If a player fouls off a 2-2 pitch, simply note an вЂFвЂ™ or a hashmark to indicate a foul. Some scorebooks will have small squares within each at-bat square to mark this. Again, different scorers use different symbols, but if it goes to the center fielder, it goes to the вЂњ8вЂќ every time.ДЇor greater detail, you can track every pitch by noting a вЂBвЂ™ or an вЂSвЂ™ for a ball or a strike. A popup to the center fielder might be listed as P8, or F8 with an arc above the F and the 8 to indicate a popup. A lineout to center field might be L8, or F8 with a straight line above the F and the 8 to indicate a line drive. A flyout to left field would listed as F7. Likewise, a grounder to third base would be 5-3. It was a grounder to the shortstop (6), who threw to first base (3) to record the out. Remember the scorekeeping symbols? This would be noted 6-3. Now, letвЂ™s assume the leadoff batter grounds out to the shortstop. Go to the square in inning 1 that matches up with the leadoff hitter. To score the game, match up the correct batter with the correct inning where he or she is batting.ДЇor example, letвЂ™s start with the Mudville Mudhens, batting in the top of the first. There is a column for the first inning, the second inning, and so on. The rows correspond to the batting order the columns correspond to the inning. The basic scorebook will somewhat resemble a giant checkerboard - with nine (or 10 or more) rows going across the page, with a corresponding number of columns going down the page. ItвЂ™s important to write down player jersey numbers with the batting order, to make sure the proper players bat in the proper order. They will be exchanged by the two managers and, except for substitutions, cannot change during the game. To begin, first write down each teamвЂ™s batting order. IP = Illegal Pitch (Major Division and below)Д«K = balk (Intermediate 50/70 and above) Trying It Out Likewise, there are several symbols used to denote game action. A designated hitter is labeled simply вЂњDH.вЂќ If you play a 10-player lineup, a вЂњ10вЂќ would indicate a short fielder or fourth outfielder. DonвЂ™t confuse these with jersey numbers these standard numerical symbols used in scorekeeping never change: The crux of scorekeeping is the system that assigns a number to each player. The scorer is an official representative of the league, and is entitled to the respect and dignity of the office. The scorer shall not: 1) make any decision conflicting with the Official Playing rules, or with an umpireвЂ™s decision 2) call attention to the umpire or of any member of either team to the fact that a player is batting out of turn. If the game is protested or play suspended, the scorer shall make note of the exact situation at the time of the protest or suspension, including the score, the number of outs, the position of any runners, and the ball and strike count on the batter. If the teams change sides before three are put out, the scorer shall immediately inform the umpire of the mistake. The scorer shall have authority to rule on any point not specifically covered in these rules. To achieve uniformity in keeping the records, the scorer shall conform strictly to the Scoring Rules. In the event of a question of eligibility of a pitcher, the record of the Official Scorer shall be deemed official. The scorer shall communicate such decisions to the press by hand signals or over the loudspeaker system and shall advise the announcer of such decisions if requested. The scorer shall have sole authority to make all decisions involving judgment, such as whether a batterвЂ™s advance to first base is the result of a hit or an error. The League President shall appoint an Official Scorer for each league. And once youвЂ™re fluent in scorekeeping, youвЂ™re ready to keep track of every pitch, every at-bat, every hit and every out. In fact, scorekeeping - a system of numbers, symbols and methodology that is as much a part of the game as an old glove - is a language all its own. Baseball and softball scorekeeping involves more than just keeping track of how many runs cross the plate.

Basketball score keeper