Fielder Position Numbers#

Every position on the baseball field has a number. These numbers are the backbone of scoring notation — when you write “6-3” on a scorecard, you’re saying the shortstop (6) threw the ball to the first baseman (3) for the out. If you don’t know the numbers, the notation is just hieroglyphics. So let’s fix that.

The Nine Positions#

Here’s the standard numbering, starting from the pitcher and working outward:

Some leagues (softball, certain youth formats) add a 10th position — the short fielder (SF), who plays a shallow outfield role.

Why These Numbers?#

The numbering follows a rough path around the diamond. The battery (pitcher and catcher) are 1 and 2. Then the infield goes around the bases: first base (3), second base (4), third base (5), shortstop (6). The outfield goes left to right: left field (7), center field (8), right field (9).

The only one that feels out of order is shortstop at 6 — you’d expect the infield to go 3, 4, 5, 6 around the bases, putting shortstop between second and third. The reason is historical: the shortstop position didn’t exist when the original numbering was assigned. It was added later, and got the next available number.

How the Numbers Show Up in Scoring#

These numbers are used everywhere in scoring notation:

• “6-3” — Shortstop fielded the ball and threw to first base. Ground out.
• “F8” — Fly out caught by center fielder.
• “E5” — Error committed by the third baseman.
• “6-4-3 DP” — Double play: shortstop to second baseman to first baseman.
• “3U” — Unassisted out by the first baseman (he fielded it and stepped on the bag himself).

The numbers always describe the order in which fielders handled the ball. On a groundout, the first number is who fielded it, and the last number is who caught the throw for the out. On a double play, you’ll see three numbers — the fielder, the pivot man, and the first baseman.

Memorizing the Numbers#

Most scorers internalize these within a game or two. A few tricks:

• 1-2 is easy — pitcher and catcher, the battery.
• 3-4-5 goes around the infield bases: first, second, third.
• 6 is the odd one out — shortstop, between second and third.
• 7-8-9 goes left to right across the outfield, matching how you’d read them from behind home plate.

Once you’ve scored a few innings, writing “6-3” for a routine grounder to short becomes as natural as typing your name.

In BaseballScorer#

When you record an out in the app, fielder position numbers appear directly on the interactive diamond. Tap the fielders in the order they handled the ball — tap 6 (shortstop), then 3 (first base) — and the app builds the notation for you.

The same numbers appear in the completed notation on batter cards, the scorecard grid, and everywhere else a fielding play is displayed.