What is the main role of a designated player in softball?

The designated player, or DP, is only in the batting lineup, but not in the defensive/fielding lineup. There is only one DP per game (or none), as everyone else is in both the batting and defensive lineups. read more

The main role is that of a hitter. However, they can be used as a defensive player or a pitcher while still hitting. read more

So we have a roster with ten starting players, but only nine players are allowed to bat in a softball lineup. When drawing up the lineup, the coach decides that two players will be linked together. These players are the starting Designated Player (or DP), who starts off just batting, and the starting FLEX, who starts off just fielding. read more

The differences between the designated player rule and the designated hitter rule start once the game starts. The DH was not allowed to play defense without losing the role of DH, but the DP can play defense for any player, except the FLEX player listed in the 10th position of the lineup, without the replaced player leaving the lineup. read more