? Currently there's a bunch of scribbled notes on my scorebook. Today it was particularly confusing on my paper during a very long inning where the original pitcher went back in and people moved around again. Any suggestions are appreciated.
The flex can run for the DP but it is considered a substitute the DP is allowed one re-entry. If there are multiple subs the flex can run for the DP several times. As an umpire I don’t track defensive changes other than the pitcher and catcher for courtesy runners. Always remember though if the flex runs for the DP, the DP has left the game and is allowed one re-entry. If the Flex were to bat the only spot she can bat is for the DP. I hope this doesn’t confuse you.
This is an excellent video. A simple way for coaches to keep it straight: Offense... if the flex bats, the DP is out of the game and you no longer have DP/Flex until you re-enter the DP. Defense... If you make a defensive rotation that results in the Flex rotating off the field, the Flex is out of the game and you no longer have DP/Flex until you re-enter the Flex. Also... using the DP/Flex only for Pitchers locks you into the old, outdated baseball DH mindset. Good DP/Flex strategy is 100% driven by your players' abilities, not by their position. Why baseball refuses to adopt DP/Flex is a real head-scratcher! The DP/Flex rule, first used in 2004, was brilliantly crafted and has never had to undergo changes to its wording.
Thanks for watching! Yes the DP/Flex is an excellent tool if utilized properly
Very rarely do I leave a comment on TH-cam Videos, but you explained the FLEX position better than any I have ever asked. Great Job!
I wish I could take credit but this was our instructor at our local high school association
Question: I keep the book for our high school softball coach. He uses DP and Flex. Flex is our catcher. Occasionally she wants to run the bases so he will put her on kind of like a courtesy runner. Is that considered substituting?
He also moves people around the field a lot. For example, pitcher got tired so she went to dugout, DP came into Right field, right field moved to first base, first became the pitcher. I like to note it down to track errors. How would you write it? Currently there's a bunch of scribbled notes on my scorebook. Today it was particularly confusing on my paper during a very long inning where the original pitcher went back in and people moved around again.
Any suggestions are appreciated.
The flex can run for the DP but it is considered a substitute the DP is allowed one re-entry. If there are multiple subs the flex can run for the DP several times. As an umpire I don’t track defensive changes other than the pitcher and catcher for courtesy runners. Always remember though if the flex runs for the DP, the DP has left the game and is allowed one re-entry. If the Flex were to bat the only spot she can bat is for the DP. I hope this doesn’t confuse you.