Keeping score for a softball game can be done for a number of reasons. It could be used to help the coach plan strategy, to keep a record of what happened so that you can write an article for the local paper, or as a way of increasing your enjoyment and understanding of the game. This page will help you learn how to keep score in softball.
Introduction
- Softball and baseball are scored in the same manner. The types of plays you see and record may be different, but the scoresheets and symbols are interchangeable.
How to Keep Score in Baseball : How to Use a Baseball Scorecard
Although this video discusses a baseball scorecard, the same scorecard is used for softball scoring. The narrator discusses each space on the scorecard, and everything he mentions is also used for softball, with one exception: the number of players. Some softball leagues have 10 players in the batting order, rather than the 9 used in baseball.
Step 1: Learn the Basics of Softball
- Before beginning to keep score, you need to understand the game of softball. If you're not already familiar with the game, spend some time learning the rules so that you understand what to expect. While you don't need to be an authority to record what's going on, the more you know, the simpler it will be to learn how to score a softball game.
- Watching college or USA Softball on television is a great way to get introduced to the gaem. The announcers will discuss background to the game, including situations such as whether a certain play should be considered a hit or an error.
Step 2: Get a Softball Scorebook
- Don't worry if the only scorebooks you can find are labeled baseball scorebooks. The layout of the pages is the same. You can purchase a scorebook at a sporting goods store, create your own customized form, or download one online.
Step 3: Fill Out the Game Information
- The first thing to do before the game begins is to prepare your scoresheet. Using the line up cards from each coach, you'll want to write down the names of each player in the order in which they will be batting. This information goes down the left side of the page, and includes the player's jersey number, and their position. Positions are usually referred to by numbers, rather than words.
- Pitcher
- Catcher
- 1st base
- 2nd base
- 3rd base
- Shortstop
- Left field
- Center field
- Right field
Step 4: Mark Each Play in Your Scorebook
- The scorebook has a diamond that represents each batter's activity during that inning. All notes about the batter, from how many balls and strikes they received, to whether they made an out or scored a run, are recorded in their box. The conventions for marking the plays can be found in the front of the scorebook, or you can develop your own. If you're not using a scorebook with instructions, you can find descriptions of various scorekeeping systems here:
Step 5: Prove the Softball Box Score
After the game, you'll need to add up all the data, totaling the statistics by inning and by player. These can be used to calculate various softball statistics, such as batting average or ERA. The final step is to "prove" the box score.
- Total the number of runs, players left on base and opponents' putouts for one team.
- Total the number of at-bats, walks, sacrifices, batters hit by pitcher and awards of first base due to interference for the same team.
- These two totals should equal.
- Calculate the same totals for the other team.
- Once you've proven the box score, you can be assured that you didn't miss a play that should be reflected in an individual player's results.
