New scorekeeping technology lets fans follow real-time game action
The Daily Astorian
Ever wish you could be two places at once when it comes to following your favorite local team? If you're the parent of a little leaguer, high school athlete or involved with a recreational baseball or softball team, a new technology is available to help you do just that. The Daily Astorian is the first media in Oregon to use this new technology to cover high school baseball games online.
"We have partnered with GameChanger allowing us to offer live play-by-plays and stats online for baseball and softball games," said Crindalyn Lyster, digital media director for the East Oregonian Publishing Co. "This will allow fans, local media and others to follow a team's online 'GameStream,' even when they can't be at the field."
Here's how it works: scorekeepers use the GameChanger iPhone/iPod touch application to physically score each game. Every play and update recorded by the scorekeeper on the (iPhone, Android, Blackberry) app - yes, every hit, run and strike - will be instantly posted online. Fans can follow the live updates and action on a live scoreboard widget on The Daily Astorian website or on GameChanger.io
Dozens of postgame statistics are automatically compiled for every player. This platform replaces the pencil and paper score-keeping process at amateur sporting events and provides an application to the community surrounding a team, which, in turn, allows the community to provide data from the field to GameChanger.
"We recently tested the platform during the Astoria High School vs. Banks High School baseball game with great success," said Lyster. "The program is easy to use for both entering the game information and for users to access that information. We are continuing to test it and look at using it further during playoffs and into the summer with youth and recreational leagues in the area where we hope to get the teams and parents involved in the process."
Coaches, scorekeepers, fans, players and parents can all set up a team on GameChanger. Information like rosters, schedules and lineups can be enterd for each team.
"Live online game feeds have always been reserved for the big leagues - until now," said Ted Sullivan, co-founder of the GameChanger technology and former minor league baseball player.
"The ability to now 'watch' a local youth game while you're at work or in a business meeting is absolutely priceless - just ask any working parent with a kid on the field. We're excited that The Daily Astorian is bringing GameChanger to community fans."
Most of the content is provided free from GameChanger, however there is a small charge for those wishing to access more detailed information on the team or players. GameChanger looks to expand in the future to other sports.
