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It's interesting that in the past couple of weeks, a few folks have talked about the web-based Game Changer application in a way that makes it sound like they think it should be decisive.

 

I have no doubt that over time, software for the masses like this will get better and better -- but to me, this platform is better suited to making games available to folks not present than it is at accurately capturing what happens.

 

That's in part because it's only as good as the person inputting data -- but also because baseball scoring is still subjective at times.

 

Am I missing something?

 

 

Last edited by jp24
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For the most part what you've said is true... The software is slightly clunky and has a bit of a learning curve, but overall it does a decent job of recording score. I will sometimes do a shout-out message to viewers if there was a great play made or something I think stood out or what the weather is like to try to give the viewer a human-feel for what's happening at the field.

It's not the only solution out there. People who use iScore seem to love it and say its' more powerful than Game Changer. As for following games, yeah, I've loved using that ever since a nearby LL team went to West and then to Williamsport. It reminds me a little of listening to games on the radio when I was a kid, especially when the scorekeeper takes the trouble to make notes on plays and calls and subs,  like Bolts says.  I'm following a game between two of our league rivals right now.

 

My kid's HS team is currently playing in a big tournament and quite a few parents who couldn't make it are following, and they have been texting and emailing me to say how much they're enjoying following on GC, so that is cool. I've been adding as many notes as I have time for.

 

As for being definative. Good point, but what is?  It's always subjective regardless of how you record. So why GC and not a book?  Well I think many teams use both -- a book in  the dugout that is "official" and the electronic book in the stands so that nobody has to input stats later on and export to MaxPreps if desired.  The HC keeps his own notes and compares against what GC shows, and if he doesn't like my call on hit/'error or whatever, it's quick and easy to override it.  The other question is how well does it calculate stats.  The answer to that is I don't know.  I haven't really looked to hard at that but it seems to be accurate if the person inputs the plays correctly.

 

BTW - in reference to sac fly thread, you can override stats in cases like this.

Last edited by JCG
Originally Posted by jp24:

It's interesting that in the past couple of weeks, a few folks have talked about the web-based Game Changer application in a way that makes it sound like they think it should be decisive.

 

I have no doubt that over time, software for the masses like this will get better and better -- but to me, this platform is better suited to making games available to folks not present than it is at accurately capturing what happens.

 

That's in part because it's only as good as the person inputting data -- but also because baseball scoring is still subjective at times.

 

Am I missing something?

 

It is fun and amusing for pre-high school games.  Especially the write ups it generates for the games, which are pretty funny sometimes.  However, I would hope as my kid gets older there are more qualified people inputting the data into the app. 

 

Here is just the pitching section...maybe teams should be interviewing former MLB pitchers to make these distinctions!

  • #P: Total pitches
  • FB: Number of pitches thrown as Fastballs
  • FBS: Number of Fastballs thrown for strikes
  • CT: Number of pitches thrown as Cutters
  • CTS: Number of Cutters thrown for strikes
  • CB: Number of pitches thrown as Curveballs
  • CBS: Number of Curveballs thrown for strikes
  • SL: Number of pitches thrown as Sliders
  • SLS: Number of Sliders thrown for strikes
  • CH: Number of pitches thrown as Changeups
  • CHS: Number of Changeups thrown for strikes
  • OS: Number of pitches thrown Offspeed (Curveball, Screwball, Changeup)
  • OSS: Number of pitches thrown Offspeed for strikes

 

Keeping score with pencil & paper doesn't allow grandma to "watch" the game from 1000 miles away.  Or dad who gets stuck in the office but wants to check in real time what Jr is doing.

 

I don't see it as a competition between the old way and the new way.  They augment each other.

 

Your old version is very easy to edit, erase, fix, etc because you are used to it.  Keep using it.  

 

But the new tech allows you to provide accurate data to your players like current batting average with runners in scoring position or spray charts.  Pretty sure the paper version isn't user friendly with those type of things.

 

Again, use both.  They serve different purposes.

 

Rich

www.PlayInSchool.com/bus_tour

I got stuck at the office yesterday and was fortunate to have GC.  Saw my son hit a two run single with two outs and on an 0-2 count and then to have him score to tie the game 3-3 before the inning ended.  It's not the same as being there, but I do get better updates from GC than I do from my wife. Semi-live and not perfect action is pretty darn good!

It's a good app.  Been using if for years.  When I forget to turn on the "wifi" the texts start coming in -- Turn on GC! 

 

It is easy to use.  Basically scorekeeping for dummies.  Of course the error/hit questions come up, but that is true with anything.  There is an easy rule to fix that.  If your kid is pitching, it's an error.  If he his hitting, it's a hit. 

Last edited by Golfman25

I have been using GameChanger since 2011.  I have used it for about 12 different teams my son has played on.

 

I love it.  It tracks every conceivable metric, is easy to use and and allow the admins to control who sees what (nosy parents wanting to know about everyone on the team in minute detail).

 

It is free to use on your own.

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