How to Chart Baseball

Balls and Strikes

1). Write the name and number of the batter into the corresponding fields on your chart, and indicate whether he is right- or left-handed. Do the same for the pitcher.
2). Mark down every ball and strike thrown. If you are using a standard graph chart, and the first pitch is a ball, mark it in the ball, or "B" column. Use your pen to make a dot inside the box which corresponds to the location of the pitch. For example; if the pitch is low and outside, place a dot in the bottom right hand corner of the box (for a right-handed hitter).
3). Mark a strike in the same manner, but use the strike or "S" boxes. Some charts provide a separate strike zone field, on which you can record the location of each pitch. By writing the number of the pitch, you indicate it was not swung at. By circling that number, you indicate it was. This provides specific location information, as well as reveals trends in the batter's swing habits.
4). Write the speed of the pitch in the velocity or "V" box. If you do not use speed ratings, or radar guns, mark the type of pitch thrown in these boxes. All baseball charts should have a space for the type of pitch thrown. If your blank charts do not, alter or replace them. Mark the pitch thrown with the same signs the catcher and pitcher use in the game. For example; use 1 to represent a fastball, 2 for curve, 3 for slider, 4 for change-up and so on. The sign selection should depend on the pitcher, and the array of pitches he throws.

1). Mark any contact in fair territory, on the baseball diamond portion of the chart. If the batter gets a hit, mark the location on the field where the ball traveled, and write the type of hit in shorthand. For example; if the batter hits a double to left, write "2B" in left field on the baseball diamond. If he or she hits a single to right, write "1B" in right field on the diamond.
2). Draw the path of the ball as hit on the baseball diamond portion of your chart. A dotted line should indicate a ground ball, a straight line should indicate a line drive, and an arching line indicates a fly ball.
3). Mark any outs made, and how they were made, in the "Results" field. If your chart does not have a results field, use the space next to the baseball diamond. If the batter makes contact, but does not get a hit, write down how he was put out. For example; if the batter hits a ground ball to shortstop, who then throws him or her out, write "6-3" to represent the positions of the players who made the put out. If a batter hits a fly ball to left, write "F7."