Can a softball player come back into the game after being taken out?

• Starters: "may be substituted and re-enter the line-up once and must remain in the same batting position".
• Substitutes: once taken out, they may not return as a player.
• Not together: a starter and their substitute cannot be in the game at the same time.
• How: only when the ball is dead, and the coach must tell the plate umpire first.
• Unreported: a substitute who enters without being reported may be appealed and is then declared ineligible.
• Illegal re-entry: on appeal, the player and the head coach named on the line-up card are ejected.
• Blood: a player who is bleeding must leave. A replacement player may cover for the rest of that inning and the next full inning.
• Not a substitution: the withdrawn player may return in that time without using their re-entry.
• Temporary runner: with two out, the catcher or pitcher who is on base may be replaced by a runner.
• Who runs: the player due to bat last who is not on base.
• Pitchers: a player may return to pitch any number of times while they stay in the line-up.
• Too few players: a team that cannot field nine forfeits.

The glossary has the team, the FLEX, the designated player, the base runner, the catcher and the pitcher.

Re-entry lets a coach use a pinch hitter or runner at a key moment without losing a starter for the day, which suits small squads. The single return and the fixed batting place stop a team from rotating its best hitters to the plate more often than their turn.