🏆 Local Sports

Scorekeepers Cheat Sheet for Baseball
A Side-Line Reference Guide

Quickly look up position numbers, scoring codes, and best practices on game day.

Baseball positions diagram

Use PROBS When Scoring

You’re PROBS doing it right if you’re recording these five essential metrics:

  • Pitches
  • Runs
  • Outs
  • Balls
  • Strikes

Baseball Positions

Standard numeric codes used for scorekeeping:

Position #
Pitcher 1
Catcher 2
First Base 3
Second Base 4
Third Base 5
Shortstop 6
Left Field 7
Center Field 8
Right Field 9

Common Scoring Codes

Short codes used to record plays:

Code Definition
1B Single
2B Double
3B Triple
HR Home Run
GRD Ground Rule Double
BB Base on Balls (Walk)
HP Hit by Pitch
FC Fielder's Choice
E Error
IBB Intentional Base on Balls
CI Catcher Interference
K Strikeout / E2 Dropped 3rd Strike
# Runner Advanced by Batter
SB Stolen Base
WP Wild Pitch
PB Passed Ball
BK Balk by Pitcher

đź“‹ Instructions

  • Arrive to the field at least 15 minutes early with 2 pencils and erasers.
  • Introduce yourself to the umpire and collect team sheets.
  • Find a comfortable place where you can see the umpire clearly.
  • Start entering player names in the scorebook.
  • Use PROBS to score the game.

đź’ˇ Tips

You have the power to call a timeout and stop the game if needed. Don't worry—every scorekeeper has to do it at some point!

Use our Tally app to count pitches if that makes it easier for you.

Ignore parent and spectator noise from the crowd; focus on the umpire's signals.

âś“ Pre-Game Checklist

  • Lineup cards collected
  • Team names entered
  • Starting pitcher recorded
  • Field name, date, and game time noted
  • Score boxes assigned for each batter
  • End of Game: Record the finish time and calculate final total R, H, E counts.