I haven't read one in a paper in years. I get them from
MLB.com | The Official Site of Major League Baseball Every box score, every game. Also gameday for live games showing you the game pitch by pitch if you don't have access to it on TV.
When scoring a game (an activity requiring you to pay attention to every at bat religiously) you are accounting for every play from every batter. You usually have a little box to accommodate this so shorthand is required. Every play is abbreviated. Below are some that are most common.
1B = single
2B = double
3B = triple
HR = home run
LOB = left on base
DP = double play
TP = triple play
FO = force out
BB = walk
IBB = intentional walk
FC = fielders choice
You can also record outs by F, P, L along with the numerical equivalent of player involved. Players are numbered 1-9: P, C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, LF, CF, RF. So a flyball out to right fielder is F9. A double play SS --> 2B --> 1B is 6-4-3 double play (I know TV announcers have used this as well).
And E is error. E5 in last inning for example.