Scorekeeping Basics

1. Scorekeeping Basics Step by Step

2. Disclaimer • This training is intended to help volunteers feel prepared to handle the Official Scorebooks with minimal proficiency required by the league. • It is not a comprehensive course in the minutia of scorekeeping. • The required items are those that are minimally required by the league. Other items are desirable, but not required.

3. Need Designee From Each Team • Home team keeps score • Visiting team keeps scoreboard If there is a conflict in regard to the scorebook and a visiting team representative is not present there is no conflict. The umpire may make corrections if necessary

4. Before The Game (1) • Open the book to two facing pages. • Identify the team line-ups by team # or name (5 to 10 minutes prior to start). • Each lineup card must include • Team Name & team # • Player Uniform # • Player first initial • Player last name

5. Before The Game (2) • Print the lineup of the visiting team on the left page • Print the lineup of the home team on the right page • Clearly identify each team at the top of their page • Document the age division • Document the Date, Time, and field #

6. Lineup Example • Print each lineup in the scorebook • Player Uniform # • Player first initial • Player last name

7. Example of Bad Scoresheet – No Last Names, No Date/Time, No Teams Names or #s, No Age Group, No Field Designated

8. Example of Bad Scoresheet – No Names, No Date/Time, No Teams Names or #s, No Age Group, No Field Designated

9. When the Game Has StartedRequired • Check the uniform number of the batter • If the batter is the wrong uniform number immediately notify the umpire • Record the result of each pitch • Ball – mark or fill one of the three squares • Strike – mark or fill one of the two squares • Record the outcome of each At-Bat • Progress the batter by drawing a line around the infield to where she stopped after her at bat • Any Out – Write the # of the out (1,2,3) in the box of the player that was out and circle it • Any Score – Shade in the entire infield box of the runner who scored • Any Advance of a Runner – Draw a line around the infield to represent the player’s progress

10. When the Game Has StartedRequired • Strike Out – Mark a “K” in the box of the batter as well as the out (1,2,3) • Walk – Circle “BB” in the box for the batter and draw a line from home to first base • Batter hits safely and gets on base • Draw a line to the base from home to first base and around the infield to the base the batter stopped at • Did other runners advance as a result of the hit? Draw a line around the base path for each player to represent each player’s progress • Did anyone score as a result of the hit or walk? Shade the entire infield area of runners that cross the plate safely.

11. 8 9 7 4 6 1 5 3 2 Position Numbers

12. 8 9 7 4 6 1 5 3 2 Example - Advancing RunnersThe league only requires you to keep track of the batting order, runner’s progress on the bases, outs, and runs scored. • Smith hits a single • Lawson strikes out • Smith Steals 2B • Henry walks • Jones hits to SS who throws to 2B for force the force out • 2B throws to 1B for a force out on the batter/runner (DP)

13. Remember • There cannot be more than three runners at one time • When a batter advances you must advance the batter and all runners that progress to another base or bases • Shade any runners that cross the plate

14. Softball Terms and Abbreviations • Force – a runner is required to advance when the batter walks or hits • Runner on 1B has to advance to 2B on a ground ball or walk • With runners on both 1B and 2B both must advance on a ground ball or walk • With runners on 1B, 2B, and 3B all runners must advance on a ground ball or walk • Force out – A batter or runner is out as a result of a fielder touching a base prior to a batter or runner advancing on a force play • FC (Fielder’s Choice) • Batter hits the ball and advances to a base safely but another player is put out • HBP • Batter is hit by pitch (advances to 1B, other runners advance if forced) • SB • Runner advances on a pitch (batter does not hit the pitch fair or foul) • SAC • Sacrifice bunt (batter is out but advances a runner) • SF • Sacrifice Fly (batter is out but advances a runner to score) • Look Back • When the pitcher has the ball in the pitching circle the runner is out when she stops between bases or changes direction

15. Exceptions to Scoring a Runner • If the batter or another runner is forced out for the 3rd out • If the 3rd out is made before the runner crosses the plate

16. At The End of Each Half InningRequired • Mark the last person to bat • Draw a line across the bottom of the box of the last batter • Tally the score for that half inning • Record it at the bottom of the column • Double check the scoreboard to ensure it matches the book

17. Enter This Lineup On Your Practice Scoresheet

18. 1st Inning • 1st Batter in the lineup, #7 hits a single (1B) • #12 bunts and is thrown out on a force play at 1B • #7 advances to 2B • #13 hits a double (2B) • #7 advances to 3B and on to Home • #17 walks • #4 bunts and is thrown out at 1B • #13 advances to 3B • #17 advances to 2B • #8 flys out to the left fielder (LF or 7) • 2nd Inning • #10 hits a double (2B) • #3 hits a single (1B) • #10 advances to 3B • #6 strikes out • #9 flys out to center fielder (CF or 8) • #10 score on Sac Fly • #2 walks • #3 is forced to advance on the walk to 2B • #1 hits a single (1B) • #3 scores • #2 advances to 3B • #7 hits a double (2B) • #2 scores • #1 advances to 3B • #12 hits a ground ball to 2B who throws to 1B for the force out • #1 crosses the plate prior to the force out Runner at 2B One out Runners at 1B and 2B – 1 out – 1 run scored Runners at 2B and 3B – 2 out – 1 run scored

19. Your Score Sheet Should Look Similar To This

20. Scoreboard Controller • To set the timer press Set Clock, the time limit in minutes, and enter. If the controller buzzes when pressing the Set Clock button press the Time IN/OUT Button • Pressing the BALL, STRIKE, or OUT buttons will automatically advance the count of that value. • If 2 strikes are displayed and the STRIKE button is pressed again the strikes will clear and the # of outs will advance. • Pressing the HOME or VISTOR buttons then the +1 button will advance their score.

21. Scoreboard ControllerWireless for Field #2 • This controller operates similar to the wired controllers. • Time IN/OUT is functioned with the toggle on the right

22. Scorekeeper DON’T’S • Do not applaud or yell for a team during the course of the game • Do not coach • Do not stop the clock unless the umpire requests it • Do not explain the rules to the umpire • Exception – MGSA infield over throw league rule (TBall & Machine Pitch)

23. After The GameRequired • Mark the book plainly with the final score, clearly identifying the score • Double check that the date, time, field #, age division and team names were recorded • Turn in the game result form to the concession stand

24. Mansfield GSA Game Result This Form Must Be Submitted After Each Game – 1 per Game – Not 1 per Team To be filled out by Official Scorekeeper – Home team provides official scorekeeper CIRCLE THE FIELD DESIGNATION THE GAME WAS SCHEDULED ON Scorekeeper Name Game Date: F-1 F-3 F-5 F-4 F-2 Scheduled Game Time: CIRCLE THE AGE GROUP FOR THIS GAME 6U TeeBall 8U Machine Pitch 10U 12U 14/16/18U Print Teams Playing the Scheduled Game CIRCLE THE WINNING TEAM NUMBER Score Score Home Team # Visitor Team # Home Team Name Visitor Team Name

25. Additional Information • http://www.baseballscorecard.com/