You might think that scorekeeping in baseball is a lost art. But you're likely to find someone who keeps track of the game using an old-fashioned baseball scorebook. This tradition is ancient and likely to remain till the end of time.
Scoring a baseball game might look complicated to you at first, but if you learn the basics, you might realize it's not that difficult after all.
In this guide, you will find information on how to use these scorebooks and we'll recommend our top picks for the best baseball scorebooks available today.
Why Do You Need a Baseball Scorebook?
The apparent reason why you need a scorebook is to record the game you're watching accurately. And surprisingly, you don't need to keep track of every single detail while you're at it.
Any person who is using a baseball scorebook should be able to recreate the details of the game. Any individual who reads from those scorebooks should understand what happened in the game.
Without a doubt, scorebooks are vital in baseball, as it records every pitch, at-bat as well as a defensive play. The scorebook tells you who is going to bat next and details things like where the runner was before their last play? Or how many total pitches have been thrown by the pitcher already?
What Does It Mean to Have the Role of a Scorekeeper?
When you have a baseball scorebook and are responsible for keeping score, you will have a vital role in your league and your team.
How to Use a Baseball Scorebook
Scorekeeping is an art; it requires precision and being non-biased. As an official scorekeeper of the league, you have a lot of power and authority. You need to make the decisions and make sure that you are non-biased in them.
Of course, keeping a score means that you need to follow the scoring rules. If, in any case, the baseball game gets suspended, then the scorekeeper needs to record the time of suspension as well as the score and strike count for the Batsman.
Understanding The Basics
The first thing you need to find is the lineup for the baseball game. This lineup for the team is usually announced well before the game. If it is a high school match, then you can get the lineup from your coach.
The second thing you need to do is to fill the baseball scorecard. On your baseball scorekeeping book, write the name and position of every member of the team.
Abbreviations
Count from 1 to 9, and you will understand half of the baseball scorebook already.
Abbreviations | Meaning |
|---|---|
P or 1 | Pitcher |
C or 2 | Catcher |
1B or 3 | First baseman |
2B or 4 | Second baseman |
3B or 5 | Third baseman |
SS or 6 | Shortstop |
LF or 7 | Leftfield |
CF or 8 | Centerfield |
RF or 9 | Right field |
DH | Designated hitter |
Now, let's look at abbreviations for indicating game actions :
Abbreviations | Meaning |
|---|---|
1B | Single |
2B | Double |
3B | Triple |
HR | Home run |
RBI | Runs batted |
K | Strikeout swinging |
Backward K | Strikeout looking |
DP | Double play |
FC | Fielders choice |
E | Error |
SB | Stolen base |
CS | Caught stealing |
U | Unassisted |
SAC | Sacrifice |
WP | Wild pitch |
PB | Passed back |
Try it Out
Baseball scorebooks are likely going to seem like a checkerboard to you at first, and there will be 9 rows as well as columns.
What do the rows represent? The batting order.
What do the columns represent? The innings. One column for one inning each.
Scoring Balls and Strikes
All baseball scorebooks come with a spot where you can mark the balls as well as strikes. They are likely going to be 5 squares or circles. You can mark it by putting a line or a number on the shape to indicate a strike or ball.
It is recommended to use the numbers as it makes it easier to recall the pitches in their exact order.
The Scoring Outs
When scoring for an out, firstly find out where the ball went, who it was thrown towards, and who the catcher was.
Whenever an out occurs, write the position number of the baseball player who catches the ball and who threw it.
Always put a dash in between the players to separate them from one another.
After this, you can put either 1,2 or 3 in the box where the out occurred and then circle it.
Lastly, also draw half a line towards the base to indicate where the out was made.
Scoring Hits
First, to score a hit, determine the type of hit it was, whether it was a single, double, triple, or homer. You will find the scores for these in the scorebooks; all you have to is circle the correct one.
Scoring Walks
Base on Balls is also scored similarly to a hit; you circle the BB abbreviation and draw a line to first base.
The Scoring Strikeouts
Scoring a strikeout in baseball scorekeeping books can be done in 4 ways. You can mark K or KS if the player strikes by swinging the bat when an umpire calls a third strike without the batter swinging, then you can score it as KC, or even a backward K would do.
Scoring Runs or RBI's
To score a run in your scorebook, all you have to do is color the box of the player who has scored. Remember to give RBI to the player who was batting in the runner.
You will find some scorebooks having RBI prewritten, and some would require you to write it yourself.
Marking the End of an Inning
When an inning ends, you need to put a slash at the bottom right corner at the last player who came in that inning.
After this, draw an entire line down to indicate no more scoring will be done further for that inning.
Errors
To score for an error, mark it in the course of the baseball player running where the error has occurred.
Passed Balls
A pitcher throws a passed ball, but the catcher ends up missing it. As a result, a runner has to run from the bases to score the passed ball.
A passed ball is indicated on the line, which shows the runner advancing to the base.
Now that you have learned how to use scorebooks. Let's come towards the materials to look for in the best baseball scorebook.
What To Look For In a Baseball Scorebook?
Cover
Firstly, the cover of the scorebook is critical. As you will use the scorebook to keep score of games in varying weather conditions, it needs to be durable and long-lasting. Flimsy material and cheap quality scorebooks might have covers that might look good but won't last you very long.
Size
When it comes to the size of scorebooks, you need to determine how many games you are going to need the scorebook for. The best baseball scorebook is likely going to have a big enough size to include 25 games.
But you also need to remember if it will be an oversized scorebook, it will be less likely to be portable. If portability is an important factor, then consider getting baseball scorebooks with fewer pages.
Page and Writing Space
When it comes to baseball scorebooks, you also need to see the pages. Some scorebooks can be used for both baseball and softball if you like to watch both games.
Some scorebooks are going to provide extra pages for writing any additional content which you want.
The best baseball scorebook will include pages having season schedules, pitcher stats, and even instructions on how to use it.
Some scorebooks also have enough space to write information regarding both teams on the same page; hence they are very convenient.
Spiral Binding
The quality of the spiral binding also plays a role in the durability of the scorebook. The best scorebooks are likely to use the high-quality coil for spiral binding, which is expected to last you many seasons.
Our Top Picks For Best Baseball Scorebooks
When it comes to choosing the best scorebook for baseball, your options are many. Below is a list of our top choices with their pros and cons to make your decision easier.
1. BSN Baseball And Softball Scorebook
If you are looking for a baseball and softball scorebook, this has to be the ideal choice.
This can be considered the best baseball scorebook for fans as it has a beginner's guide attached to it. So if you are a first-timer in keeping a score, then this will surely come in handy.
This book will let you keep a score of 26 games, which will last a long time. You can also include 9 innings and up to 16 batting positions.
Not only this, but if substitutions happen during the game, you will also find additional slots for the batting order.
If you want to add information such as a home run or 1B or 2B, that is also easily possible.
This is the best softball scorebook in terms of quality, as it has high durability and spiral binding. The pages are less likely to tear apart easily.
The size of this baseball and softball scorebook is only 8x11 inches, so it's a small baseball scorebook that can easily fit in your baseball bag.
Pros
Cons
If you are on a budget but want a scorebook both for baseball and softball, this can be a good choice.
Not only can it let you record 9 innings, but along with that, a massive number of 40 games can be recorded in it.
It also has a hardcore heavyweight front and back cover, which means you can easily keep score while standing without additional support.
Multimedia paper is used for the pages in this scorebook, which means they are durable and long-lasting. These multimedia pages means you can add information in it from a pencil, pen, or even a marker, and it won't bleed on the other end.
Pros
Cons
If you are looking for little league or high school matches scorebooks for baseball and softball, this will not disappoint.
This scorebook is very easy to use as it has simple instructions for scoring. It can let you record up to 25 games with 12 innings as well as 11 batting positions.
This scorebook also comes with an average chart.
The spiral bindings on it are solid and long-lasting.
Pros
Cons
Another excellent option for little league and high school matches is this scorebook.
It has a generous size of 11x14 inches with enough room to record information for each batter. It also comes with an average chart.
This can also become your softball scorebook for both young and adult baseball games.
In this, you can record up to 24 little league games and 9 innings with 17 batting slots.
You will also get additional space for two substitute players in this.
Pros
Cons
Our last choice but certainly not the least, has to be this Franklin Sports scorebook.
It can record up to 25 games with 16 person lineup. This also comes with a team roster sheet attached at the end, which helps you keep track of the players during that game.
Along with this, it also includes instruction sheets on understanding how to score a baseball game.
Pros
Cons
Conclusion
Choosing the best baseball scorebooks for you and your team are many, but our top pick has to be the BSN Baseball and Softball Scorebook, as it lets you record 26 games and 16 batting positions. It is also easy for first-timers as well as professionals. This scorebook won't disappoint.