It’s Time We Build a Better Scorebook !!!
Welcome to Rainbow Scorebooks!!
As you enter this website, try not to judge it for its snazzy computer affects, as it has only a couple of them. I’m mainly trying to show you a scorebook geared for a small group of softball players, but it has some important information that I feel needs to be addressed, and hopefully, a few people might learn a thing or two about how to score. It’s to the benefit of each of our Leagues, as well as all of International Pride Softball.
UPDATE 12/4/24…
UPDATE 8/30/24… When I updated the Book from Rev 1.0 to 2.0, many people asked if I would simplify the Scoring Box, and in some ways I did, as long as the original intent of the document stayed intact. People argue to remove Tags such as E, or SF, or CONT, when I find those necessary for Audit Tracing (when opposing team’s Scorebook is used as evidence against a Qualifying Scorebook). Sometimes I considered plays such as Infield Fly as worthwhile additions… Why? Infield Fly, is one of only a few examples in International Pride Softball where an ‘ERROR’ can be charged without a ‘HIT’ being recorded during the Play (ie:Runners on 1st and 2nd, and Batter Pops Up to 2nd Baseman, Umpire calls Fielders Choice, 2nd Baseman Drops Ball the and the Runners advance to 2nd and 3rd Base. Batter is OUT). It’s just one of the rare examples where YES, a scorekeeper can record an Error and there will not be an associated Hit connected with it, so it’s good to provide that in your league’s training courses, but generally speaking, a Hit is usually recorded along with the Error.
UPDATE 7/15/24… After 2 years of development, a year of testing, and a complete season of scoring during Spring’24 under its belt, many changes have been made to the DMV Scorebook since its inception in 2022, and Revision 2.0 is being released on 7/17/24 with significant improvements from the Rev. 1.0 Reviews…
** Larger Font Size (25-40% Larger Font Size Across All Formats)
** League Edition / Tournament Edition (League Edition includes Home/Away Pages; Tournament Edition includes Team/Opponent Pages with Opponent Ratings)
** Additional Column on Each Format (8 Columns - Letter / Legal Format Pages; 9 Columns - Tablet Format) (As a reminder, with flexible books, it’s easy to insert a page when you need extra columns during your game, ie: extra innings.)
** Added CR - Courtesy Runner, RBI - Runs Batted In, IF - Infield Fly Rule, and removed TP - Triple Play.
** User Manual from 1.0 will be updated to 2.0 and should be complete and issued with new booklets by end of July’24.
** For Teams that wish to continue using the original Scorebook… I have copies of Rev 1.0 Pages in all formats (Letter, Legal, Tablet) & I can offer at reduced costs. Teams can contact me to arrange pickup... Upgrades to Revision 2.0 at reduced costs are available as well…
For all Inquiries, contact me at Dan@RainbowScorebooks.com
Table of Contents
1. Why 2 Diagrams?
2. Who Scored it Better?
3. Who Scored it Wrong?
4. It Really Makes You Think…
5. Can it Be Just as Simple as This?
6. Sometimes, it’s the Little Things…
THE SCOREBOOKS
7. The League Edition
8. The Tournament Edition
LESSONS IN SCOREKEEPING
9. Basics
10. Errors & Fielders Choice
11. FC By Tag-Out… Extension of Play
12. A Brief Ratings Review…
13. DoublePlay, HH, and MISC
14. If it’s Not a Sacrifice Fly?… ‘It’s No Sacrifice At All’
15. Are Runs Batted In Just Bragging Points, OR Are They Really Useful in Scorekeeping
16. Habits of Highly Effective Scorekeepers
17. To Be Continued…
20. THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING
21. CURRENT SCOREBOOKS AVAILABLE
22. EXPLORE MY SCOREBOOKS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
23. WANT MORE INFO…
WHY 2 DIAGRAMS?
WHY 2 DIAGRAMS?
Most Scorebooks have one Diagram, and it’s usually a Diamond, which limits the Scorekeeper in what they can document, and when runs are scored, the Diamond is usually filled, further handcuffing the Scorekeeper’s writing space. With the DMV Scorebook, there is Diamond for Runners and a Field Diagram for Ball Placement, which is much better for auditing and rating reviews.
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Who Scored it Better?
On the next few pages, The DMV Scorebook will be reviewed against commercial scorebooks that aren’t specifically targeted for the rules and regulations set by International Pride Softball (While reading these examples, it’s assumed there is some knowledge of IPrideSoftball’s Ratings System. Please refer to NAGAAA’s Governing Manual for further details). In some instances, we would like to have more information provided by the book, and in some cases, there are errors that the DMV Scorebook can be used by means of comparison.
In this case, we have the Basic Scorebook that loses track of Q5 (Hits a Fly Ball 300ft), and it’s a common issue with scorebooks and these limitations.
THE 3 AT-BATS
Batter 1 Hits a Medium Velocity Flyball to LF for an Out.
Batter 2 Hits a Medium Velocity Line-Drive Single to LCF, Batter 2 is replaced by Runner 1 (Courtesy Runner)
Batter 3 Hits a High High Velocity HR (Off the Fence) to RF, Runner 2 Scores, Batter 3 Scores, 2 Total RBI for Batter 3
Basic Scorebook
DMV Scorebook Rev. 2.0
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Who Scored it Wrong?
Sometimes, you may not catch the mistake unless you see the other team’s Scorebook. In this example, Batter 3 and 4 both had Hits, but the Basic Scorebook doesn’t appear to show a hit for Batter 3 (ie: The Manager may argue with an ‘Old School Rule’ that a Defensive Error would NOT equate with an Offensive Hit), & when Batter 4 hit to LF, Runner3 went from 1B to 3B, crossing 2B, extending the play and giving Batter 4 a Single, even though Runner3 was tagged out at 3B. There was a Continuation of Play marked on the DMV Scorebook, and the Single for Batter 4. Auditing would prove the Basic Scorebook as being wrong TWICE.
THE 4 AT-BATS
Batter 1 - Hits a Medium Velocity Line-Drive to LCF for a Single
Batter 2 - Hits a Low Velocity Ground Ball to the SS for a 6-4-3 Double-Play.
Batter 3 - Hits a Medium Velocity Ground Ball to the SS who throws the Ball to 1B in Error, Batter 3 is Safe at 1B.
Batter 4 - Hits a Medium Velocity Ground Ball to LF, Runner 3 crosses 2B, and the Left Fielder throws to 3B and Runner 3 is Tagged Out at 3B.
Basic Scorebook
DMV Scorebook Rev 2.0
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It Really Makes You Think…
Basic Scorebook
Initially, it’s hard to tell if the Basic Scorebook is wrong, if you only had this Scorebook for a reference, and since we’re not required to record RBI’s (Batter 1, who started off with a Double could have scored via the Hit from Batter 2 or Batter 3), but let’s say they played against the team that used the DMV Scorebook, and there would be an Audit trail that showed a SF from Batter 3, and the Basic Scorebook only recorded a Flyball Out.
DMV Scorebook Rev.2.0
That would obviously be incorrect. Is that really significant? It’s just a Sacrifice Fly… BUT was it intentional or just an honest mistake?
Think about it this way… What if… Batter 3 went 18 for 28 this past Spring for a 0.643 Average in C-Division, which meant the player needed Ratings Q6 and Q7 for Average, but what if 4 of those Hits were Sacrifice Fly’s … & What if those Sacrifice Fly’s were just converted to Flyball Outs? Now, that player went 18 for 32, for a 0.563 Average, and Q7 can now be removed…. What if that determined the division the player would participate in the WS?
A good scorebook is really needed to catch this type of high level manipulation.
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Can it Be Just as Simple as This?
Basic Scorebook
Sorry, it can’t, especially if someone is going to get it wrong!!!! Scorekeepers can’t take the easy way out, even if it makes the manager happy that the Batter loses a hit trying to extend a single into a double, but guess what, the Batter still got a Hit. That’s why The DMV Scorebook has Continuation of Play, because the Runner extended the play past 1st Base, and got tagged out at 2nd Base. It’s lazy Scorekeeping, and in some cases, it’s basic manipulation, and the DMV Scorebook can catch it with the Continuation of Play and Audit Trail.
DMV Scorebook Rev 2.0
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Sometimes It’s the Little Things…
Pitchers will be your BEST FRIENDS if you record their pitches, but no one ever records Balls and Strikes, but you can start a new trend in your league …
Can you tell the Author of this Book is a Pitcher ;-)
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The League Edition
The League Edition Scorebook comes with a Home / Away Page front and back, and it’s similar to the DMV Revision 1.0. The Sample shown here is the Tablet Version with 9 Columns (Letter and Legal have 8 Columns), and Home and Away Pages are identical, except at the Top where Home/Away are reversed. Both Pages have the Totals Column on the Right Side.
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The Tournament Edition
The Tournament Edition has 2 different pages, the Team Page and the Opponent Page. On the Opponent Page, you’re given the opportunity to enter a player’s rating, as well as the rating questions. This would be especially useful during Tournaments where you get the Ratings for Teams in advance, and you want to list it on the Scorebook while Scoring the game.
Also, since this is specific to a Team, these pages can be printed with the Team name, if requested in advance (ie: you can change Team at the Top and actually type the Team Name and save in the file… Since it’s a Tournament, there are no Totals kept for Opponents or the Right side.
Sample Scoring of Rating
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Lessons in Scorekeeping ; Basics
The next few pages will highlight major plays that are scored under rules provided by International Pride Softball. Keep in mind that Modified Batting Average is used to determine a Player’s Rating, which actually takes the judgement of a play out of a Scorekeeper’s hands. In other words, the defensive skillset is what the Batter is being judged against, and Errors are taken out of the equation.
You’ll see a few examples of errors that are documented in the DMV Scorebook, but they are done strictly for data analysis. You’ll see that a Hit is also scored during the same play.
In this 1st example, it’s a simple inning, with an Infield Out, a Single to the Outfield, Walk, Strikeout, and a Pop-Up.
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Lessons in Scorekeeping ; Errors & Fielders Choice
As mentioned earlier, Modified Batting Average is taken into account, and therefore, when errors are documented, there will be a corresponding Hit associated.
We will also provide multiple examples of Fielders Choice Plays, and a common misperception is that Batter is given a Hit because of the result of getting on-base, which is wrong. A Fielders Choice (FC) play is always classified as an Out for the Batter because the Runner in front was either Forced Out or Tagged Out (unless they crossed a base and extended the play… you saw this earlier, and we will show another example later with Continuation of Play)
This next inning will show an example of 2 errors (1 infield/1 outfield), as well as 3 different types of Fielders Choice Plays, 2 of them came from the infield, and 1 from the outfield.
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Lessons in Scorekeeping ; Fielders Choice By Tag-Out … Extension of Play
In this inning, there will be an Error made that does not result in a Hit due to the fact that it is included in an Infield Fly Rule, and the Batter is automatically Out.
The other Runners in this inning are Tagged Out. One will be Via a Fielders Choice, the other Extended the Play when the Runner Crossed a Base, using Continuation of Play. That gave the Batter a Hit and NOT a Fielders Choice.
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Lessons in Scorekeeping ; A Brief Ratings Review
Being a Scorekeeper, one isn’t expected to have the knowledge of a Ratings Member, but since the Scorebook does mention a ‘Velocity’ type Hit, it wouldn’t hurt if we have a brief discussion about Ratings.
I won’t go too far here, but if you wish to review in more detail, may I suggest you look up the NAGAAA Governing Manual and review the section under Ratings.
For Softball, our major focus as Scorekeepers are Ratings Questions Q1 - Q5, and these relate to how far a Player Hits the Ball.
When dealing with Q1 the Definition of Low Velocity is…
When dealing with Q2 the Definition of Medium Velocity is…
When dealing with Q3 & Q4 the Definition of High Velocity is…
Finally, when dealing with Q5, most parks are estimated as having the Ball hit out of the Park, OR it has Hit the Fence, OR it Bounced on the Warning Track. Scorekeepers need to check the measurements of the field and be certain of the 300 foot mark before making that decision. It can determine the future outcome for a player and a team, so that measurement must be correct. My Book uses the Acronym HH for the Q5 Question when you see one of these hits and must notate.
AND ONE FINAL CLARIFICATION!!
These 5 Rating Points Refer to Velocity, yet nothing in the definition has anything to do with Velocity. It’s all about DISTANCE, so don’t let it confuse you if you’re into Physics. A player can hit a ball with high exit velocity off his or her bat, and it can go high in the air and end up dropping 10 feet past the infield. That can have massive velocity, but it’s Low Distance… so until the definitions are changed, we have to live with calling it ‘VELOCITY’, and NOT ‘DISTANCE’.
Also, a Ball that is Hit very High does not have a tendency to Roll, so usually the Fly Balls that are caught don’t typically have an estimated roll time. It’s the Line Drives we typically have to estimate roll time when Balls are caught and the roll is ‘impeded’.
Final Comment: Until we have Consistent Field Grass - this is always going to be an inconsistent area of measuring how long Balls are Hit.
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Lessons in Scorekeeping ; DoublePlay, HH, & MISC
This inning will focus on the DoublePlay, and it will show the defensive position numbers. If you circle DP, you don’t always have to enter the third defensive number (in this example, you can enter 6-4 as well as 6-4-3).
HH is the Distance Measured for Question 5 (300 feet), and MISC supports 10% of the remaining plays that the book did not intend to handle. ‘Batter Stepping Out of the Box’ belongs in that 10%
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Lessons in Scorekeeping ; If it’s Not a Sacrifice Fly, ‘It’s No Sacrifice At All’
Elton John couldn’t say it any better, and even though Managers and Players give High-5’s anytime a Batter will ‘sacrifice’ his or her at-bat to advance Runners, it won’t necessarily be credited for a sacrifice.
In fact, there is only ONE Sacrifice Play credited in the rules of International Pride Softball where the Batter’s Out is not counted as an At-Bat, and that is a Sacrifice Fly (A Sacrifice Fly is a Fly-Ball Out PLUS an Additional Runner must Tag up and Score without Error by the Defense). All other Sacrifices are not credited as such, and multiple examples will be provided in this section…
In this Inning, if it wasn’t for the Sacrifice of Batter 2 Advancing Runner 1 to 2B with the Grounder to 1B, and the Sacrifice of Batter 3 with the Fly-Ball to RF, Advancing Runner 1 to 3B, Batter 4 would not have Scored Runner 1 before getting Tagged Out at 2B. BUT Neither Batter 2 Nor Batter 3 were given a Sacrifice.
In the next Inning, it doesn’t matter how hard the Ball is hit, or how many Runners are Advanced, you’re only credited with a ‘Sacrifice’ (meaning you have your At-Bat Cleared Out) if you are credited with an RBI.
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Lessons in Scorekeeping ; Are Runs Batted In Just Bragging Points, OR Are They Really Useful in Scorekeeping
Should you use ‘Runs Batted In’ in your Scoresheet?, that’s totally up to your team. It’s not in any of the requirements for International Pride Softball. They’re mainly just useful statistics at the end of the Season if you want to hand out awards to those who hit in the clutch when runners are in scoring position…
Using the following as a common basis for the next two examples;
Batter 4 Knocks in 3 Runs with with a High Velocity Fly-Ball Triple.
What if Batter 4 Hit into an Error? Well, in MLB, you don’t credit RBI’s for a Batter who hits into an error, but since we’re giving Hits to Batter 4, there aren’t really any rules for RBI, so it’s up to the team to make that determination.
As we said in the previous Chapter, the Sacrifice Fly includes an RBI for the Batter, and sometimes it’s the RBI that can confirm the Sacrifice Fly if it doesn’t happen to be noted in the Scorebook. In the 1st example, the DMV Scorebook Highlights the Sacrifice Fly and the RBI by Batter 4, but the Basic Scorebook scores the same play without noting the SF but circles the RBI. You can then reason that Batter 4 scored a Sacrifice Fly.
DMV Scorebook Rev. 2.0
Basic Scorebook
If someone only had the Basic Scorebook to review, without the DMV Scorebook as a reference, it could still be determined that a SF was hit even though it was NOT noted on the sheet simply because the RBI was circled. Batter 3 did not get the RBI with the Single, therefore, it was Batter 4, and the Flyball Out was a Sacrifice Fly.
So… RBI’s can be useful if properly applied on the Scoresheet.
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Lessons in Scorekeeping ; Habits of Highly Effective Scorekeepers
Scorekeeping can play an integral part in the ratings process, so one should consider the procedures as seriously as they learn the definitions from the Scorebook. It is easy to get tripped up in a complicated play, and in certain situations, sometimes it’s best to move on than complete a play so that you don’t miss a particular play. The list below is some recommendations from someone who has done it before…
Scorekeepers Keep ‘Direct Line of Sight’ - In the Dugout, no matter who is front, the Scorekeeper should have ‘Direct Line of Sight’ to Home Plate, The Coach, and the Base Coaches. No one should be blocking the view of the Scorekeeper. If you have to, step away from the Dugout.
Scorekeepers are ‘The Voice’ - Scorekeepers should relay to the Defense the information from the Ball Placement Diagrams, which hopefully, have more detail as the game progresses. If the Scorekeeper does not have a voice, another person can relay the information.
Scorekeepers Confirm the Score - Each inning the Scorekeeper must confirm the Score. Even if the Home Scorekeeper owns the Score, the Away Scorekeeper should also check in each inning with the Umpire to confirm the Score as well.
FINAL WORD OF ADVICE
Sometimes scoring a play can be really complex, and it can totally take you out of the next play, so much that you miss it. Then you can get flustered and you can lose a couple plays.
The best advice I give is to at least record where the Ball went and then go back to record the rest of the previous play. When you finish the previous play, you’ll probably have the runners in their final position, so you didn’t lose any information, and if you did, ask around, and maybe a teammate might be able to help you out. Then you should be able to close out that play
If you’re missing a piece of information, just move on to the next batter, and keep that space empty. You can try to fix it afterward. Talk to your coach after the inning, and you may fill it in then.
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This is Just the Beginning
Look for more examples as time goes on. I have been working on this Scoresheet for quite some time, and I hope people will take advantage of it … with even more benefits that I haven’t even mentioned. How about…
* Teams keeping a Database where Players Hit…
** Leagues developing a Program for Ratings Members who would Score from the DMV Scorebook… Training on Velocity Questions
*** Auditing of Books for Continuation of Play, and Review against the Opposing Team’s Books for Consistency. Policing of Books is something that needs to be done.
**** Use this Book to Protest!!! If you want to question another Team, and you have an argument, have it written on the DMV Scorebook and your argument will be proven much better than the other Team’s Commercial Book.
Sure, when you go to the next page on this website, these books will cost more than what you would normally pay for any other book, but when you add it all up, you’re getting enough pages for your league’s season (League Edition), Tournament or World Series (Tournament Edition), a 3-Ring Binder, Plastic Inserts, Clipboard, Plus a Custom made Cover Page (if you give me a color logo). It’s a pretty good deal. I’m new to shipping, so I will have a better idea on shipping costs after the first few purchases are made outside of South Florida. I hope you’ll give this book a try during your next season!!!
Send me an email at Dan@RainbowScorebooks.com and we’ll go from there!
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Current Scorebooks Available
The 8.5 x 11 Scorebook (Letter)
3-Ring Binder / ClipBoard
36 Plastic Inserts
20 League Pages Front/Back
15 Tournament Pages Front/Back
1 Custom Team Cover Page / Definitions Page
Price - $30 + S/H
The 8.5 x 14 Scorebook (Legal)
3-Ring Binder / ClipBoard
36 Plastic Inserts
20 League Pages Front/Back
15 Tournament Pages Front/Back
1 Custom Team Cover Page / Definitions Page
Price - $38 + S/H
The 11 x 17 Scorebook (Tablet)
Display Book / ClipBoard
15 League Pages Front/Back
10 Tournament Pages Front/Back
1 Custom Team Cover Page / Definitions Page
Price - $48 + S/H
The 11 x 17 Scorebook (Tablet)
6-Ring Binder / ClipBoard
25 Plastic Inserts
15 League Pages Front/Back
10 Tournament Pages Front/Back
1 Custom Team Cover Page / Definitions Page
Price - $75 + S/H
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Explore My Scorebooks on Social Media
Explore My Scorebooks on Social Media
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Want More Info
If you are interested in getting more information on one of the Scorebooks, or if you would like to purchase a Scorebook, send a message to Dan@RainbowScorebooks.com. If you are purchasing a Scorebook, please provide an image of your logo. I’ll do my best to make a nice color cover for your Scorebook.
S/H is Free in South Florida. Anywhere else is estimated until I get a better idea on shipping charges. I assume the Letter / Legal Binder - Shipping will be much cheaper than the Tablet.
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