Box score and scorekeeping
How to read a baseball box score: line score and common abbreviations
A practical guide to inning-by-inning scoring, R-H-E totals, hitter and pitcher columns, and scorekeeping symbols such as K, BB, E and 6-3.
The line score shows runs by inning, then R-H-E totals
Each team row shows how many runs it scored in each inning. The totals commonly labeled R, H and E mean runs, hits and errors. H counts official hits, while E counts fielding errors charged by the official scorer; neither total by itself tells how many runners reached base or how the runs were created.
A hitter line often uses AB, R, H, RBI, BB and SO
AB is official at-bats, R is runs scored, H is hits, RBI is runs batted in, BB is walks and SO is strikeouts. A plate appearance can be broader than an at-bat, so not every completed trip to the plate increases AB. RBI credit also has scoring exceptions, so it is not simply the number of runs that scored during a batter’s turns.
A pitcher line commonly uses IP, H, R, ER, BB and SO
IP is innings pitched, H is hits allowed, R is total runs allowed, ER is earned runs, BB is walks allowed and SO is strikeouts. Because each out is one third of an inning, 6.1 IP means six innings plus one out and 6.2 means six innings plus two outs. R and ER can differ when errors or passed balls affect the scoring.
Scorecards use compact play notation such as K, BB, E and 6-3
MLB scorekeeping guidance uses K for a strikeout, BB for a walk, E for an error and fielding numbers 1 through 9 for defensive positions. A groundout written 6-3 means shortstop to first baseman. Other common marks include FC for fielder’s choice, SB for stolen base and GIDP for a ground-ball double play. Personal scorecards can vary, so use the legend when one is provided.