Zero in Unplayed Half-Inning

[rockportjack]

In a previous post, I suggested that the box score at the top of the scoring page leave the square (at the top or the bottom half inning) blank until a run(s) is scored or the half inning has ended, at which time the runs or a zero would be inserted. The response from iScore Support was that other web sites insert zeros even before the half inning has ended, as does iScore. Several users and experts posted support for leaving a half inning blank until something happens. Nothing further so far. I'm still lobbying for blanks. I don't want to "beat a dead horse", but is there any chance of putting that on the change agenda? Thanks.

[FTMSupport]

As noted previously, we are following the lead of sites like ESPN that put in the zero immediately. Thank you for the suggestion.

[OhioTex]

MLB.com displays it as suggested w a gray box for half inning in progress not a. Zero.

[rockportjack]

Thanks for the support (again) OhioTex. You and several other users chimed in the first time I raised this issue - all in support. The official support folks basically said (again) "we've always done that way"....so why change?...ie with zeros appearing before play (my interpretation, not their exact words). They refer to the ESPN web site. Since iScore is owned?? / operated?? by ESPN, I guess they have to follow suit, notwithstanding that MLB grays the subject squares, and the scoreboard at every major league, minor league, or college game that I have ever seen does not post a zero until after the end of a non-scoring half inning. So I will quit beating this dead horse, but I think it is very clear that scoreboard keepers, iScore users (and MLB) think it makes more sense to post these squares as action takes place. Best wishes to all, and thanks for supporting a very good electronic scorekeeping system. I have used the major competing system, but I gradually migrated to iScore as the better system. However, I have recently taken another look at "the other guys" and I must say they're gaining on you iScore.

[mprusak]

I don't believe iScore has any current affiliation with ESPN (they previously had a partnership of some sort).

That said, I'm in favor of the OP's request, or at least some modified version where the current half inning is highlighted somehow. I have been confused by this as well. I consider it very minor though.

[OhioTex]

yes i am in support of the proposed enhancement b/c I am more familiar with the MLB style, but that is just my familiarity . .I also agree w Mark, not a top priority ..

Will add.. I am not part of iscoresports company,but I am in full support of iScore and realize they have to prioritize. i will also add they have demonstrated in the past "change friendly" there are many cases of "not how we do it" that have evolved to 'change' … at times to my HUGE surprise.. i never thought they would do xyz.. .. from my view they have been and are still very much a "best in class" customer centric group. . .@rockport jack. i appreciate your participation in the forum and being an iscore fan, (thanks). don't throw in the towel. I certainly hope this does not put you off permanently and you continue to 'remind' the developers as politely as you have.. but also appreciate the tradeoffs of time and resources for a 10$ app company . (as you have done / demonstrated to date) .

on the third point, I have used the other popular iOS app, and done compare and contrast articles, in same ways may be ahead and in some ways behind. . but there a few things I always come back to and find fundamentally different and in favor if iScore for any serious travel ball club (fast pitch or baseball)

1) iscore Service/response. customer support. best in class!
2) iscore users OWN their data, the 'other guy' does not .. they own the data and maintain on their server
3) iscore more secure / private if you want .. other guys leaves part public for any one to google.
4) iscore economics from end user perspective is more appealing
5) iscore supports android platform.

thanks again and hope to see you staying active on iscore.

[rockportjack]

I agree with Mark and OhioTex in every respect. This is NOT a big deal....I have made it a bigger deal than the issue deserves. It just seems obvious that a little change would make the app better. I will add a bit to OhioTex's list of advantages: iScore allows recording pitch location and color coded pitch type. This is useful as I watch my grandson try to improve pitch selection as a hitter. Also, the down-loadable rosters of MLB, MiLb, NCAA, etc for the modest fee of $20 / yr is big for me; roster / lineup / substitution management is much enhanced by this feature, which is unique to iScore (I have verified this). The routine scoring ..... out, in play, single, runners advancing, etc.....is a bit more user friendly on the competition, but OhioTex is absolutely right about support, and free iscorecast, etc. as well as the cost / benefit aspects of a $12 app. The promptness of the responses to my post today is an example of first class support....by expert users as well as the official support group. I'm sticking' with iScore. Unfortunately, the Junior College League where my grandson is headed has a scorekeeper who uses GC (sorry...needed to be a little specific). I have considered striking up an email conversation with the coach or the league about using iScore....cheaper and better in most respects, etc. And I will personally score some of the games.....not all; it's a 5 hour drive from Rockport to the Ft Worth area where he will play. So I will "follow" some games that the league guy is scoring (Following play by play will cost me $40 / yr). He should change over. Any ideas about how I can sell iScore to the coach / league would be appreciated. Thanks again to all. Cheers....

[FTMSupport]

It is not just ESPN. We just checked the live game casting on all the following sites, and they all show the 0 in the inning currently being played in the line score:

CBS Sports
Yahoo Sports
SI.com
ESPN
Fox Sports

MLB.com is the ONLY one that does not show the 0. They instead show a gray box in the current inning being played.

So we are very consistent with the majority of the internet in the way the line scores are displayed.

We may add highlighting of the current inning in a future update.

[FTMSupport]

Just one more small point... by showing the 0, you always know what inning it is. When not showing the 0, it is not as clear.

For example:


Visitor 0 0 2
Home 1 1

What inning is it? It could be the top of the 3rd, or it could be the bottom of the 3rd when 0 is not shown. By showing the 0, you immediately know looking at the line score what inning the game is in without needing additional information.

Showing an alternate background box can also make that more clear, so as noted, we may add that in a future update

[OhioTex]

Interesting MLB is the odd one out ..

I think support hit on the key point .. The gray box in MLB, showing what is the active half inning is what is nice about MLB approach. It is not about having a zero or blank but having a different color or gray box to indicate , the activve half inning