Filling out a baseball scorebook is a fun and enjoyable way to follow a baseball game, and it also represents an accurate way of how a team performed in a game and the specific performance of each individual player. The scorebook is a useful tool for managers, coaches, players, media members and fans when trying to understand a baseball team's performance. The scorekeeper uses a system of numbers and symbols to tell the story of how a baseball game played out.
Step 1
Write down the names, uniform numbers and positions of the players in the starting lineup for both teams. This information is determined by each team's manager, who will then hand you a batting order card that holds this information.
Step 2
Record the results for each batter as the game progresses. The scorebook is a grid with spots for player information and the results of his at-bat in every inning. Here's an example: In the first inning, Jones leads off with a ground ball to shortstop and is thrown out at first. Write down "6-3" in the box that corresponds to Jones' name under "Inning 1." The "6" corresponds to the shortstop position and the "3" corresponds to first base. Next, Smith hits a double during his at-bat. Draw a line from home to first and another from first to second base on the diamond symbol next to Smith's name. In the small corner next to the diamond symbol, draw two horizontal lines on top of each other. Those lines indicate that Smith hit a double. Next, Vandemark flies out to left field as the third batter. Write down a "7" next to his name, because "7" corresponds to left field. Then Randle strikes out swinging to end the inning. Write down a forwards "K" in the scorebook next to his name. If Randle had taken a called third strike, you would put down a backward-facing "K" in the book.
Step 3
Cross out a player's name if he is replaced in the lineup. For example, if the manager replaces shortstop Anderson with Robertson in the sixth inning, draw a line through Anderson's name. Write down Robertson's name underneath "Anderson" and put the number "6" in parentheses, indicating the inning Robertson entered the game.
Step 4
Keep track of all runs and hits in each inning. As you keep track of each batter's results in every inning, go down the line and total up the runs and hits, and put those numbers at the bottom of each column. Do it in fraction form with runs listed on top and hits on the bottom. Then take the number of runs scored and put it in the scoreboard grip on the top of the scorebook page.
Step 5
Go across the line for each batter and total up his performance in each game. Typically, a batter will have four or five plate appearances in each nine-inning game. For example, if Jones grounded out in his first at-bat, doubled in his second, homered in his third at-bat, walked in his next appearance and struck out his final time up, he finished the game going 2-for-4. The walk does not count as an official at-bat, but it is counted as a plate appearance.
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