1. Training Agenda 2-11-2018 1. Interaction between officials 2
Training Agenda Interaction between officials 2. Interaction between officials and coaches 3. Uniforms 4. DP/FLEX and Managing Line-up Cards 1

2. DP/FLEX 2

3. Basic rules to remember:
DP/FLEX
Basic rules to remember:
DP/FLEX option may be used provided it is made known prior to start of game
DP’s name is on lineup as one of nine hitters in batting order
Player for whom DP is batting (FLEX) placed in 10th position in lineup 3

4. DP/FLEX Basic rules to remember:
Coach decides the ten players he/she wants as starters
List those who will bat in slots 1 thru 9
List the remaining player – FLEX – on the 10th line
Fill in the defensive positions and the player not initially playing defense (and/or “tied” to the FLEX) as the DP 4

5. DP/FLEX When making lineup changes:
The DP cannot play defense only; the FLEX cannot play offense only
When the DP spot in the order comes up – the DP, FLEX or a legal substitute must bat or run bases
The DP may replace anyone on defense at any time, any number of times 5

6. DP/FLEX
The FLEX may replace the DP any time, any number of times (re-entry restrictions)
When any of the first nine leaves the batting order – they have left the game
When the FLEX doesn’t play defense – she has left the game 6

7. DP/FLEX
Illegal substitution if FLEX goes in to bat for anyone but the DP
Team may go from 10 to 9 players any number of times or end the game with 10 or 9 players
DP and FLEX may never be on offense at the same time – but may be on defense at the same time 7

8. Only 2 Ways to Temporarily Terminate the DP
DP/FLEX
Only 2 Ways to Temporarily Terminate the DP
1. If the Flex, 10th position on the lineup card, bats or runs for the DP. 2. If the DP plays defense for the flex.

9. DP/FLEX Re-Entry - DP – wherever she was
Like any other player the players playing as DP & FLEX can leave the game & re-enter one time
Just like any starting player they must re-enter in their original slot in the lineup
- DP – wherever she was
- FLEX – number 10 position

10. Any Starting Player may be sub’ed for:
DP/FLEX
Any Starting Player may be sub’ed for:
If the DP is sub’ed for
- The sub becomes the DP
- The sub has all the privileges of the DP
If the FLEX is sub’ed for
- The sub becomes the FLEX
- The sub has all the privileges of the FLEX role

11. DP/FLEX Maintaining your lineup card:
DP/FLEX option may be used only if it is made known prior to start of game
One of the first nine hitters listed in batting order must be designated as the DP.
Player for whom DP is batting (FLEX) must be placed in 10th position in lineup
For Umpires. The following are helpful hints in properly maintaining your lineup card:
1. A team may use the DP/FLEX option provided it is made known prior to the start of the game.
2. The DP’s name is indicated on the lineup as one of the nine hitters in the batting order.
3. The name of the player for whom the DP is batting (FLEX) is placed in the 10th position in the lineup.

12. DP/FLEX
A Legal substitute may replace the DP at any time or the FLEX may bat for DP. (When this happens, the DP has left game. Team goes from 10 to 9 players.)
DP may play defense at any position
A Legal substitute may replace FLEX at any time or DP may play defense for FLEX.(When this happens the FLEX has left game. Team goes from 10 to 9 players.)
4. The DP may be substituted for at any time by a legal substitute or the FLEX may play offense for the DP. In either case, the DP has left the game.
5. The DP may play defense at any position.
6. The FLEX may be substituted for at any time by a legal substitute or the DP may play defense for the FLEX. In either case, the FLEX has left the game.

13. DP/FLEX
It is an illegal substitution if FLEX goes in to bat for anyone but the DP
Team may go from 10 to 9 players any number of times or end the game with 10 or 9 players
DP and FLEX may never be on offense at the same time – but may be on defense at the same time
7. Placing the FLEX into one of the first nine positions for someone other than the DP’s position is considered an illegal substitution.
8. A team may go from 10 to nine players and back to 10 any number of times during the game; the game may also end with 10 or nine players.
9. The DP and FLEX may never be on offense at the same time; however, they may play defense at the same time.

14. DP/FLEX RULE SAMPLE EXERCISES (Rule 3-3-6)

15. Sample Lineup Card A.
All samples will use this lineup card and progress through a series of substitutions B C D E F G H J K L M N P

16. “Jones" (DP) bats and gets on base safely
Sample Exercise #1
“Jones" (DP) bats and gets on base safely
The offensive coach asks for time for a change
“Green will run for Jones"

17. Green (FLEX) running for Jones (DP)
Sample Exercise #1
Green (FLEX) running for Jones (DP)
This slide contains several “layers” of the lineup card that can only be seen when the slide show is being viewed.

18. Team goes down to 9 players.
Sample Exercise #1
Note –
Jones has left the game
Team goes down to 9 players.

19. Two innings later, Green singles to left
Sample Exercise #2
Two innings later, Green singles to left
The offensive coach asks for time to make a change
"Smith running for Green and Green will still be playing right field”

20. Smith (sub) running for Green (FLEX)
Sample Exercise #2
Smith (sub) running for Green (FLEX)
Green remains in game playing right field only
This slide contains several “layers” of the lineup card that can only be seen when the slide show is being viewed.

21. Sample Exercise #2 Note –
Smith enters the game for the first time and is the new DP
Green (FLEX) has NOT left the game – back to defense only
Team goes back up to 10 players

22. “Jones to re-enter and bat for Smith”
Sample Exercise #3
In the 4th inning, the offensive coach asks for time to make another change
“Jones to re-enter and bat for Smith”

23. Jones (DP) re-enters for Smith
Sample Exercise #3
Jones (DP) re-enters for Smith
This slide contains several “layers” of the lineup card that can only be seen when the slide show is being viewed.

24. Jones has used her re-entry
Sample Exercise #3
Note –
Jones has used her re-entry
Smith has left the game and has a re-entry remaining

25. “Jones (DP) will play defense in center field for Thomas”
Sample Exercise #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”

26. Jones (DP) to play defense in center field for Thomas
Sample Exercise #4
Jones (DP) to play defense in center field for Thomas
This slide contains several “layers” of the lineup card that can only be seen when the slide show is being viewed.

27. Jones the DP is now playing offense and defense
Sample Exercise #4
Note –
Jones the DP is now playing offense and defense
Thomas still bats in the 3rd position in the lineup and is playing offense only

28. Sample Exercise #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”

29. Jones (DP) to play defense in right field for Green (FLEX)
Sample Exercise #5
Jones (DP) to play defense in right field for Green (FLEX)
This slide contains several “layers” of the lineup card that can only be seen when the slide show is being viewed.
Thomas goes back to center field

30. Sample Exercise #5 Note –
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)
Team goes down to 9 players.

31. DP/FLEX Case Book Situations (E)
A team is using 10 players in its lineup, with the DP batting 3rd. The FLEX is playing right field and is a very fast runner. In the 1st, 3rd and 6th innings, the DP gets on base and, in each case, the FLEX is put in to run. Is this legal?

32. DP/FLEX Case Book Situations (E)
Ruling: It is legal for the defensive position player (FLEX) to do this since she never left the game. However, it would be a illegal for the starting DP to return to bat in the 6th inning…a violation of the re-entry rule.

33. DP/FLEX Case Book Situations (H)
The 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- Smith enters the game replacing R3 as the runner at first base.

34. DP/FLEX Case Book Situations (H)
RULING: Illegal runner. The defensive position player (FLEX) can only run for the listed DP position.
What is the umpires action when this is discovered?
The FLEX-B. Smith is called out if at bat or on base, disqualified and replaced with a legal substitute. (3-4-1a; 3-3-6g)

35. DP/FLEX Case Book Situations(D)
The FLEX begins the game playing defense at 2nd base. In the 4th inning, without reporting, she bats in place of the starting DP. Is this legal?

36. DP/FLEX Case Book Situations (D)
Ruling: The FLEX is an unreported substitute. The umpire shall issue a team warning to the coach of the team involved and the next offender, along with the head coach, shall be restricted to the dugout for the remainder of the game. (3-6-7) When the FLEX bats, this removes the DP from the game and requires re-entry to return to the game.

37. DP/FLEX Case Book Situations (J)
Team A only has 10 players and is utilizing the DP option. The Flex is pitching and is listed at the 10th player. The DP is batting in the 5th spot in the batting order. In the 3rd inning the flex reports and bats for the DP remaining in the 5th spot in the batting order. In the 4th inning the shortstop (#8 in the order) slides into 3B breaking her foot and is forced to leave the game. What are team A’s options?

38. DP/FLEX Case Book Situations (J)
Ruling: The DP may play shortstop or any defensive position at the same time as the FLEX. The team is able to maintain 9 players on defense, but may only bat 8 (an out being reported when the 8th spot comes up to bat.
(3-3-8,4-3-1f)