Designated Player (DP) situation

Question

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Followup To

Question -
Mens Fastpitch softball. 2 part question.

Part#1 At the start of the game the pitcher is being batted for in the #3 hitting spot. Later in the game the DP comes in to play the field and our #9 hitter leaves the field but is still in the batting lineup as the DP. Is that legal?

Part #2 Now that our #9 hitter is the DP. The pitcher (who is being DP'd for). Enters the game to bat for the #9 hitter. This eliminates the #9 hitter from the game and we now do not have a DP.
Is that legal.

The other team challenged that the pitcher should of been only able to bat for the three hitter who originally was the DP and the umps agreed.

Answer -
Hi Matt,

The DP and the Flex (in this case B3 and #10 on the line-up card, your pitcher) can be on defense at the same time, and B9 can come off defense but still bat, B9 is NOT considered to have left the game....so, not a problem.

BUT #9 DOES NOT become your DP, your DP is still at B3, that doesn't change during your game as long as you continue w/ a dp (see below).  

The DP or his sub (B3) and the Flex (your pitcher or his sub #10) cannot be on offense at the same time.  #10 or his sub can only bat in this case at the B3 position.  That would eliminate the DP position should you choose not to sub it back in and then you play with 9.


The umpires were absolutely correct.

Mark

Then just to clarify for me

The Pitcher may ONLY bat in the B3 spot if entering the game to bat? Correct?

Answer
Hi Matt,

Just so you fully understand the relationship between the DP and Flex...the DP (whomever you designate, in this case B3) is by rule actually batting for the flex (#10 in the lineup).

So #10 by rule is actually batting in the 3rd position but because we are using a DP, he isn't batting, he's only playing defense.  If he wants to bat he has to bat in his position, which is B3 in this case.

OK?

M