1. Southside Little League Scorekeeper's Guide

2. Official Scorekeeping  Pitcher eligibility: New: Pitchers are limited to a maximum of 85 pitches per day for 11 & 12 year olds (75 for 9 &10 yr. olds, 50 for 7 & 8 yr. olds). 12 year olds are not allowed to pitch in the minor division. See Pitch Count Log sheet for other age maximums.  Certain rules require accurate scorekeeping: Substitutions; playing time; pitcher eligibility, etc.  An accurate scorebook can help prevent & settle protests.

3. Official Scorekeeping  The Home team is responsible for providing an “Official Scorekeeper”.  The scorekeeper is not to run the scoreboard.  Scorekeepers need to keep an accurate and legible record of the game especially pitch count, substitutions and batting order.  The “Official Scorekeeper” should remain impartial. If you cheer do it for both teams.

4. Some Do’s and Don’ts Show up 30 minutes before scheduled game time or let the Manager know if you will be running late. Remember you are a volunteer doing the League a service as best you can. Have fun. Always try to bring illegal substitutions (pitcher/player) to the attention of the Plate Umpire before the next pitch. Not your responsibility to notice, but always try to prevent an illegal substitution. Never identify “batting out of turn” to the umpire or anyone else. This is an appeal play, and is the responsibility of the managers. No extra personnel at the scorekeepers table. More than 3 is too many. Anybody not scoring, announcing, or running the scoreboard needs to leave. You own the table during the game. Don’t show or express favoritism, even though your son/daughter and/or spouse is on one of the teams. Cheering good plays is acceptable. Never publicly disagree with the umpires or offer your own opinion. Remember if the PA system is in use – the microphone is usually live.

5. Setting Up: Checklist  Set up shop: Find the book, pencils, pitch count log, etc.  Make yourself comfortable, games last +/- 2 hours.  Get each teams’ line up and starting pitcher, input into the book as early as possible, preferably before the first pitch.  The Plate Umpire & the Official Scorekeeper are a team. Be sure to introduce yourself.  The Plate Umpire has the final word on rule interpretation, including player eligibility, batting order, etc. Provide info, but do not publicly disagree. If a manager disagrees with a rule interpretation he can put the game under protest, before the next pitch or play. Write down as much information as you can; such as who was at bat, on base, inning and score. Game will continue. If the manager wins the protest the game will pick up again from the time of the call in question.

6. Priorities  Accuracy 1) Score 2) Pitch Count 3) Substitutions 4) Batting Order If you need a moment for clarification, ask the umpire between innings, or if absolutely necessary, ask the ump for time between batters. Never interrupt live play. The umpire makes final determination as to whether a run counts or not. Between innings, be prepared to give managers pitch count.  Legibility Try to be neat and legible.

7. Scoring Basics Defensive Position Numbers Ways to Get on Base: Single Home-Run Hit-By-Pitch Ground-Rule Double Home-Run Fielder’s Choice Catcher’s Interference (rare) Triple Walk (base on balls) Error # (number of fielder that made error) in this case short stop made the error. Intentional base on balls

8. Scoring Basics Ways The Batter Makes an Out: Defensive Position Numbers Strike-out swinging Strike-out looking Strike-out swinging or Ground-out 1B Unassisted out 1st or Out 3rd to 1st Double-Play: SS-to-2B-to-1B Fly-out Left Infield Fly Rule

9. Scoring Basics Two Different types of scorebooks: (there are many more) Defensive Position Numbers

10. Scoring Basics Ways The Runner Makes an Out: Defensive Position Numbers Caught Stealing: Pitcher-to-3 rd (Juniors and above) Force-out: Short-to-2B (Batter FC) Or front end of a double play

11. Pitch Count Rule  11 or 12 year old pitchers are limited to a maximum of 85 pitches per day and one game per day. A 12 year olds is not eligible to pitch in minors.  9 or 10 year olds and under are limited to a maximum of 75 pitches per day and one game per day.  7 or 8 year olds are limited to a maximum of 50 pitches per day.  13 thru 16 - 95 pitches per day.  17 and 18 - 105 pitches per day.  When a pitcher reaches ~ 80 (or ~ 70-45) pitches, inform the Plate Umpire before the next batter.  If a pitcher reaches the limit while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until that batter reaches base or is put out or a third out is made.  If the pitcher reaches the limit on his/her last pitch to a particular batter, the pitcher must be removed before delivering a pitch to the next batter

12. Softball Pitching Minor Division (a player of league age12 is not eligible to pitch) may pitch a maximum of six (6) innings in a game, six (6) in a calendar week. Major Division may pitch a maximum of nine (9) innings in a game, eighteen (18) in a calendar week. Junior/Senior/Big League may pitch a maximum of 10 innings in a day, 30 innings in a calendar week. Delivery of a single pitch constitutes having pitched in an inning.

13. Softball Pitching Minors and Majors if a player pitches in more than one (1) inning, one calendar day of rest is mandatory. Junior/Senior/Big League if a player pitches in less than five (5) innings, no rest is required. If a player pitches in five (5) or more innings, one (1) calendar day of rest is mandatory. Calendar week is Sunday through Saturday.

14. Keeping Track Of The Pitch Count On every pitch, record ball/strike with a slash and the pitch count log sheet. F, means there was a foul ball with 2 strikes already recorded

15. Timmy Jones Saturday 3/3 Dodgers 11 SS ff KBHBBBW

16. Keeping Track Of The Pitch Count Enter Pitch Count Total Here Pitch count for the 2nd inning = 22 Cumulative pitch count is 35 (13 + 22). Again check with your Pitch Count Log Sheet. After 3rd out, tally up balls + strikes + fouls and how batter go on base = pitch count.  Cross-check against Pitch Count Log.

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18. Substitutions & Batting Order  The Plate Umpire & the Official Scorekeeper are a team. They alone maintain the active on-field rosters and batting order. The Plate Umpire has the final word. Advise, but do not publicly disagree.  All substitutions must be announced by the manager first to the head umpire. The umpire then informs the Official Scorekeeper of the changes. In actual practice, managers may inform both at the same time—If the umpire allows.

19. Scoring Substitutions Draw a line between the last score box of the previous batter and the first score box of the pinch hitter Record the defensive position of the new player when he/she takes the field

20. Scoring Substitutions Defensive Substitutions:  Draw a line between the last score box in which the player being removed played and the next score box where the new player is starting. Write a note if you need to Andrews

21. Recording Pitcher Substitution Pitcher Substitutions:  Draw a box around the box of the batter the new pitcher will face.  Record the final pitch count of the previous pitcher at the bottom of the inning column.  Start a new pitch count for the new pitcher.  Log the new pitcher on the Pitch Count Log sheet.  Between innings record the pitching totals in the pitcher record box at bottom of the sheet. Record pitch counts at bottom of column Clemens 26/52 Maddox 11 Write a note if you need to Maddox

22. Recording Pitcher Substitution Days rest and Pitch Again columns can be done at the end of the game.

23. Playing Time Every player on a team roster will participate in each regular season game for a minimum of six (6) defensive outs and bat at least one (1) time.  Exceptions: The game is shortened for any reason (rain, 10-run rule, etc.). Violations: Record the violation clearly in the book & alert the Plate Umpire after the game.  During the Strong Team and All-Star tournaments, the rule will be (3) Defensive outs and bat at least one (1) time.

24. Playing Time  A starter can come out of the game at any time.  But, can only re-enter the game after his/her substitute has completed six (6) consecutive outs and (1) one time at bat.  Regular season: Any spot in the line up.  Tournament: Same spot in the line up. (subs can re-enter).  A substitute cannot re-enter the game.

25. Playing Time Continuous Batting Order:  Every player on the bench is in the batting order. Late arrivals are placed at the end of the batting order (If the manager chooses to play them).  Player rotate in and out defensively. Manager must make sure every player plays for at least six (6) outs.

26. Uh Oh.... There’s A Dispute Official Scorekeeper’s record trumps all other’s except the Plate Umpire (e.g., substitutions).  Official Scorekeeper’s pitch count record is the official record. It doesn’t matter if a manager’s, coach’s, or parent’s totals are different than yours! This is why it is important to pay attention and have no distractions during the game.  Advise and provide information. Do not offer opinion... Try to leave it to the umps and the coaches.

27. Shutting Down Checklist Tally-up and cross-check the totals. Clearly indicate the final score and the winner/loser. Clearly indicate the pitch count totals per pitcher. Clearly indicate the number of pitches pitched per pitcher, Number of days rest required by each pitcher and the date they are eligible to pitch again. Clean up your garbage and leave the area clean. Give the scorebook and the Pitch Count Log to your teams Manager.