Notation Cheat Sheet#

This is the page to bookmark. Every notation used in baseball scoring, organized by category, with the color each one appears in BaseballScorer. Print it, screenshot it, or just keep this tab open while you score.

If you want deeper explanations of any category, the links below each section point to the full documentation.

Hits#

Hits are recorded in green — the batter reached base safely.

A home run with runners on base gets additional runner notation. A solo shot is just HR. See recording hits for how to handle each type.

Walks and Free Passes#

Also green — the batter reaches base.

HBP appears in purple in BaseballScorer to distinguish it from other green outcomes. See walks and HBP.

Outs: Strikeouts#

Strikeouts appear in red.

The traditional paper convention for a called strikeout is a backwards K — the letter K mirrored horizontally. BaseballScorer renders it the same way, flipping the K on screen just like you’d see on paper or on the K-count signs fans hang at the ballpark. See strikeouts.

Outs: Ground Outs#

Ground outs appear in the default color (no special color — these are the most common outs).

The numbers refer to fielder positions. See fielder numbers below.

A 6-3 groundout means: shortstop fielded it, threw to first base for the out. A 3U means the first baseman fielded and touched the bag himself.

Outs: Fly Outs and Line Drives#

Also default color.

The F prefix indicates a fly ball caught in the air. L indicates a line drive caught before it hits the ground. FF is specifically a foul fly.

Errors#

Errors are green — the batter reached base (even though it was the fielder’s fault).

The batter’s scorecard box gets the E notation. The error is also tracked against the fielder in question. See errors and fielder’s choice.

Fielder’s Choice#

Green — batter reached base (though a preceding runner may have been put out).

Fielder’s choice means the fielder had a choice of who to retire and chose a base other than first. The batter is credited with reaching base, not with a hit. See errors and fielder’s choice.

Sacrifices#

Sacrifices appear in the default color — the batter is out, but it’s a productive out.

A sacrifice bunt advances a runner intentionally; the batter isn’t charged with an at-bat. A sacrifice fly scores a runner from third on a caught fly ball; also not charged as an at-bat. See sacrifices and bunts.

Double Plays#

Double play notation is added to the base out notation. Default color.

The DP suffix can be appended to any out notation when two outs result from the same play. See double and triple plays.

Unknown / Unscored#

Orange — something happened but it wasn’t recorded.

The ? notation marks an at-bat that was skipped or couldn’t be determined. It’s better than leaving the box blank — it signals that the gap is intentional.

Baserunner Events#

These appear on the baserunner’s path between bases, not in the at-bat box.

See the Baserunning section for how to record runner movements.

Fielder Position Numbers#

Every fielding notation uses these standard position numbers:

These numbers are universal — you’ll see them in box scores, broadcast graphics, and every scoring system ever used.

In BaseballScorer, fielder numbers appear on the diamond during fielding sequences. Tap the fielders who touched the ball, in order, to record the play. See ground outs for the full fielding sequence flow.

Quick Reference: Colors#

For the full color guide, see BaseballScorer Color Guide.