By: Ron Bing, Puritas Little League, Cleveland, Ohio
I have developed this scoring system when grading my players. I use a five point system, because a three point system leaves too many questions. In a three point system there is no gray area, it's either good, average, or poor. I feel my five point system takes the gray area into consideration (two fly balls to two different boys, both balls are dropped. I feel that if one boy used excellant form, he simply dropped it, that is worth something. If the other boy didn't have a clue when he missed it, it isn't worth anything. In a three point system both would have been graded the same since they both missed the ball). Though it seems cumbersome at first (I definately have a copy on hand when I grade my kids!), I find that I can cover just about every situation that might occur. Anyway, I am throwing it out there for you to take a look at. The one thing that this takes for granted, is the fact that the coach knows correct fundamental form!! All scoring will be based on a five point system (0 - 5), with five being the best possible score.
Outfield 4 - A) Though the routine fly ball was caught, the player had a few breakdowns in his fundamentals. B) Knocked down a ball which was difficult to catch, and within two steps of the fielder. 3 - A) Though routine fly ball was caught, showed serious breakdowns in his fundamentals. B) Using good fundamental form, routine fly ball was knocked down and within two steps of the fielder. 2 - Fielder knocked down a fly ball which was difficult to catch, but ball was more than two steps away from him. 1 - A) Player missed the routine fly ball, and though the ball was more than two steps from the fielder, showed good fundamental form. B) Though the missed routine fly ball was within two steps of the fielder, he showed a few breakdowns in his fundamentals. 0 - Player missed the routine fly ball and it rolled more than two steps away, and did not show good fundamentals.
Infield: 4 - Though the routine ground ball was caught, the player had a few breakdowns in his fundamentals. C) Knocked down a ball which was difficult to catch, and within two steps of the fielder. 3 - A) Though the routine ground ball was caught, showed serious breakdowns in his fundamentals. B) Using good fundamental form, routine ground ball was knocked down and within two steps of the fielder. 2 - Fielder knocked down a ball which was difficult to catch, but ball was more than two steps away from him. 1 - A) Player missed the routine grounder, and though the ball was more than two steps from the fielder, showed good fundamental form. B) Though the missed routine ground ball was within two steps of the fielder, he showed a few breakdowns in his fundamentals. 0 - Player missed the routine grounder and it rolled more than two steps away, and did not show good fundamentals.
Throwing: 4 - A) The throw is on a line, easily catchable, and the receiver was able to keep his foot on the bag. B) The throw one-hops to the receiver but hits him in the chest 3 - A) throw is on a line, and though the receiver had to leave the bag by one step to make the catch, it was easily catchable. B) The throw is lobbed to the receiver, but it hits him in the chest. C) The throw one- hops to the receiver, but he was able to keep his foot on the bag. 2 - A) The throw is on line, and catchable, but the receiver had to take more than one step to get it. B) The throw is lobbed to the receiver and he was able to keep his foot on the bag. C) The throw one-hops to the receiver, and he had to leave the bag by one step to make the catch, it was easily catchable. 1 - The throw is lobbed or one hops to the receiver, and though easily catchable, the receiver had to take more than one step in order to catch it. 0 - The throw was not catchable, or the catch was made only by the extra effort of the first baseman.
Batting: 4 - Any hard hit ground ball, or line drive which is fair and makes it into short/medium outfield. 3 - Any ball hit fair, but was not hit hard (including easy pop ups, ground balls or short fly balls to the outfield). 2 - Any ball hit hard down the first or third base line, but was foul. 1 - Any swing-and-miss of a ball which was in the strike zone, or which is a soft foul ball. 0 - Any swing-and-miss of a ball which was not in the strike zone.
Date: March 25, 1998 at 19:44
5 - A) The routine fly ball is cleanly caught, with the fielder using good fundamental form. B) Difficult moving catch of any ball not hit directly at the player.
5 - A) The routine grounder is cleanly caught, with the fielder using good fundamental form. B) Difficult moving catch of any ball not hit directly at the player.
5 - The throw is on a line and hits the receiver right in his chest.
5 - The ball was hit hard on a line to the outfield, or a fly ball hit deep to the outfield.