1. Bristol Softball Association Scoring the game Bristol Softball Association Benedict Bermange

2. Bristol Softball Association Benedict Bermange 2 Why keep score? Be involved Be involved Keep a record of what happened Keep a record of what happened Keep track of the score and outs during a game Keep track of the score and outs during a game Analyse team performance Analyse team performance Maintain player statistics Maintain player statistics Improve batting, pitching and baserunning Improve batting, pitching and baserunning It’s fun!!! It’s fun!!!

3. Bristol Softball Association Benedict Bermange 3 The scorecard

4. Bristol Softball Association Benedict Bermange 4 The scorecard features General information (date, time, weather) General information (date, time, weather) Batting line-up with fielding positions Batting line-up with fielding positions Play by play action Play by play action Batted ballsBatted balls Base-runningBase-running FieldingFielding Tally each player’s at-bats, hits, runs etc Tally each player’s at-bats, hits, runs etc List the pitchers and their stats List the pitchers and their stats

5. Bristol Softball Association Benedict Bermange 5 The scorecard - after Lee Richmond’s perfect game Worcester Ruby Legs v Cleveland Blues (1880)

6. Bristol Softball Association Benedict Bermange 6 Learn the fielding code 1. Pitcher 2. Catcher 3. First Base 4. Second Base 5. Third Base 6. Shortstop 7. Deep Left Field 8. Left Field 9. Right Field 10. Deep Right Field

7. Bristol Softball Association Benedict Bermange 7 Keeping score – the key points Write in batting order and fielding positions Write in batting order and fielding positions If an out is recorded: If an out is recorded: Record the combination of fielders making the outRecord the combination of fielders making the out If a batter reaches base: If a batter reaches base: Draw the basepath from home to their baseDraw the basepath from home to their base Write how the player reaches baseWrite how the player reaches base If a runner advances: If a runner advances: Note the batter advancing the runnerNote the batter advancing the runner If a runner scores: If a runner scores: Fill in the diamondFill in the diamond

8. Bristol Softball Association Benedict Bermange 8 Scoring the ‘safes’ Safe hits Safe hits 1B, 2B, 3B, HR1B, 2B, 3B, HR If a home run, shade in the centre (run)If a home run, shade in the centre (run) Walk Walk BB (Base on Balls)BB (Base on Balls) Fielders Choice Fielders Choice FC (player reaching a base due to the defense's attempt to put out another runner)FC (player reaching a base due to the defense's attempt to put out another runner) Errors (eg by Deep Left Field) Errors (eg by Deep Left Field) E7E7 Ground Rule Double Ground Rule Double GBDGBD

9. Bristol Softball Association Benedict Bermange 9 Scoring the safes on paper

10. Bristol Softball Association Benedict Bermange 10 Scoring the outs – batter retired Strikeout Strikeout K or Ks (swinging) or Kc (called)K or Ks (swinging) or Kc (called) Caught by DLF Caught by DLF F7 (fly out in fair territory)F7 (fly out in fair territory) FO7 (caught in foul territory – foul out)FO7 (caught in foul territory – foul out) Line out to 3B (or pop out) Line out to 3B (or pop out) L5 (line out) or P5 (pop out)L5 (line out) or P5 (pop out) Hit to 1B who steps on the base Hit to 1B who steps on the base U3 (unassisted)U3 (unassisted) Hit to 3B who throws to 1B Hit to 3B who throws to 1B 5-35-3 Infield Fly Infield Fly IFR (closest fielder gets credit)IFR (closest fielder gets credit) Keep track of the outs! 1 – 2 – 3 Keep track of the outs! 1 – 2 – 3

11. Bristol Softball Association Benedict Bermange 11 Scoring the outs on paper

12. Bristol Softball Association Benedict Bermange 12 Scoring the outs – runner retired Force out or a tag SS to 2B Force out or a tag SS to 2B 6-46-4 Run down C – 2B – 1B – 2B Run down C – 2B – 1B – 2B 2-4-3-42-4-3-4 Note the number of the out Note the number of the out

13. Bristol Softball Association Benedict Bermange 13 Scoring the outs – double plays We need two entries here We need two entries here Runner out (show the batter responsble)Runner out (show the batter responsble) Batter outBatter out

14. Bristol Softball Association Benedict Bermange 14 Keeping score – miscellaneous End of an inning: End of an inning: Rule off and put runs and hits at the bottomRule off and put runs and hits at the bottom Extra innings: Extra innings: Use the extra columns in the scoresheetUse the extra columns in the scoresheet Substitutions: Substitutions: Draw a vertical line after the last at-bat for the previous playerDraw a vertical line after the last at-bat for the previous player Write the new player's name and number in the second line of the Player Information sectionWrite the new player's name and number in the second line of the Player Information section Batting around: Batting around: Use the next columnUse the next column

15. Bristol Softball Association Benedict Bermange 15 Keeping score – an example Top of the first inning Top of the first inning Left field Second base Catcher Right field

16. Bristol Softball Association Benedict Bermange 16 Keeping score – an example Smith singles to left field Smith singles to left field Draw a line to first base Draw a line to first base Write 1B to signify it was a single Write 1B to signify it was a single If you like, draw a line showing the direction of the hit If you like, draw a line showing the direction of the hit

17. Bristol Softball Association Benedict Bermange 17 Keeping score – an example Lawson Strikes out Lawson Strikes out Put K for a strike-out Put K for a strike-out You can put Kc (called) or Ks (swinging) You can put Kc (called) or Ks (swinging) Show it was the first out of the inning Show it was the first out of the inning

18. Bristol Softball Association Benedict Bermange 18 Keeping score – an example Henry walks, Smith goes to second base Henry walks, Smith goes to second base Draw a line showing Smith going to second Draw a line showing Smith going to second Show it was batter 17 who got him there Show it was batter 17 who got him there Draw a line to first for Henry and put BB (walk) Draw a line to first for Henry and put BB (walk)

19. Bristol Softball Association Benedict Bermange 19 Keeping score – an example Jones hits into a double play: SS-2B-1B Jones hits into a double play: SS-2B-1B Henry out between 1B and 2B Henry out between 1B and 2B It was batter 33 who got him out (the 2 nd out) It was batter 33 who got him out (the 2 nd out) The 6-4-3 double play is put in Jones’ box The 6-4-3 double play is put in Jones’ box Third out and rule off for the end of the inning Third out and rule off for the end of the inning

20. Bristol Softball Association Benedict Bermange 20 Keeping score – an example Here’s how the scorebook looks Here’s how the scorebook looks

21. Bristol Softball Association Benedict Bermange 21 Keeping score – substitutions Draw a line after the last scorebox of the previous batter and the first scorebox of the new batter Draw a line after the last scorebox of the previous batter and the first scorebox of the new batter Write the new player’s name in the box below the old player Write the new player’s name in the box below the old player Put the new player’s position in the box (PH = pinch hitter) Put the new player’s position in the box (PH = pinch hitter)

22. Bristol Softball Association Benedict Bermange 22 Now go and score the game!