Designated Player Meaning in Softball

A designated player is a starter who plays offense for any teammate in the lineup. This role offers more flexibility than a standard hitter because it links to another player. The person being replaced by the designated player is known as the flex player. A coach uses this rule to keep a fast runner or strong hitter in the game. One player bats in the third position while the flex player stays on the bench. The designated player can eventually move to a defensive position during later innings of play. This change causes the flex player to leave the game until a substitution occurs later. Teams must list the designated player on the official lineup card before the game starts. This rule allows coaches to maximize the physical strengths of every person on the roster.