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 baseballs 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 1860s. 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 steps are 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 youre 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!



















Tips are shown inside an orange textbox
Page 1
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 an out 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 youre keeping score for fun, you may develop your own
symbols. If youre 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.

Single 1B Balk BK
Double 2B Wild Pitch WP
Triple 3B Passed Ball PB
Home Run HR Force Out FO
Bunt B Strikeout K
Walk BB Double Play DP
Error E Caught Stealing CS
Fielders Choice FC Sacrifice Bunt SB
Hit By Pitch HP Sacrifice Fly SF
Steal S Unassisted U


l

DH
Designated
Hitter


Tip: It is important to memorize the field positions and basic symbols before you attempt to keep
score. You may not have time to refer to this page between plays.
Page 2
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. Lets familiarize ourselves with the different areas of the scorecard.



Batters:
Batting order and player information

Game Play:
Action that occurs in the game

Batters Statistics:
Batters final offensive statistics

Pitchers:
Pitchers and final pitching statistics

Game Information:
Linescore and historical information describing who, when, and where
5
4
3
2
1
1
2
3
4 5
Page 3
Before The Game Starts:
1. Record the game information (area 5):
a) Name of the away team
b) Name of the home 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) Batters jersey number
b) Batters name
c) Position symbol
d) Inning the batter began play
Example:



3. Record the starting pitcher (area 4):
a) Pitchers jersey number
b) Pitchers name
Example:

These will be reversed on the other scorecard
TIP: Notice that Polanco is in the next
box down from Granderson. This
leaves room for recording pinch
batters and replacement players.
TIP: The batting order can be filled in as the
game progresses or obtained from the coaches
prior to the game if your scoring in little league.

Page 4
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 of him 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
way of his action, place the appropriate symbol next to the base path. When a batter advances because
of the action of another batter, place the batters 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 #14s Hit On #33s Hit
Each players at bat is recorded in a
game play box directly across from
their name.
The numbers across the top of the
game play boxes (area 2) represent
the number of at bats and not the
innings.
Page 5
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 fielders 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
TIP: Remember that hits are recorded along the base path and outs are recorded
inside the diamond. It is important to darken the bottom line of the game box after
the third out. You must know where the break between innings occurred.
Page 6
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 4
th
inning with 2 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.




Thames Replaces Rayburn in 6
th
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:
IP Innings Pitched BB Walks
LB Last Batter Faced K Strikeouts
R Runs Allowed HP Batters Hit By A Pitch
H Hits Allowed WP Wild Pitches
ER Earned Runs

Batting Statistics:
AB At Bats 3B Triples Hit
R Runs Scored HR Home Runs Hit
H Hits BB Walks
RBI Runs Batted In K Strikeouts
2B Doubles Hit
Page 7
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











1. Granderson grounds out to 2
nd

2. Polanco singles
3. Cabrera flys out to right field
4. Thames strikes out
(END OF FIRST INNING)

5. Rayburn walks
6. Inge hits a ground ball to short.
Rayburn is forced out at 2
nd
on
a fielders choice.
7. Ordonez doubles
Inge advances to 3
rd

8. Ryan hits a sacrifice fly to center
Inge scores from 3
rd

9. Everett reaches 1
st
on error by
the 3
rd
baseman
10. Ordonez and Everett advance
on a wild pitch. Granderson flys
out to right field.
(END OF SECOND INNING)

11. Polanco bunts for a single
12. Cabrera hits a ground ball to
short. Its relayed to 2
nd
then
relayed to 1
st
for a double play.
13. Thames hits a home run
14. Raburn grounds out to 1
st

(END OF THIRD INNING)


TIP: You should practice keeping score before
attempting to score games in an official capacity.
Page 8