Common Plays Explained

For a quick reference table of all notation codes, see How to Read a Scorecard.

The most common plays you'll see on a scorecard and what happened on the field.

Groundout (G6-3)

The most common out in baseball. The batter hits a ground ball to the shortstop (6), who picks it up and throws to the first baseman (3). The batter is out before reaching first base.

On the scorecard: G6-3 appears as the notation. An out badge (numbered circle) shows in the top-left. No base paths are drawn because the batter never reached a base.

Strikeout (K or ꓘ)

The pitcher throws three strikes. If the batter swung at the third strike: K. If the umpire called strike three without a swing: ꓘ (backwards K).

On the scorecard: Large K or ꓘ centered in the cell. The pitch sequence on the right shows every pitch of the at-bat with colors indicating balls (dark) and strikes (red).

Fly out (F8)

The batter hits a fly ball to center field (8). The center fielder catches it. Batter is out.

On the scorecard: F8 as the notation. No diamond or base paths.

Single (1B)

The batter hits the ball and reaches first base safely.

On the scorecard: A thick path drawn from home plate to first base on the diamond, with 1 hash mark perpendicular to the path. The notation 1B does not appear as text. The hash mark tells the story.

Walk (BB)

The pitcher throws 4 balls. The batter takes first base without having to hit.

On the scorecard: Large bold BB in the cell. Path drawn from home plate to first base on the diamond.

Double play (DP6-4-3)

Runner on first. Batter hits a grounder to shortstop (6), who throws to second base where the second baseman (4) tags the bag (runner from first is out), then throws to first baseman (3) (batter is out). Two outs on one play.

On the scorecard: The batter's cell shows DP 6-4-3 as the notation with the batter's out number (e.g., circle-3). The runner's cell shows the runner's out number (e.g., circle-2) at the base where they were retired. Each out number appears exactly once.

Home run (HR)

The batter hits the ball over the outfield fence. All runners on base score, and so does the batter.

On the scorecard: The entire diamond is filled solid black with "HR" in white text. RBI diamonds appear in the bottom-left (one per run scored on the play).

Hit by pitch (HBP)

The pitch hits the batter's body. The batter is awarded first base.

On the scorecard: Large bold HBP with a path from home plate to first base.

Sacrifice fly (SF8)

Runner on third base. Batter hits a fly ball to center field (8). The fielder catches it (batter is out), but the runner on third tags up and scores.

On the scorecard: SF8 in the batter's cell with an out badge. The runner's cell shows the completed path around the bases with the scored diamond (hatch lines).

Stolen base (SB)

A runner on first base takes off for second while the pitcher is delivering a pitch. The catcher throws to second, but the runner arrives safely.

On the scorecard: An additional path segment appears in the runner's cell, extending from first to second base. The SB notation may appear alongside the current at-bat.

Error (E6)

The shortstop fields a routine ground ball but throws it wildly past the first baseman. The batter reaches base safely because of the fielder's mistake, not because of a good hit.

On the scorecard: E6 as the notation with a path showing the batter reaching base.