Real-Time Data Sharing Possible?

[rustybucket]

Ok, here is the situation, is it possible? Or am I just dreaming?

When we score on paper, I have to keep my scorekeeper in the dugout and if I have a question or need to refer to the scoresheet I disrupt their scoring and inevitably they miss something. Plus they have to stay in the dugout where distractions are rampant. B/C of all this I am always hurried when looking at the scorebook, when I would rather take my time and analyze the data.

What I want to do....

I want my scorekeeper to sit in the scoring box and score the game on his iPad. I want to have my own iPad on the field for my own reference. I want the data he inputs in the scoring box to sync down to my device real-time. I will not score any on my device, but I want a carbon copy of what he is scoring.

I also want to be able to use my device to reference hit charts and scoring. I will not be inputting any data, just using it as a reference.

Is this possible?

[FTMSupport]

If both devices have a 3G connection, you could have him do an Options -> Export between innings, and you can use Data Sharing to pull the game to your device. You would need to delete the game each time just before pulling it over as Data Sharing will not transfer a game that already exists on your device. Here is a document that describes Data Sharing:

http://iscoresports.com/baseball/kb/faq ... _share.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[rustybucket]

Neither of our iPads are 3G, both wifi. What about the bluetooth sharing? How much distance will bluetooth cover?

So the most real-time data I can hope for is a share in-between innings?

Say we bluetooth share in-between innings, will the non-scoring iPad need to have the game deleted prior to sharing?

In a perfect world, I would be able to have a small network of iPads, all with the iScore app. There would be one designated as the 'master' or 'mother' ipad, this would be the scorekeepers iPad. Then coaches would have 'slave' iPads or 'children' iPads which would be fed data from the 'mother' or 'master' iPad in real-time, or every minute or so. The coaches would not have full functionality and would not be able to score anything or alter game data, they would just be able to look at it real-time.

The pitching coach, could watch the pitch count and locations and keep track to help his pitcher, he could see where the other teams batters were vulnerable as well. The hitting coach could watch what the other pitcher was working and help his batters adjust. The defensive coach could see each batters history as well as what they had done this game.

When you think about it, this sharing coupled with iScore's already amazingly awesome power puts an incredible amount of knowledge and power into a coaching staff's hands. I would think coaching staffs would eat this up!! I know I wouldn't mind paying extra for this 'coaching staff' functionality.

Keep up the great work team!! To me, this app is the best thing to hit baseball in a LONG TIME!!!

[FTMSupport]

Many of our users are lucky to have a single iPad for their team, much less one in the scorekeeper's hands + one in each coach's hands. Sounds like your team is very blessed.

What you are describing is really more of the "iScorecast". It is not likely we would be doing any of this type of functionality through blue tooth ... the range is just too limited. But the iScorecast will continue to be enhanced to provide more features, and could potentially be enhanced with some of the functionality you are asking for. iScorecasts are sent to viewers in real time --- pitch by pitch.

[rustybucket]

Many of our users are lucky to have a single iPad for their team, much less one in the scorekeeper's hands + one in each coach's hands. Sounds like your team is very blessed.

What you are describing is really more of the "iScorecast". It is not likely we would be doing any of this type of functionality through blue tooth ... the range is just too limited. But the iScorecast will continue to be enhanced to provide more features, and could potentially be enhanced with some of the functionality you are asking for. iScorecasts are sent to viewers in real time --- pitch by pitch.

You are correct, bluetooth wouldn't be enough to make it happen, just not enough range. The iPads we use aren't 'for the team', I am the coach and I use my personal iPad, our scorekeeper uses their personal iPad as well. We are gifted with a great group of parents and players, but we are FAR from financially gifted! lol.

We will stick with the bluetooth transfer between innings. Does the 'receiving' iPad need to delete the game before doing the bluetooth transfer?

If you could do an iScorecast-like data feed, that just feed data directly to the receiving iPad/iPhone...etc and update the receiver's database on the fly, it would EXACTLY solve my problem. I could use a verizon myfi and feed all our wifi iPads. Just a thought...

To me, your app has 'travelball' written all over it. With teams spending hundreds of dollars to play in tourney's I could definitely see a market for a 'coaching staff' version of your data feed, to feed multiple devices. I would purchase it in a heartbeat.

The GREAT thing about your app is that it is SOOOOO much more than just a scorebook. But if you restrict it to the hands of the scorekeeper during the game you are basically tying the apps hands.

The iScorecast is GREAT for parents/grandparents wanting to follow the game, but a data feed would be incredible for the coaches actually using/purchasing the app.

Please don't take me/my input the wrong way. I think the app as-is is incredible, but it just opens up a whole other world of possibilities.

[FTMSupport]

Yes, with the bluetooth transfer you would delete the game on the "receiving" side in order to transfer it again.

Thank you for the feedback.

[CSThunderCoach]

Not sure what your sanctioning organization your league is part of, but USSSA Rule 11, Sec 2: A coach, player, substitue, attendant or other bench personnel shall NOT

Item F: Use electronic communication, television monitoring or replay equipment for coaching purposes during the course of the game.
Item H: Be in possession of any object in the coach's box other than a scorebook, which shall be used for scorekeeping purposes only.

There is a similar rule for ASA as well, but I do not have my book with me right now.

I have been called on this a couple of times at tournaments. Some umpires will not allow iPads or other electronics anywhere in (and in some cases around) the dugouts.

If your scorekeep is behind home plate, you (as a coach) are not allowed to communicate with that person anyway.
Refrenced Rule above Item M: Enter the area behind the catcher while the opposing pitcher and catcher are in their positions. If you communicate during a game with your scorekeeper, they may be considered part of the "bench" and can be removed from the area.

All of this depends on the umpire in charge that game. I have found, the more you comment about the strike zone, the more rules they tend to enforce.

[rustybucket]

I'm not sure that, Item F above, would strictly rule out the iPad, Item H could possibly. It doesn't state that the scorebook can't be electronic.

From the rules you stated above it would seem like an iPad should be legal so long as you're only using it for scorekeeping.

We're in Dizzy Dean league this fall but will play USSSA games this spring/summer. I haven't read through the USSSA book yet, but will definitely verse myself in it prior to playing in that league.

[spmilb]

In an ASA tourney this summer, we had a very STRICT ump who (as he read his 4 pages of rule clarifications) stated that NO electronic devices were allowed on the field or in the dugout. When I asked if I could score with my iPad, he said "If it has a battery then it's electronic and NO you cannot use it!" per ASA rules!

Within minutes, I used my electronic device to pull up the PDF of the ASA Rulebook (2008 edition), searched for the word "electronic" and found the following in the Rules Supplement:

11: COMMUNICATION DEVICES: . . . Electronic scorebooks, however, are not considered a communication device and are legal for use by base coaches.

I (respectfully) showed him this and he ALLOWED IT!!

NOTE: It has been made clear to me by other UICs that the device can be used ONLY if does NOT "communicate" in ANY WAY, SHAPE or FORM!! I think even sending the score updates would be illegal for a device used ON THE FIELD!!