Game information
- Team lineups
- Player names and jersey numbers
- Batting order
Baseball Resource
How to Keep Score in Baseball
This beginner-friendly guide is for parents, coaches, players, team volunteers, and anyone who has been handed a score sheet and asked to keep score at a baseball game.
Baseball scorekeeping can look confusing at first, but it becomes much easier once you understand the scorecard boxes, the fielding positions, and the common scoring symbols.
Start here
A simple guide for first-time scorekeepers
If you are new to scorekeeping, focus on the basics first: who is batting, where the ball was hit, what the defensive play was, and how the runner moved around the bases.
Best for
Beginners and youth baseball games
What it tracks
Plays, outs, runs, and inning totals
Main goal
Keep a clear record of the game
Helpful habit
Use the same symbols every inning
Free downloads and tools
Print a score sheet, grab a fillable stat sheet, or browse baseball calculators
Use these resources before the first pitch so you have everything ready when the game starts. The PDF links below are placeholder paths until the final download files are added.
TODO: Replace the placeholder PDF URLs once the printable files are added to the site.
Before the game
What you need before the game starts
A little preparation makes scorekeeping much easier once the action starts moving quickly.
Tools
- Pencil
- Score sheet or scorebook
- Space to write inning totals
Quick knowledge
- Basic understanding of fielding positions
- Familiarity with common scorekeeping symbols
- Confidence to make simple, consistent marks
Field positions
Baseball position numbers
Scorekeepers use position numbers to record defensive plays quickly. These numbers are standard across baseball scorecards.
| Number | Position |
|---|---|
| 1 | Pitcher |
| 2 | Catcher |
| 3 | First Base |
| 4 | Second Base |
| 5 | Third Base |
| 6 | Shortstop |
| 7 | Left Field |
| 8 | Center Field |
| 9 | Right Field |
Scoring symbols
Common baseball scorekeeping symbols
Keep this table nearby until the symbols become familiar. Most scorecards use a mix of letters, numbers, and simple marks.
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1B | Single |
| 2B | Double |
| 3B | Triple |
| HR | Home Run |
| BB | Walk |
| K | Strikeout swinging |
| Backwards K | Strikeout looking |
| HBP | Hit by pitch |
| E | Error |
| FC | Fielder's choice |
| SB | Stolen base |
| CS | Caught stealing |
| RBI | Run batted in |
| DP | Double play |
How to score
How to fill out a baseball score sheet
Use one box per plate appearance and record the play as it happens. The goal is not to be perfect at first. The goal is to stay consistent and understandable.
Scorekeeping steps
- Write the batting order before the game begins.
- Fill in player positions for the defensive lineup.
- Use one box for each plate appearance.
- Mark how the batter reached base or got out.
- Draw the runner's progress around the bases.
- Shade or mark the diamond when a run scores.
- Record outs using position numbers like 6-3 or 4-6-3.
- Track runs, hits, errors, and runners left on base by inning.
Examples
Simple scorekeeping examples
These beginner examples show the kind of notes you might make on a score sheet without getting into advanced scorekeeping rules.
Single to left field
Mark the play as 1B or a line to left field, then draw the batter safely to first base.
Groundout to shortstop
Write 6-3 if the shortstop fields the ground ball and throws to first for the out.
Strikeout swinging
Mark K in the batter's box to show a swinging strikeout.
Walk and stolen base
Mark BB for the walk, then draw the runner advancing to second on SB.
Runner scores on a double
Mark 2B for the hitter and shade the runner path all the way home when the run scores.
Double play
Write the fielders involved, such as 6-4-3 DP, to show a shortstop-to-second-to-first double play.
From the score sheet
Baseball stats you can calculate from a score sheet
Once the score sheet is complete, it becomes a useful record for both individual players and team totals.
| Stat | What the score sheet helps you track |
|---|---|
| Batting average | Hits and official at-bats |
| On-base percentage | Hits, walks, hit by pitches, and plate appearances |
| Slugging percentage | Singles, doubles, triples, and home runs |
| ERA | Earned runs and innings pitched |
| WHIP | Walks plus hits allowed per inning pitched |
| Fielding percentage | Putouts, assists, and errors |
Keep in mind
Some stats need more than the score sheet alone, but a well-kept scorecard gives you the foundation for all of them.
Printable score sheet
Print a baseball score sheet and keep score with confidence
A printable score sheet gives you a clean place to track lineups, inning-by-inning action, and player stats without trying to remember every play later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about baseball scorekeeping
What is the easiest way to learn baseball scorekeeping?
The easiest way is to start with a basic score sheet, learn the position numbers, and practice marking simple plays like singles, outs, walks, and strikeouts.
What do the numbers mean in baseball scorekeeping?
The numbers refer to fielding positions: 1 is pitcher, 2 catcher, 3 first base, 4 second base, 5 third base, 6 shortstop, 7 left field, 8 center field, and 9 right field.
How do you mark a strikeout?
A strikeout swinging is usually marked with K. A strikeout looking is often marked with a backwards K.
How do you mark a run scored?
When a runner scores, shade or mark the runner path on the diamond and note the run in the inning totals on the score sheet.
Can I use this guide for youth baseball?
Yes. This guide is written for beginners and works well for youth baseball, little league, and other youth scorekeeping situations.
What stats can I calculate from a baseball score sheet?
A completed score sheet can help you calculate batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, ERA, WHIP, and fielding percentage.