How to Become an Official Scorer in MLB

A Major League Baseball (MLB) official scorer has the final say over key plays that occur in a game. The official scorer supplies the baseball commissioner's office with an official report that includes umpire decisions and records of every batting, pitching and fielding play that occurs during the game. Official scorers are chosen by Major League Baseball and are tied to a particular team's home field. Becoming an official scorer in MLB requires having a solid background in the sport and working as an official scorer in other capacities.

Instructions

    • 1

      Become an expert on the game of baseball. Learn every rule and how it is applied in game situations. Attend as many games as you can to help you learn all aspects. Read books that discuss baseball strategy and statistics. Learn how to compute all of the statistics that are important in baseball, such as batting average, earned run average and winning percentage.

    • 2

      Get a background in baseball. Start out writing for your high school newspaper and carry that over to working on your college newspaper. Pick up stringer or freelance jobs for your local newspaper covering local baseball games. Earn a degree in journalism and find a publication or freelance operation where you can write about baseball, even at lesser levels such as high school, college and the minor leagues.

    • 3

      Volunteer to work as an official scorer at your local high school or college games. Get your name out in the community so that teams will seek you out when they have need of an official scorer.

    • 4

      Check for job listings for minor league teams as they sometimes advertise open official scorer positions. Be prepared to move wherever there may be a potential opening. Be accurate when making calls on the field and when supplying reports to your supervisor and to league offices.

    • 5

      Get a job in the MLB corporate offices in New York, as many official scorers are either retired baseball beat writers or people who were hired through the corporate offices. Apply for any openings and let the hiring personnel know that you are interested, listing your highlights and related experience when applying for the job.