Softball Scoring

Positions, Pitches, and Hits

Learning Objectives
● The student will be able to name and correctly label the positions in softball using
both abbreviations and numbers.
● The student will be able to demonstrate how to correctly keep score via the softball
scorebook.
● The student will be able to work independently to practice how to keep score.
POSITIONS
Softball Positions
● Fastpitch Softball: There are 9 players on the field at once.
○ Pitcher, Catcher, 1st Baseman, 2nd Baseman, 3rd Baseman, ShortStop, Left Fielder,
Center Fielder, and Right Fielder
● Slowpitch Softball: There are 10 players on the field at once.
○ Pitcher, Catcher, 1st Baseman, 2nd Baseman, 3rd Baseman, ShortStop, Left Fielder, Left
Center Fielder, Right Center Fielder, and Right Fielder
○ NOTE: There is an extra player in the outfield.
Labeling Positions - Pitcher (P)
● The Pitcher is labeled number 1.

1
1
Labeling Positions - Catcher (C)
● The Catcher is labeled number 2.

2
Labeling Positions - 1st Baseman (1B)
● The 1st Baseman is labeled number 3.

3
Labeling Positions - 2nd Baseman (2B)
● The 2nd Baseman is labeled number 4.

4
Labeling Positions - 3rd Baseman (3B)
● The 3rd Baseman is labeled number 5.

5
Labeling Positions - ShortStop (SS)
● The ShortStop is labeled number 6.

6
Labeling Positions - Left Fielder (LF)
● The Left Fielder is labeled number 7.

7
Labeling Positions - Center Fielder (CF)
● The Center Fielder is labeled number 8.

8
Labeling Positions - Right Fielder (RF)
● The Right Fielder is labeled number 9.

9
All Positions Labeled
8

6
7 4 9

5 3
1

2
SCORING
Score Sheet
Batting Order and Position
● The left-handed column is where you
write out the names of the batters in the
correct order, along with the batter's
position and jersey number.
● In softball, there are 9 players in the
batting order. Every field player MUST be
in the batting order. However, there is
one exception to this rule. One field
player may have a designated player (DP)
that hits for them. There are typically two
situations that a coach would use a DP…
○ 1) Pitcher: This is to help keep the
pitcher safe.
○ 2) Field Player: This player typically
plays really could defense, but
struggles with hitting.
● NOTE: There are three spaces for each
position in the batting order. One for the
starting player and two for substitute
players. These substitute players are
known as pinch hitters.
 Innings
● In softball, there are 7 innings.
● The Red Box: This shows all the innings in
the scorebook. These columns basically
tell the “story of the game.” They tell us
who did what and in what order things
happened.
● The Black Box: This represents one
individual inning and what occurred.
 Player Rows
● These are individual rows for each player
during the game. These rows tell us the
players achievements throughout the
game. It specifically tells us what the
player did, how it affected the game, and
when it occurred.
● The Red Box: This highlights the first
player in the batting orders achievements
throughout the game.
 Innings

Batting Player Player Position

Order Jersey 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Name #

E 1 Abby 24 7

X 2 Julia 21 5

A 3 Sarah 7 4

M 4 Ellie 20 9

P 5 Shea 14 8

L 6 Emily 3 2

E 7 Caroline 10 3

8 Taylor 13 1

9 Hannah 17 6
 Innings
Batting Player Player Position
Order # 1 2 3
Name

1 Abby 24 7

2 Julia 21 5 Sequence of the Game

● The game sequence flows down the
3 Sarah 7 4
inning columns.
● Every time their is a new batter up to bat,
4 Ellie 20 9
you use a new box.
○ NOTE: Make sure that the box you
5 Shea 14 8
are using corresponds with the
6 Emily 3 2 correct player and correct inning.

7 Caroline 10 3

8 Taylor 13 1

9 Hannah 17 6
 End of Inning
● The end of an inning occurs when there is
Innings
a third out. When the third out occurs, the
Batting Player Player Position
teams switch roles (batting team → field;
Order # 1 2 3
Name
fielding team → bat).
1 Abby 24 7 HIT ○ NOTE: The inning officially changes
when each team has had a chance
2 Julia 21 5 OUT 1 to bat and play in the field.
● After you have noted that the third out
3 Sarah 7 4 OUT 2 occurred in the correct players box, make
a diagonal slash across the bottom right
4 Ellie 20 9 HIT hand corner of that players box. This is to
indicate the player that made the last out.
5 Shea 14 8 OUT 3 This is also helpful in being able to know
who will be the first batter in the next
6 Emily 3 2
inning. See example on the left.
● Suggestion: After you have done the
7 Caroline 10 3
things stated above, I would suggest
8 Taylor 13 1 scribbling out the remaining players who
did not get a chance to bat in that inning.
9 Hannah 17 6 This will be helpful in making sure that
you are marking the correct information
in each box.
 Innings
Batting Player Player Position
Order # 1 2 3
Name

1 Abby 24 7 HIT 5th Batter

2 Julia 21 5 OUT 1 6th Batter New Inning

● Remember that Shea made the last out in
3 Sarah 7 4 OUT 2 7th Batter
the first inning. Therefore, Emily will be
the first batter in inning 2.
4 Ellie 20 9 HIT 8th Batter
● The batting for inning 2 begins with Emily
and follows in sequential order.
5 Shea 14 8 OUT 3 9th Batter

6 Emily 3 2 1st Batter

7 Caroline 10 3 2nd Batter

8 Taylor 13 1 3rd Batter

9 Hannah 17 6 4th Batter

 Innings Scenario
Batting Player Player Position
● Alright, let’s now play out inning 2.
Order # 1 2 3
Name
● Question: Who would be the first batter in
1 Abby 24 7 HIT OUT 2 inning 3?

2 Julia 21 5 OUT 1 HIT

3 Sarah 7 4 OUT 2 OUT 3 Recap

● Hopefully, by now you understand how to
4 Ellie 20 9 HIT fill in the batting order (including name,
position, and jersey #), where to begin
5 Shea 14 8 OUT 3 scoring and how the scoring sequence
flows, when an inning ends, and how to
6 Emily 3 2 HIT begin a new inning.
● Now we will look at how to fill out each
7 Caroline 10 3 HIT
individual box.
8 Taylor 13 1 HIT

9 Hannah 17 6 OUT 1
Answer: Ellie
 Innings
Batting Player Player Position
Order # 1 2 3
Name

1 Abby 24 7

2 Julia 21 5 The Box

● This is where ALL the game details are
3 Sarah 7 4
captured.
● The box tells us information about a
4 Ellie 20 9
specific player in a specific inning.
Therefore, it is very important to
5 Shea 14 8
understand how to fill a box out correctly.
6 Emily 3 2 ● So let’s to a look at the box closely.

7 Caroline 10 3

8 Taylor 13 1

9 Hannah 17 6
 BOX EXAMPLE

1 2 3 HR

Pitches
● This is where you would keep track of and
mark the pitches to the batter.
● The 3 boxes on top are for balls.
● The 2 boxes on the bottom are for strikes.

What to do?
● After each pitch, mark in the correct box
BB whether the pitch was a strike or ball. I
would suggest making a slash.
HP
.
SAC
 BOX EXAMPLE Hits
● This is way to mark special cases where the batter
reaches the base, but it was not a hit.
1 2 3 HR ● BB = Base on Balls
○ This means that the batter was “walked” to
first. In other words, the pitcher threw 4
balls.
● HP = Hit by Pitch
○ This means that the batter was hit by the
pitch from the pitcher; therefore, they
automatically got on base. In other words,
when the pitcher threw the ball it
physically hit the batter somewhere on
their body.
● SAC = Sacrifice (Bunt or Fly)
○ This is a bunt or fly ball that is credited to a
batter whom successfully advances one or
BB more runners by bunting the ball or hitting
a fly ball for an out.
HP
What to do?
SAC ● Circle the appropriate way that the batter reached
the base.
● NOTE: This will not be marked every time. This is
only for special cases.

.
 BOX EXAMPLE

1 2 3 HR

Type of Hit
● This is where you record the type of hit
that occurs (single, double, triple, or
homerun).

What to do?
● First, circle the number that corresponds
to the number of bases the batter got.
● Second, draw a line connecting the bases
BB that the batter ran.
● See next slide for example.
HP
.
SAC
 BOX EXAMPLE

1 2 3 HR

Type of Hit Example

● For example, let’s say that Abby hit a
triple.

What to do?
● First, circle the “3”.
● Second, draw a line that connects
home-to-1st-to-2nd-to-3rd.

BB
.
HP

SAC
 BOX EXAMPLE

1 2 3 HR

Recording Outs
● This space is where you would record an
out.

What to do?
● Write in this box the number 1, 2, or 3
that corresponds to the out made; first,
second, or third out.
● You would also record the play that
BB resulted in the out.
● Holly will talk more about this in her
HP video.

SAC

.
 BOX EXAMPLE

1 2 3 HR

Recording RBI’s
● This is the box where you will record the
jersey number of the player that is
credited with the RBI (run-batted-in).

What to do?
● Write the jersey number of the player that
caused this player to score a run.
● We will look at an example of this when
BB we look at recording sequential plays.

HP
.
SAC
SEQUENTIAL PLAY - EXAMPLE
IT’S TIME TO PUT IT ALL TOGETHER
 Inning LET’S PLAY BALL!!!
Batting Player Player Position
● Abby starts us off by hitting a double.
Order
Name
# 1 ● NOTE: Before hitting the double, Abby
had 2 balls and a strike.
1 Abby 24 7
● Let’s see what that would look like
recorded in the box.
2 Julia 21 5

3 Sarah 7 4 1 2 3 HR

4 Ellie 20 9

5 Shea 14 8

6 Emily 3 2
BB
7 Caroline 10 3

HP
8 Taylor 13 1

SAC
9 Hannah 17 6
 Inning NEXT BATTER
Batting Player Player Position
● Julia gets walked to first.
Order
Name
# 1 ● NOTE: Before getting walked to first, Julia
2 had only one strike.
1 Abby 24 7
● Let’s see what that would look like
recorded in the box.
2 Julia 21 5

3 Sarah 7 4 1 2 3 HR

4 Ellie 20 9

5 Shea 14 8

6 Emily 3 2
BB
7 Caroline 10 3

HP
8 Taylor 13 1

SAC
9 Hannah 17 6
 NEXT BATTER
Inning ● Sarah hits a fly ball out to right field. The ball is caught; therefore,
she is out. However, both Abby and Julia were able to tag up and
Batting Player Player Position
Order # 1 advance to the next base.
Name
● NOTE: Before getting out, Sarah had only one strike and one ball.
2
● Let’s see what that would look like recorded in the box.
1 Abby 24 7
○ First you complete, Sarah’s box. Then you must go back to
Abby’s and Julia’s box to advance their runs.
2 Julia 21 5 ○ NOTE: All changes are made in red.
BB
○ NOTE: Abbreviations for outs are explained in Holly’s video.
3 Sarah 7 4 These changes are shown in green.

1 2 3 HR
4 Ellie 20 9

5 Shea 14 8

6 Emily 3 2
FO 9
7 Caroline 10 3
BB
8 Taylor 13 1
HP
9 Hannah 17 6
SAC 1
 NEXT BATTER
Inning ● Ellie hits a double. Therefore, both Abby and Julia score.
● NOTE: Before hitting the double, Ellie had two strikes and two balls.
Batting Player Player Position
Order # 1 ● Let’s see what that would look like recorded in the box.
Name
○ First you complete, Ellie’s box. Then you must go back to
2
Abby’s and Julia’s box to advance their runs.
1 Abby 24 7
20 ○ NOTE: All changes are shown in red.
○ NOTE: Did you notice how Ellie was given credit for scoring
2 Julia 21 5 Julia and Abby? Ellie’s jersey number is placed at the bottom
BB 20
of Abby’s and Julia’s box. This is because Ellie hit them in for
3 Sarah 7 4 FO-9 a score. This gives her credit for a RBI.
1
1 2 3 HR
4 Ellie 20 9

5 Shea 14 8

6 Emily 3 2

7 Caroline 10 3
BB
8 Taylor 13 1
HP
9 Hannah 17 6
SAC
 NEXT BATTER
Inning ● Shea hits a ground ball to the shortstop. The shortstop then throws
the ball to the first baseman for the out.
Batting Player Player Position
Order # 1 ● NOTE: Before hitting the ball, Shea had one strike and no balls.
Name
● NOTE: Ellie does not advance.
2
● Let’s see what that would look like recorded in the box.
1 Abby 24 7
20 ○ Here, in this situation you only have to complete Shea’s box,
because none of the runners on base advanced.
2 Julia 21 5 ○ NOTE: All changes are made in red.
BB 20
○ NOTE: Abbreviations for outs are explained in Holly’s video.
3 Sarah 7 4 FO-9 These changes are shown in green.
1
2 1 2 3 HR
4 Ellie 20 9

5 Shea 14 8

6 Emily 3 2
6 3
7 Caroline 10 3
BB
8 Taylor 13 1
HP
9 Hannah 17 6
SAC 2
 NEXT BATTER
Inning ● Emily strikes out swinging.
● NOTE: Before striking out, Emily had two strikes and two balls.
Batting Player Player Position
Order # 1 ● Let’s see what that would look like recorded in the box.
Name
○ Here, in this situation you only have to complete Emily’s
2 box, because none of the runners on base advanced.
1 Abby 24 7
20 ○ NOTE: This is the third out of the inning. Therefore, the
batting inning is over for this team.
2 Julia 21 5 ○ NOTE: All changes are made in red.
BB 20
○ NOTE: Abbreviations for outs are explained in Holly’s video.
3 Sarah 7 4 FO-9 These changes are shown in green.
1
2 1 2 3 HR
4 Ellie 20 9

5 Shea 14 8 6-3
2

6 Emily 3 2 K

7 Caroline 10 3
BB
8 Taylor 13 1
HP
9 Hannah 17 6
SAC 3
 Inning
Batting Player Player Position
Order
Name
# 1

2
1 Abby 24 7
20
End of Inning
2 Julia 21 5
BB ● Since Emily got the third out. The batting inning for this team is
20
over. Therefore, do not forget to put the slash to mark who the last
3 Sarah 7 4 FO-9 player at bat was. Also remember to swiggle out the players who
1
did not get to bat.
2
4 Ellie 20 9 ● Now this is what your score card should look like for this team at
the end of the 1st inning.
● When it is this teams turn to bat again, who will be the first batter?
5 Shea 14 8 6-3
2 If you answered Caroline then you are correct!

6 Emily 3 2 K
3

7 Caroline 10 3

8 Taylor 13 1

9 Hannah 17 6
 Hopefully you now have a good grasp on how to keep score for softball.

Now it’s your turn to test your knowledge.

I have created two different assignments that you can complete.

1) Quiz - This is to go over the various positions with their numbers.

2) Practice - I have created a practice game so that you can practice keeping
score. There is a score sheet template for you to print out and write your
answers. I have attached an answer sheet for you to check your work.
Please do not look at the answer sheet until you have given it a try!

All these resources can be found on the webpage!