1. Scorekeeping Clinic 2016 Focus on Minor B & Minor A Divisions
Niles-Centerville Little League
P.O. Box 2604, Fremont, CA 94536

2. We Appreciate You Game officials (not umpires!)
Your scorecard is the official record of the game
Record the progress of the game
Balls & strikes, runs, outs, etc.
Keep our players happy & safe (pitch count, mandatory play)
Also make judgment calls – hit vs. error, fielders choice, etc
Try to be consistent
Thank you for volunteering to keep score – our kids need scorekeepers to play Little League games!

3. Overview Course will cover Home Team Scorekeeper’s Tasks
Responsibilities & etiquette
General baseball rules
Playing rules
Pre-game information for scorers
Game information
Player information
Pitcher eligibility
In-game Scoring
Scoreblocks
Common symbols
Judgement Calls
Recording Pitches & Count
End of inning
Substitutions/Position changes
End of game
Practice Scenarios
Tracking/Recording Pitchers

4. Home Team Scorer Tasks Setup: Close down:
Before first game of day, get from Snack Shack
scoreboard controller, adapter, & microphone
verify operation as soon as possible
cooler of water bottles
Before remaining games, make sure you have the
scorebook
supplies pouch
game balls
appropriate for that division.
Close down:
Collect signatures
After last division game of day, return scorebook and supplies pouch for that division.
After last game of day
return scoreboard controller, adapter, & microphone
return cooler
roll down window at end of last game of day
turn off power
~15 minutes
~5 minutes

5. Etiquette in the Scorebooth
During the game, remain objective
No cheering or coaching
Keep distractions to a minimum
No young children, cell phones in vibrate/silent mode
Let the umpire know
If you need more time to record the action
Need to verify balls/strikes count,
outs or substitutions
NCLL bylaws on scorekeeping duties:
“For all levels of play (except T-ball), both the Home and Visiting teams are to provide one scorekeeper during each game. The Home Team’s scorekeeper will be designated the Official Scorekeeper for the game. Both scorekeepers will sit in the Scorekeeper’s Shack immediately behind Home Plate for the duration of the game and shall not communicate with any individuals other than umpires and participants of the game as allowed by the Little League Rule Book.”

6. Scoreboard and Scoresheet
Scorekeepers alternate responsibilities
Scoreboard controller
Visiting team scorekeeper
Home team scorekeeper
Top of inning
(visitors bat)
Operates scoreboard
Fills in scoresheet
Bottom of inning
(home bats)

7. Playing Rules Minor B (MP) Minor A Batting
Continuous Batting Roatation
Length of game
No new inning starts after 105 minutes (6 inning max.)
6 innings
10-run rule after 4 innings
On the field
3 swinging strikes = out
6 pitches max (no foul outs)
No walks, HBP, bunts
Normal count
Walks, stealing, bunting OK
Base running
No stealing, lead offs
Play is considered dead as soon as any player has control of the ball standing in the infield or the ball is thrown in the direction of the infields
No leadoffs
Stealing OK
Play is considered dead as soon as any player calls timeout with control of the ball standing in the infield
End Of Inning
3 outs have been made
5 runs have been scored
Everyone has batted
Same as Minor B, except 5-run rule is lifted in the last inning.

8. Baseball Rules for Scorekeepers
Minimum play (IV.i)
Every player present at a game plays at least 6 outs on defense. (must be consecutive outs in Minor B).
In Minor B, no player may play more than 2 consecutive or 4 total innings in the infield (pitcher, catcher, shortstop, 1st, 2nd, or 3rd base)
Unannounced substitutions (3.08)
Managers should tell the umpire (and the umpire tells the scorekeepers) of any substitutions. However, unannounced substitutions are legal.
A run is not scored during third out play (4.09)
A run is not scored if the runner advances to home base during a play in which the third out is made
(1) by the batter-runner before touching first base, or
(2) by any runner being forced out
(3) by any runner being tagged out before the runner advancing to home touches home plate
Base runners leaving early (7.13)
Base runners must stay in contact with their bases until the pitched ball has reached the batter.

9. Filling out the Game Information
What we know
On May 8, 2015, there’s a Minor A game scheduled to start at 5 PM on the NCLL Minor field
Yankees is the visiting team, Pat Foxx scorekeeping
A’s are the home team, Kim Myers scorekeeping
First pitch thrown at 5:05 PM
Date and Time
visitor scorekeeper
front (visitors)
5/8/15
5:05
Yankees A’s
Minor Field
5 Wang, D
3 Foxx, K
10 Armaz, O
P. Foxx
home scorekeeper
back (home)
5/8/15
5:05
Minor Field
Yankees A’s
K. Myers
8 Nand, R
1 Thomas, F
9 Myers, E
visitors vs home
(same on both sides)

10. Filling In Player Names
Lineup
(manager fills)
Scorebook
(scorekeeper fills)
Visitors on front of scoresheet
Home on back
List every player
Last name first
Use position numbers
Use “-” for bench
List absent players near the bottom
Add late players to the END of the lineup (Rule 4.04)
Players have up to three numbers assigned to him/her
batting order number
jersey number
position number
OFFICIAL BATTING ORDER
TEAM: Giants
COACH:______________ NO
STARTER NAME
POS
SUBSTITUTE 11
Alex Allen CF 9
Brandon Brown 2B 6
Chris Clark 1B 7
Dante Diaz LF 2
Emily Evans RF 5
Felix Flores C 12
Greg Garcia 3B 1
Hannah Hall SS 10
Izzy Ing P 3
Jacob Jones - 4
Kevin Kim 8
Louis Lee
abs
PLAYERS No
Last, First
Pos 1 11
Allen, Alex 8 2 9
Brown, Brandon 4 3 6
Clark, Chris 7
Diaz, Dante 5
Evans, Emily
Flores, Felix 12
Garcia, Greg
Hall, Hannah 10
Ing, Izzy
Jones, Jacob -
Kim, Kevin
ABSENT
Lee, Louis

11. Recording Pitcher Information
Before start of game fill out:
Pitcher information area
Record pitcher info in ink
List visiting team pitchers on same side as the batting lineup
Running pitch count will be on opposite side or scorecard
Pitching eligibility book
Obtain red eligibility book from manager (manager mailbox in snack shack)
Verify ineligible pitchers
Write new pitcher info in ink No
Pitcher W L IP AB R H SO BB ER 10
Ing, Izzy 1
Hall, Hannah T4
Visitor
Lineup
Visitor
Scorekeeper
VISITORS
on front side
Visitor
Pitchers
Home
Lineup
Home
Scorekeeper
HOME
on back side
Home
Pitchers
5/5/12
Ing, I. 10 11 6
T2 1

12. Flag Player & Pitcher Issues
Scorebook
Pitcher
Check eligibility of starting pitcher by looking in the red pitching eligibility book
Put an “I” next to names of other players ineligible to pitch
During game also note…
Pitcher removed from mound cannot return as pitcher
Pitcher who delivers 41 or more pitches cannot play catcher
Catchers for more than 3 innings cannot pitch
PLAYERS No
Last, First
Pos 1 11
Allen, Alex 8 2 9
Brown, Brandon 4 3 6
Clark, Chris 7
Diaz, Dante 5
Evans, Emily
Flores, Felix 12
Garcia, Greg
Hall, Hannah 10
Ing, Izzy
SUBS
Jones, Jacob
Kim, Kevin
ABSENT
Lee, Louis -- ill
Players NOT eligible to pitch in this game I I

13. Game Progression Using Scoreblocks
Track balls and strikes in order
Record the plays
If batter gets on base, track progress around the base and record how batter advances
Draw line connecting dots of the diamond
Fill in diamond when run is scored
Credit batter with RBI by putting jersey number in RBI section
Record outs in red pencil
Base Hits
Balls
(no swings)
Strikes
(swings)
On Base
(not hit)
Outs
RBI
Examples 2 1 2 1 3 3 4
6-3 1B 1
Strike, ball, strike, then base hit
Two balls, two strikes, then ball hit to shortstop, who threw to first baseman, who made the out

14. Common Symbols: On Base
Getting on base
Fielder’s Choice 1B 2B 3B HR
Batter reaches safely because fielder throws to another base in attempt to put out preceding runner nn
Single
Double
Triple
Homerun
Runner on base
Batter hits ball to SS, who chooses to throw to 2B for the out.
Batter reaches 1B safely. BB HP
E-#
6-4 1B
Walk
Hit by pitch
Error 1 FC FC
Not a hit
Fielder’s choice

15. Common Symbols: Advancing
Let’s practice 6 E6 5 2
Evans, Emily 9 6
Flores, Felix BB HP
SAC HR • 1B BB
Advanced by jersey #6
Error BB HP
SAC HR • WP PB SB BB 1B BB
Example
Evans (#2) hits a line drive single past SS.
Flores (#5) hits a double to deep center field. Evans scores.
Wild pitch
Passed ball
Stolen base FC 1B
Fielder’s choice

16. Scorekeeping Symbols: Advancing
Let’s practice 6 E6 5 2
Evans, Emily 9 6
Flores, Felix BB HP
SAC HR • 5 5 1B BB 5 1B
Advanced by jersey #6
Error 5 BB HP
SAC HR • 2B WP PB SB BB 1B BB
Example
Evans (#2) hits a line drive single past SS.
Flores (#5) hits a double to deep center field. Evans scores.
Wild pitch
Passed ball
Stolen base FC 1B
Fielder’s choice

17. Common Symbols: Outs Batter is Out Runner is Out Fly out (to RF)K K
5-3 3U 1 2 3 2 1
Fly out
(to RF)
Strike out,
swinging
Strike out,
called
Force out or tag out
Unassisted play or ground out F3
SAC L3
6-4-3 DP 1 1 1B
Infield fly
Sacrifice
fly or bunt
Line Out
(to 1B) 1
6-4-3 DP 2
Double play
Batter hit grounder to SS, who threw to 2B, who threw to 1B. CS
5-4 BB 1B 1B 1 2 3
Caught stealing
Force out or tag out
Run down

18. Judgment Calls: Errors
Use position number of the fielder responsible for the error (e.g. right fielder drops ball – E9)
How does the scorekeeper decide if a play is an error?
The test: should the fielder have made the play with ordinary effort? If yes, then score as an error.
Score as a hit if
two players collide
fielder steps in gopher hole
sun gets in fielder’s eyes
ball takes a funny hop
fielder has to make a diving catch
fielder runs into the fence E9 1B

19. Scorekeeping Symbols - Errors
Use position number of the fielder responsible for the error (e.g. right fielder drops ball – E9)
How does the scorekeeper decide if a play is an error?
The test: should the fielder have made the play with ordinary effort? If yes, then score as an error.
Score as a hit if
two players collide
fielder steps in gopher hole
sun gets in fielder’s eyes
ball takes a funny hop
fielder has to make a diving catch
fielder runs into the fence E9 1B

20. Scorekeeping Symbols - Bunting and Infield Fly
Bunting is allowed in Minor A and above
No special symbol is used to track bunting
If batter gets on base, score as a hit
If batter is out due to sacrifice bunt (to advance a runner), score as a sacrifice
If batter is out due to unsuccessful bunt, score as usual put out
Infield fly rule
Infield fly rule applies to Minor A and above
Def: a fair fly ball which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, when first and second, or first, second and third bases are occupied, before two are out
Batter is out when an infield fly is declared
Follow umpire’s cue 1B
SAC 1
1-3 2 IF 1

21. End of Half-Inning Draw arrow pointing to next batter
Draw line through unused scoreblocks for the inning
Tally runs and hits
At the bottom of the inning, fill in runs and hits in spaces provided
Keep running totals in shaded columns
PLAYERS No
Last, First
Pos 1 2 3 4 11
Allen, Alex 8 - 5 9
Brown, Brandon 6
Clark, Chris 7
Diaz, Dante
Evans, Emily
Flores, Felix 12
Garcia, Greg
Hall, Hannah 10
Ing, Izzy
Jones, Jacob
Kim, Kevin
ABSENT
Lee, Louis 13 4 1 2 8 3 - 7 9 5 6 9 1B 1B 6 2B K 1 6
6-3 2B 2 F8 K 3 1
4-3
6-3 1 2
6-4 F9 1B 2 3 1B
Two runs scored in fourth inning K 3
Two runs total for the game F5 1
1-3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6
RUNS
HITS
ERRORS
L.O.B.
E.R.
INNING TOTALS =
Unshaded Areas
RUNNING TOTALS =
Shaded Areas U1 3

22. Substitutions – Continuous Rotation*
07/16/96
Substitutions – Continuous Rotation
Field position changes
Can use 6 triangular spaces to note positions for 6 innings
Fill in changes one inning at a time – when manager announces subs
Check that all players and positions are accounted for every inning
inning 1 2 3 4 5 6
PLAYERS No
Last, First
Pos 1 2 3 4 5 6 11
Allen, Alex 8 - 9
Brown, Brandon
Clark, Chris 7
Diaz, Dante
Evans, Emily 4 1 8 2 7 3 9
1-3
Blank spaces = ?? We won’t know. Could lead to mandatory play issues. 1B 2 K 3U 1 3
6-3 7 2B 2 2 2 F8 1B 3
4-3 1B 1 *

23. End of Game Record final score on scoresheet
If the game ends before 6 innings are played, note reason (darkness, 10-run rule, etc.)
Check minimum playing time
Verify that every player (Sr & below) present at game plays at least 6 defensive outs & 1 at-bat
Note issues on scoresheet, and notify manager
Obtain signatures from
Both scorekeepers in scorebook
Both managers & home scorekeeper in pitching eligibility book
Winning team
FINAL SCORE
8-5
Giants
Get signatures of both managers
Home scorekeeper must sign
5/9/12
5/8/12
5/5/12 62 45
Ing, I.
Hall, H. 10 1 11 12
Highlighter line to separate games

24. Minor A Example Major Example continuous lineup 9-man lineup
Positions listed for every player
Position changes noted as needed
Horizontal red line shows pitcher change
Vertical line shows when subs came in
Outs in red
Filled diamonds show runs
Subs
Continuous batting order – loops to top of list
Total thrown for each pitcher

25. Practice – Lineups & Game Info
OFFICIAL BATTING ORDER
TEAM: Yankees
COACH:______________ NO
STARTER NAME
POS
SUBSTITUTE 11
Alex Allen 8 9
Brandon Brown 4 6
Chris Clark 3 7
Dante Diaz 2
Emily Evans 5
Felix Flores 12
Greg Garcia 1
Hannah Hall 10
Izzy Ing
Jacob Jones -
Kevin Kim
abs
OFFICIAL BATTING ORDER
TEAM: Giants
COACH:______________ NO
STARTER NAME
POS
SUBSTITUTE 11
AJ Foyt - 48
Jimmy Johnson 5 18
Kyle Busch 6 10
Danica Patrick 3 7
Jackie Stewart 8
Mario Andretti 1 24
Jeff Gordon 4 43
Richard Petty 17
Darrell Waltrip 2 28
Cale Yarborough 9
Dale Earnhardt
abs
Home team:
Giants
Visiting Team:
Yankees
Game on 3/7/15.
First pitch at 11:05am
Minor A game on NCLL Minor Field
You and practice partners are scorekeepers (please decide who is home and who is away).

26. Practice Scenarios #2 Evans 1-3 balls 4-6 hits fouls 7-ball #5 Flores
Top of 1st Inning:
Andretti pitching
#11 Allen
1-ball
2- swings & misses
3-hits foul ball into bushes
4-gets hit by the pitch
#9 Brown
1-3 balls
4-hits foul ball behind C
5-hits ball to 3B, who misses the ball, Allen to 2nd base
#6 Clark
1-hits double deep into CF
Allen scores, Brown goes to 3B
#7 Diaz
1-hits ground ball to 1B, who makes the out at 1B
Brown scores, Clark to 3B
#2 Evans
1-3 balls
4-6 hits fouls
7-ball
#5 Flores
1-ball
2-hits slow grounder to 3B, who throws to 2nd base to get Evans out. Clark stays on 3B
#12 Garcia
1-Flores steals 2nd base, and Clark steals home when the catcher throws the ball to 2nd.
2-hits fly to LF, and fielder catches ball
End of Half Inning
Bottom of 1st Inning:
Ing pitching
#14 Foyt
1-ball
2,3 - swings & misses
4-hits single to left field
#48 Johnson
1-3 balls
4,5,6-hits foul ball behind C
7-hits single, Foyt to 2B
#18 Busch
1- called strike
2-hits grounder to 3B, who steps on third base to force out Foyt
#10 Patrick
1-3 swings & misses

27. Practice Scenarios (cont’d)
Top of 2nd Inning:
Foyt replaces Petty (LF)
#1 Hall
1-3 balls
4-single to left field
#10 Ing
4-6 hits foul balls
7-hits single to center field, Hall to 3rd base
#3 Jones
1-hits pop up to pitcher, who catches the ball
#11 Allen
1-hits ground ball to SS, who throws the ball to the second baseman, who then throws to first in time to get the double play
End of Half Inning
#7 Stewart
1- ball
2-swings & misses
3-hits single to pitcher: Johnson to third, Busch to second
#5 Andretti
1-ball
2-hits double to right field: Johnson and Busch score, Stewart goes to third
#24 Gordon
1-hits fly to RF, and fielder catches ball
End of Half Inning
Bottom of 2nd Inning:
Jones enters game at 1st base, Clark moves to pitcher, Ing to bench
#42 Petty
1- hits double to left field
#17 Waltrip
1-3 balls
4- grounds out to first base
Petty advances to third base
#28 Yarborough
1-hits fly ball to center field, who catched the ball and throws Petty out at home
#14 Foyt
1-3 swings& misses
End of Half Inning