DP / Flex Rule - 2004 NFHS Rules

Rule 3-3 Article 6 (Page 32 2004 NFHS Rule Book)

Anyone out there care to whip out an accurate layman's explanation of this rule?

If I read this correctly...you can start the game with a 10 player lineup. During the game you have the capability of decreasing to 9 and then back to 10...???

If that is the case...there will be some very confused score keepers this year...

Thanks in advance!

 

I may be way off since I have not read the rule only going by what I heard but is that not the rule where the designated hitter has now advanced to becoming the designated player and she can be utilized in the field at any time as an advantage to keeping that player encouraged as a being a bigger part of the team thus creating the 9 or 10 roster. I may not be right but just wondering myself if I understand it right.

 

Even with the 10 player line up, only 9 players bat. One person is specified as a defensive player but does not bat. After the 1st inning, any 9 of the 10 players may take the field, but the same 9 bat. I think this is correct, but I'm sure CFball can give more insight into this topic as travel teams have been using this for a while now.

 

i dont have the rulebook at hand or the website available and i may not have the correct intreputaion but if

10 players are in the lineup, DEPO(defensive player only) would play defense only and could be interchanges to play any position (defensively)without reporting in but the lineup (batting order) stays the same.Ten players would not be hitting only the 9. This DEPO could replace anyone in the batting order to Bat and would be required to make the change thru the umpire/official scorer, now the DEPO is dropped. That person she replaced would be out of the batting lineup and would be eligible to return on the reenter rule. I not sure if this is what's been ask and without the hs rule book in front of me........dont hold me to this brief explanation.
Personally i prefer the straight 9 players in the lineup and sub when needed and reenter when needed. Now you got me doing more homework, southern gent, thanks!!!!!!

 

Consider this like Cliff Notes. Here's the rule as it is written.

Art 6… (FP) A team may use the DP/FLEX option provided it is made known prior to the start of the game.

a. The DP’s name is indicated on the lineup as one of the nine hitters in the batting order.

b. The name of the player for whom the DP is batting (FLEX) will be placed in the 10th position in the lineup.

c. The DP must remain in the same position in the batting order for the entire game. A starter and any substitute for a starter may not be in the game at the same time.

d. The DP may be substituted for at any time by a legal substitute of the FLEX may play offense for the DP. In either case, the DP will leave the game. If replaced by a substitute, the DP position remains in the lineup. A starting DP may re-enter one time, provided the DP returns to the original position in the batting order.

1. If replaced by the FLEX this reduces number of players from ten (10) to nine (9). The game may legally end with nine (9) players.​

2. If the DP re-enters or a substitute enters as the DP and the FLEX was batting in the DP’s spot, the FLEX can: a) return to the number 10 position and play defense, or b) leave the game if the DP plays defense for the FLEX​

e. The DP may play defense at any position. Should the DP play defense for a player other than the FLEX, that player will continue to bat but not play defense, and is not considered to have left the game. The DP may play defense for the FLEX and the FLEX is considered to have left the game, reducing the number of players from ten to nine.

f. The FLEX may be substituted for at any time by a legal substitute of the DP may play defense for the FLEX. In either case, the FLEX will leave the game. If replaced by a substitute, the FLEX position remains in the lineup. The FLEX may re-enter the game one time, provided she returns to the tenth position in the lineup.

1. If replaced by the DP, this reduces number of players from ten (10) to nine (9). The game may legally end with nine (9) players.
2. If the FLEX re-enters or a substitute enters as the FLEX and the DP was playing defense in the FLEX player’s spot, the DP can return to batting only, play defense for another player or leave the game if the FLEX plays offense for the DP​

g. Placing the FLEX into one of the first nine positions for someone other than the original DP is considered an illegal substitution. The illegal substitute shall be removed from the game and restricted to the dugout/bench. See Rule 2-57-2 for additional penalties.

 

thanks gent..............see why i prefer the straight 9..............

i

 

I prefer the play 9, bat 9 ,and reenter once keep it simple.Seen games where players were ejected from the game because of these type rules.

 

I pity the score keepers, most are parents of players or students and the home team being official. I believe it's going to be a mess.