My whacky scoring system

July 28, 2006

Ok, while I have time to kill before tonight’s LATE game, I figured it’s the perfect opportunity to display my scoring system. It’s not perfect, and it’s probably not ideal for anyone but me. I do know how to score on a scoresheet and if I’d found the time and inclination to go have my own scorebook made, I would have done that. My problem is, I may be in the car, at work, or at home (in various locations) when a game is on and not have my scorebook near me.

I do, however, own several notebooks and usually have one within arms reach, including ones I’ve grabbed in the kitchen that belonged to my son during the school year but weren’t filled up (the dreaded Composition Books)! So if I hear the lineup or see it online, I’ll grab the closest notebook and fill it in with the teams side by side. Instead of writing position numbers, I do write the abbreviation next to their name in the lineup. Then I write each inning as it occurs with the teams at-bats side-by-side again. This way, I can see which innings were more interesting than others, and which team had far more production than the other during a particular inning. I also feel like it gives me more room to write notes than the tiny boxes on a scoresheet allow. I’ll star next to play I want to mention in my game report, or write a quick note next to it. After each inning, I write the score at the inning header so with a quick glance, I can see major changes in the game.

This method also means I don’t have to know the opposing team’s player numbers. I use the lineup number as I score each inning, and then if they get on base, I write the batter’s lineup number that caused any advancements. This is by far easier and less tedious.

Drawbacks: There’s no easy clear way to enter new pitchers or replacement players/pinch hitters aside from writing their names next to the lineup number when they come up or above the batter a pitcher comes in for. I’m still working out a consistent solution for that one. Or better yet, I’ll get my rear in gear and finally have a scorebook made - although size-wise, I really like using my smaller notebook. It fits in the Nationals cooler I’ve been using as a camera bag/purse for games. I can’t imagine shrinking a scoresheet to that size and still being able to mark everything.

After the game, I’ll again write 1-9 (or sometimes I keep track of this during the game) twice on the same page (not shown). Then I’ll go back through and write down each player’s at bat across the rows. This way I can easily glance through and see how many times someone struck out, had a hit, walked, homered, etc. For me, it seems easier to read it just written out than look across the row of a marked up scorecard. But that may just be me!

Anyway, here’s a picture of how I did it for a recent Giants/Nats game (7/26/06).

As you can see, I still score the plays like normal(ish), but to me, it looks clearer. Whatever works :-) They say you aren’t a true baseball fan until you’ve devised your own scoring system, so it looks like I’ve arrived! Hee!

Posted in Baseball - General, Scoring, Washington Nationals