The "Steve...'The GameChanger' Man" Story

It was an ordinary day.  That was until game time!  We were all gathered 'round the supper table in our rental in Ocean City, New Jersey, eating smoked pork sandwiches and roasting ears (corn-on-the-cob for those that have never heard of roasting ears) that our son-in-law Dave had prepared for our evening meal when my daughter, Brynn, said, "You know it just about six o'clock!"  

That meant it was time to turn on "Game- Changer" and listen and watch my grandson Caden's baseball game on my cellphone.  A few months ago I wrote another story about sitting in a restaurant high atop a hill on the island of St. Martin eating pizza and watching my grandson's baseball game with the owner of the restaurant.  He had some knowledge of the game of baseball, but found it fascinating to be able to watch the game on my phone while Carol and I ate dinner in his restaurant.  

Steve entering the last pitch into his phone.

So what exactly is "GameChanger" and how does it work.  To tell you the truth, I'm not totally sure what to tell you!  "GameChanger" is a mobile app and website that provides scorekeeping, stats, Live GameStreams and recap stories to thousands of baseball, softball and basketball teams and their fans.  "GameChanger" has over 60,000 active scoring teams in those sports in every age group.  My grandson is 14 years old and plays baseball in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in a county league that has over 20 other teams.  And...if I'm not able to physically be sitting along the foul line, I can still watch his game on my cellphone.  Unbelievable!  And...I love it!  Tonight another part of my family is cheering for Caden and his Mountville Angels team as they play the 3rd game of the best of 3 games to see who will enter Lancaster County's LNP New Era Baseball Tournament.  

At the end of the game the final result
appears on the screen.

The tournament is the culmination to the baseball season for many youth in the county and is sponsored by the Lancaster Newspaper.  I played in the tournament as a youngster, my oldest son played in it and my youngest son, whose team I coached, won the tournament in the Midget division, when he was 15 years old.  We all got nylon jackets for winning and a trip to see the Philadelphia Phillies as our reward for winning.  Well, the "GameChanger" screen appeared on my phone and everyone around the dinner table gasped as the team from nearby Donegal took a two-run lead after the first inning. We were home team and in the bottom of the 2nd, Caden came to bat and walked his first time up.  I should tell you that you can't see actual people on the phone screen, but a representation of the field with green grass and dirt basepaths.  All player's names are shown at the base they may be playing or in the outfield, pitcher's mound or catcher.  The batter's name appears at home plate when they are at bat.  As each pitch is thrown, a strike, ball or hit is shown on the screen.  If the pitch resulted in a hit, the base to which the batter reached will show the batters name.  Now...how does all this work?  In the case of the game we are watching, Steve, the father of one of the players, is holding his phone in his hand and must enter each play as it unfolds during the game.  Every pitch is counted and that number is listed under the name of the player who is pitching.  Every ball and strike is listed be it a "called" strike or a "swinging strike".  As baserunners begin to reach base, their movements are shown on the screen.  If a ball is hit by the batter to the infield or outfield, a dotted line goes in the direction of the hit ball.  Then on the screen appears the result such as "Double", "Triple" or even Hit-By-Pitch if that happens to be the case.  Steve must touch his phone screen on every pitch with the information so we, sitting half-way around the world or a few miles away can watch the game.  

Team photo after the game had ended.  Scoreboard result shows their win.  My grandson is directly under the #2 on the bottom of the scoreboard.

Tonight we cheered Caden to victory as he scored two of the six runs for his team as they won 6-2 and advanced to the New Era Tournament.  So, just how does "GameChanger" work?  The app is free for coaches, scorekeepers and team administrators as well as family of those who are associated with the team.  The company that has the website charges for others who want to watch as well as if you want box scores, season stats, recap stories and in-game alerts.  The site was launched in 2010 by co-founders Ted Sullivan and Kiril Savino.  I want to personally thank them for allowing me to follow my grandson's games even if I can not be in attendance.  And, I also want to thank Steve for taking the initiative and time to stand next to the dugout and record every pitch and the results of what happens during the game.  He is a busy man and must record everything from each pitch to changing the names on the screen as some players leave the game and others take their place.  An amazing app that allows a Tampaw, which is what my grandkids call me, a chance to relive his youth and coaching days all over again.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

PS - This story was written two days ago after the game, described above, was played.  Last evening the Mountville Angels team defeated Ephrata in the first round of the Lancaster New Era Tournament to advance to the next round that will be held tonight.  I will eventually post another story telling of the results of the tournament.