How to Score a Batter Thrown Out From the Outfield

Part of the fan experience in baseball is keeping score. But scoring some of the game's most unusual plays can be troubling for even dedicated fans. One of them is when an outfielder throws out a batter. This usually is scored as a hit with an outfield assist on the putout. For scoring, left-, center- and right fielders go by the numbers 7, 8 and 9. For the four infielders, the numbers are 3, 4, 6 and 5 from first base to third. The catcher is 2, and the pitcher is 1.

Things You'll Need

  • Baseball scorecard or score book
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Instructions

    • 1

      Write down 1B with a 9-4 or 9-6 designation for a batter who hits a single but is thrown out at second by the right fielder and tagged by the second baseman or shortstop. Use 8 or 7 if the outfielder is in center or left.

    • 2

      Write down 2B for a batter who hits a double but is thrown out at third. The putout designation depends on how many players are involved--sometimes three if the throw to third base is too far for an outfielder to make. Write 9-4-5 for a putout that goes from right fielder to second baseman to third baseman.

    • 3

      Write down 9-3 putout if the batter is thrown out at first by ground ball to the right fielder. An assist would be given to the right fielder, and the batter would not be credited with a hit.

    • 4

      Write down 3B for a batter who hits a triple and is tagged out at home plate. Any runs batted in--any runs scored as a result of the player's hit--would still be credited to the batter. Write 8-6-2 for a putout that goes from the center fielder to the shortstop to the catcher.

    • 5

      Write down E7 and 7-4 if the left fielder made an error--like dropping a line drive--but threw the ball to the second baseman, who tagged out the batter. The batter would not be credited with a hit. The error would count as an out toward his batting average. Another error-putout scenario occurs when an infielder misplays a ball that winds up with an outfielder.