Scorekeeping Basics West Oaks Little League

The scorekeeper, while in the scorer’s booth, is not a part of the fans. He/she may not talk or yell to the players, give direction, coach, have conversations in the booth not pertaining to scorekeeping, or in any other way participate in the game, except in the capacity of being the scorekeeper. (For example, if a player bats out of order, the official scorekeeper may NOT, and may not direct someone else to, inform the home team of the infraction.) Remember: The plate umpire has total control of the game. The umpires make all decisions regarding the game. Only the plate umpire can call the game. If a particular play is in question and you are having difficulty resolving it in the score booth, tell the umpires, and he/she will halt play until the issue is resolved. It is imperative that play not resume until you are caught up. If you have questions during the game, wait until all play has stopped and ask the umpire for assistance. They are very helpful.

Game Duration T-ball games: 1 hr 15 min or 6 innings max Rookie games: 1 hr 30 min or 6 innings max Minor/Major games: must complete 6 innings unless 10 run rule shortens the game (no time limit)

Inning Both teams bat per inning. Represented by “Inning” on machine. Press Inning button then +1 0r -1 to change inning. Visitor team bats 1st. Home team bats last per inning. The inning changes when visitor team comes to bat.

Scoreboard is for spectators only & not a necessary part of the game.

Scoreboard Machine Most machines have 2 cords 1 power plug 1 aux cable Some are wireless & have 1 power cord Both are used similarly

Basic buttons Home team “HOME” or “H” and visitor team “VISITOR” or “V” on machine. Minors use “H” & “V” instead of home & visitor (home & visitor reversed) Balls, strikes, outs Balls will reset Strikes will reset but will add out

T-ball & Rookie Main power switch for T-ball & Rookies located on right side of score booth at Muenster field Must be on to power any field 2 switches inside storage closets under score booths Inside light Score board Switch on both

Minor, Majors, & Junior No main power switch 2 switches inside storage closets under score booths Light Score board Switch both on

Score book is official score for the game.

One team per page Date & team names on both pages Some have home/visitor locations Mark a star on each page to know which page is for which team Write start time at top of page. Umpire will give this, not when the game is scheduled to start.

Batting Order Copy each team’s batting line up on left side of team’s page No need to write position Player Names and jersey number T-ball and Rookie - If player arrives after game begins, they are added to bottom of line up For Minor/Major – Little League substitution rules will apply The coach is responsible for notifying the umpire and score keeper

Batters / Inning Keep track of who is batting Indicate last batter of inning by drawing line Cross out B’s (balls) & S’s (strikes) as called Umpire “BLUE” will call ball/strike. May not say ball or strike but may gesture with right arm/hand.

Any swing at a pitched ball is a strike Umpire may call strike if ball in strike zone Foul balls are strikes unless 3rd strike then they only count towards pitch count

T-ball division 3 strikes either with a swing and miss and/or only a tee strike with no contact with the ball. An at-bat can be extended with foul balls. No walks. Rookie division has 5 pitches per batter but the at-bat can be extended from a foul ball. No walks. Minors & up have 3 strikes or walk

Play Symbols and Positions Symbols for play. Defensive Player Positions

Marking Runners Batter hits or walks, advances to 1st base Mark line from home to 1st base, then to 2nd, 3rd, & home As runners progress around bases, mark their positions Color in diamond if runner scores

If a runner becomes an out, mark a cross-line at the point they are out Strikeouts are represented by a “K” or backwards “K” in box Mark which out they are in the box to keep track (out 1, 2, 3)

T-Ball & Rookie T-ball & Rookie have 5 runs per inning rule in the first 4 innings. No run limit after 4th inning. Finish the play in the score book with advancing all runners but only 5 runs count towards score More runners may go home so color their diamonds True over-the-fence HR counts all runs regardless of score **Exception 5th inning or more is unlimited runs.

If a runner goes home and another runner makes 3rd out, run does not count Does not matter if runner crossed home before out made-still doesn’t count Ask umpire if unsure

Minors & Up Doesn’t matter if ball, strike, foul, hit Minors & up are required to keep pitch count Use a pitch count sheet with team’s names and date on it Write each pitcher’s name and jersey number and tally marks for each pitch thrown Doesn’t matter if ball, strike, foul, hit

Score keeper keeps pitch count If the manager ask the umpire for an intentional walk then the pitcher will have 4 pitches added to his or her pitch count. Actual pitches are not thrown during an intentional walk.

Pitch Count Rules The manager must remove the pitcher when said pitcher reaches the limit for his/her age group as noted below, but the pitcher may remain in the game at another position: Score keeper must have both team managers sign on their pages at end of game as official score League Age Maximum # Pitches in Single Game Rest Requirements   7-8 years old 50 66+ pitches in a day - four (4) full calendar days of rest 9-10 years old 75 51-65 pitches in a day - three (3) full calendar days of rest 11-12 years old 85 36-50 pitches in a day - two (2) full calendar days of rest 13-16 years old 95 21-35 pitches in a day - one (1) full calendar day of rest 1-20 pitches in a day - no (0) calendar day of rest required Note 1: A pitcher who delivers 41+ pitches in a game CANNOT play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day. Note 2: Any player who has played the position of catcher in four (4) plus innings in a game is not eligible to pitch on that day.

Scorekeeper Rules Reminder Everything must be recorded in the Official Scorebook by a Scorekeeper for the Home Team. Don’t forget a pitch count recorder. Alert the Home Plate Umpire when the pitcher is close to his/her pitch count limit. No loud conversations, yelling or cheering from the Score Booth. No smoking. Never tell a manager when his/her team is batting out of order. Work in unison with other scorekeepers and be respectful at all times. Arrive early and ensure scorebook is ready prior to Umpire starting the game.

Thank You Next Clinic - March 21st