Baseball and softball scorekeeping involves more than just keeping track of how many runs cross the plate.
To achieve uniformity in keeping the records, the scorer shall conform strictly to the Scoring Rules. The scorer shall have authority to rule on any point not specifically covered in these rules.
If the teams change sides before three are put out, the scorer shall immediately inform the umpire of the mistake.
If the game is protested or play suspended, the scorer shall make note of the exact situation at the time of the protest or suspension, including the score, the number of outs, the position of any runners, and the ball and strike count on the batter.
The scorer shall not:
1) make any decision conflicting with the Official Playing rules, or with an umpire’s decision;
2) call attention to the umpire or of any member of either team to the fact that a player is batting out of turn.
The Basics
The crux of scorekeeping is the system that assigns a number to each player. Don’t confuse these with jersey numbers; these standard numerical symbols used in scorekeeping never change:
1 = pitcher
2 = catcher
3 = first base
4 = second base
5 = third base
6 = shortstop
7 = left field
8 = center field
9 = right field
If you play a 10-player lineup, a “10” would indicate a short fielder or fourth outfielder.
Likewise, there are several symbols used to denote game action. Among them:
1B = single
2B = double
3B = triple
HR = home run
DP = double play
FC = fielder’s choice
E = error
HBP = hit by pitch
WP = wild pitch
PB = passed ball
RBI = run batted in
SB = stolen base
IP = Illegal Pitch (Major Division and below)
BK = balk (Intermediate 50/70 and above)
Trying It Out
To begin, first write down each team’s batting order. They will be exchanged by the two managers and, except for substitutions, cannot change during the game. It’s important to write down player jersey numbers with the batting order, to make sure the proper players bat in the proper order.
The rows correspond to the batting order; the columns correspond to the inning. There is a column for the first inning, the second inning, and so on.
Let’s start with batting in the top of the first. Go to the square in inning 1 that matches up with the leadoff hitter.
- Now, let’s assume the leadoff batter grounds out to the shortstop. Remember the scorekeeping symbols? This would be noted 6-3. It was a grounder to the shortstop (6), who threw to first base (3) to record the out. Likewise, a grounder to third base would be 5-3. A flyout to left field would listed as F7. Again, different scorers use different symbols, but if it goes to the center fielder, it goes to the “8” every time.
- So, the first batter is out. Now, the second batter is up. Go to his square in the first inning, which is right beneath the leadoff hitter’s square. He hits a single to right field. In his at-bat square for the first inning, denote 1B for “single,” or if you want to be more specific, you could write “1B9” for “single to right field.”
- In a paper scorebook, you should draw a line from home plate to first base in his at-bat square, with “1B” or “1B9” noted next to the line. This shows how the batter reached base.
- There is a runner on first, one out, and their third hitter is up. He’s the shortstop. He hits a double to right field. This is scored “2B” or “2B9,” and mark a line noting he went from home plate to first to second.
- The runner on first, meanwhile, came all the way around and scored on the play. How is that scored? In his at-bat square, denote that he made the entire trip around the diamond, to second, third and then home. Once he made the whole trip, you’ve outlined the whole diamond in his square. Color that diamond in to indicate that he scored a run. And, to show how he scored, add a “6” at the bottom of the diamond, at home plate. Why a 6? That indicates that the “6,” or shortstop, is the one that drove him in. Meanwhile, in the No. 3 hitter’s square, make a notation that says “RBI” so you know he drove in a run.
- There won’t be a lot of room for all of this, so if using a paper scorebook, writing small — but legibly — is critical.
- There's runner on second with one out. The runner on second tries to steal third and is thrown out. Any idea how that might be scored? It’s most likely 2-5 — the catcher “2” threw to the third baseman, “5,” who tagged him out.
- Now there are two outs and the batter is up. They strike out. In this case, they get a “K” — the universal scoring symbol for a strikeout. Or, a backward K indicates the batter looked at strike three without swinging.
Heading to the Bottom
The top of the first is over. At the end of the half inning, mark a line, or an ‘x,’ at the next batter. This clearly indicates who the leadoff batter will be in the next inning. Then it’s best to add up the runs, hits, errors and, if keeping it, pitches thrown, and mark notations at the bottom of the page. An electronic or a paper scorebook should have a spot for that.
Now it’s on to the bottom of the first. Move to the other half of the book, where you should have the home team’s lineup in place, and you’re ready to go.
Give It a Try
The best way to learn is to jump right in. Watch several experienced scorekeepers, and keep a parallel book, to see what system is best for you. Watching Little League and high school in-person, and professional ball games on television, while paying attention to the scoring decisions, is quite helpful.
As you become more familiar with the specific rules and gain experience, you will become more adept a keeping a well-organized and understandable scorebook. It is not a chore lightly assumed, but it can be fun and will add a new dimension to your enjoyment of baseball and softball.