I have a question regarding the Flip Flop Rule. When the visiting team becomes the home team, and the game is then tied after regulation, do the teams flip back, or does the visiting team remain the home team for the balance of the game. This happened in our league playoffs and they flipped back. I looked at the rule and it is not covered. Any thoughts? What is SSUSA's take on this?

My opinion is that it is another stupid rule that once again takes away from the game, especially with a mercy rule.
You either play up to par or you loose.
As for your tie after regulation, I'd think (?) they would then have the international tie breaker come into play.

We did use the international tie breaker, but was curious as to whether the flip flop would revert back to original home/visitor

Maybe it is the last sentence in that rule A part. But doesn't really state it as asked here... Maybe they will reply but are probable busy going to Vegas.

The flip flop rule would not have to be used if the team winning by more than the run rule would not switch places on defense and act like a bunch of 5th graders just so they can bat again

Have not heard an explicit answer to your question but
would say no. No provision in the rule to revert to
the original Home/Visitor if the game is tied after completion of the (first) open inning.

Have heard SSUSA leadership say there can be only one
flip-flop in a game. That too would imply a no to your
question.

ShaneV

The Flip -flop rule has no bearing on Home or Visiting team. If you were Home team and the beginning of the game you remain home team thru the completion of the game regardless of Flip Flop.

Titanhd that's true on paper. I could be mistaken here but the way I interpret SSUSA on the flip-flop rule is that it can only occur in the open inning. If the home team is trailing by 10 or more runs in the top of the open inning during a play-in/seeding game the flip flop is voluntary--meaning both teams must agree to flip flop. Should they agree the home team (team behind by 10 or more runs) bats first--in essence becomes the visiting team. Should they not score enough runs to tie or go ahead the game is over. Should they tie or go ahead then the visiting team in essence becomes the home team and has the chance to win the game. In bracket play the flip flop rule is the same but it's not voluntary, it's mandatory.
In USSSA tournament play the flip flop rule is mandatory and is put in when the home team is trailing by 25 after 3, 20 after 4 or 15 after 5.
The flip flop rule is an old class A rule developed many years ago and the intent was to give a team that's getting clobbered a chance to get back in the game.

I believe the flip flop rule is mandatory in the elimination round. The new home team stays the home team rest of the game otherwise one team would have to bat twice in a row again to switch back?

Once you flip flop, it remains that way for the rest of the game.

Andy Smith,
55/60 Major

Duke is correct. Teams do not flip flop back if the score becomes tied.