To keep score in softball, record each batter’s plate appearance in a scorebook grid using position numbers (1 for pitcher through 9 for right field, plus 10 for the extra fielder in slowpitch) and shorthand symbols, such as 6-3 for a groundout from the shortstop to the first baseman or K for a strikeout. As runners advance, you trace their path around a small diamond in each box and note how they got there. At the end of each inning, you total runs, hits, errors and runners left on base. It looks complicated at first, but once you know the numbers and a dozen common symbols, you can score a full game with confidence.
Rulebook note: Official scoring rules are set by each governing body, such as NFHS, NCAA and USA Softball, and scorebook layouts vary by publisher. The symbols below are widely used conventions; many scorekeepers add their own, and your league or team may have preferences. Check the rulebook for official scoring decisions such as hits versus errors.
Position numbers
| Number | Position |
|---|---|
| 1 | Pitcher (P) |
| 2 | Catcher (C) |
| 3 | First base (1B) |
| 4 | Second base (2B) |
| 5 | Third base (3B) |
| 6 | Shortstop (SS) |
| 7 | Left field (LF) |
| 8 | Center field (CF) |
| 9 | Right field (RF) |
| 10 | Extra fielder in slowpitch (short fielder or fourth outfielder, depending on league convention) |
Position numbers are used instead of names because they are fast to write and universal. The shortstop is 6 rather than 5 because of historical convention, which often confuses beginners.
Common scoring symbols
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1B, 2B, 3B, HR | Single, double, triple, home run |
| K | Strikeout swinging |
| Backwards K | Strikeout looking (called third strike) |
| BB | Walk (base on balls) |
| HBP | Hit by pitch |
| F8 | Fly out to center field |
| L6 | Line out to shortstop |
| P4 | Pop out to second base |
| 6-3 | Groundout, shortstop to first base |
| U3 | Unassisted putout by the first baseman |
| E5 | Reached on an error by the third baseman |
| FC | Fielder’s choice |
| SAC or SH | Sacrifice bunt |
| SF | Sacrifice fly |
| SB | Stolen base |
| WP, PB | Wild pitch, passed ball |
| DP, TP | Double play, triple play |
Before the game
- Write the date, teams and location at the top of the page.
- Enter both lineups in batting order, with each player’s name, jersey number and position.
- Note substitution rules for your league, such as re-entry and extra players.
- Confirm the number of innings and any run-rule or time-limit rules.
- Have a pencil with an eraser, since mistakes and corrections are common.
Scoring an inning step by step
- Find the batter’s box. Each row is a batter and each column is an inning.
- Record the pitch count if your scorebook has space for balls and strikes.
- Record the result of the plate appearance in the box, such as 1B, K or 6-3.
- Trace the base path. Draw a line from home to first for a single, and continue the line as the runner advances.
- Note how each base was reached, for example by writing SB or the batting order number of the batter who advanced them.
- Record outs by writing the out number (1, 2 or 3) in the box, often circled.
- Fill in the diamond when a runner scores.
- Total the inning at the bottom: runs, hits, errors and runners left on base.
Worked example
Suppose the leadoff batter hits a ground ball to the shortstop, who throws to first for the out. In the first batter’s box, write 6-3 and a circled 1 for the first out. The second batter walks: write BB and draw a line from home to first. The third batter singles to left field: write 1B in their box and draw a line to first; in the second batter’s box, extend the line to second and write the third batter’s batting-order number to show who advanced them. The fourth batter flies out to right field: write F9 and a circled 2. The fifth batter doubles to the gap, scoring both runners: write 2B, extend both runners’ lines home, fill in their diamonds and record two RBIs for the fifth batter. The sixth batter strikes out: write K and a circled 3. The inning total is two runs, two hits, no errors and one runner left on base.
Recording substitutions and special situations
Substitutions are a common source of scorebook confusion. When a player is replaced, draw a line under their name in the lineup, write the substitute’s name and number below it and note the inning in which the change happened. Some scorekeepers also draw a thick vertical line in the grid to show where the substitute started. Softball rules on re-entry differ between organizations: in many fastpitch codes, a starting player may leave and re-enter once in their original batting position, while slowpitch leagues often have their own rules. Keeping clear notes makes it easier to spot illegal substitutions and to answer questions from umpires.
Special situations need care too. Courtesy runners, used in some leagues for the pitcher or catcher, should be recorded so it is clear who was on base. Many fastpitch codes also allow a designated player (DP) and flex player, which changes who bats and who fields. International tiebreaker rules, used in many competitions for extra innings, place a runner on second base at the start of each half-inning; the scorekeeper should record that runner as starting on second without a plate appearance. When in doubt, write a short note in the margin explaining what happened, so the record can be checked later.
Hits versus errors
One of the scorekeeper’s hardest judgments is deciding whether a batter reached base on a hit or an error. The general principle is that if the fielder should have made the play with ordinary effort, it is an error; if the ball was hit well enough that the fielder could not reasonably make the play, it is a hit. This is a judgment call, and official scorers at higher levels follow detailed guidance in the rulebook. In youth and recreational softball, scorekeepers often give the batter the benefit of the doubt.
Tracking pitch counts and stats
Many scorebooks include space to record balls and strikes for each plate appearance. This helps track pitch counts, which some youth leagues use to manage pitcher workload, and it helps coaches spot patterns. At the end of the game, you can use the scorebook to calculate basic statistics such as at-bats, hits, runs, RBIs, walks and strikeouts for each player. Many teams now use scoring apps, which calculate statistics automatically, but understanding paper scoring makes it easier to use apps accurately and to fix errors.
Paper scorebook vs scoring apps
Paper scorebooks are inexpensive, reliable and do not depend on battery life or signal. Scoring apps are faster for calculating statistics and sharing results with parents and players, and some allow live game updates. Many teams use both, with one person keeping an official paper book and another using an app. Whichever you choose, agree beforehand which record is official in case of a dispute.
Common mistakes
- Mixing up 5 and 6, the third baseman and shortstop.
- Forgetting to advance runners when a later batter gets a hit.
- Missing substitutions, which throws off the batting order.
- Not recording outs clearly, leading to confusion about the number of outs.
- Skipping inning totals, which makes it harder to check the score.
- Not checking the score with the other team’s scorekeeper or the umpire between innings.
Frequently asked questions
What does 6-3 mean in softball scoring?
A groundout where the shortstop (6) fields the ball and throws to the first baseman (3) for the out.
What is the difference between K and a backwards K?
K means a strikeout swinging, and a backwards K means a strikeout looking, when the batter did not swing at the third strike.
What does position 10 mean in slowpitch?
It refers to the extra fielder used in many slowpitch leagues, often called the short fielder or fourth outfielder, depending on the league’s convention.
