OPO (OFFENSIVE PLAYER ONLY)

 

Some confusion has come about regarding the new wording OPO or Offensive Player Only. This name was added to the rules to help score keepers keep track of individuals in the game who are only batting and not playing defense.

 

In the Rule Book a FP team is allowed to have 10 players in the line up if using a Flex play and a Designated Player (DP). The Flex player is the player listed 10th in the line up card who usually starts the game on defense only and is the player the DP is batting for to start the game. (Rule 1-30) The DP is the player listed on the line up card that is batting for the Flex player. (Rule 1-22)

 

1. In the 10 person line up card any 9 players can play defense.

2. The DP can go into the game on defense for any of the starting players. (Rule 4-5g)

3. If the DP goes in for a player other than the Flex that player continues to bat and no change is required to be announced. Rule 4-5 g 1) and 2).

4. This player becomes the OPO for score keeping terms. The OPO remains in the same position in the batting line-up but is not playing defense.

5. If the DP goes in for the Flex, the Flex is considered to have left the game. This reduces the line-up to 9 players and the change must be announced.

6. Once the Flex leaves the game there is no OPO because all nine remaining players are playing defense.

7. The Flex could return to the game on defense for any other player. If that occurs the Flex is in the 10th spot and the player who is batting only is the OPO.

 

Line-up

Pos Name

  4 Jones

 6 Peters

DP Martin

5 Roberts

7 Porter

3 John

9 Burrows

2 Jackson

8 Monks

1 Flex Zack

Play: 1

In the second inning Peters is replaced by Martin at shortstop.

Rule:

Martin can play defense for Peters.  Both remain in the same position in the batting order. Peter is now called the OPO because he is only batting. Currently the DP is on defense and offense.

 

Play:

Zack comes into the game to bat for Martin while Martin is still at short stop.

Rule

Rule: This is legal but Martin leaves the game. The Flex can only go on offense for the DP. It reduces the team to 9 players. Peters must play defense again so it eliminates the OPO.