Phillies

I Stand With Scorebook Dad

By Kyle Pagan

Published: Jun 16th, 2025 · 10:53 AM EDT

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I stand with Scorebook Dad! Keeping score at a baseball game is a national pastime. It’s as American as apple pie. It’s an art form. It’s the only sport in America that gives the fans an opportunity to participate like this. It’s the one thing that has defied the Digital Age. There are apps for keeping score out there and people young and old still want to get some ink between their fingernails. If we’re making fun of people for keeping score at games than society is collapsing faster than I think. I would’ve taken the negative press if some Phillies fan would’ve just hauled off and punched the dude who chirped Scorebook Dad minding his business:

@sarah_houck1

My dad is the sweetest man in the whole world and every Father’s Day I get him Phillies tickets and every year he keeps score in the book. He has done this since he was little and he loves it. To the jerk who walked by and made fun of him, I hope you get what you deserve. #phillies #philadelphiaphillies #baseball #citizenbankpark

♬ original sound – Sarah

What even is the chirp here? “Your pen has no juice!” “Your handwriting sucks!” I can’t even think of having a reaction to someone minding their own business. How bad of a day was the guy who chirped this dad having? That’s a guy who definitely doesn’t appreciate that keeping score is one of the best ways to watch a baseball game. You’re locked into every pitch. You don’t even know what it’s like to jot down a backwards K or have felt the satisfaction of coloring in the diamond on a scorebook for your team. Not to mention, it’s one of the most vital jobs in Little League. You think nurses are essential workers? Try not having a parent doing the book during Little League. It’s absolute chaos in the dugout. Idiot kids with zero idea who is up and on deck even though you just told them. The scorer brings stability.

You know who else keeps score at baseball games? Tom Hanks, and that guy rules:

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A post shared by Tom Hanks (@tomhanks)

You know what’s dorkier than keeping score at a real life baseball game? I used to keep score in my bedroom while watching Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN. I’d get a scorebook from Sports Authority and listen to Jon Miller and Joe Morgan call the games and track them like I gave a shit about the Orioles vs. Red Sox in 2007. At least Scorebook Dad is witnessing real, live action. I’m sitting in my bed jotting down 5-3 next to Melvin Mora. That’s dork shit. Wish this Phillies fan would’ve came into my room and made fun of me. Told me to go outside and shoot 1000 jumpers and maybe you would’ve played in the NBA like you told yourself you would in Kindergarten. Loser.

Next time I go to a game I’m going to keep score to stand in solidarity with Scorebook Dad. You know what? I might keep score against the Marlins tonight. Where the hell do you get a scorebook nowadays?