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.
