May 2012
12 posts
Introducing GameChanger 3.0 for iPhone, iPod and...
GameChanger 3.0 to be released May 17.
by Ted Sullivan (@tedsullivan29) - CEO, GameChanger Media, Inc.
We’re excited to announce that GameChanger 3.0, our most significant Apple iOS app release since January 2010, will debut tomorrow, Thursday, May 17th.
IMPORTANT, TEAM ADMINS PLEASE READ:
All team admins and scorekeepers should read this post and review the recommended tutorials before...
GameChanger 3.0 Training
Free online demos for our recent release
by Sean Wheeler (@sswheels85) and Jeff Kamrath (@HooRayJeff)
The GameChanger team is pleased to announce the release of GameChanger 3.0, our most significant Apple iOS app release since January 2010.
To learn about all of the new features in GameChanger 3.0, read this blog post.
To help with scorekeepers and fans with the transition to the new version,...
3 tags
GameChanger Milestone: 1 MILLION Games Scored
By Spencer Wright
Last night (Wednesday, May 9th), at 10:59pm EST, the 1 millionth game was scored on GameChanger. One million games is more than 411 Major League seasons. In other words, GameChanger has scored over three times the number of games that have been played and scored in the history of Major League Baseball. Needless to say, we are proud of this achievement. Reaching any milestone...
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GameChanger Helps Your Team Win More Games
The More Games You Score on GameChanger, the More Games You Win
By Spencer Wright
Yesterday, our awesome numbers guy (Travis Thieman) decided to look up statistics on the winning percentage of teams that use GameChanger. Using real records and data from real teams on GameChanger, we started looking at how the records changed as teams scored more games on our app. What we found was pretty...
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Teacher Recommendations & the College Process
Second Post from Guest Writer John Bramlette on the College Application and Recruitment Process
By John Bramlette
You’re finishing up junior year. You’re getting ready for finals, have selected next year’s courses and your team is making a final push toward post-season play. A common question that arises this spring: Which teachers should I ask for letters of recommendation as part of my college...
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GameChanger of the Week: 5/14/12
By Spencer Wright
The Panel has deliberated and come to a decision: Cierra Risinger of the Austin County Blazin Angels 14U is the GameChanger of the Week. Cierra put in a dominating pitching performance in her tournament, leading her team to their first ever Tournament Championship. Living up to her idol Jennie Finch’s #27, Risinger won all four tournament games with one of the most absurd...
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Perfect Game 2012 Tournament HQ
An online home for PG scouts, players and fans
by Jeff Kamrath (@HooRayJeff)
All Perfect Game Tournaments / Leagues are scored LIVE with GameChanger. Click on your tournament link below to find your team or download GameChanger today.
Upcoming Tournaments
WWBA East Memorial Day Classic - 16U
WWBA East Memorial Day Classic - 18U
WWBA West Memorial Day Classic - 14U
WWBA West...
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Jeff Kamrath: On the Long Toss Debate
By Jeff Kamrath (@HooRayJeff)
Jeff Kamrath here from GameChanger injecting my own personal thoughts / experiences into this debate, both as a former collegiate / professional pitcher and youth coach. What I mention below has NO standing in scientific study and is taken from my own personal experiences. I believe that every pitcher is unique and should find a routine that suits them best. I...
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New Feature: Opponent Roster Editing Online
By Spencer Wright
You asked and we listened. One of the most common pieces of feedback we received was coaches wanted to be able to enter opponent rosters on the website, well before they got to the field. Well, thanks to our engineers, you now have the ability to do just that.
There will now be an “Opponents” tab at the top of all Team Admin pages. By selecting that, you will now...
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GameChanger of the Week: 5/7/12
By Spencer Wright
The Panel has selected Kenyon Yovan, who plays for the 14U DeMarini Stealth, as the GameChanger of the Week. Yovan hit and pitched his team to victory in a 3-game, 1-day tournament, taking two game-balls along the way.
In three games, Yovan went 6-7 (one BB) with 2 homeruns and 7 RBI’s. In game 2, Yovan pitched three and a third innings of no-hit, shut-out baseball,...
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First Post from Guest Writer John Bramlette
We here at GameChanger are lucky enough to have John Bramlette write a short series of blog posts centered around the college application and recruitment process for high school athletes. John is the Founder of Bramlette Consulting LLC , an educational consulting firm that guides families through the college application and recruiting processes. John played baseball at Haverford College, and also...
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Help your team win a batting cage
We’re giving away a cage on Wednesday, May 9.
by Sean Wheeler (@GCSports)
If your team’s fanbase grows by 10 fans before noon on Wednesday, May 9, they will be entered to win a new Wheelhouse Batting Cage. Contest details below.
Contest ends May 9th @ 12PM ET
How the contest works:
Check the current Fan Count on your team’s home page.
If your team’s fanbase grows...
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My Favorite Baseball Poem
by Spencer Wright
Standing Alone
Unknown
He stands at the plate with his heart beating fast. The bases are loaded the dye has been cast.
Mom and Dad cannot help him he stands all alone. A hit at this moment would bring the boys home.
The ball nears the plate he swings hard but misses. There’s a groan from the crowd, with some boo’s and some hisses.
A thoughtless voice cries...
April 2012
10 posts
2 tags
Player of the Week: Jacob Blaede
By Spencer Wright
The GameChanger Player/Team of the Week Panel has selected Jacob Blaede, 9 years old, as the player of the week. Blaede pitched an amazing game last week, lifting his team to a 3-2 win with a complete game. Why was this game so impressive? Because in just 6 innings, Blaede racked up 15 strikeouts against 4 hits and 2 walks and threw 68% of his pitches for strikes. In the top of...
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Coaching: More Than Teaching Skills
Further thoughts on the Mike Matheny and the goal of Coaching
By Spencer Wright
I came across an article this morning, written by Jeffery Rhoads for Inside Youth Sports, that made me think a little more about the Mike Matheny article that we commented on last week. Although not directly responding to Matheny, the post does, I believe, highlight an area of coaching that Matheny does not address in...
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Profile: First Round NFL Draft Pick Brandon Weeden
Check out his HS Baseball Profile on Perfect Game!
By Spencer Wright
(“2002 National Pre-draft Showcase” on Perfectgame.org: http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=855)
Nominate a Team/Player of the Weekend
We Need Your Help
by Spencer Wright
Have a great week at the plate? Did your team have a huge come-from-behind win after being down 8 runs? Bases loaded, tying run on third, and you struck out the last three batters?
We want to know.
Email us a link to the game/player at gamechanger.featured.team@gmail.com or message us on facebook. On Monday, we’ll pick the team/player and feature them...
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Team Jeff vs. Team Spencer
Friendly Office Argument Turns Personal
By Spencer Wright
Dearest Readers,
As soon as I posted the Bud Black Ejection/Clayton Richard Balk, a vicious argument broke ou in our office before spilling onto the walls of our Facebook page. In one corner was Jeff Kamrath, accomplished college and professional pitcher, the defender of potentially illegal pickoff moves. In the other stood I, Spencer...
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The Mike Matheny Letter
Mike Matheny and the Role of Coaches and Parents in Youth Sports
By Spencer Wright
Current St. Louis Cardinals Manager Mike Matheny coached a youth team after he retired from playing baseball. He wrote a letter to the parents on his team detailing his expectations for their upcoming season. It was recently posted on the internet, and has generated quite a buzz around the youth baseball community...
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The Meaning of Clutch
Can A Player Be Clutch? And What Does That Mean?
by Spencer Wright
Clutch is perhaps the most overstated, yet simultaneously misunderstood, concept in baseball. It is called upon to explain both success and failure on the biggest stages of the game, from tee ball through the highest levels of the game. But what does it mean? Is a player “clutch” if he or she has a high batting average...
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The Value of Patience
How Many Runs is a Walk Worth?
By Spencer Wright
When the book Moneyball was published in 2003, it shared the ground-breaking insight that batting average was not nearly as important to scoring runs as on-base percentage (OBP). The reason? As much as hits are valuable, the ability to get on base in other ways, and therefore not get out, is extremely useful as well. And the very best players...
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The Masters and Sportsmanship
Why a Post-Game Handshake is the Most Important Gesture in Sports
by Spencer Wright
Congratulations to Bubba Watson on his win at the 2012 Masters Tournament. After Watson outlasted Louis Oosthuizen in a 2-hole sudden death playoff for the victory, he broke down hugging his caddy and mother on the green. It was certainly a touching moment for a popular player who had never won a Major before.
...
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Android Update and Device Requirements
GameChanger Version 2.2.6 is available now
by Spencer Wright
GameChanger Version 2.2.6 for Android makes scorekeeping easier than ever. We’ve updated graphics, improved responsiveness and performance, and fixed numerous bugs.
Download from the Android Market
Download from the Amazon Appstore.
Scorekeeping Updates:
New Pitch Menu and Scoreboard:
Pitch and runner feedback has been...
March 2012
2 posts
Buster Posey, Joe Mauer, and Blocking the Plate
Last May, San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey broke his leg and ankle when he was involved in a collision at home plate while trying to tag out an oncoming runner. As a result, Giants Manager Bruce Botchy has now advised Posey to not block the plate on close plays at the plate, in order to avoid any future injuries. Considering that catchers likely have the most grueling job of any position...
March Product Updates
Our Latest and Greatest
by Dane Menten-Weil (@gerousDane)
Just as the baseball / softball season (and the weather) is heating up, we’ve been gearing up at GameChanger to keep pace and have released a number of new updates in the last few weeks. Just to name a few new features and updates, we have:
Three new versions of the Android Scorekeeper App
Team popularity rankings
Player search
...
January 2012
2 posts
Pricing Made Simple
By Ted Sullivan
2011 was the first full year in which we offered Premium Upgrades for GameChanger fans and families. We have listened to your feedback, done our homework, and decided to improve the simplicity and fairness of the Premium offering in 2012.
Changes to the GameChanger Premium Offering
Beginning today, fans that choose to view Premium team content will purchase a Premium Upgrade to...
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The Ball Game, Thomas A. Edison - May 20, 1898
December 2011
2 posts
Casting Call!
We want you to star in our next marketing video.
by Jeff Kamrath & Sean Wheeler
The GameChanger Marketing Team loves featuring customers in our promotional videos (as you can see here). We’re creating another video this month, and we plan to feature GameChanger users and teams worldwide.
Our next project will be a “mashup” of video testimonials submitted by our...
6 tags
The Gift that Keeps on Giving
Prepay for all fans next season, discounted to $125 through Dec 31.
GameChanger is free for coaches and scorekeepers. As a Team Admin you get unlimited access to all GameChanger features at zero cost.
Our business is supported by parents and fans that subscribe to premium team content like live GameStream plays and recap stories.
Team Admins may prepay for their team community, making all...
November 2011
4 posts
How Much is Too Much?
Exploring the lines between passion, obsession, and addiction
Editors note: This is the first in a series of guest blog posts about parenting young athletes by Kim Brooks. Kim and her husband, Keith have 2 kids, including, Wesley - a 13 year old ballplayer - and Grayson - a 9 year old ballplayer. Both play competitive/elite travel ball and in recreational leagues. They live in Niceville, FL....
4 tags
Going Digital in Baseball & Softball
Utilize free tools to connect, develop and improve.
by Ted Sullivan & Jeff Kamrath (@GCSports)
Our Mission
To help enhance the amateur sports experience with special focus on coaching. We believe in providing coaches with simple yet powerful tools at no cost while saving you time.
Our Promise
Demonstrate how a few simple, free mobile and Internet tools can be leveraged to:
Improve...
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Android 2.0.4 is here
New features. Improved reliability.
by Sean Wheeler (@gcsports)
The goal of Version 2.0.4 was to add the features previously missing from the Android app, while increasing the usability, reliability and stability. As always, we welcome and appreciate your feedback. Download Version 2.0.4 now.
Android 2.0.4 is still in “beta” testing. There are some glitches we’re still ironing...
Apple Update Version 2.16
Fixing the Freeze
by Dane Menten-Weil (@GCSports)
Version 2.16 of the GameChanger scorekeeping app is available now. The release includes several bug fixes. But most importantly, Version 2.16 prevents the upgrade to iOS 5 from removing data from the device (data synced to the web is safe). Download Version 2.16 now.
Freezing App
In Version 2.15, the app occasionally freezes when users score a...
October 2011
7 posts
Changes to Premium Access
by Ted Sullivan (Co-Founder & CEO)
I’m writing to announce several significant changes to the GameChanger Premium Access product.
Beginning today, fans and parents that want to view team stats and game recap stories will be required to make a one-time purchase of Premium Access for that team’s season. Nothing changes for coaches and scorekeepers. Those Team Admins will continue...
4 tags
Enter to Win a Personal Batting Cage
Win a WheelHouse Batting Cage
by Sean Wheeler (@GCSports)
To kick off our partnership with Cages*Plus, the leader in portable hitting systems, we’re giving away a free WheelHouse Batting Cage.
How to enter:
Email at least 5 people, encouraging them to try GameChanger.
Copy WinACage@GameChanger.io on that email (so we see it).
GC staff will choose one message at random to win this FREE...
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September 2011
4 posts
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OTL: Banning Collisions From Youth Sports
Interesting piece from Dr. Robert Cantu and Peter Keating on Outside The Lines. What actions do you think should be take or will be taken?
4 tags
Outside Your Comfort Zone: Baseball Terms and... →
samflamont:
I was having a conversation with Jeff Opalewski who is the Pitching coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Central Michigan University. This happened while I was coaching with Jeff at CMU. One evening we got together and our wives had the pleasure of joining us this evening for an endless…
Privacy 2.0
New “Privacy” settings for team admins
By Dane Menten-Weil (@GCSports)
Today we’ve launched a major improvement and simplification to our stat privacy settings. The goal of these changes is to give GameChanger team admins simple tools for controlling who can view critical stats and spray charts. In addition, fans of teams with private stats will now have the ability to request...
Less Searching, More Finding
Connecting Users and Teams Faster
By Dane Menten-Weil (@GCSports)
Saving our users time - and headache - is what we strive to do everyday.
As the number of teams on GameChanger continues to grow, more and more teams of the same name are created every day. Searching for a common team name such as the Yankees will generate over 2,400 results. However, the new and improved Team Search takes all of...
August 2011
8 posts
4 tags
Help Your Team Win Free Open Access
First team to 348 fans wins
by Sean Wheeler (@gcsports)
The first game of a double-header between the Florida Marlins and Cincinnati Reds on August 23rd attracted “347 die-hard” fans.
Do you think your team has more fans than the 347 who showed up for Wednesday’s MLB game? Now is your chance to prove it.
The first team to reach 348 fans* will get free “Open...
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iPad Winners @ Cal Ripken WS
Weimar, TX Wins iPad with 343 Fans
by Jeff Kamrath (@HooRayJeff)
Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner
GameChanger would like to congratulate the team from Weimar, TX on winning the iPad Fan Contest during the Cal Ripken World Series (@CRWSAberdeen). With 343 fans when the final out was made late into the night on Friday, August 19th, the Southwest participants took home a 16GB iPad for their...
Every Game Has a Story
Auto-generated “Game Recaps” available within minutes of the final out.
by Sean Wheeler (@gcsports)
It’s Thursday night. You have an away game. You’re playing your rival at their place. They go up early, but your team storms back and holds on at the end for the win. Before you’re done with the post-game handshake, fans can read the Game Recap online.
Created in...
Scorekeeping App Update
Now even better usability
by Dane Menten-Weil (@gerousDane)
New In Version 2.15.1
Tutorial Slideshow (on launch)
New Pitch Button icon
Larger pitch menu
Highlighted scroll bar in pitch menu
New scoring flow for Bunts
New drop zones around bases for Out/Safe
Additional options for Batter/Offensive Interference
New Bunt scoring options include:
Sac Bunt Error
Bunt Pop Out
Bunt Foul
Bunt...
The Value of Free
Access a treasure trove of free content
By Sean Wheeler (@SSWheels85)
With Basic Access, fans can follow their favorite team(s) on GameChanger thanks to a plethora of free content.
By simply creating a GameChanger account and becoming a fan of your favorite team(s) you will have UNLIMITED access to the following features:
Live game scores
Game start & game end alerts
Post-game stats
Team...