1. Scorekeeping Basics
West Oaks Little League

2. 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.

3. 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)

4. 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.

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

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

7. 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

8. 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

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

10. Score book is official score for the game.

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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.

14. 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

15. 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

16. Play Symbols and Positions
Symbols for play.
Defensive Player Positions

17. 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

18. 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)

19. 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.

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. Thank You
Next Clinic - March 21st