How to Keep Score at a Softball Game
Did you know that scorekeeping is a vital part of every softball game? In this post, I’m going to show you why keeping score is important, as well as show you how to keep score of a softball game.
You need to know the Field Positions
Before I get started, there are a few things you need to know.
These tips will help you no matter how simple or detailed you keep score. Softball positions are abbreviated to make it easier to keep score. Each little box represents one batter, per time at bat, entries must designate hits and outs.
Each position also has a number designation, Pitcher is 1, catcher is 2, etc. To keep score, the abbreviations and other shorthand makes it easy to read when you check the score, see where other batters have hit, etc.
To see what each little box looks like, here is an expanded view:
In the field diagram, you see the numbered positions, on the right column, the abbreviations are:
- HR – Home Run
- 3B – Triple base hit
- 2B – Double base hit
- 1B – Single base hit
- SAC – Sacrifice (Fast-Pitch designation when the bunt is used)
- BB – Base on Balls (Walk)
- SO – Strike Out
The rows of 2 and 3 boxes are for the pitch count or tally when keeping track of how many pitches a batter gets before hitting the ball, which is optional. Slowpitch is a hitters game, so pitch count for much, generally speaking.
In the outfield, caught fly balls are designated as F-filed number (7, 8, 9, or 10). Other calls can be written down ad DP – Double play, or by the position number.
For example, 5-4-3, means third base throws to 2nd for out one, who then throws to 1st for out number two.
Simple vs detailed score keeping
Look again at the first image of the scorebook, and you will see there are many details you can add to the tiny square. The main goal of keeping track of the game is to write down the base runners, runs scored and the number of outs. Three outs retires the side.
The two score keepers must have the same information at each inning.
For more detailed score keeping, you can keep track of:
- Balls and Strikes
- Double plays
- location where batter hits the ball
- notating defensive errors
And more. It’s amazing how many stats can be culled from the number of at-bats a player has.
The home team is usually second in a ‘lineup’.
This is an important factor in keeping score of a close game where the home team is ahead by one or more runs.
The visiting team must score enough runs to tie or go ahead of the home team, or the game ends with the home team as the victor.
In a high scoring game, a vital step to maintaining accurate score keeping. This is done between innings and the score keepers of each team meet up to compare runs scored.
The Final Out
A good score keeper is a valuable asset to any team.
Not everyone wants to play, or maybe you feel that your playing ability isn’t up to par with the team, and you don’t play.
You could learn how to keep score, and from a different perspective, stay in the game.
I learned how to keep score when I was only 8 or nine yrs old, while watching my dad play semi-professional fast pitch softball. I started playing fast pitch softball in Junior high school, played through high school, and while in the Navy I started playing slowpitch softball. Through the years, I’ve played softball, up until I was in my 60’s.
Not much has changed with keeping score in 50+ years since then, however, the world of electronics has introduced the ‘Game Changer’, an app for almost any sport, softball, basketball, and even football that keeps track of the game stats.
The jury is still out with that one, Watch for a review or comparison between the use of the game changer, vs score keeping on paper.
As of this writing, writing down the scores is the favored method.
As Always, if you have any questions about keeping score at a softball game, or any other questions, feel free to use the contact form, and you will receive a timely reply!