Game Changer Software

[Supertech]

I have been tasked by our travel team to find the best platform to operate this Software on & need some advice on how to operate the software. Is it user freindly & is there any training available????

 

[Dawgsdad]

We use an Ipad and if you download the program, there is a short tutorial and once a week live training. Also you can practice scoring games any day any time and make corrections to increase your speed in keeping the score. It happens so fast during the games, you must practice to keep up, especially if you hit the wrong outcome of a pitch.

 

[FastBat]

I used Game Changer last year, all season, on my iPad. In my experience, there was a learning curve, at first I couldn't hardly talk when using it. As the season went on, I was able to multitask more, so talking and complaining about calls were still possible as the season progressed. In the beginning, I had to have the oppositions team, completely inputted before the game, as I got better, I could input as the game went on. You should make sure, atleast at first, to have someone take paper and pencil score as well. Also, the sun was a major problem for me last year, you really need shade due to the reflection of the sun on the screen. Little calls and situations will happen that will screw you up too, then for me, it would snowball because I would miss the next few plays. I know I have painted a terrible picture, lol, but it really is cool to review them after. All in all, it's worth the hassle!

 

[MAShep]

I used Game Changer last year, all season, on my iPad. In my experience, there was a learning curve, at first I couldn't hardly talk when using it. As the season went on, I was able to multitask more, so talking and complaining about calls were still possible as the season progressed. In the beginning, I had to have the oppositions team, completely inputted before the game, as I got better, I could input as the game went on. You should make sure, atleast at first, to have someone take paper and pencil score as well. Also, the sun was a major problem for me last year, you really need shade due to the reflection of the sun on the screen. Little calls and situations will happen that will screw you up too, then for me, it would snowball because I would miss the next few plays. I know I have painted a terrible picture, lol, but it really is cool to review them after. All in all, it's worth the hassle!

I started using Game Changer last fall. My experience was the same as Fastball's. I have Game Changer on my ipad. I use my phone as a hotspot and connect to wifi. All the parents can watch Game Changer for live scores. Parents that can't make it to a game love Game Changer!

 

[Northmont_Dad]

I have been tasked by our travel team to find the best platform to operate this Software on & need some advice on how to operate the software. Is it user freindly & is there any training available????

Same thing happened to me 3 years ago.

1 My decision on devices came down to the iPad mini and the Google Nexus 7. The Nexus 7 was cheaper but right when I went to buy one, GameChanger stopped all support for Android devices. So I use an iPad mini 16gig non-wifi w/ Retina display. The nice thing about the iPad mini is it fits easily inside my cargo pockets of my Kaki Shorts. I started first using GameChanger. It is very easy to use and operate. Once, I was able to teach an opponent's team parent how to use GameChanger while scoring a scrimmage we were playing. Don't let folks tell you that you must have a wifi connection or hotspot set up to use it. It does make things easier but it is not required. Just set up the scheduled games, your team rosters, and opponents team names the night before the Tourney. When the game is about to begin, get a copy of the opponents roster. You can also enter the opponents team player names/numbers as they take the field or come up to bat. Its a breeze, even if you arrive late to the game, you can set up a game in less than 1 minute.

The only problem you will run into without wifi is you wont be able to access the stored game's data until its later uploaded to the GameChanger Servers when you get on wifi. This could be a problem if you need to know something about a previous gameplay or Player you just played. If you can Hotspot your iPad using your iPhone, you can steam the games online and out of town family can watch your games live, for a small fee! ($7.99 a month) Overall, if you have never kept a paper book, I would recommend starting with GameChanger.

2. Two years ago, we changed teams and I was asked by the coaches to switch to IScore Baseball ($9.99 one time fee). IScore does not require an internet connection as its data is stored on the device. All previous player and game data is accessible at any time you need to look at it. This comes in handy if you face the same team again in Bracket play. IScore automatically shows where each girl from previous games Hit or got Out as soon as she comes up to bat. IScore can be backed up to another device using Bluetooth or on wifi later. IScore can be a bear! It requires you to really watch every play on the field as it asks you how every player advances one by one. This can be very tasking if you are being distracted by small children or folks asking questions. I spend a lot of time looking down now which I did not have to do with GameChanger. IScore has a much better looking Statistics and you can email them to anyone in seconds. You can even email individual player stats on opponent Players you've faced in the past. Also, like GameChanger, IScore has IScoreCast which also allows someone not at the game to watch a game live and its Free! (Although not as pretty as GameChanger's solution.)

One suggestion if you have an iPhone right now or something like it. There's a app/website called WatchESPN (http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index). You can search for Softball then check Replays and find old Womens World Series games from last year. I recommend watching a game and practicing score those games as you watch them. Try to avoid pausing the games while scoring as you can't do that in real life.

3. Both GameChanger and IScore have websites with Tutorials explaining how to use each program.

https://gc.com/help/tutorials
http://iscoresports.com/baseball/training.php


Also Some light reading:

http://www.discussfastpitch.com/softball-discussions/12246-score-keeping-software.html (General Discussion about Stat Programs)
http://www.discussfastpitch.com/softball-rules-questions/17093-streaming-stats-game-hanger.html (GameChanger Streaming)
http://www.discussfastpitch.com/softball-discussions/12955-e-scoring-apps-iscore-vs-gamechanger.html (GameChanger vs IScore Discussion)

 

[Dawgsdad]

All good comments and real game situatuons that happen while trying to learn GC. The stats and record keeping are phenomenal if you are into stats and it goes in depth if interested in more info.

 

[RP22]

Does it show you how to hit also?

i bet you wish they had game changer back in the day Dawgsdad, you could have kept track of all those dongs I hit off the old Stumps Cafe/ Merchants team. You kept a mean book my friend!!!!

 

[Dawgsdad]

Here we go with from the wiseguy. lol. We weren't part of the merchants, I don't remember any long dongs being recorded and I didn't always keep score but when I did, hell yes!

 

[RP22]

Here we go with from the wiseguy. lol. We weren't part of the merchants, I don't remember any long dongs being recorded and I didn't always keep score but when I did, hell yes!

I bet you still have a crink in your neck watching all those bombs hit against you guys. You guys almost beat us once. Almost once and 974 losses isn't to bad considering it was the 11 time city champs.....lol!!!

 

[Dawgsdad]

After you are done patting yourself on the back with extreme exaggeration, lmao btw, I don't remember things as you do. MASTER OBE ONE

I bet you still have a crink in your neck watching all those bombs hit against you guys. You guys almost beat us once. Almost once and 974 losses isn't to bad considering it was the 11 time city champs.....lol!!!