Coaching and scorekeeping

sacosta66 · May 2, 2016

When we are the Home team, then we have to keep the "official" paper book for the game. I have recruited one of my Mom's to keep a detailed book using Game Changer app for every game. These detailed stats really help with coaching and motivating my players. My pitchers really enjoyed the game play back option when they pitched no-hitters.

#7sDad · May 2, 2016

Game Changer is very easy to learn and you could get a parent to do it if they have some knowledge of the game. An option to help simplify, don't worry about balls & strikes in GC. Just record the plays and that really reduces the amount of input for the scorekeeper. You'll lose stats like QAB and pitch counts, etc; but you'll still have all the main hitting, fielding, spray charts, etc that you need for the line-up.

You can always also keep a little note pad in your pocket to jot down things you see in-game that you want to remember to bring up with the team later.

JAD · May 2, 2016

Are there any parents who would be willing to do Game Changer during the game?

djcarter1966 · May 2, 2016

[MENTION=1338]Buckeye[/MENTION] since this person volunteered to keep score have you tried sitting down with them for 5 minutes and going over things you would like to see done different.
I would just say "hey I know everyone keeps book a little different but here are a few things I would like to see, it would just really help me out when deciding a few things with the lineup, you are a real big help"

and of course I have to ask the proverbial why are you ten games in and just now checking the book

You know you really have a great scorekeeper when you are at the second game of a home and away and you can flip back to the previous game and look at the book and basically get a spray chart of each opposing team hitter in the line up; these are the little things the make coaches smile

JohnnyO · May 2, 2016

I am the stat-aholic so I give up the book very seldom, I usually have other coaches for the bases but when I do coach bases the book comes with. I detail all I can from 1st pitch strikes to number of strikes and ball hit locations. Later that evening I'll transpose it all into gamechanger, and relive the whole game. I did find a parent this year that does everything I do in a book and have been able to let it go. I had not had this parent before so this is a great blessing. I still miss having everything from the previous at bat in my hand. I just need her to give me the batter number and last at bats info each time. I've seen some very poor bookkeepers over the past 30+ years and even those I train are watched like a hawk until we get up to speed

BuckeyeGuy · May 2, 2016

For those who don't know, I'm solo in the dugout or I'd keep the book myself.

I do have one parent who will do it, but reluctantly, and the deeper into the game we go the less detailed the scorekeeping. I tried showing her GC and she turned into a luddite before my eyes, even though she has a smartphone.

The school has saddled me with a basketball coach to assist for the past 2 games, but that's basically me flying solo: he really knows nothing about the game or keeping score.

Yeah, 10 games in is just me being busy in every "free" moment with my rec league.

Maybe I'll try GC myself, see how that works.

grcsftbll · May 2, 2016

Personally I like iScore better. I use that for my younger DD's games. My older DD's team uses Game Changer which I've gotten roped into using somehow. The iScore app isn't free but there is so much more info available to regular users, whereas GC makes you buy a membership to get to the good stuff. To me, iScore is also more intuitive to use. JMO

BuckeyeGuy · May 2, 2016

grcsftbll said:
Personally I like iScore better. I use that for my younger DD's games. My older DD's team uses Game Changer which I've gotten roped into using somehow. The iScore app isn't free but there is so much more info available to regular users, whereas GC makes you buy a membership to get to the good stuff. To me, iScore is also more intuitive to use. JMO

I've used them both, and IMO GC is way more intuitive, plus far fewer taps to get through a play. I like iScore, but GC is faster and easier for me. We'll see how it goes, since we have a game tonight!

bmakj · May 2, 2016

I tried to do it the other night, because my scorekeeper had dropped her DD off then had to run to drop her DS off at an away game. utter disaster, I barely recorded what happened.

thought about going electronic, maybe will ask my scorekeeper if she wants to try the free one (can't remember which it is). can't see a volunteer parent scorekeeper ponying up money for app to use a dozen times a year.

The Maj · May 2, 2016

Lol, I keep the book for DD's team and I am "busy" from the coin flip to last out... There is no way I would attempt to coach a base and keep a book... I would not even attempt to be the dugout coach and keep the book... Also, better check the rules on electronic devices on the field if you intend to attempt using GC or iScore coaching a base, some allow it and others do not... I sit right next to the dugout and tell the pitching coach where the batter coming up hit last, if she bit on low's high's or changeup's or anything else a coach needs to know... I only talk to the coach / coaches during the game... Once the game is complete, I upload it to the website and email the game to the coaches, collect the GoPro and move to the next field...

Coaching and scorekeeping

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sacosta66

#7sDad

JAD

djcarter1966

JohnnyO

Began this habit in 1980

BuckeyeGuy

grcsftbll

BuckeyeGuy

bmakj

The Maj

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