Counting Outs and Who Made the Out
Three outs per half inning, and the position numbers (1 through 9) that record who recorded them
Three outs end a half inning. That part is simple. The piece that trips up new scorekeepers is recording who made the out, which is done with position numbers rather than names.
Every defensive position has a number from 1 to 9. Once you know them, a code like 6-3 instantly tells you a ground ball went from the shortstop to the first baseman for an out.
The three-out half inning
Each half inning lasts until the defense records three outs. When the third out is made, the teams switch sides. Tracking the out count is the single most important piece of live game state, because it drives everything else.
Position numbers 1 through 9
These numbers are universal. They are the same in baseball and softball, and the same on every scorecard and scoreboard in the world.
Reading fielding outs
- •6-3: ground ball, shortstop to first baseman. A routine groundout.
- •F8: fly ball caught by the center fielder.
- •4-3: ground ball, second baseman to first baseman.
- •3U: ground ball the first baseman fields and steps on the bag unassisted.
- •6-4-3: a double play, shortstop to second baseman to first baseman.
The nine fielding positions
Tracking outs on the Dugout Edge Game Day board
The board keeps the out count for you and ends the half inning automatically at three.
- 1
When a batter or runner is out, mark the out. The board ticks the out count up.
- 2
Tag which fielder made the play if you want a record of who recorded the out.
- 3
At the third out, the board ends the half inning and flips to the other team.
- 4
The out count resets to zero for the new half inning.
Softball
Position numbers are identical in fastpitch and slowpitch softball. The shortstop is still 6 and the center fielder is still 8.
Track your game for free
The Dugout Edge Game Day board keeps the score, outs, runners, pitch count, and batting order in one place. No account needed, and it works right in your browser.
Open the free scorekeeperFrequently asked questions
What position is number 6?
Number 6 is the shortstop. A common point of confusion is that 5 is the third baseman, not the shortstop.
What does 6-4-3 mean?
It describes a double play: the shortstop (6) fields the ball and throws to the second baseman (4), who throws to the first baseman (3).
Does the catcher have a number?
Yes. The catcher is position number 2. The pitcher is 1.
What is the difference between a putout and an assist?
A putout goes to the fielder who physically records the out, such as catching a fly ball or tagging the bag. An assist goes to any fielder who handled the ball on the way to that out.
Keep learning
Coming 2026
Score every game by hand. Digitally.
A digital scorecard that works the way you already keep score: pencil in the 6-4-3, advance the runner, mark the backwards K. The same notation you know by heart, with nothing to store in a closet and nothing lost to a rained-out dugout. Built for coaches and fans who love the craft of scoring a game by hand. Launching in 2026. Join the waitlist and we will send early access the week it goes live.
Want to see it in context? Read what the digital scorekeeper does.