DP Flex Rules

A brief presentation of NCAA Softball rules for the DP/Flex positions. Presented by Umpire Ken Miller at the annual NESU (New England Softball Umpires) Meeting in 2017. Twitter: @kennethrmiller

[@jphickey77]

As a broadcaster about to start covering softball games at my junior college, I couldn't be more appreciative of this tutorial. I've done PA for 6 years, and I kept *thinking* I understood this rule and then something would trip me up and make me question everything. The "chair" is a perfect visual aid. Thanks, Ken!

[@adrianmoore6450]

Ken, thank you for this!! As a coach who is new to the world of travel ball, this was so helpful. You did a fantastic job of making it easy to understand.

[@glensaintjohns7337]

Thanks Ken! This was the best example of the DP/Flex explanation. Please post more videos. We'll all benefit from your experience and understanding.

[@pastorv83]

Thank you for that great presentation. As a fairly new umpire (4 years) The DP/Flex rule can still be a bit confusing at time and every year I refresh myself on it as I umpire both baseball and softball.

[@carllegate8394]

I'm new to umpiring fast pitch coming over from baseball. This video really helped me understand the DP/Flex. Thank you

[@dougamigo]

The best presentation/explanation of the DP/Flex I've seen. Thanks

[@Rooster2.6]

Thanks Ken, this was super helpful, it’s a lot easier to understand than reading it off of paper.

[@ajwalkin1]

Ken, Great DP/Flex video. Even though we know the principles, its great having this online.

[@dogpatch75]

Great video. Something not covered that can cause confusion is when a defensive rotation is complex involving multiple position swaps. The player who actually bumps the Flex to the bench causing her to be out of the game does not have to be the DP. If rotating the DP to the field causes multiple position swaps and it results in the Flex rotating to the bench, the Flex is out of the game. An excellent way to understand it on the defensive side is to just remember that anytime the DP rotates on and the Flex rotates off, regardless of who actually steps into the Flex's position, she is out of the game and must re-enter to return.

[@melaniej.chiappone5435]

Very good explanation !

[@brdman55]

Nice job!

[@thomaslorenzo7244]

Thanks a lot

[@BecauseItsCool]

Ken. I review this once a month.

[@luvyrbrain]

When the FLEX is first on the line up as the 10th player and she is assigned to a defensive position is she obligated to return to that defensive position? Or is she free to go anywhere except where the DP is playing?

[@kenmiller1977]

The Flex may play defense at any position. For example, if the Flex is entered on the lineup card as the Pitcher, she may switch positions with the Third Baseman, so that she goes the Third Base, and the Third Baseman becomes the new Pitcher. It's an ordinary defensive switch.

[@robertozillioxo]

The only thing I would like to see more is the line cards with not just names and order but Jersey Numbers. and not having that twitchey part .

[@josephmiddlebrooks774]

Can a flex in the game run for multiple players? I know she can only hit for the DP, but can she run for more than one?

[@kenmiller1977]

Running is the same as batting. If the Flex goes into the offensive lineup (whether to bat or to run), she must go into the position in the lineup occupied by the DP. Otherwise, you could have a speedy flex run for batter #1, and later in the same inning run for batter #4, etc.... So, if she goes into the game on offense, she must occupy the slot in the batting order originally occupied by the DP.

[@puppylove4506]

If Jody comes in to run for Mary. Can the coach tell the umpire that she is going to re enter Mary at the same time as Jody goes into the game? ( kill two birds with on stone) Or does the coach need to wait until the inning is over or the batting position comes up again to make the re entry?

[@user-ns8ic1cs4o]

No. This would be considered a projected sub. When coach is ready for Jody to come out of the game the coach must then report it to the umpire

[@jimfontanilla3915]

Can the OP hit when up to bat?

[@kenmiller1977]

Sure. She's in the batting order, so naturally she can hit... or at least has a chance to hit. ;-)

[@treymatlock3775]

Mary hits a double; Jody is entered to run; Mary comes up hits her single..but was not entered back into the game...is she out after properly protesting after the AB?

[@kenmiller1977]

When Jody entered the game, Mary was removed. If Mary then comes up to bat she is an unreported substitute. Under NCAA and USA-Softball rules if the offended team protests after the at bat, she is called out and declared to be back in the game. All other outs that might have been recorded as a result of her unreported turn at bat will stand. (PS: I don't have a copy of my NFHS rulebook handy, so I will make a guess. The result of the protest is a team warning for the first offense, but Mary gets to stay on base. Happy to be corrected by anyone more expert in the NFHS rules!)

[@user-ns8ic1cs4o]

That is correct for NFHS

[@treymatlock3775]

It was not called at our state tournament.

[@ramos208]

Why is it called DP what’s DP stand for?

[@kenmiller1977]

DP stands for "Designated Player." It was originally called DH (designated hitter), similar to baseball. But because the DH can go into the field and play defense it seemed inappropriate to refer to that player only as a "hitter." Hence, DP.