HOW TO KEEP SCORE IN BASEBALL
(INTRODUCTION)
This instruction manual will show you how to properly fill out a baseball scorecard during the game. It assumes you know the rules of baseball and are familiar with baseball’s terms and lingo.
A completed scorecard gives you an in depth record of all the action in a baseball game. It is an inning by inning account of every “at bat” and play made in the field.The scoring system described in this manual has been used, in one form or another, since the 1860’s. It is the basis for all statistical records in Major League Baseball.
Part 1 of the instructions will teach you all the symbols used in keeping score.
Part 2 will introduce the scorecard and show you how to apply the symbols.
Part 3 is an example of a scorecard following one team through 3 innings of game play.
If you have kept score in the past, you can go directly to Part 3 and refresh your memory.
Optional stepsare denoted by a small baseball icon.
MATERIALS NEEDED:
Two scorecards (one for each team)
A pencil (preferably with eraser)
With the advancements in computing technology, the time honored tradition of keeping score with a scorecard and pencil is going away. Keep this 150 year old tradition alive. Whether you’re watching the major leaguers or the little leaguers, it is a fun way to follow your favorite team.
WARNING:There is a danger of serious injury when foul balls are hit into the stands. Many fans have been hospitalized after being struck by foul balls. There have been two recorded deaths of fans being struck in the head by foul balls. SO PAY ATTENTION!
HOW TO KEEP SCORE IN BASEBALL
(PART 1)
Field Positions:
Each player in the field is assigned a number that corresponds to the position they play. When anout is made, you will refer to the defensive player on the scorecard by the number they are assigned. The diagram below shows the positions on the field. The assigned numbers are shown in red.
Image courtesy of Wikipedia
Basic Symbols:
All the action in a baseball game is represented by a symbol. These standardized symbols are used on the scorecard as a shorthand language.If you’re keeping score for fun, you may develop your own symbols.If you’re keeping score as part of a league organization, it is important that all score keepers use the same symbols to avoid confusion when tabulating league statistics.
Single1BBalkBK
Double2BWild PitchWP
Triple3BPassed BallPB
Home RunHRForce OutFO
BuntBStrikeoutK
WalkBBDouble PlayDP
ErrorECaught StealingCS
Fielder’s Choice FCSacrifice BuntSB
Hit By PitchHPSacrifice FlySF
StealSUnassistedU
l
HOW TO KEEP SCORE IN BASEBALL
(PART 2)
The Scorecard:
You will need two scorecards (one for each team). Scorecards are usually provided inside the programs sold at Major League Baseball games. If you do not have the scorecards, they are provided on the last two pages of this instruction manual. Let’s familiarize ourselves with the different areas of the scorecard.
Batters:
Batting order and player information
Game Play:
Action that occurs in the game
Batter’s Statistics:
Batters’ final offensive statistics
Pitchers:
Pitchers and final pitching statistics
Game Information:
Linescore and historical information describing who, when, and where
Before The Game Starts:
1. Record the game information (area 5):
a) Name of the away team
b) Name of thehome team
c) Name of the team for this scorecard
d) Name of the opponent
e) Date of the game
f) Starting time of the game
g) Location or name of the field
Example:
2. Record the batting order (area 1):
a) Batter’s jersey number
b) Batter’s name
c) Position symbol
d) Inning the batter began play
Example:
3. Record the starting pitcher (area 4):
a) Pitcher’s jersey number
b) Pitcher’s name
Example:
Keeping Score:
Each game play box contains a diamond that represents the base path from first base to home plate. As a batter moves along the base path, you keep track ofhim by darkening the dotted lines. When a batter scores, darken the entire diamond.
Examples:
Runner On First Runner On Second Runner On Third Runner Scores
We also need to explain how each batter advanced around the base path. When a batter advances by wayof his action, place the appropriate symbol next to the base path. When a batter advances because of the action of another batter, place the batter’s jersey number next to the base path. If the base runner advances more than one base during a play, place the symbol next to the furthest base path.
Examples:
Single Double Triple Home Run
Walk, Steal Single, Advances Error on Shortstop Double,
To Third Base Advances Home Wild Pitch
On #14’s Hit On #33’s Hit
Some scorekeepers like to track the pitch count. This is done by placing a small mark in the upper left corner for balls and a small mark in the upper right corner for strikes. You can also keep track of how many pitches the batter fouled off. Place a small x at the bottom of the box for each foul ball.
Examples:
Batter At The Plate Batter Doubles Batter Walks Batter At The Plate
2 Balls 1 Strike 3 Balls 2 Strikes 4 Balls 0 Strikes 2 Balls 2 Strikes
0 Pitches Fouled 5 Pitches Fouled 1 Pitch Fouled 2 Pitches Fouled
Each out is recorded inside the diamond. Use the player positions to describe which fielders were involved. Record the first and last player to touch the ball for each out. In the case of a double play, record the fielder’s positions inside the box of the batter who hit into the play. There will be three numbers because you record the first fielder who caught the ball, the relay man, and last fielder to catch the ball. When the third out is made, darken the bottom line of the game play box to signify the end of the inning.
Examples:
Fly Out To Ground Out Double Play Force Out
Center Field To Shortstop Short-Second-First At Second Base
Strikeout Unassisted Ground Sacrifice Fly Out Thrown Out
End Of Inning Out To First Base To Left Field Trying For Double
Caught Trying To Sacrifice Bunt Picked Off Third Unassisted Force
Steal Second Base End Of Inning Out At Third Base
This instruction manual uses a set of basic symbols. Some scorekeepers use a more advanced set of symbols. They describe the play in more detail. You can add symbols to represent any information you feel is important. The advanced symbols below are shown in red.
Examples:
Single To Foul Ball Caught Strikeout Line Drive
Left Center Field By Third Baseman Looking To Shortstop
As the game progresses, you must keep track of replacement players. When a relief pitcher enters the game, record his jersey number and name in the area 4 underneath the pitcher who is being relieved. Record the number of innings pitched and the jersey number of the last batter faced.One out equals 1/3 of an inning. A pitcher relieved in the 4th inning with2 outs recorded, has pitched 4 and 2/3 innings.
When a pinch batter or replacement player enters the game, record his jersey number, name, position and the inning he entered the game in area 1 under the player he replaced. Darken the right side of the last game play box of the player who is being replaced. This will separate the “at bats” for each player.
ThamesReplaces Rayburn in 6th Inning Rayburn At Bat Thames At Bat
Once the game is over, tabulate the statistics.Below is breakdown of the abbreviations for statistics.
Pitching Statistics:
IPInnings PitchedBBWalks
LBLast Batter FacedKStrikeouts
RRuns AllowedHPBatters Hit By A Pitch
HHits AllowedWPWild Pitches
EREarned Runs
Batting Statistics:
ABAt Bats3BTriples Hit
RRuns ScoredHRHome Runs Hit
HHits BBWalks
RBIRuns Batted InKStrikeouts
2BDoubles Hit
HOW TO KEEP SCORE IN BASEBALL
(PART 3)
Below is a sample portion of a scorecard following one team through three innings of game play. This will give you a good idea of how your scorecard should look. On the right side, inside the light green box, is the play by play of all 14 “at bats” that occurred during the three innings.
Scorecard Play By Play