How to Keep Score

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.

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 I  Interference IW Intentional Walk K Strikeout PB Passed Ball SB Stolen Base SF Sacrifice Fly SH Sacrifice Hit WP Wild Pitch

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
I	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