RESOURCES

APPENDIX 6: SCORING

A. THE BOX SCORE

Each player’s name and the position, or positions to be played, must be listed in the order in which they batted, or would have batted, unless the player is legally substituted, ejected, or removed from the game, or the game ends before their turn at bat. Any statistics accrued by the Replacement Player while they are in the game, are credited to that player, even if they are a listed substitute who does not eventually enter the game as a substitution for another player.

 Any statistics accrued by a Temporary runner will accrue to the player for whom they are running.

1. The Designated Player (DP) is optional, but if one is used, it must be made known prior to the start of the game and be listed on the score sheet in the regular batting order. Ten names will be listed, with the tenth name being the “FLEX PLAYER” for whom the DP is batting.

a) Each player’s batting and fielding record must be tabulated.

2. The first column will show the number of times at bat by each player, but a time at bat will not be charged against the player when that player

a) Hits a sacrifice fly that scores a runner.

b) Is awarded a base on balls.

c) Is awarded first base because of obstruction.

d) Hits a sacrifice bunt.

e) Is hit by a pitched ball.

3. The second column will show the number of runs by each player.

4. The third column will show the number of base hits made by each player. A base hit is a batted ball that permits the batter to reach the base safely.

a) When a batter-runner reaches first base, or any succeeding base, safely on a fair ball that settles on the ground, clears the fence, or strikes the fence before being touched by a fielder.

b) When a batter-runner reaches first base safely on a fair ball which is hit with such force, or such slowness, or which takes an unnatural bounce, making it impossible to field with ordinary effort in time to retire the batter-runner.

c) When a fair ball, which has not been touched by a fielder, becomes “dead” because of touching the person, or clothing, of a runner or umpire.

d) When the fielder unsuccessfully attempts to retire a preceding runner and, in the scorer’s judgment, the batter-runner would not have been retired at first base by perfect fielding.

e) When the batter ends the game with a base hit that drives in a sufficient number of runs to give their team the lead, the batter will be credited with only as many bases as were advanced by the runner scoring the winning run, provided the batter runs a similar number of bases.

EXCEPTION: When the batter ends the game with an out of the park home run, they will be credited with a home run and all runners, including themselves, will be allowed to score.

5. The fourth column will show the number of opponents put out by each player.

a) A putout is credited to a fielder each time they;

1)     Catch a fly ball or line drive.

2)     Catch a thrown ball that retires a batter or runner.

3)     Touch a runner with the ball when the runner is off the base to which they are entitled.

4)     Are nearest the ball when a runner is declared out for being struck by a fair ball, or interfering with the fielder.

5)     Are nearest the unreported substitute, who is declared out in accordance with Rule 3.2.8 Effect d iii.

6)     Are nearest a runner, who is called out for running out of the base path.

b) A putout is credited to the catcher

1)     When a third strike is called.

2)     When the batter fails to bat in correct order.

3)     When the batter interferes with the catcher.

4)     When the batter is called out, for batting illegally.

5)     When the batter is called out, for an attempted bunt on the third strike.

6)     When the batter is declared out, for using an illegal or altered bat.

7)     When the batter is called out for changing batter’s box.

6. The fifth column will show the number of assists made by each player. An assist shall be credited

a) To each player who handles the ball in any series of plays which results in the putout of the runner. Only one assist and no more shall be given to any player who handles the ball in any putout. A player, who has aided in a rundown or other play of the kind, may be credited with both an assist and a putout.

b) To each player who handles, or throws, the ball in such a manner that a putout would have resulted, except for an error of a teammate.

c) To each player who, by deflecting a batted ball, aids in a putout.

d) To each player who handles the ball in a play which results in a runner being called out for interference, or for running out of base line.

7. The sixth column will show the number of errors made by each player. Errors are recorded in the following situations;

a) For each player who commits a misplay which prolongs the turn at bat of the batter, or life of the present runner.

b) For the fielder, who fails to touch the base after receiving the ball to retire the runner on a force-out, or when a runner is compelled to return to base.

c) For the catcher, if a batter is awarded first base for obstruction.

d) For the fielder, who fails to complete a double play because of dropping the ball.

e) For the fielder, if a runner advances a base, because of their failure to stop, or try to stop, a ball accurately thrown to a base, providing there was occasion for the throw. When more than one player could receive the throw, the scorer must determine which player gets the error.    

B. BASE HITS SHALL NOT BE RECORDED

A base hit will not be scored in the following cases:

a. When a runner is forced out by a batted ball, or would have been forced out, except for a fielding error.

b. When a player fielding a batted ball retires a preceding runner with ordinary effort.

c. When a fielder fails in an attempt to retire a preceding runner and, in the scorer’s judgment, the batter-runner could have been retired at first base.

d. When a batter-runner reaches first base safely, as a result of a preceding runner being called out for interfering with a batted ball, or a defensive player.

EXCEPTION: If, in the judgment of the scorer, the batter would have reached first base safely had the interference not occurred, a safe hit will be credited to the batter.

C. SACRIFICE FLY BALLS

A sacrifice fly is scored when, with less than two outs,

a. The batter scores a runner with a fly ball which is caught, or

b. The ball, or the line drive, handled by an outfielder (or an infielder running in the outfield) is dropped, and a runner scores and, in the scorer’s judgment, the runner could have scored after the catch, had the fly ball been caught.

D. RUNS BATTED IN

A run batted in is a run scored because of one of the following reasons:

a. A safe hit.

b. A sacrifice bunt or slap hit (FP ONLY), or sacrifice fly (FP and SP).

c. A foul fly caught.

d. An infield putout, or fielder’s choice.

e. A runner forced home because of obstruction, the batter being hit by a pitched ball, or being given a base on balls.

f. A homerun and all runs scored as a result.

E. PITCHER CREDITED WITH A WIN

A pitcher will be credited with a win in the following situations:

a. When they are the starting pitcher, and have pitched at least four innings, and their team was not only in the lead when they are replaced but remains in the lead for the remainder of the game.

b. When a game is ended after five innings of play, and the starting pitcher has pitched at least three innings, and their team scores more runs than the other team when the game is terminated.

F. PITCHER CHARGED WITH A LOSS

A pitcher will be charged with a loss, regardless of the number of innings they have pitched, if they are replaced when their team is behind in the score, and their team thereafter fails to tie the score, or gain the lead.

G. GAME SUMMARY

The summary will list the following items in this order:

a. The score by innings and the final score.

b. The runs batted-in and by whom hit.

c. Two-base hits and by whom hit.

d. Three-base hits and by whom hit.

e. Home runs and by whom hit.

f. Sacrifice flies and by whom hit.

g. Double plays and players participating in them.

h. Triple plays and players participating in them.

i. Number of walks given by each pitcher.

j. Number of batters struck out by each pitcher.

k. Number of hits and runs allowed by each pitcher.

l. The name of the winning pitcher.

m. The name of the losing pitcher.

n. The time of the game.

o. The names of the umpires and scorers.

p. Stolen bases and by whom.

q. Sacrifice bunts.

r. The names of batters hit by a pitched ball and the pitcher who hit them.

s. The number of wild pitches made by each pitcher.

t. The number of passed balls made by each catcher.

H. STOLEN BASES

Stolen bases are credited to a runner whenever they advance one base unaided by a hit, a putout, an error, a force-out, a fielder’s choice, a passed ball, a wild pitch or an illegal pitch.

I. RECORDS OF FORFEITED GAMES

All records of a forfeited game will be included in the official records, except that of a pitcher’s won-lost record.