Baseball Scorekeeping Cheat Sheet: Download GoRout's Free Printable PDF
Our free Baseball Scoring Cheat Sheet breaks down positions, abbreviations, and common scoring scenarios in a clear, easy-to-follow format. Whether you’re a coach in the dugout, a parent in the stands, or a player learning the game, keeping a baseball scorebook can be overwhelming. It’s the perfect companion for anyone learning how to track the game with confidence.
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Baseball Scoring Cheat Sheet
There is a lot to keep track of when keeping score in baseball and things don't always go as planned. Whether you’re new to the practice or an experienced professional scorekeeper, it’s easy to forget all of the details involved.
For a comprehensive breakdown, check out our Baseball Scorekeeping 101 resource. It’s a detailed, thorough piece covering everything you need to know. After reading through, you should have a better understanding of scorekeeping basics. It’s unlikely that you remember everything after reading it once, so consider bookmarking the page as a continuing resource to reference anytime you have a question or aren’t sure about a decision.
When you’re in the heat of the action, there’s no time to pull up the full blog and search for the necessary info. That’s where the GoRout baseball scoring cheat sheet steps in. We’ve compiled the essential components and knowledge into a free downloadable baseball scorekeeping cheat sheet. You can pull up this resource to refer to as you score the game in real-time, or print it out to keep by your side at all times.
In the sections below, we’ll provide a brief overview of the most important aspects to remember when scoring a baseball game, including:
- Player numbering system
- Abbreviations for scoring plays
- An overview of the scorecard
- Common scorekeeping practices and scenarios
Player Numbering System for Baseball Scorekeeping
There’s a standardized numbering system for scorekeepers to identify and acknowledge players by position. This unanimously agreed upon shorthand system reduces the clutter of writing out each position in full.
The standard player numbering system in baseball scoring accounts for positions as follows:
| Number | Position |
| 1 | Pitcher |
| 2 | Catcher |
| 3 | First Base |
| 4 | Second Base |
| 5 | Third Base |
| 6 | Shortstop |
| 7 | Left Field |
| 8 | Center Field |
| 9 | Right Field |
Refer to this table anytime that you’re unsure of what number to use for a specific position.
Abbreviations for Scoring Plays
Some abbreviations are used for multiple types of plays. For example, a strikeout (marked “K”) is credited to both the pitcher and batter.
To keep information organized, this baseball scorekeeping cheat sheet separates abbreviations into two categories:
- Offensive and base running
- Defensive and pitching
Offensive and base running abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Play |
| 1B | Single |
| 2B | Double |
| 3B | Triple |
| HR | Home run |
| SH or SAC | Sacrifice |
| BB | Walk |
| IBB | Intentional walk |
| K | Strikeout swinging |
| ꓘ | Strikeout looking |
| FC | Fielder’s choice |
| HBP | Hit by pitch |
| RBI | Run batted in |
| F | Fly ball |
| L | Line drive |
| f | Foul ball |
| B | Bunt |
| SB | Stolen base |
| CS | Caught stealing |
Defensive and pitching abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Play |
| BK | Balk |
| WP | Wild pitch |
| PB | Passed ball |
| DP | Double play |
| E | Error |
| IP | Illegal pitch |
| FO | Force out |
| U | Unassisted |
| I or CI | Catcher’s interference |
Baseball Scorecard Overview
Here are the key sections of a baseball scorecard and basic information to fill out in each.
Game overview
Fill out the following information in the areas provided on your scorecard:
- Team names (home and visiting)
- Location (stadium/field name)
- Date
- Time (start and end)
- Umpires
- Scorekeepers
Lineup (or batting order)
In the leftmost column of the scorecard, fill out the lineup in the batting order submitted by the coach.
Write the name and number of each starting player in the appropriate row. When a substitute enters the game, write their name and number in the “substitute” sub-row of the player they’re going in for.
Innings
There’s an individual column for each inning, with the inning number at the top of each column. Within each column, there’s a score box for every player in the batting order. The score boxes are where you’ll score each play in an inning.
At the end of each half inning:
- Draw a slash or a line on the score box of the batter who made the last out. This helps you keep track of the game and know where to start scoring the next inning.
- Draw a line or cross out all unused score boxes. This ensures no accidental scoring occurs.
Score boxes (or event boxes)
Record each at bat in the appropriate score box – also called an event box.
Properly document all information using the elements of the score box, including:
- Baseball diamond diagram: Use the base paths to document each batter’s journey around the field. When a runner scores, shade in the area inside the base paths completely.
- Strikes and balls: Mark strikes and balls in the designated boxes or area, or hand write them if your scorecard doesn’t provide a section for them.
- Offensive results: Circle the appropriate result of the at bat (1B, 2B, 3B, HR, or BB). If your scorecard doesn’t provide offensive results, hand write it in an open section, usually the lower right or left hand corner of the score box.
Player stats
Somewhere on the scorecard, you’ll find a table to record and compile individual player statistics for the game. The table usually lines up with the player’s name in the lineup section, but design varies by scorecard.
Use this section to track individual player stats throughout the game or compile each player’s totals at the end of the game.
Team stats (or end of inning totals)
Underneath the lineup section (or elsewhere depending on card design) you’ll find a section for team stats. This section usually lines up with the inning columns, with one “end of inning totals” area per inning.
Team stats commonly compiled include:
- Hits (H)
- Runs (R)
- Errors (E)
- Players left on base (LOB)
Fill out the team stats at the end of each inning and compile the game total at the end of the game.
Pitchers and catchers
The section for pitchers and catchers varies by scorecard design. Wherever it’s located on your scorecard, list all pitchers and catchers as they participate in the game.
This is where you track stats for pitchers and catchers. Record stats for every pitcher and catcher in the respective section on the scorecard.
Common scorekeeping practices and scenarios
Balls and strikes
Document balls and strikes of every at bat in the respective score box.
The three methods for recording strikes and balls are:
- Strike a line through the area
- Color the area in completely
- Number by pitch
Outs
To document outs, you need to know:
- Where the ball went/who fielded it
- Who it was thrown to
- Who caught it
Outs are recorded in the score box, just above the base path diagram.
For ground outs, write the number of the player that fields the ball followed by the numbers of any players who receive the ball. Separate each player involved with a dash (-).
- Ex. Groundout to shortstop = 6-3; Double play field by shortstop, tossed to second base, and thrown to first base = 6-4-3
For plays to the outfield, you can either:
- Record the number of the player who caught the ball (Ex. left fielder catches a flyout = 7)
- Use a play abbreviation and the number of the player (Ex. left fielder catches a flyout = F7)
For all outs, regardless of the play:
- Mark each out in the respective score box – putting a 1, 2, or 3, depending on which out it is and circling the number.
- Draw half a line toward the base the player was thrown out at. If the batter is out, draw in the batter’s score box. For plays like a fielder’s choice, draw a half line in the runner’s score box to the base they were thrown out. Draw a full line in the batter’s score box and mark FC.
Hits
When a player gets a hit, circle the appropriate result in the batter’s score box. If there’s not options to choose from, write the result on an open space in the box.
For hits, draw a line (or multiple lines) to the base the batter made it to on the base path diagram. If it’s a triple, draw a line from home to first, first to second, and second to third.
After a hit occurs, advance each player on base to the correct position in their respective score box.
Walks
Walks are scored the same way as a hit. The only difference is to circle the BB abbreviation – or write BB – and draw a line to first base.
If there’s a walk with bases loaded, credit the batter with an RBI.
Strikeouts
- Use the letter “K” to indicate a strikeout swinging
- Use a backward ꓘ to indicate a strikeout looking
Runs & RBIs
To document a base runner scoring and a batter knocking in runners:
- Color in the entire basepath diagram in the runner’s score box
- Mark “RBI” in an open space of the batter’s score box
Fielder’s choice
To score a fielder’s choice:
- Mark a full line to the base the batter reached and write FC next to the base line in the batter’s score box
- Mark a half line to the base the runner that was thrown out at and enter the proper scoring notation in the runner’s score box
Error
To score an error:
- Use the abbreviation for error (E) and the players position number (ex. E4).
- Mark the error on the base path the runner advances to as a result
Passed balls and wild pitches
To score a passed ball where the catcher drops or misses a pitch that should’ve been caught:
- Write PB on on the baseline that the runner advances to
To score a wild pitch where the ball is thrown so poorly the catcher has no chance of receiving it:
- Write WP on the baseline the runner advances to
Download GoRout's Free Printable Baseball Scoring Cheat Sheet [PDF]
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