The biggest difference about scorekeeping with men on base is that you have to remember to record the action of the base runners and the batter on each play. One great tip I can offer is that when an inning is over, quickly go over it and see if you can recreate the sequence of events in the inning. If you can’t, then go back and update the scorebook.

If you practice this tip constantly you’ll have a thorough scorebook.

Let’s keep it simple here. A Double Play is making two outs on the same play. The common type of double play happens with a runner on first base and a ground ball to any of the infielders.

There are so many types of double plays but this guide focuses on the ground ball. Remember, it is focused for youth baseball leagues and double plays are not that common. Let’s take an example:

There are no outs and a runner on first base.

The batter hits a ground ball to the shortstop.

The shortstop throws the ball to the second baseman covering second base.

The second baseman catches the ball, tags second base with his foot before the runner from first reaches it and throws the ball to the first baseman at the first base bag.

The first baseman catches the ball and tags first base with his foot before the batter.

DOUBLE PLAY!

This is recorded as a DP 6-4-3 where “DP” represents Double Play and the “6″ represents the shortstop catching the ground ball, while the”4″ represents the second baseman catching the ball, tagging the base before the runner gets there (recording the first out), and the “3″ represents the first baseman catching the ball and tagging the base before the runner (recording the second out).

The results of the Ground Ball Double Play is recorded in both the batter and base runners cell as follows:

• The number (”1″ with a circle around it) is entered in the upper right hand corner of the base runner’s cell to represent the first out of the inning.
• The entry DP 6-4-3 is written across the cell of the batter to represent the double play.
• The number (”2″ with a circle around it) is entered in the upper right hand corner of the base runner’s cell to represent the second out of the inning.
• The batter is not credited with an RBI if a run scores during a ground ball double play.

A Passed Ball occurs when a pitch that, in the discretion of the Official Scorer, gets past the catcher that should have been caught, and results in a runner(s) or batter advancing a base(s).

Here’s an example:

There are no outs and a runner on first base. The catcher misses a pitch and the ball rolls all the ways to the backstop. Meanwhile the runner on first base advances to second base.

This Passed Ball situation is recorded as follows:

• A line is drawn from first base to second base in the runner(s) cell to reflect the advancing of one base.
• The letters “PB” are entered in the base runner’s cell, in the space above the line drawn between first and second bases .
• Nothing is recorded in the batter’s cell
• If a base runner scores due to a Passed Ball the batter is not credited with a RBI.
• If multiple men are on base, each base runner’s cell is updated accordingly.

A Wild Pitch occurs when a pitch get past the catcher, and that pitch is deemed uncatchable by the Official Scorer, and a runner(s) advances. Like the Passed Ball, this call is made at the discretion of the Official Scorer. As a team scorer use your own discretion when determining between a Wild Pitch and a Passed Ball.

The scoring of the Wild Pitch is similar to that of the Passed Ball except that the notation “WP” is used to denote this event. Again, the respective cells for all advancing runners must be updated to reflect that the base was obtained from a Wild Pitch.

If the runner scores a run on a Wild Pitch an RBI is NOT credited.

A Balk is committed by any illegal motions of a pitcher during the delivery of the ball to home plate. Any umpire can make the call.

In youth baseball, the balk is not often called due to the fact that pitchers use the windup rather than the stretch delivery. The stretch becomes involved when kids graduate from the Little League and Cal Ripken Baseball league, where the distances are equal to or much closer to those of the major league.

Here’s an example:

There are no outs and a runner on first base. The pitcher balks and the base runner is awarded second base. This Balk situation is recorded as follows:

• A line is drawn from first base to second base in the runner(s) cell to reflect the advancing of one base.
• The letters “BK” are entered in the base runner’s cell, in the space above the line drawn between first and second bases.
• Nothing is recorded in the batter’s cell
• If a base runner scores due to a Balk the batter is not credited with a RBI.
• If multiple men are on base, each base runner’s cell is updated accordingly.

If there are no runners on base and the batter has less than three (3) balls in the count, the batter is awarded an additional BALL. If the batter has three balls and a Balk is called, the batter is awarded first base and recorded as a BASE ON BALLS (BB).

A Stolen Base occurs when a runner advances to the next base while the pitcher delivers the pitch.

In most youth baseball leagues, the runner is not allowed to leave the base until the ball has crossed home plate.

Even with this limitation, stolen bases are common, especially in the leagues for kids in the 7-9 age bracket.

A runner does not get credited with a Stolen Base if it results from a Passed Ball or Wild Pitch.

However, it is not uncommon in youth leagues to score passed balls and wild pitches as stolen bases.
At the youth level I don’t see the harm in it. You make the call!

The Stolen Base is noted following the same rules for advancing on a Pass Ball or Wild Pitch, except that the letters “SB” are entered. RBIs are not credited for Stolen Bases.

When a runner attempts to advance from one base to another without the ball being hit, and is tagged out, the runner is said to be “Caught Stealing”. Another way to put it is, a runner attempting to steal a base is tagged out.

Here’s an example:

There are no outs and a runner on second base. The base runner attempts to steal but is out. The catcher successfully caught the pitch, threw the ball to third base, the third baseman caught the ball and tagged the runner before he could touch third base.

This Caught Stealing situation is recorded as follows:

• The letters “CS”, representing Caught Stealing and the number “2″ representing the catcher and “5″ representing the third baseman are entered in the space between second and third base in the runner’s cell.
• The number (”1″ with a circle around it) is entered in the upper right hand corner of the base runner’s cell to represent the first out of the inning.

A Pick Off is the term used when a fielder throws “behind” the base runner in an attempt to tag the runner who is far off the base.

The two most common scenarios of this are:

• A pitcher, pitching from the stretch, throws over to first base in an attempt to “pick off” the runner who is wandering off the base
• A catcher, after catching a pitch, throws to first base in attempt to “pick off” the runner at first, who is far off the base.

A Pick Off is always scored using the Caught Stealing “CS”.

Defensive Indifference occurs when the team on defense allows a base runner(s) to advance without attempting to make a play to get the runner out.

Again, it’s usage is dependent on the age and skill level of the youth baseball league. This occurrence is also substituted as a Stolen Base “SB”.

Defensive Indifference is noted following the same rules for advancing on a Pass Ball or Wild Pitch, except that the letters “DI” are entered.

A Sacrifice Fly ball out occurs when a batter hits the ball in the air and it’s caught before it hits the ground and a runner advances from third base to home.

To be considered a Sacrifice Fly the following conditions must be met:

1. There are fewer than 2 outs
2. The ball is hit to the outfield
3. The batter is out – ball is caught on a fly
4. A runner on base scores on the play

• The batter is credited with an RBI, entered as “RBI” in the upper right hand corner of the batter’s cell. This the example, the batter is “Smith”
• The out number of the inning is entered, with a circle around it, in the upper right hand corner of the batter’s cell to reflect the out in the inning. Again, the batter is “Smith”
• The letters “SF” are entered in the middle of the batter’s cell
• A Sacrifice Fly is not considered an official at-bat and is not to be tallied as an At-Bat in Game totals.

A batter is credited with a Sacrifice bunt when he lays down a bunt in fair territory that results, in the batter’s intention, to advance a base runner.

• The Sacrifice Bunt is recorded like a ground ball out except that the letters “SAC” precede the defensive position number of the players involved in the play’ sequence.
• The out number of the inning is entered, with a circle around it, in the upper right hand corner of the batter’s cell to reflect the out in the inning.
• If a run scores during the play, an RBI is credited to the batter.
• A Sacrifice bunt is not considered an official at-bat and not tallied as At-Bat in Game totals.

In the illustration to the right, the batter, Odom, bunted the ball down the third base line, advancing the runner to scoring position (second base). He is out at first base.

• The value “SAC 5-3” is entered into the batter, Odom, cell. “SAC” represents sacrifice bunt, the “5” represents the third baseman fielding the bunt and the “3” represents the first baseman finishing the out at first.
• The number “1” circled, is entered in the top right hand corner of Odom’s cell.
• In the base runner’s cell, Smith, a line is drawn from first base to second base to denote the advance of a base on the sacrifice bunt.
• The batter is not charged with an official time at bat on a sacrifice bunt.