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 steps are denoted by a small baseball icon.
Tips are shown inside an orange textbox
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!
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.
DH
Designated
Hitter
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.
Single
Double
Triple
Home Run
Bunt
Walk
Error
Fielder’s Choice
Hit By Pitch
Steal
1B
2B
3B
HR
B
BB
E
FC
HP
S
Balk
Wild Pitch
Passed Ball
Force Out
Strikeout
Double Play
Caught Stealing
Sacrifice Bunt
Sacrifice Fly
Unassisted
BK
WP
PB
FO
K
DP
CS
SB
SF
U
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.
l
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. Let’s familiarize ourselves with the different areas of the scorecard.
2
1
4
1
Batters:
Batting order and player information
2
Game Play:
Action that occurs in the game
3
Batter’s Statistics:
Batters’ final offensive statistics
4
Pitchers:
Pitchers and final pitching statistics
5
Game Information:
Linescore and historical information describing who, when, and where
3
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) Batter’s jersey number
b) Batter’s name
c) Position symbol
d) Inning the batter began play
Example:
These will be reversed on the other scorecard
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.
TIP: Notice that Polanco is in the next
box down from Granderson. This
leaves room for recording pinch
batters and replacement players.
3. Record the starting pitcher (area 4):
a) Pitcher’s jersey number
b) Pitcher’s name
Example:
Page 4
Keeping Score:
Each player’s “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.
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 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
To Third Base
On #14’s Hit
Error on Shortstop
Advances Home
On #33’s Hit
Double,
Wild Pitch
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
2 Balls 1 Strike
0 Pitches Fouled
Batter Doubles
3 Balls 2 Strikes
5 Pitches Fouled
Batter Walks
4 Balls 0 Strikes
1 Pitch Fouled
Batter At The Plate
2 Balls 2 Strikes
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
Center Field
Ground Out
To Shortstop
Double Play
Short-Second-First
Force Out
At Second 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.
Strikeout
End Of Inning
Unassisted Ground
Out To First Base
Sacrifice Fly Out
To Left Field
Thrown Out
Trying For Double
Caught Trying To
Steal Second Base
Sacrifice Bunt
Picked Off Third
End Of Inning
Unassisted Force
Out At Third Base
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
Left Center Field
Foul Ball Caught
By Third Baseman
Strikeout
Looking
Line Drive
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 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 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:
IP
Innings Pitched
LB
Last Batter Faced
R
Runs Allowed
H
Hits Allowed
ER
Earned Runs
BB
K
HP
WP
Walks
Strikeouts
Batters Hit By A Pitch
Wild Pitches
Batting Statistics:
AB
At Bats
R
Runs Scored
H
Hits
RBI
Runs Batted In
2B
Doubles Hit
3B
HR
BB
K
Triples Hit
Home Runs Hit
Walks
Strikeouts
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 2nd
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 2nd on
a fielder’s choice.
7. Ordonez doubles
Inge advances to 3rd
8. Ryan hits a sacrifice fly to center
Inge scores from 3rd
9. Everett reaches 1st on error by
the 3rd 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. It’s relayed to 2nd then
relayed to 1st for a double play.
13. Thames hits a home run
14. Raburn grounds out to 1st
(END OF THIRD INNING)
TIP: You should practice keeping score before
attempting to score games in an official capacity.
Page 8