Using the DP & the Kirkwood Game

One of the most confusing things about interscholastic fast pitch softball is the DP/Flex, misunderstood by a large number of both coaches and (inexperienced) umpires. While you might think it’s like the DH in American League baseball, it’s far more complicated than that. If teachers have to suffer through a day of in-service, I thought I would subject the parents to one, as well. 

So, during this 4-day gap in our schedule, and taking a deep breath after Thursday’s exciting game, I thought I’d use that game to explain how the DP/Flex, along with the re-entry rule, works. It also gives some insight into the strategy, such as it is, we coaches use, both in terms of game outcome and to provide playing time.

In a game like the one against Kirkwood, not every player will get a chance to perform or succeed, especially those who are less experienced. But the DP offers us a chance to use multiple players in multiple positions. So, if you’re interested, I’m going to use the line-up and box score from that game along with a play by play of the numerous substitutions and changes. Oh, and while things worked out this time, that’s not always the case. As we preach to the girls, it’s process, not results, because the “right” move may not work out like you might wish.

This is the lineup we presented to Kirkwood and the umpires to start Thursday’s game. Taylor Knapp was our Designated Player (DP) and Maya Litton our Flex. This move was made in anticipation of having to use more than one pitcher and to give Taylor time to warm up and get ready while we were in the field. But it also allowed us to use her in the field, for any player EXCEPT the one playing the Flex (in this case, 1B, although the Flex can be moved to any position on the field). If we were to substitute Taylor for Maya (at first base or wherever Maya was playing at the time), that would be a substitution and Maya would be out of the game (at least temporarily).

However, because we were concerned that the Pioneers would try to “small ball” us early, before the game even started we informed the umpire that the DP would be playing in the field in the first inning. Because Rebekah is still getting comfortable at third base, we moved Carissa to that position for the first inning and put Taylor in the field at second base (where, in a testament to coaching brilliance, Kirkwood batters hit three balls straight to her, and didn’t even show a bunt).

So was Rebekah out of the game? Nope. She had become, in essence but not in name, the DP and would bat in her regular spot in the lineup. We then reverted to our original lineup in the top half of the second inning. Taylor was not in the field, Rebekah was at third and Carissa moved back to second. Taylor warmed up with Sarah Sammon so that her pregame pitch prep was complete and she could come into the circle quickly.

In the fifth inning Taylor came in to play left field, so that her body would be at “game speed” when she was needed to pitch, something we anticipated in either the fifth or sixth innings (turned out to be the latter). Megan Hayes moved over to RF and Jessica Peterson came to the bench for an inning. Note, none of this changed the batting order. Jessica became the defacto DP, still batting the 6-hole in the lineup. When we brought Taylor in to pitch in the sixth, Kelly Collins moved to third base, Rebekah moved to left field, and Jessica remained the defacto DP.

Confused yet? Don’t worry, we’re not even to the Ginzu steak knife portion. Because in the bottom of the sixth inning, Guin Ellsworth came in to hit for Taylor (and delivered a key hit, which, combined with good baserunning, allowed her to score on Noel Spatola’s infield single). However, since Taylor was now the pitcher, she had to re-enter to start pitching in the top of the seventh inning (with us up by two runs, 6-4).

When those pesky Pioneers (they were often called much worse by the indigenous peoples as their land was encroached upon) again threatened, more lineup shenanigans ensued. Nicola Rikand came in to pitch, Carissa moved to short, Kelly moved to second, Taylor went to the bench, Jessica returned to left, and Rebekah came back to third. Note that at this point we still have the same lineup and have made only one real substitution, Guin’s pinch hitting appearance. Nicola got two key outs but a defensive misjudgment (not an uncommon problem when your team hasn’t been tested or been under any pressure) allowed Kirkwood to knot the score at 6. With the bases loaded, Kelly returned to the circle to record the final out in the seventh and preserve the tie.

When we threatened to walk the game off in the bottom of the seventh, Guin re-entered as a pinch hitter for Taylor; this ended Taylor’s afternoon and made Guin the DP should her position in the batting order come around again. Of course, I could have pinch hit for her, but since she had already re-entered once, she, like Taylor, would have been done for the day.

Kirkwood went ahead in the top of the eighth, our first extra frame, but their rally was snuffed out with an alert double play started by our Flex, Maya Litton (still playing first base; but, in theory, I could have moved Maya to the OF and put Rebekah or Kelly at first without it being a substitution). Oh, one other note explaining a new rule. K-wood’s 6-hole batter was having a day and doing consistent damage, no matter who was in the circle for the Statesmen. So we walked her in the top of the eighth by telling the umpire, “She walks.” Like MLB, we no longer have to throw pitches. Because this is a new rule, it required an umpire consultation before being allowed.

I don’t know if your head is spinning yet, but my stomach was definitely churning as we entered the bottom of the eighth down by a run. We weren’t quite finished with the machinations, though, because Megan Hayes, in a terrific at bat, worked a lead-off walk. Megan has a strong skill set, but, despite being a smart baserunner, wheels are not really a part of the picture for her. So in comes Lydia Beggs, representing the tying run. A couple Pioneer misplays loaded the bases for Nicola’s bomb and the walk-off winner.

Whew! The only thing really left to explain is theoretical. Maya, our Flex, could have batted, but ONLY in the (original) DP lineup spot, and it would have counted as a substitution. The DP could re-enter at a later time and Maya return to the Flex. OR the DP could sub-in for Maya and then Maya could later re-enter. Just to confuse matters further, Maya could have, in theory, batted for Guin had I not re-entered Taylor. Then all three players, Taylor, Guin, and Maya would have had a re-entry available. And we did have a game like that four years ago against, wait for it, Kirkwood, also winning in an extra inning walk off that, had the final strategy not worked, would have seen us without a bona fide first baseman. But it did and that was another happy dance at home plate.

The point is that this rule has uses that are not just strategic but also offer us the chance to get in substitutes without permanently undoing what we feel is the lineup that gives us the best chance to win on a given day, should the momentum of the game turn and we feel the need to return to Plan A.

So now you know. Maybe. Sort of. Some. Thanks for your support of this team of great young women, all of whom are working like crazy, pushing and yet supporting each other and complicating the coaches lives in terms of rewarding players with the opportunities they all deserve.