I ask this because scoring a game at the park is one of my favorite things to do at a baseball game. It forces you to pay exacting attention to everything that's happening and allows you to perfectly recall every event of the game. Further, there's no set way. Everyone has their own intricacies. It's kind of an art form.
Also, Esquire says it's one of the "75 Things Every Men Should Be Able to Do."
To start the discussion, here are some of the finer points to my method (to preface, I just grab the score card available at the park, nothing fancy):
- Keeping track of the count is essential. I like to try and keep track of all the foul balls with small tick marks next to the count too.
- I try to label all the hits as GB, LD, FB, a try and label, with a dot, where it was hit too.
- I note anytime a stupid hit and run was called for that resulted in the out.
- I try to note when ever a sac-bunt moves the runner over.
- More generally, I try and account for every base that is achieved by adding what it was that advanced that runner over at each base in his square.
Off the top of my head, that's about the only things I can think of that I try to add to my scoring experience. I'm sure that we'll probably have some interesting nuances to our madness...or maybe no one likes to score a game.
I like keeping score too
However, I am not quite so detailed. This may sound geeky, but one of my favorite parts of keeping score is totaling up the numbers AB, hits, runs at the end to make sure it all matches. Also, it is a kick when a team bats around and you have to move your inning column over one space.
There is of course, nothing like trying to keep score of the all-star game, when they start making changes and not everybody gets announced and further order switches get crazy.
farm_stros - April 9, 2009
I do similar as Dying Quail
I do the basics of mine like the Ball Score program. I do use that program along to radio broadcasts to keep me focused. At the park I do the same set up, but I like to draw the squiggly, straight, or curved lines for where and how the ball was hit. I used to make my own sheets that allowed me to track what pitches where thrown where ( 1 circled was fastball for first pitch, 2 circled was fastball second pitch, 3 square was change up for the third pitch) to keep up with hot zones (box (k-zone) within a box next to the usual diamond set up). It can be difficult from the cheap seats though.
formerlyanonymous - April 9, 2009
The laid-back approach
When I score a game, I like to keep it simple: just enough to keep my head in the game, and maintain a healthy overall perspective of the events that have transpired.
Given that, I don’t track the count, just the at bat results, and don’t sweat the complicated details much. I just want a broad view of the scoring surges, notable plays, etc.
I love Milo’s blue star, so I pencil in a star for a great defensive play.
alamosweet - April 9, 2009
Of course!
I have a scorecard from every game – high school, college, minor league, major league – I’ve attended since I was eight years old. And I keep them all – well over 500 now – in a row of black binders. My method has evolved over the years; I track counts, including foul balls. I also pencil in where each hit went. It’s important for me to know whether a guy’s pulling a ball or going opposite field. I keep track of a runner’s progress by writing the number of the batter during whose at-bat he advanced (if Kaz stole a base during Berkman’s at-bat, for instance, I’d write SB17). My friends know by now that if they go to the game with me, they have to get the beers and peanuts, because I don’t like to leave my seat, lest I miss a single pitch. But to me, it’s part of the game, and really it’s one of my favorite parts.
RoundRock15 - April 9, 2009
BallScore
I’ve messed around with BallScore, and I like it for the most part, but honestly it’s just cumbersome to bring a laptop to the game. Plus, I frequently go to games without advance notice. If I’m in a minor league town and see there’s a game, I will go. I’ve been to 24 major league parks, 17 minor league parks, and at least a dozen college parks. If I don’t have a scorecard (and I usually keep a stack in my car,) I’ll buy a program and use that one, but I prefer the one I’ve designed for myself over the years…
RoundRock15 - April 9, 2009
That's some dedication
I like it!!
Stephen Higdon - April 9, 2009
Custom scorecard
I’d be curious to see what your homemade card looks like. Any way for you to share it?
Zach Smith - April 10, 2009
Seconding Zach's request
Must be the most awesome scorecard ever.
Xan - April 10, 2009
For sure
Stephen Higdon - April 10, 2009
A few years back I bought a spiral-bound score book and generally carried it to games. A simple thing that I’ve come to enjoy is to note not only the day and time of the game at the top but also who was at the game with me, where we were sitting, the weather, and, if it’s a MMP game, if the roof is open. It’s easy to jot it all down and very fun to page back and look at previous games – the notes really help jog other memories about the games! It’s also cool to see where my son (now 12) started scoring alternate innings with me and how his score keeping has evolved.
This year I had to buy a new book at academy as we’ve filled up the first one with Astros, RR Express, and Texas Longhorns games!
dremiel - April 10, 2009
Situational Scoring
All of you who score may find this approach interesting – lots more information with lots less page turning and writing. It’s a bit more complex than the traditional approach, but once learned flows easily.
You don’t have to use the sheets which the author tries to sell – it’s easy to make your own with a spreadsheet program.
Details at:
http://www.reisnerscorekeeping.com/how
bwhite2323 - April 10, 2009
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