In short, I do not subscribe to any notion that one method is better than another. It is simply a preference, and I prefer this one. It's quick, easy and accurately keeps track of offensive stats, runs scores and outs made.

First lets go over the positions as they are referred to later. Each position on the field has a corresponding number from 1 to 9 or in most cases in slo-pitch softball 10. The pitcher is 1 the catcher 2 and so on.

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Here are some basic scoring notations:
	Base Hit		Base Hit, Run Scored Later
	Base Hit, 1st Out Made Later		Home Run, 2 RBI, Run Scored
	Out, SS to 1st, 1st Out		Sacrifice Fly, 1 RBI, 2nd Out
	Base on Balls		Double, 1 RBI
	Fielders Choice		Grounded Into Double Play (GIDP), 2nd to SS to 1st, 2nd Out, No RBI
	Strike Out, 1st Out		Strike Out Looking, 3rd Out
	Safe on Error by 3rd Baseman, Run Scored Later		Fly Out to Left Center, 2nd Out

The previous examples are a sample of the various notations that can be used to score at-bats, runs scored and RBIs. If you have scored before using a traditional method, then many of the notations will no doubt look familiar. For example, a batter thrown out at first by the shortstop is shown as 6-3, and we place a 1,2 or 3 in the lower cirlce to designate which out it was. I will also put a slash mark though the whole diamond to designate that the batter is not on base and can therfore not score a run later. You will see why in a moment.

This is where my method differs from the more traditional methods. If the batter gets a base hit, instead of making the traditional mark along the lower right side of the diamond, we simply put 1B in the middle of the diamond. If this runner later scores, we simply circle the 1B. If he is later put out for any reason (e.g. forced out at 2nd, or tagged out at 3rd) we simply put a slash through the 1B and place a 1, 2 or 3 in the lower circle to designate which out it was.

The slash becomes an important part of the notation because it clearly defines batters/runners that are no longer on base and therefore have NOT scored and/or CANNOT score as opposed to those boxes that have either been circled (run scored,) or have neither a circle nor a slash which designates that the runner was left on base (LOB) at the end of the inning.

So here are the basic steps to scoring:

1. Record the outcome of the batter's at-bat in the center of the diamond
2. Circle any previous runners that came home to score as a result of the batters at-bat
3. Record those runs as RBIs for the batter
4. Slash out any runners/batter that were put out during the play

Here is nice matrix of scoring notations and some final thoughts!