ASA DP/FLEX

[playball13]

ASA tournament using DP/Flex. Our flex is blond, goes to the wrong park
and will be arriving late. We start the game with our Flex "on the bench".
When the Flex arrives and goes onto the field does that count as her re-entry?

[vcblue]

ASA tournament using DP/Flex. Our flex is blond, goes to the wrong park
and will be arriving late. We start the game with our Flex "on the bench".
When the Flex arrives and goes onto the field does that count as her re-entry?

Others will correct me if I am wrong, but to be in the line-up at the start of the game the player must be present. (4-1-A). But to answer your question, yes this would be a re-entry. Any time the flex is not on D she is out of the game and you are playing with 9. She may be re-entered once like all starting players. She may be re-entered back into the 10 spot or to bat for the DP.

[playball13]

If flex goes to the bench during an game do I have to report that as a DP substitution for the FLEX.

[ASAPAump]

A team must start with the required number of players (including the use of the shorthand rule). Beyond that, a player listed in the starting line up who is not present at the start of the game can be substituted for, and re-enter later.

In your case, you can list the blond as your FLEX at the start of the game. Then 2 things can happen. Your FLEX is not present to play defense, so you either "sit" her, meaning you enter the DP for the FLEX and your DP will play defense, or you can legally substitute for the player. In either case, it is a substitution for the FLEX. She can re-enter, but only once.

Yes, you do need to report if the FLEX is not playing defense.

[vcblue]

A team must start with the required number of players (including the use of the shorthand rule). Beyond that, a player listed in the starting line up who is not present at the start of the game can be substituted for, and re-enter later.

In your case, you can list the blond as your FLEX at the start of the game. Then 2 things can happen. Your FLEX is not present to play defense, so you either "sit" her, meaning you enter the DP for the FLEX and your DP will play defense, or you can legally substitute for the player. In either case, it is a substitution for the FLEX. She can re-enter, but only once.

Yes, you do need to report if the FLEX is not playing defense.

Rule 4-1-A states a team MUST have the required number of players present in the dugout to start the game. Therefore if the blond was the 10 player (Assuming only 10 players playing). The coach can not list her as a flex on the line-up. However, if you have more than 10 players then I can see it as legal to have her in the line-up then re-enter her when she arrives.

As a personal pre-game mechanic I always count the number of players on each team.

[MTR]

ASA tournament using DP/Flex. Our flex is blond, goes to the wrong park
and will be arriving late. We start the game with our Flex "on the bench".
When the Flex arrives and goes onto the field does that count as her re-entry?

If you have the correct number of players in the dugout that you have listed on the line-up card, I probably will not know one of the players is missing. If I know you have a player entered in the starting line-up that is not there, I am not accepting your line-up. That correction will take place at the pre-game meeting at the plate. If there is a substitute available, the coach will either place that player in the Flex position or scratch the Flex for that game altogether.

Any time a Flex is leaving or re-entering the game, it must be reported. Same with the DP.

[WildRoseCoach]

Just to get this correct....

Say my flex is playing RF (but is also the backup catcher), F2 is tired. I move my flex to play F2 and place my DP playing F9. This does not count as a sub correct? Do I have to report the DP playing defense?

[ASAPAump]

Just to get this correct....

Say my flex is playing RF (but is also the backup catcher), F2 is tired. I move my flex to play F2 and place my DP playing F9. This does not count as a sub correct? Do I have to report the DP playing defense?

Correct, this is not a substitution for the FLEX (or the DP, for that matter). The only time it is a substitution for the FLEX is if she is NOT playing defense.

Think of it this way. You have 10 players in the line up. 9 are batting (everyone except the FLEX). You can use any 9 of the 10 players to play defense; the other player is on the bench. The only time I need to know is when it is the FLEX who is on the bench.

Nothing needs to be reported. In your situation, as the ump I would probably appreciate the heads-up about the new catcher for courtesy runner reasons, but that's all.

[broadband]

Just to get this correct....

Say my flex is playing RF (but is also the backup catcher), F2 is tired. I move my flex to play F2 and place my DP playing F9. This does not count as a sub correct? Do I have to report the DP playing defense?

Correct, this is not a substitution for the FLEX (or the DP, for that matter). The only time it is a substitution for the FLEX is if she is NOT playing defense.

Think of it this way. You have 10 players in the line up. 9 are batting (everyone except the FLEX). You can use any 9 of the 10 players to play defense; the other player is on the bench. The only time I need to know is when it is the FLEX who is on the bench.

Nothing needs to be reported. In your situation, as the ump I would probably appreciate the heads-up about the new catcher for courtesy runner reasons, but that's all.

I would recommend if the flex is the pitcher or catcher, and she changes position, and you have the DP now pitch or catch, you report it. It would affect how the courtesy runner is used.