<p> HOW TO KEEP SCORE IN BASEBALL (INTRODUCTION)</p><p>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. </p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>Optional steps are denoted by a small baseball icon.</p><p>Tips are shown inside an orange textbox</p><p>MATERIALS NEEDED: Two scorecards (one for each team) A pencil (preferably with eraser) </p><p>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.</p><p>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!</p><p>Page 1 HOW TO KEEP SCORE IN BASEBALL (PART 1)</p><p>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.</p><p>DH Designated Hitter</p><p>Image courtesy of Wikipedia</p><p>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.</p><p>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 Fielder’s Choice FC Sacrifice Bunt SB Hit By Pitch HP Sacrifice Fly SF Steal S Unassisted U</p><p>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</p><p>Page 2 HOW TO KEEP SCORE IN BASEBALL (PART 2)</p><p>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.</p><p>1 2 3</p><p>4 5</p><p>1 Batters: Batting order and player information</p><p>2 Game Play: Action that occurs in the game</p><p>3 Batter’s Statistics: Batters’ final offensive statistics</p><p>4 Pitchers: Pitchers and final pitching statistics</p><p>5 Game Information: Linescore and historical information describing who, when, and where</p><p>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 These will be reversed on the other 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:</p><p>2. Record the batting order (area 1): a) Batter’s jersey number TIP: The batting order can be filled in as the b) Batter’s name game progresses or obtained from the coaches c) Position symbol prior to the game if your scoring in little league. d) Inning the batter began play Example:</p><p>TIP: Notice that Polanco is in the next box down from Granderson. This leaves room for recording pinch batters and replacement players.</p><p>3. Record the starting pitcher (area 4): a) Pitcher’s jersey number b) Pitcher’s name Example:</p><p>Page 4 Keeping Score:</p><p>Each player’s “at bat” is recorded in a The numbers across the top of the game play box directly across from game play boxes (area 2) represent their name. the number of “at bats” and not the innings.</p><p>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:</p><p>Runner On First Runner On Second Runner On Third Runner Scores</p><p>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:</p><p>Single Double Triple Home Run</p><p>Walk, Steal Single, Advances Error on Shortstop Double, To Third Base Advances Home Wild Pitch</p><p>On #14’s Hit On #33’s Hit</p><p>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:</p><p>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</p><p>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:</p><p>Fly Out To Ground Out Double Play Force Out Center Field To Shortstop Short-Second-First At Second Base</p><p>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.</p><p>Strikeout Unassisted Ground Sacrifice Fly Out Thrown Out</p><p>End Of Inning Out To First Base To Left Field Trying For Double</p><p>Caught Trying To Sacrifice Bunt Picked Off Third Unassisted Force Steal Second Base End Of Inning Out At Third Base</p><p>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:</p><p>Single To Foul Ball Caught Strikeout Line Drive Left Center Field By Third Baseman Looking To Shortstop</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>Thames Replaces Rayburn in 6th Inning Rayburn At Bat Thames At Bat</p><p>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</p><p>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</p><p>Page 7 HOW TO KEEP SCORE IN BASEBALL (PART 3)</p><p>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.</p><p>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 </p><p> on a wild pitch. Granderson flys</p><p> 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)</p><p>TIP: You should practice keeping score before attempting to score games in an official capacity.</p><p>Page 8</p>