Softball Scorekeeping Rules in Ontario

The softball scorekeeping rules in Ontario, Canada are similar to the rules in place in college softball in the United States. Ontario Fastpitch (OF) uses rules compiled by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) in the U.S., which draw from the scorekeeping rules that are used in both baseball and softball at the collegiate level. The rules also match those of the Amateur Softball Association.

  1. Consistency

    • Consistency is a key element to softball scorekeeping. The person assigned with keeping the official book must apply the same standards to both teams when keeping the official record of the game. Some aspects of scoring decisions are judgment calls within the control of the official scorer, so a team should try to use the same person to keep the book for all of its games in order to keep the scoring standard consistent.

    Hits and Errors

    • The decision between awarding a hit and an error on a batted ball falls on the official scorekeeper. The rules suggest that the scorer always lean towards the benefit of the batter when making such decisions. A batter who reaches base safely on a ball that is not misplayed by a defensive player receives a hit. When a fielder should have made the play with a reasonable effort, in the estimation of the official scorer, it is to be ruled an error. Both rulings count as a time at bat for the hitter when determining hitting statistics.

    Sacrifice

    • A sacrifice hit in baseball comes in two forms - a sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly. The scorekeeper is instructed to award a sacrifice to a hitter who gives herself up by making an out while advancing a teammate. The statistical advantage for the hitter is that she is not charged with an official at bat. A sacrifice bunt is awarded when a hitter lays down a bunt and moves a teammate along to the next base. A sacrifice fly is awarded when a batter hits a fly ball that allows a teammate to score from third base after the catch. In both types of sacrifices, even if the defensive team commits an error in fielding the ball, the scorer can award the sacrifice if it would have been successfully completed without the error.

    Runs Batted In

    • A batter is awarded a run batted in when his action at the plate creates a run scored for his team. The RBI can come on a hit, a walk, being hit by a pitch or even when the hitter makes an out on a ground ball or fly ball that allows a teammate to cross home plate. A batter can receive an RBI on a defensive error, but it is the duty of the official scorer in that case to determine if the run would have scored even if the defensive player had made the play.