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Sunday, January 08, 2023

Baseball Roundtable Talks with MLB Official Scorer Sarah Johnson

Johnson added that an official scorer needs to have a thick skin.

“In addition to being detail-oriented and having a love of the game – so you can pay attention to every pitch as long as the game lasts – you have to have a thick skin and calm demeanor,” Johnson said. “You’re constantly making judgment calls and, no matter what the call, there’s a chance someone might be upset. You have to remain calm – and be able to articulate why you called a certain play the way you did.”

Asked for any advice she’s give to prospective scorer, Johnson suggested :

Get a copy of MLB’s official rules and read it, especially the section on official scoring; and
Get experience in scoring whenever and wherever you can – high school, town ball, college, the minor leagues.
Johnson strongly stressed the importance of knowing and relying on the rule book. “No matter what level you are scoring, use the rule book to work through situations as they come up during a game,” she said. “I frequently pull mine out – even when I’m at home watching a game.”

RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: January 08, 2023 at 04:37 PM | 11 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
  Tags: official scorer

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   1. vortex of dissipation Posted: January 08, 2023 at 06:43 PM (#6112472)
This is a good article. As an official scorer in another sport at the highest professional and college levels, I totally agree with her comment, “Scorers are responsible for paying attention to every pitch, no matter what the score, no matter who is on the field or what the situation is, and no matter how long the game lasts. You definitely have to be a huge baseball fan to maintain that intense level of attention for that long.”

That's so crucial. You have to have 100% concentration at all times - you can't let your mind wander.
   2. Starring Bradley Scotchman as RMc Posted: January 08, 2023 at 06:54 PM (#6112473)
But can she score a bunt?
   3. The Duke Posted: January 08, 2023 at 10:43 PM (#6112493)
Do official scorers not have replay?
   4. The Yankee Clapper Posted: January 08, 2023 at 11:06 PM (#6112495)
Do official scorers not have replay?
From TFA:
“We also have to have a laptop with us because we stream the game feed so we can watch a replay if we need to make a judgement call or have a crazy play,” Johnson continued. “We also have a program that provides clips of each play so that we can easily go back and watch something again and don’t have to search through the TV broadcast to find what we need.”
   5. Walt Davis Posted: January 08, 2023 at 11:55 PM (#6112502)
“Scorers are responsible for paying attention to every pitch, no matter what the score, no matter who is on the field or what the situation is, and no matter how long the game lasts. You definitely have to be a huge baseball fan to maintain that intense level of attention for that long.”

So somebody stands in the beer line for them? :-)
   6. McCoy Posted: January 09, 2023 at 07:50 AM (#6112514)
I tried to score a game once. I tried to be as detailed as possible. I think i lasted like 2 innings before tucking the scoresheet under the seat. I don't know how much you'd have to pay me to do it as a living but it would have to be a lot.
   7. Jose is an Absurd Sultan Posted: January 09, 2023 at 09:15 AM (#6112523)
I have been keeping score since I was a kid and I absolutely love it. Attending a baseball game without keeping score is something that is just foreign to me.
   8. Perry Posted: January 09, 2023 at 03:11 PM (#6112572)
I have been keeping score since I was a kid and I absolutely love it. Attending a baseball game without keeping score is something that is just foreign to me.


Same for me.
   9. Starring Bradley Scotchman as RMc Posted: January 09, 2023 at 06:02 PM (#6112591)
Me three. I always score games that I attend by myself. (Can't do it when the wife is with me, cuz she wants me to pay attention to her once in a while.)
   10. Gold Star - just Gold Star Posted: January 09, 2023 at 06:43 PM (#6112600)
I found that I *have* to keep score at games. Otherwise, my attention wanders to a point where I'm less watching baseball than experiencing a baseball stadium.
   11. Cris E Posted: January 10, 2023 at 01:03 PM (#6112680)
Some days I want to watch a game, and some days I want to hang out with friends, have a couple beers and experience a baseball stadium. Love this game.

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