Scorebook Abbreviations
The standard shorthand used in a paper scorebook, where every play is recorded as a short code rather than written out.
A scorebook is written in shorthand because there is no room for anything else. Each batter gets one small box per plate appearance, and the code has to capture what happened, who handled the ball, and how the runner moved.
The codes below are the ones that cover the large majority of plays. Fielders are referred to by number rather than name, so a ground out to short is 6-3: fielded by the shortstop, thrown to the first baseman.
Conventions vary slightly between scorebooks and between countries, and most experienced scorekeepers have personal habits layered on top. What matters is internal consistency, so that the book can be read back accurately weeks later.
Bleacher Notes produces the same information from spoken narration, so you get a readable scorebook without learning the shorthand. Saying "ground out, six three" and saying "ground ball to short, threw him out" both land in the same place.
What does 6-3 mean in baseball scoring?
A ground ball fielded by the shortstop, position 6, and thrown to the first baseman, position 3, for the out. The numbers refer to fielding positions rather than jersey numbers.
What does 3U mean in baseball scoring?
An unassisted putout by the first baseman: they fielded the ball and touched the base themselves rather than receiving a throw. The U stands for unassisted.
What does F7 mean?
A fly ball caught by the left fielder. F indicates a fly ball and 7 is the left fielder's position number.
What are the basic scorekeeping abbreviations?
The most common are K for a swinging strikeout, backwards K for called, BB for a walk, HBP for hit by pitch, E for error, FC for fielder's choice, SF for sacrifice fly, SB for stolen base, WP for wild pitch, and PB for passed ball.
Let the scorebook keep itself.
Bleacher Notes scores every play from a single spoken sentence, applying these rules for you. In beta now, free for parents.