Baseball Rule Ten

The official scorekeeper is explained in Baseball Rule Ten. Amateur baseball leagues do not designate an official scorekeeper, possibly only in playoff or championship games. In our leagues each team has a scorekeeper. Remember: if there is a questionable situation as to a ball and strike count etc., the home team scorekeeper’s tally is the one to use and stand by. Right or wrong, according to the rules and as an umpire, you must let people know that. So you, as the plate umpire or umpire-in-chief, need to keep the count straight!

Some of the scorekeepers are good and some don’t know what they are doing in the amateur baseball leagues. What we want to accomplish in this section of our website is how you might assist in scorekeeping if asked or if something comes up that is questionable. Please note that in the amateur game unless the scorekeeper is a coach or manager, they cannot disrupt the game with corrections.

 NOTE: The scorekeeper may ask you, as the umpire, as to the following rulings. 

The Scorekeeper can or cannot:

  1.  Can decide if a batted ball is a hit or error

  2.  May discuss a change of scoring with the umpire ** (only allowed between innings)

  3.  Cannot make a scoring decision in conflict with the rules of scoring

  4.  Must keep the full score

    a.  Runs

    b.  Balls and strikes

    c.  Fair or foul

  5.  If a baseball game is protested or forfeited, the scorekeeper should mark the score book exactly where it happened and should have the umpire-in-chief (plate umpire) sign it

    a.  the baseball scorekeeper should note the following, the exact situation and time (meaning inning etc.)

    b.  note the score

    c.  record the number of outs

    d.  position of all base runners

    e.  ball and strike count on the batter

  6.  If the sides of a half inning change without three outs, the umpire should be notified

  7.  The scorekeeper cannot make a decision contrary to the Rules of Baseball or with any decision or judgment of an umpire

  8.  Cannot notify an umpire that someone batted or is batting out of order

The scorekeeper in the amateur game is usually not experienced and as the representative of baseball the umpire should be willing to assist. As long as it is in compliance with the Rules! 

The Responsibilities of the Official Scorekeeper

The responsibilities of the official scorekeeper include keeping statistics on the following players;

A.  The Pitcher

  • Wins and Losses
  • Earned Run Average ERA) and Runs
  • Saves
  • Wild Pitches
  • Innings Pitched
  • Balks
  • Strike Outs
  • Base on Balls and Hit by Pitch
  • Shut Outs
  • Complete Games
  • No Hitters
  • Hits
  • Perfect Games
  • WHIP
  • Intentional Walks
  • Batters Faced
  • Home Runs Allowed
  • Sacrifice Bunts
  • Sacrifice Fly Balls

B.  The Batter

  • Times At Bat
  • Runs Scored
  • Hits
  • Sacrifice Bunts
  • Sacrifice Fly Balls
  • Batting Average
  • Runs Batted In (RBI)
  • Hits into a Double Play
  • All Hits: Singles, Doubles, Triples, Home Runs
  • Slugging Percentage
  • On Base Percentage
  • Success in Driving in Runners
  • Fielder’s Choice Plays
  • Total Bases

C.  Fielders

  • Errors
  • Put Outs
  • Assists
  • Involvements in Double Plays
  • Involvements in Triple Plays
  • (Not a statistic but Mental Errors)

D.  Base Runners

  • Stolen Bases
  • Caught Stealing
  • Times Picked Off by Pitcher

E.  The Catcher

  • Put Outs
  • Assists
  • Errors

            a.  Interference

            b.  Fielding

            c.  Throwing

Scorekeeping is determined by each player’s action on the baseball diamond.

10.17 The Pitcher

Wins and losses are determined by the scorekeeper for the pitcher of every game. It is determined that the pitcher whose team has the lead while the pitcher is in the game. As long as the other team does not assume the lead.

If the game is tied it becomes a new game as far as a winning pitcher is concerned. When a pitcher leaves in a tied game he is responsible for any base runners left on base. If no base runner is left on scores, the pitcher cannot win or lose. In other words if a pitcher leaves winning – or losing – he is the pitcher of record if the score remains till the end of the game. If a relief pitcher gives up additional runs, he would be the loser. If he holds the score and his team goes ahead, he becomes the winner.

Note:  As pertaining to regulation games.

1.  A team must be on defense five innings for a pitcher to be the winning or losing pitcher

2.  If a team plays five innings (defense) as the Home Team and is ahead in the score they need not go on offense.

* Read the rule

(d) Read the rule

(e) In amateur baseball each league could determine what specifics are made to this rule

10.18  A shut out is when a pitcher gives up no runs in complete game. A shut out could be in effect, depending on amateur baseball league, with more than one pitcher

10.19 through 10.23  These baseball rules are self-explanatory and do not pertain to questions that are relevant to the amateur baseball game. However, understand these sections of the baseball rule ten to expand your knowledge in case you are questioned about them.