DP/FLEX CASE PLAYS

  1. In the 5th 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.
  1. DP-Jones hits a triple and sprains her ankle sliding into 3rd base. The coach has substitute-Green enter the game to be a pinch-runner for DP0-Jones. How does this affect the playing status of DP-Jones and the FLEX player, Smith, 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 reenter later or the FLEX-Smith could bat in substitute-Green’s position later and it would be legal.
  1. FLEX-Smith begins the game playing 2nd base. In the 4th inning, without reporting, she bats in place of Jones, the starting DP. Ruling: FLEX-Smith is an unreported substitute. The umpire shall issue a team warning to the coach of the team involved and the next offender shall be restricted to the dugout. When FLEX-Smith bats, this removes DP-Jones from the game and requires re-entry to return to the game.
  1. Team A is using 10 players in its lineup, with the DP-Jones batting third. FLEX-Smith is playing right field and is a very fast runner. In the 1st, 3rd and 6th innings, DP-Jones gets on base and , in each case, the FLEX-Smith is put in to run. Is this legal? Ruling: It is legal for the defensive position player (FLEX) to do this since she never left the game. However, it would be illegal for the starting DP-Jones to return to bat in the 6th inning. This is a violation of the re-entry rule.
  1. The FLEX-Smith enters the game to bat for F1, listed 9th and has a 1-1 count at disco very. Ruling: Illegal substitution. Since the FLEX –Smith is at bat, she is declared out and disqualified. She must be replaced by a legal substitute. The FLEX-Smith can only bat in the DP position.
  1. The DP-Jones bats 4th in the lineup. In the 3rd inning, the DP-Jones plays defense for F5 who bats sixth in the order. In the 5th inning, the FLEX-Smith, who is listed 10th, bats for F5. Ruling: Illegal Batter. The defensive position player (FLEX) can only bat in the DP batting position. The FLEX-Smith is called out if at bat or on base, disqualified and replaced with a legal substitute.
  1. DP-Jones is listed 4th in the batting order and is the runner on 3rd base. R2 is on second and R3 is at 1st base. The FLEX-Smith enters the game replacing R3 as the runner at 1st base. Ruling: Illegal runner. The defensive position player (FLEX) can only run for the listed DP position. The FLEX-Smith is called out if at bat or on base, disqualified and replaced with a legal substitute.
  1. DP-Jones is on 1st base and is replaced by substitute-Green. Later in the game, starting DP-Jones re-enters as a batter and reaches 1st base safely. Substitute-Cooper 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 called out if at bat or on base, disqualified and replaced by a legal substitute.
  1. Team A has only 10 players and is utilizing the DP option. The FLEX-Smith is pitching and is listed as the 10th player. DP-Jones is batting in the fifth spot in the batting order. In the fourth inning, the shortstop (No. 8 in the batting order) is injured and forced to leave the game. Ruling: DP-Jones may play shortstop or any defensive position at the same time as the FLEX-Smith. The team is able to maintain nine players on defense, but may only bat eight (an out being recorded when the eighth spot comes to bat).