How to Keep a Softball Record Book

A softball scorebook is the tool you use to compile your team's record book as a softball season progresses. In the record book, you will keep track of each player's statistical achievement. You will want to keep track of offensive statistics like batting average, hits, home runs and runs batted in. You will want to keep track of pitching stats like innings pitched, hits allowed, earned runs allowed and strikeouts. A scorebook tells you the story of the game and the record book tells you the story of the season.

Things You'll Need

  • Record book
  • Pencil
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Instructions

    • 1

      Take down the lineup of your team and your opponent in every game. It is vitally important to identify the opponent's players because you will likely see that team again during the season and postseason. You have to know how your players performed against all of your opponents.

    • 2

      Record the results of each at bat for all player's in every game. There are basic numbers associated with each position on the field that allow the scorekeeper to use a shorthand system when recording these results. Learn that the pitcher is No. 1, catcher is No. 2, first baseman is No. 3; second baseman is No. 4, third baseman is No. 5, shortstop is No. 6, left fielder is No. 7, center fielder is No. 8, right fielder is No. 9 and the fourth outfielder is No. 10. Using these numeric symbols allows you to mark down in your team's record book where hitters have a tendency to hit the ball. As the game progresses, keep track of each batter in order. You will be able to keep track of every hitter's hits, home runs, runs batted in, runs scored, at bats, walks and strike outs. For pitchers, you can keep track of innings pitched, strikeouts, hits allowed, walks and runs allowed.

    • 3

      Write down the results in the scorebook each time a player makes an appearance at the plate.For example, if the leadoff batter grounds out to shortstop, you would writer 6-3 in the scorebook. For a single, you would draw a line from home to first in the scorebook and draw a short horizontal line to the right of the small home plate symbol in the square that you record the at-bat. Do this any time a player from either team comes to the plate throughout the game.

    • 4

      Use the team's record book to record season-long totals. You are keeping score pages on every game played. You have information on how players hit the ball in every game during the season. Figure cumulative hitting totals by referring back to individual score pages. If your shortstop, Smith, went 3-for-5 in the first game, 2-for-4 in the second game and 1-for-5 in the third game, you will easily know that Smith is 6-for-14 through three games with a .429 batting average.

    • 5

      Record your pitchers' season totals in the record book. You will have a great idea by watching her perform in each game how she is performing during the season. However, a check of the record book helps you confirm the consistency of her performances. A great performance may stand out in your mind, as well as an awful one. However, a check of the record book helps any coach determine the truth and helps in making correct personnel decisions in upcoming games.