Blog | Sports, Tips and Events | GameChanger

Introducing GameChanger 3.0 for iPhone, iPod and iPad

Wed, 16 May 2012 18:51:00 -0400

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 you take the field with the new version on your device. The experience is much improved, but it will take a few minutes to get comfortable with some new navigation. Also, if you manage a lot of teams or have scheduled a lot of games, we recommend that you login and sync your app with our database one time on a fast WiFi network before heading to the field. Continue reading below for additional important information.

Please note: You’ll see more improvements soon. As always, let us know what you think.

First, here’s what hasn’t changed:

The core in-game scorekeeping functionality remains the same. You will still tap the pitchers mound to start at-bats, choose from the pitch menu, move fielders and advance runners in the same way that you have in previous versions.

What’s new?

A lot. There are several big changes to functionality plus countless small but noticeable improvements to the user experience.

Attend a free online demo for a deeper look at GameChanger 3.0.

Big changes include:

Combining fan experience into the scorekeeper app
New out-of-game navigation
Each team has it’s own page in the app

Combining fan experience into the scorekeeper app

We’ve combined fan features like searching for teams, following live games and viewing live stats into this version of the Scorekeeper app.

Some of these fan features were previously beta tested in the GC Live or Little League Live apps. Those apps are being discontinued as the fan and scorekeeper experience will be bundled into one app.

You’ll notice from the landing screen that users have two options:

“Keep score and manage stats”, OR;
“Follow teams and players”

No matter what path you take to get into the app, you can always experience the other features once inside.

Updated GameStream experience

You can see what teams you administer and what teams you follow as a fan by clicking on the “My Teams” icon within the app. More on your team list and other app navigation below.

All live or completed games listed on your Team “Overview” tab or in “Schedule / Results” will now have a “View Game” link. This link will take you to our new GameStream experience in the app. All team admins or fans with Premium accounts can see a field with defensive players and positions, follow live plays, view previous at-bat spray charts and game stats.

Please read this for more information on Premium purchases from within the app.

Here’s a tutorial for our new GameStream experience within GameChanger 3.0

New out-of-game navigation

When you enter the app for the first time, you’ll see an overlay screen that explains our new out-of-game navigation. You can tap anywhere to exit this screen.

Icons along the bottom of the screen (from left to right) will let you:

Access your team list (teams you administer and/or follow)
Search for new teams to follow
Add a new team for scorekeeping on GameChanger
Get help, including: viewing video tutorials, scoring a practice game, emailing support, hints and tips and your device’s connection status with our servers.
Manually refresh your teams and rosters to get the latest updates from our website.

Each team has it’s own “page”

Similar to the experience on the GameChanger website, each team that you manage as an admin or follow as a fan has it’s own “page” in the app.

You can easily jump from one team page to the next by either swiping the screen or pulling up your team list (the three bars at the bottom of the page) and jumping to a specific team.

Each team page or “card” includes an Overview, Schedule / Results view, and a Roster / Lineup view. Similar to the online experience, each of these views lets Team Admins manage their team outside of the game experience.

We recommend that all team admins and scorekeepers watch this tutorial about new Schedule & Result navigation and this tutorial about Roster & Lineup navigation.

Attend a free online demo for a deeper look at GameChanger 3.0.

Other Changes in GameChanger 3.0

You’ll notice several other smaller changes within the app including:

Sharing tools for admins and fans throughout the app allowing you to email your team information to other fans of your team
My Team and Opponent roster management outside the scorekeeping experience (video)
In-game lineup management, including the ability to sit a player but hold the lineup position for a new player and a more intuitive DH setting
Game menu with your settings can now be accessed by tapping anywhere on the scoreboard
New “Undo” buttons on the pitch menu and in the in-game Roster / Lineup tab
Easier runner resolution when scoring
Updates to graphics

GameChanger 3.0 Training

Wed, 16 May 2012 17:00:00 -0400

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, we are offering free online demonstrations to help new and experienced users get comfortable with all GameChanger has to offer. If you have a specific question about GameChanger, we’re here to help.

GameChanger is a free mobile scorekeeping application, with a stat management website for youth, high school and collegiate baseball and softball teams.

What’s New in GameChanger 3.0

Best suited for experienced GameChanger scorekeepers and fans!

Thu | May 17 | 3 - 4 PM ET | Sign Up Here
Thu | May 17 | 9 - 10 PM ET | Sign Up Here
Fri | May 18 | 1 - 2 PM ET | Sign Up Here
Fri | May 18 | 6 - 7 PM ET | Sign Up Here
Sat | May 19 | 12 - 1 PM ET | Sign Up Here
Mon | May 21 | 3 - 4 PM ET | Sign Up Here
Mon | May 21 | 7 - 8 PM ET | Sign Up Here
Tue | May 22 | 6 - 7 PM ET | Sign Up Here
Wed | May 23 | 11 AM - 12 PM ET | Sign Up Here
Thu | May 24 | 1 - 2 PM ET | Sign Up Here
Thu | May 24 | 10 - 11 PM ET | Sign Up Here

Introduction to GameChanger

Best suited for all new scorekeepers and fans!

Tue | May 01 | 9 - 10 PM ET | Sign Up Here
Tue | May 08 | 10 - 11 PM ET | Sign Up Here
Tue | May 15 | 7 - 8 PM ET | Sign Up Here
Tue | May 22 | 8 - 9 PM ET | Sign Up Here
Tue | May 29 | 9 - 10 PM ET | Sign Up Here
Tue | June 05 | 10 - 11 PM ET | Sign Up Here
Tue | June 12 | 7 - 8 PM ET | Sign Up Here
Tue | June 19 | 8 - 9 PM ET | Sign Up Here
Tue | June 26 | 9 - 10 PM ET | Sign Up Here
Tue | July 10 | 10 - 11 PM ET | Sign Up Here
Tue | July 17 | 7 - 8 PM ET | Sign Up Here
Tue | July 24 | 8 - 9 PM ET | Sign Up Here
Tue | July 31 | 9 - 910 PM ET | Sign Up Here

If you would like to set up a private demo for your scorekeepers, please contact us.

Video Tutorial Library

Don’t have time for a 45 minute demo? Step-by-step and specific task video tutorials are available online:

Download GameChanger

GameChanger for Apple
GameChanger for Android Marketplace
GameChanger for Amazon App Store

Little League® Scorekeeper

Little League® Scorekeeper for Apple
Little League® Scorekeeper for Android Marketplace
Little League® Scorekeeper for Amazon App Store

Specific questions? Visit http://help.gamechanger.io

Looking forward to the conversation,
The GameChanger Team

Getting Started and Team Setup

Stat Visibility and User Permissions

In-Game Scorekeeping

Post-Game Stats and Spray Charts

Building a FanBase

Fans

GameChanger Milestone: 1 MILLION Games Scored

Tue, 15 May 2012 19:32:00 -0400

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 prompts some reflection on the journey that preceded it. We’ve worked hard to bring coaches, parents, fans, and players the very best that we have to offer. But without your support, this landmark would not have been possible. We hope that we have helped make your seasons easier and more enjoyable.

However, we do not want to get caught up in looking backwards. Although we were happy to hit the 1 million game mark, we stopped for only the briefest of moments to reflect before getting back to work.

Because we are nowhere near finished. Across the company, each of us is working tirelessly on major new projects that will enhance your experience with GameChanger. Reaching 1 million games has only encouraged us to look forward to our next great milestones. We love that we are able to play a part in improving your amateur baseball experience and are excited for what lies ahead.

From all of us here at GameChanger, Thank You!

GameChanger Helps Your Team Win More Games

Tue, 15 May 2012 17:32:00 -0400

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 amazing:

Again, these are real games played by real teams, all using GameChanger. The correlation is undeniable: the more games a team uses GameChanger to score their game, the more likely they are to win their games.

GameChanger is designed to help you improve your team and player performance. That is why we included the 150+ stats that are available, as well as Spray Charts for individual players. Many of these stats are designed to help you understand the strengths and weaknesses of your team, allowing you to leverage your team skill in the best way possible. In addition, developmental stats, such as Quality-at-bats, First-Strike Percentage, Hard-hit balls, and Spray Charts, can be used to dramatically improve aspects of your players games.

All in all, we are not the story here. We did not win anything: your team did. But we are proud that GameChanger is another tool that you use to improve your team. And the results bear out that using GameChanger does help your team achieve its potential.

Teacher Recommendations & the College Process

Tue, 15 May 2012 15:06:00 -0400

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 applications?

This is one of those issues where students (and parents) sometimes over think things and let the tail the wag the dog. The most important test should always be ‘which teacher(s) knows me the best and can most accurately talk about my strengths and abilities as a student?’ This should be the starting point, and may be the only question many students need to ask themselves. If you’ve had positive, meaningful experiences with two teachers that are head-and-shoulders above the rest, you probably have your recommenders. However, if you’re still unsure and need some additional guidance – use the following “tie-breakers.”

Closer-in-time? If there are two great potential recommenders, one who taught you in tenth grade and another who taught you in eleventh grade, ask the latter for a letter of recommendation. College admissions officers are trying to read the tea leaves about the student you’ll be when in college, and they rely on teachers as a major window into that potential. Needless to say, who you are now means more than who you might have been in earlier years.
Course Diversity Helps. If you’re choosing from among several teachers, it is generally good to pair up two teachers from different academic disciplines. To whatever extent that you can show college admissions offices you don’t exhibit diligence in only one particular class in science class, but rather across the curriculum, it may be a helpful way to choose among potential recommenders.
It’s not only about the grade. It goes without saying that you’ll probably ask teachers in whose courses your performed well. That said, an A isn’t the only reason to ask a teacher to write a letter. As the College Admissions Insider points out here, sometimes a teacher who pushed you toward success through some adversity (and witnessed your positive response) can be the best person to share a complete perspective that admissions officers might appreciate.

Hopefully, this helps you hone in on a teacher or two you might ask for college letters either this spring, or next fall when school begins. Best of luck finishing up the year!

(John Bramlette is the Founder of Bramlette Consulting LLC, and education consulting firm that guides families through the college application and recruiting processes. John played baseball at Haverford College, and also serves as the Director of the Headfirst Honor Roll Camps, nationally-recognized recruiting events for high school baseball players with strong academics. Reach John at john@bramletteconsulting.com)

GameChanger of the Week: 5/14/12

Mon, 14 May 2012 17:28:13 -0400

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 stat-line’s I have ever seen:

4 games. 4 wins. 5 H. 2 ER. 28:1 Strikeout to Walk ratio. 1 No-hitter.

Not only did she have a no-no early in the tournament, but in the Championship Game Cierra had a no-hitter going into the final half-inning. Instead of sticking with her dominant arsenal in going for the glory of the no-hitter, Sierra listened to her coach, giving up two hits on a pitch that she was still experimenting with. Putting long-term development over personal glory is the definition of a GameChanger. Congratulations, Cierra!

Honorable Mentions:

Jake Fredrickson - Seattle Select 13U Purple - Tossed a Perfect Game. 5 IP, 8Ks. Dominant.

Will Roehl - Hinsdale LL Cardinals - 2H, 1 run, 1 rbi, 1 BB, 3 IP, 4 Ks. But more importantly, after getting drilled by a comebacker in the last inning, finished the game getting the last two outs in 4 pitches. #WillPower

Perfect Game 2012 Tournament HQ

Thu, 10 May 2012 17:27:00 -0400

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 Memorial Day Classic - 16U
WWBA West Memorial Day Classic - 18U

Follow Us Online

GameChanger website, Facebook and Twitter.
Perfect Game website, Facebook and Twitter.

Questions? Scorekeeping Errors?

Check out our Support Page complete with FAQs and videos designed for fans.

If you believe there have been any scorekeeping errors, please fill out this form so we can investigate. Perfect Game Fan Issues Form

2012 Perfect Game Tournaments

12U Events

BCS Finals

13U Events

Northeast Memorial Day Classic
BCS Finals

14U Events

WWBA West Memorial Day Classic
Northeast Memorial Day Classic
WWBA National Championship
BCS Finals
Perfect Game World Series

15U Events

East Cobb Invitational
WWBA National Championship
BCS Finals
Perfect Game World Series

16U Events

WWBA East Memorial Day Tournament
WWBA West Memorial Day Tournament
East Cobb Invitational
Northeast Father’s Day Invitational
WWBA National Championship
BCS Finals
Perfect Game World Series
Labor Day Classic

17U Events

WWBA National Championship
BCS Finals
Perfect Game World Series

18U Events

Underclass Events

EvoShield Underclass National Championship
WWBA Underclass World Championship

Upperclass Events

WWBA Northeast Qualifier #1
WWBA Northeast Qualifier #2
EvoShield Upperclass National Championship
South Qualifier
Florida Qualifier
WWBA World Championship

Other Events

Kernels Foundation Championship

Previous Events

2011 Perfect Game Tournaments

Jeff Kamrath: On the Long Toss Debate

Thu, 10 May 2012 11:19:00 -0400

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 also never try to cookie cut my youth pitchers by forcing them into my routine, but I do encourage them to find their own personal routine.

Let me first say, that I have only had positive experiences as a player and coach with long toss. BUT, being good at long toss has ZERO correlation to being a good pitcher. I DO believe, however, that if used properly can be a valuable TOOL for pitchers in developing efficient body mechanics and developing a comfortable rhythm to those mechanics.

Short personal history:

I long tossed in HS and early on in college, quit later in college and picked it up again halfway through pro ball. My [radar gun] velocity readings were always 2-3 MPH higher on average in season’s in which I long tossed than when I didn’t.

I also felt that my mechanics were in better rhythm and I walked fewer batters as a result.

Why long toss?

Long toss, for me, is not about release point as you have to throw a ball up to make it travel far. It is about incorporating your lower half to translate the power generated from your feet to your legs, hips and core which creates more hip/shoulder separation, more torque and allows that energy to release in the more efficient manner through your arm and follow through. I have always felt that long toss would help maximize the efficiency of those mechanics and therefore help develop arm speed.

In my experience, the rhythm I developed in the timing of that sequence of mechanical events was something I could directly translate to the mound and gave me confidence.

An important note: I NEVER long tossed for an entire session at 100% effort and usually would only make 5-15 throws with that level of effort. Instead, I would work on slowly developing the timing of my mechanics and make sure that as a I released the ball, my arm was accelerating vs. decelerating. I felt that my rhythm as a pitcher was built during the 1st half of a long toss session as I got my body loose and mechanics synced up.

Couple of tips for successful long toss:

Always throw to a specific target on your partner to train your brain to focus on a goal for every throw.

I always long tossed on a football field on the sideline for a few reasons:

The line was a perfect guide to work down to keep my mechanics under control
I had to control my body better to keep the ball on line
I could play with arm angles and see the result of the ball’s flight in relation to the line, especially when I haven’t picked up a ball for awhile and need to find my arm slot.
I could measure the distance I could throw a ball - Hint: I found that if I could throw a ball 100 yards in the air - I could consistently pitch at 90 MPH*
I never shuffle stepped or crow hopped. In my opinion, this is just too much movement to control and then create good rhythm. Furthermore, when I pitch, I am going from zero to full speed and I should practice the same way. Shuffling or crow hopping gives me forward momentum, a luxury I am not afforded on the mound. See cricket bowlers if you want to do this…

*This actually held true for other pitcher’s I would long toss with. Season’s in which I could consistently throw a ball 105-106 yards would typically be season’s in which I pitched in the 91-93 MPH range.

Post long toss:

After concluding a long toss session, I believe it is imperative to work back in slowly and get to a flat ground situation with a catcher to get your release point back to where it needs to be to throw downhill.

You also should make sure to get get some fresh oxygen to the muscles you just used.

FYI - Ice does prevent swelling, but it also slows blood flow to your muscles and muscles are only repaired with oxygen from increased blood flow. I recommend 20-30 minutes of interval cardio to raise and lower your heart rate, which will increase the blood flow to your arm. I would also recommending doing light arm care exercises for the same reason. Then, if you want to ice, do so, but make sure to ride a bike to keep the blood pumping.

How much long toss?

Only you can be the judge. LISTEN to your body and arm. Lighten your load if sore. Rest if in pain. In season, you might only need to long toss between every OTHER start as your game work should count towards a long toss session.

In the off-season, start slowly, but I’d say that if you are long tossing 3+ times per week, you should spend more time on the mound working on your command or secondary pitches.

New Feature: Opponent Roster Editing Online

Tue, 08 May 2012 13:29:00 -0400

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 see all previously scheduled opponents, as well as any roster information you put in the app. All this information can by edited, and will show up in the app. In addition, you can create opponent teams from this tab, which will show up as “Saved Opponents” when you schedule a game on the web.

*Important Note*

Created opponents will not show up as “Saved Opponents” in the GameChanger app if you have not scheduled a game on the web. Once you create an opponent team, please make sure to schedule a corresponding game on the website to prevent confusion down the line.

We think this is a great tool that will save a lot of time for busy coaches. We’re working on making additional improvements in the future, so please let us know what you think! Enjoy the rest of the season!

GameChanger of the Week: 5/7/12

Mon, 07 May 2012 17:02:00 -0400

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, before willingly giving up the mound to get another pitcher some work. Putting his team before his no-hitter is a GameChanging moment in my book.

Honorable Mentions:

Stingrays USSSA Pride 2002 10U: After being winless through the beginning of their season, these girls rallied to win their Tournament Division Championship 10-9 in their final at-bat. Congrats!

Trevor Keegan: 3-3, 2HRs, 8 RBI’s. Enough said.

Remember to get your submissions for next week into Gamechanger.Featured.Team@gmail.com!

First Post from Guest Writer John Bramlette

Sat, 05 May 2012 15:01:27 -0400

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 serves as the Director of the Headfirst Honor Roll Camps, nationally-recognized recruiting events for high school baseball players with strong academics.)

How Important Is High School Athletic Success in the College Recruiting Game?

By John Bramlette

Like anything else, it depends. Long story short: if you don’t have gaudy high school statistics or accolades to fill a resume, don’t worry - you can still be a college athlete. On-field success in high school can be great: it builds confidences, garners attention within your community, and leads to a positive team experience. So why don’t good high school stats get players recruited all by themselves?

There is huge variation in the level of competition in high school. These variations are most notably based on geography (it’s no accident that southern baseball and northern hockey are generally stronger than their counterparts), but can also stretch throughout local conferences and even programs. Due to these variations, high school stats alone aren’t a sufficient indicator of college-level ability. Stronger programs will have very talented players, college-level players, who can’t crack the starting lineup. By contrast, the best players on weaker teams may not be able to contribute at the college level. As a result, on-field performance can provide indicators, but college coaches are reluctant to rely too heavily on them in terms of drawing conclusions on players.

So what’s the lesson? If you have some nice numbers this spring - that’s great! Feel free to share them; but don’t expect that you’ll be recruiting by virtue of numbers alone. By the same token, if you haven’t had a great year or played as much as you like, all is not lost. College coaches are looking for talented, impactful players who can bolster their programs. If you can demonstrate that type of ability to a college coach, your high school athletic profile will be a secondary consideration.

Whatever you do - keep working hard and keep chasing those dreams.

(You can reach John at john@bramlettconsulting.com.)

Help your team win a batting cage

Fri, 04 May 2012 15:06:00 -0400

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 by 10 fans before noon EST on Wednesday, May 9th the team is entered to win a portable 50-foot Wheelhouse cage.
It’s totally free to become a fan.
The winning team will be chosen at random on Thursday, May 10th.

How to help your team win:

Send fans a link to your team,
Tell everyone to click the “FOLLOW” button in the top right corner of the team home page.
Send fans an invite from the home page.
Spread the word on Facebook and Twitter.

Small Print:

The cage will be delivered to the team admin who created the team on GameChanger.
All necessary materials for cage setup will be provided by GameChanger.
GameChanger reserves the right to confirm the authenticity of all fan email addresses.

Please share on Facebook and Twitter (@GCSports).

My Favorite Baseball Poem

Fri, 04 May 2012 10:08:00 -0400

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 out,
“Strike out the bum!”
Tears fill the boy’s eyes,
the game’s no longer fun.

Parents and spectators
with faces of stone;
Remember, he’s just a boy
who’s standing alone.

Please open your heart
and give him a break.
For it’s moments like this,
a great man you can make.

So keep this in mind,
if you hear someone forget.
He’s just a small boy
and not a man yet.

Player of the Week: Jacob Blaede

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:01:00 -0400

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 the 6th inning, with his team up just one, Blaede struck out the side for the victory.

Do you know how many Major League Players have struck out 15 in just 6 innings? Two. Randy Johnson and David Cone. And when the game was on the line, Jacob was able to continue working to finish off the game. So congratulations Jacob, you are the GameChanger of the week.

Honorable Mentions

Bay Area ShowStoppers: Down 6-0, the ShowStoppers scored 9 runs in the bottom of the 6th for the big comeback win.

Zach Lewis: 3-3 with a BB, 5 RBI’s, 3 runs, and a HR shy of the cycle. Also pitched two shutout innings.

We’re taking submissions for next week’s GameChanger Player/Team of the Week, so message us on Facebook or email us at gamechanger.featured.team@gmail.com to enter!

Coaching: More Than Teaching Skills

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:02:00 -0400

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 his letter: the importance of communicating to players how and why to enjoy the game they are playing.

From Rhoads:

Besides being a good teacher of a sport’s individual and team skills, the exceptional coach also teaches his or her players how to enjoy the game. This enjoyment comes from many sources, not the least of which is an appreciation for the values of the game—those intrinsic qualities that keep drawing a child back to playing a sport.

An exceptional coach both creates and recognizes moments to highlight these values. He or she may purposefully set up a competitive situation in practice, enabling players to meet and surpass some challenge—and in the process, to help evoke within them important character traits such as perseverance, selflessness, self-control, integrity, fairness, self-confidence and leadership. Practice drills can be more than simply a lesson on skill development. Fun drills and contests can also spark a child’s mind toward a richer experience in sports—one that is filled with passion, self-expression, creativity, and excellence.

Likewise, during a close, exciting contest, a coach may briefly pause and remind his or her players of the moment’s meaning. Or possibly the coach asks a question—like the one Marv Levy, former head coach of the Buffalo Bills famously posed to his football players, “Where would you rather be than right here, right now?” This type of coach invites his or her players to look deeper, beyond winning and external rewards—to also appreciate the intrinsic joy of playing the game.

Throughout practices and games in team sports, the exceptional coach also recognizes opportunities to create bonds of responsibility and caring between players as they pursue a shared team goal. Moments of team success and failure can strengthen these ties. Respect for the game (and all of its participants) is another essential lesson that must be conveyed.

And through all of the above, the exceptional coach inspires his or her players to be the best they can be. Under this coach’s tutelage, each player begins to see a possible path to success. Each player sees how he or she can contribute and be part of the team. Each player wants to learn more, both in organized activities and on his or her own.

(Jeffery Rhoads, Is Your Child’s Youth Coach a Good Teacher, on insideyouthsports.org, 4/24/12)

Rhoads does a good job explaining how and why coaches should teach an enjoyment of the game. Youth sports should create fond memories in players for the rest of their lives: it’s why we’re still involved with youth athletes everywhere. Not losing sight of this goal is important for any coach to keep in mind.

Profile: First Round NFL Draft Pick Brandon Weeden

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 19:50:00 -0400

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

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:44:33 -0400

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 on our facebook page. Let us know!

Team Jeff vs. Team Spencer

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:50:42 -0400

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 Wright, mega-uber-sports nerd extraordinaire, defender of the letter of the law. This is no joke, so do not take this disagreement lightly. There is actual bad blood here.

To recap, we were discussing this video in which Clayton Richard gets called for a balk. My argument was as follows:

Spencer

The official MLB rulebook states that: “At any time during the pitchers preliminary movements and until his natural pitching motion commits him to the pitch, he may throw to any base provided he steps directly towards such base before making the throw.” I believe Richard fails this rule in two ways: first, in moving towards home plate, he has committed to his natural pitching motion, and therefore must throw towards home plate; and second, he does not step directly towards first base, instead stepping half-way between first and home.

Simply because he was able to throw to first does not mean he has not started his natural pitching motion. Moreover, unlike a leg kick, which is legal if he still directly steps towards first base, moving towards home is a commitment to the pitch because he has started his pitching motion.

Jeff

(I’m paraphrasing but attempting to stay true to his arguments. Attempting.)

If Richard can control his body to still move towards first base, he has not committed to the pitch and can still attempt a pickoff. When he makes the throw, he obviously can still make a decision about whether to pitch or throw to first, and therefore cannot have committed his mechanics to the pitch. Spencer’s interpretation of the rule, as much as he wishes, does not allow for the leg kick as he claims, because a leg kick is a part of a natural pitching motion. But he’s clearly not calling the leg kick a balk.

Moreover, it is very unclear that he does not step towards first base. At best, it is a matter of perception, that is made inherently more vague by the natural of balk calls in general. This is not an unimportant point, because the wrong ump made the call on the balk: if he truly moved towards home and did not step towards first, it should have been the first base umpire (who did not even blink) not the home plate umpire, making the call. If the process in which the call was made was incorrect, it calls into question the call itself, especially given the difficulty of the call.

Anyway, after the dust began to settle and we were both left licking our respective wounds, we decided that we should do this more often. Why? Given the physical, emotional, and spiritual damage that we both suffered, it is a little unclear. But we think that it will be entertaining, engaging, and informative for everyone involved, which includes you, our loyal readers.

What does this mean? Every Friday, we are going to begin receiving suggestions for topics you want to hear us debate. We will then post a poll on Monday where you can vote on what you want to discuss with us on Tuesday.

See a play over the weekend that you thought was interesting? Tell us about it.

Got a video of a questionable MLB call? Send it to us.

Sabermetrics vs Traditional Scouting vs Developmental Stats? That’s in our wheelhouse.

Want to hear us debate the philosophical merits of different coaching philosophies? Bring it on.

Email us at jeffvspencer@gmail.com and give us a topic YOU what you want to talk about.

The Mike Matheny Letter

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:34:00 -0400

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 (*UPDATE: It appears the original letter was taken down, but can likely be found elsewhere on the internet by using a simple search*). We here at GameChanger put it on our Facebook and Twitter Pages and the response it generated was overwhelming: over 2,000 people clicked on the link and read the article from GC sites alone.

I certainly understand why this letter was such a hit. Matheny is spot on with most of what he says, and I think both parents and coaches can appreciate the passion and thought he puts into his coaching style. It is clear he wants what is best for his players, and he is not afraid to speak his mind when it comes to the right way to coach young athletes. Coaches can appreciate his view that parents should trust his decisions when it comes to playing time, positions, practices, etc. Parents can appreciate the goals he sets for himself as a coach: first, teaching players the right way to play the game; second, having a positive impact on them as youths; and third, doing all of this with class.

If I have one issue with his letter, it is only with one part that can be easily overlooked. Towards the end, Matheny recounts what he calls “one of the greatest lessons my father taught me,” which is that “my coach was always right… even when he was wrong.” While I certainly believe that any coach deserves respect and my fullest effort and attention, I do have a problem with this sentiment that the coach is always right. Because when a coach is wrong… they are still wrong.

I am not talking about playing time or batting order, but there are always instances of coaches who do things the wrong way. Coaches who are disrespectful, put themselves before the athletes, or set a bad example for their team are doing things the wrong way. Just as Matheny is asking parents and players to respect and trust his decisions, coaches need to earn that respect and trust by giving their best effort and coaching with respect as well. There is a mutual trust between coaches and parents that must exist, and both parties need to work hard for the betterment of young athletes. And at it’s core, it is this relationship that Matheny is asking his parents for: he is stating that he is going to work hard, and he expects parents to do the same.

In some sense, this letter says what everyone already knows about their role and involvement in their lives of young athletes. It is not a shocking revelation that some parents can be overbearing, put too much pressure on their kids, or complain too much about the coaches. Nor is it a bold position to say that coaches should put the development of athletes skills and character as their highest priority. But just because we have already heard what he is saying before does not mean we should not hear it again. For one cannot overstate the importance of his overall point: youth sports are primarily about the growth of the athlete. So thank you to Mike Matheny for keeping this fresh in our collective memories.

The Meaning of Clutch

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 12:00:39 -0400

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 with runners in scoring position? What if that same player has a terrible average in the late innings of a ball game?

People who are much better with numbers than I am have determined the “clutch” does not really exist (see here, here or here for examples). To paraphrase, most players see large variations in their “clutch” stats from year to year, and it is rare to find players who can consistently perform better in clutch situations. One study found that just two Major League players have been able to post better statistics in the clutch than in normal situations: Hall of Famer Paul Molitor and… defensive-minded shortstop Tony Fernandez. Apparently playing for the Blue Jays increases a player’s ability to be clutch.

I do believe that it is unlikely that players can raise their level of play when the degree of difficulty in a given situation is increased. But does that mean players cannot be clutch? I would argue no. We simply need to redefine clutch in a way that makes sense. Being clutch does not mean improving under pressure; it simply means maintaining one’s true talent level in clutch situations.

Although we do not see players who can consistently improve in the clutch, we can all think of examples of players who collapse under pressure. This intuitively makes sense, as players can fail for a variety of reasons. Being nervous, stressed, or psyching yourself out in high pressure situations will lead to a player being worse. Thus, being “clutch” just means the ability to stay cool under pressure, maintaining one’s natural level of play while others get nervous.

What does this mean for a young athlete? First, it redefines clutch as an achievable goal; a skill that can and should be improved upon. Second, the most important lesson is that failure in a, or even a few, late-game instances does not mean that they are “un-clutch,” even though it may feel that way. Baseball is a difficult game, filled with individual failures and successes throughout the entire game. Late inning performances should not be, and are not, inherently different. Preventing a failure from spilling over, making a player nervous the next time you are in the same situation, is the most important thing you can do as a coach or parent.

The best strategy I know of for keeping your cool? Develop a specific, progressive routine that you can focus on instead of the moment. Focus on repeating this before every pitch and every at-bat in every game. Then, once you do find yourself in a high-leverage situation, put all your energy into performing your specific routine, which will allow you to take your mind off the pressure. Because remember: your opponent is just as nervous as you are.

Blog | Sports, Tips and Events | GameChanger

Introducing GameChanger 3.0 for iPhone, iPod and iPad

GameChanger 3.0 to be released May 17.

IMPORTANT, TEAM ADMINS PLEASE READ:

First, here’s what hasn’t changed:

What’s new?

Big changes include:

Combining fan experience into the scorekeeper app

Updated GameStream experience

New out-of-game navigation

Each team has it’s own “page”

Other Changes in GameChanger 3.0

GameChanger 3.0 Training

Free online demos for our recent release

What’s New in GameChanger 3.0

Introduction to GameChanger

Video Tutorial Library

Download GameChanger

Little League® Scorekeeper

Getting Started and Team Setup

Stat Visibility and User Permissions

In-Game Scorekeeping

Post-Game Stats and Spray Charts

Building a FanBase

Fans

GameChanger Milestone: 1 MILLION Games Scored

GameChanger Helps Your Team Win More Games

The More Games You Score on GameChanger, the More Games You Win

Teacher Recommendations & the College Process

Second Post from Guest Writer John Bramlette on the College Application and Recruitment Process

GameChanger of the Week: 5/14/12

Honorable Mentions:

Perfect Game 2012 Tournament HQ

Upcoming Tournaments

WWBA East Memorial Day Classic - 16U

WWBA East Memorial Day Classic - 18U

WWBA West Memorial Day Classic - 14U

WWBA West Memorial Day Classic - 16U

WWBA West Memorial Day Classic - 18U

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Previous Events

Jeff Kamrath: On the Long Toss Debate

New Feature: Opponent Roster Editing Online

GameChanger of the Week: 5/7/12

Honorable Mentions:

First Post from Guest Writer John Bramlette

How Important Is High School Athletic Success in the College Recruiting Game?

Help your team win a batting cage

We’re giving away a cage on Wednesday, May 9.

How the contest works:

How to help your team win:

Small Print:

My Favorite Baseball Poem

Player of the Week: Jacob Blaede

Honorable Mentions

Coaching: More Than Teaching Skills

Further thoughts on the Mike Matheny and the goal of Coaching

Profile: First Round NFL Draft Pick Brandon Weeden

Check out his HS Baseball Profile on Perfect Game!

Nominate a Team/Player of the Weekend

We Need Your Help

Team Jeff vs. Team Spencer

Friendly Office Argument Turns Personal

Spencer

Jeff

The Mike Matheny Letter

Mike Matheny and the Role of Coaches and Parents in Youth Sports

The Meaning of Clutch