Scorekeeping

Scorekeeping Guidance

The purpose of these guidelines is to assist volunteer scorekeepers during Little League games, give clear guidance on how to score certain plays, and promote consistency among different volunteers. The League depends on accurate statistics when it selects players for tournament teams. Coaches rely on these numbers in drafting players in future seasons. Ideally, any two volunteers keeping score for a game will have identical Gamechanger scorebooks.

Hit or Error

A base hit should be scored when the batter hits the ball into fair territory and safely reaches base, except when he reaches because of an Error or Fielder’s Choice. The scorekeeper should credit the batter with a single, double, etc. based on the merit of the hit, not merely where the runner ended up. Additionally, the number of bases taken by the runners does not determine whether a hit should be scored as a single, double, etc.

When a batted ball hits a base runner, who is called out, the play is not scored a hit
When the batter safely reaches base, but is thrown out trying to advance, he should be credited for a hit based on the furthest base reached safely
When the batter takes additional bases because of a fielding error or fielder’s choice, the play should be scored accordingly
When a runner is thrown out at the base ahead of a runner, the batter is not normally credited for reaching the extra base – for example, a runner on first is thrown out trying to take third on a hit, the batter probably should be credited with a single, not a double The batter may deserve a double, even when a base runner only advances one base – for instance when a runner on second holds up to see if a line drive clears the infield and only advances to third base, the runner can still be credited with a double.

An error is scored when a fielder misplays a ball, allowing a batter or runner to advance one or more bases when the advance would have been prevented by ordinary effort. In scoring a Little League game, the scorekeeper must consider the skill expected for the various levels of play. The key question is whether an average player at that level would normally make the defensive play. When in doubt, the scorekeeper should give the batter the benefit of the doubt.

Machine Pitch (Rookie & Single A) – there are no routine defensive plays in Single A. Any batted ball put into play should be scored as a base hit.
AA – Fielders are expected to field easy ground balls, make short throws, and catch thrown balls. If a fielder has to move more than a step or two to field the ball, pop ups and fly balls are not routine plays in AA.
AAA – Fielders are expected to field ordinary ground balls, make most infield throws, catch thrown balls, and catch infield pop ups. Infielders should be able to move to field a batted ball. Outfield fly balls are not routine plays in AAA.
Majors/Juniors/Seniors – Fielders are expected to field most ground balls, make infield throws, catch thrown balls, catch infield pop ups, and catch routine fly balls.

Stolen Base / Wild Pitch / Passed Ball

Beginning at the AA level, runners may advance on a pitched ball. When a runner advances on a pitched ball, the scorekeeper must determine whether to score the play as a stolen base (SB), passed ball (PB), or wild pitch (WP).

A stolen base is an attempt to advance, where the runner runs with the expectation that the ball will be caught. In other words, if the runner goes when the ball reaches the plate, it is an attempt to steal.

If the runner advances solely because of a wild pitch or passed ball, it is not a stolen base attempt. However, in AAA and Majors, a runner on 3rd base who takes home should be credited with a stolen base attempt, because the defense can often make a play even on balls which reach the backstop.

A pitch which is ordinarily catchable, but which is not caught or kept under control by the catcher is a passed ball. A pitch which is so high, low or wide that it cannot be caught with normal effort is a wild pitch. In determining whether to score a wild pitch or passed ball, the scorekeeper must make a judgment call. A wild pitch or passed ball is only scored when a runner advances.

FIELDER'S CHOICE

A Fielder’s Choice occurs when a defensive player fields a batted ball on which with normal effort he could have put the batter out at first base, but instead chooses to make a play on another runner.

Most commonly, a Fielder's Choice results in a force out on another runner. For example, on a ground ball to shortstop, the fielder throws to second base for an out.

When a fielder attempts to make a play on a runner, rather than the batter, it is scored a Fielder's Choice even if the play does not result in an out. Example – with a runner on third, the pitcher fields a ground ball and unsuccessfully attempts to throw out a runner from third base.

When a fielder fields a ball cleanly, but makes a mental error and throws to the wrong base, fails to step on a base for a force, or fails to make the correct play, the scorekeeper should score the play as a Fielder's Choice, rather than as an error.

When the batter makes a base hit on which fielders attempt to make a play on other runners (whether successful or not) and the batter advances further than he would have with the bases empty, the scorekeeper should score the hit accordingly and indicate the additional bases as taken by Fielder's Choice. For instance, batter singles to center field, but takes second when the outfielder throws home, the play should be scored as 1B, noting the runner advanced to second on a Fielder's Choice.

Pitching

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Scorekeeping Guidance

Hit or Error

Stolen Base / Wild Pitch / Passed Ball

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FIELDER'S CHOICE

Pitching

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