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How to Keep Score



The Basics
The Scorecard
The form appears complex but once examined makes perfect sense.

Innings run across the top. Spaces for the player name along the side. There are extra spaces for pinch hitters and extra spaces for an extra inning game. Each grid, where the inning and player name meet, has a small diamond that represents the actual playing field. Spaces on the right side of the sheet are used for tracking the players final statistics at the end of the game.

You begin by filling in the players name using the team line-up. Use a second page to place the visiting team's line-up on a card. When each player comes to bat in an inning you fill in the small diamond with the appropriate code and actions taken.

Knowing The Player Numbers

There may be many different methods of scoring and many different types of scorecards but there is only one player numbering system. You have probably heard the play-by-play announcer on television or radio call a play "6 to 4 to 3" then mention what a great infield and double play combination your favorite team has. He is using the following chart to describe the play and you should memorize this chart and be able to recall it as easy as you can recall your favorite players vitals.

Postions

 
Basic Abbreviations
Abbreviation  Definitions
1B Single
2B Double
3B Triple
BB Base on Balls
BK Balk
CS  Caught Stealing
DP Double Play
DH Designated Hitter
E Error
FC  Fielder's Choice
FO Force-Out
HBP Hit By Pitch
HR Home Run
Interference
IW Intentional Walk
K Strikeout
PB Passed Ball
SB Stolen Base
SF Sacrifice Fly
SH Sacrifice Hit
WP Wild Pitch


Scoring Samples

Seeing is believing and this section was meant to actually show you some sample boxes so you can see how they were scored for a single specific event. The previous section illustrated the numerous abbreviations used on a score card and this is the method in which you would actually put the batters actions onto paper.

Scoring Samples

These are just a few of the basics often seen in similar formats on most every scorekeeper's card. Many variations exist but after a few moments of comparison you should be able to figure out a fellow scorekeeper's system, doing this may also teach you a new way of doing something better and add to the overall enjoyment you are sure to receive from scoring a game.

1 Scoring A Single

Scoring A Double 2

3 Scoring A Triple

Scoring A Home Run 4

5 Scoring A Base On Balls

Scoring A Strikeout 6

7 Scoring A Called Strikeout

Scoring A Stolen Base 8

9 Scoring A Sacrifice

Scoring A Hit By Pitch 10

11 Scoring A Fielder's Choice

Scoring An Error - Shortstop 12

13 Scoring Interference - Catcher



Comprehensive Abbreviation List

 

Comprehensive Abbreviation List
In Alphabetical Order
Abbreviations Definitions
* or ! Great Defensive Play
1B Single
2B Double
3B Triple
A Assist
BB Base on Balls
BK Balk
BS Blown Save
BT Bunt
CG Complete Game
CS Caught Stealing
DP Double Play
DH Designated Hitter
E Error
Et Error on Throw
F Foul
FC  Fielder's Choice
FO Force-Out
FP Fielding Percentage
G Game
GA Games Ahead
GB Games Behind
GIDP Grounded into Double Play
GS Games Started
HB Hit by Ball
HBP Hit By Pitch
HR Home Run
Interference
IBB Intentional Base on Balls
IF Infield Fly
IP Innings Pitched
IW Intentional Walk
K Strikeout
Kc Strikeout - Called
Ks Strikeout - Swinging
L Left or Losses
LD Line Drive
LOB Left on Base
LP Losing Pitcher
NP Number of Pitches Thrown
Obs Obstruction
OF Outfield
OS Out Stealing
PB Passed Ball
PH Pinch Hit
PO Putout
PR Pinch Runner
R Right
RBI Runs Batted In
RS Runner(s) Stranded
S or SH Sacrifice Hit
SAC Sacrifice
SB Stolen Base
SF Sacrifice Fly
SHO Shutout
SO Strikeouts
SV Save
T Triple
TB Total Bases
TP Triple Play
U Unassisted Putout
W Walk
WP Wild Pitch