Recording the Result of an At-Bat
The common outcomes of a plate appearance and how each one is recorded
Every trip to the plate ends in a result. Recording that result is the single most repeated action of game day, so it pays to know the common outcomes cold.
The outcomes fall into three groups: hits, reaching base without a hit, and outs. Here is each one and how it is recorded.
Hits
- •Single (1B): the batter reaches first base safely on a batted ball.
- •Double (2B): the batter reaches second.
- •Triple (3B): the batter reaches third.
- •Home run (HR): the batter circles all the bases and scores.
Reaching base without a hit
- •Walk (BB): four balls. The batter takes first and it is not a hit or an at-bat.
- •Hit by pitch (HBP): a pitch hits the batter, who takes first.
- •Reached on error (E): a defensive misplay lets the batter reach.
- •Fielder’s choice (FC): the defense makes a play on another runner instead of the batter.
- •Dropped third strike: in some situations the batter can run to first on a strikeout if the catcher does not cleanly catch strike three.
Outs
- •Strikeout (K): a swinging third strike. A strikeout looking is written as a backwards K.
- •Groundout: a ground ball turned into an out, coded by position, such as 6-3.
- •Flyout (F): a fly ball caught, such as F8 to center field.
- •Lineout (L) and popout (P): a line drive or pop fly caught for an out.
- •Foul out: a foul ball caught before it lands.
Plate appearance versus at-bat
Every trip to the plate is a plate appearance. Only some of them are official at-bats. Walks, hit by pitches, and sacrifices count as plate appearances but not at-bats, which is why they do not lower a hitter’s batting average. This distinction matters the moment you start rolling up stats.
Common result codes
Recording at-bats on the Dugout Edge Game Day board
After each plate appearance, the board records the result and moves the game forward.
- 1
When the at-bat ends, tap the result, such as a single, a walk, or a strikeout.
- 2
The board updates the line score, advances or places runners, and ticks the out count if it was an out.
- 3
The board then moves to the next hitter in the order.
- 4
If a runner scored on the play, the run is added for you.
Softball
The outcomes are the same in softball. The dropped third strike rule applies in fastpitch but not slowpitch, and only with first base open or two outs.
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Open the free scorekeeperFrequently asked questions
Does a walk count as an at-bat?
No. A walk is a plate appearance but not an official at-bat, so it does not count against a hitter’s batting average.
What is the difference between a plate appearance and an at-bat?
A plate appearance is any complete trip to the plate. An at-bat is a plate appearance that is not a walk, hit by pitch, sacrifice, or catcher interference. Batting average is hits divided by at-bats.
Is a sacrifice an at-bat?
No. A sacrifice bunt or sacrifice fly counts as a plate appearance but not an at-bat.
How do you record a strikeout looking?
A strikeout on a called third strike is written as a backwards K, to distinguish it from a swinging strikeout, which is a normal K.
Keep learning
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