electronic scorebook

[kchamp]

Under Federation rules, are electronic scorebooks disallowed in the dugout?

In the past 2 years I've seen laptops and now handheld PDAs with scorekeeping software used just outside the dugout by parents or assistants to coaches. I don't see an advantage over the paper scorebook during the game, except quicker access to past game data on players. They are great on compiling stats after the games.

Going further, are they allowed in a) dugout, b) just outside dugout, c) in scorekeepers box, d) coaches box on the field.

The only reference I've found toward electronic devices is 3-3-1m. "A coach, player, substitute, attendant or other bench personnel shall not: use electronic communication, television monitoring or replay equipment for coaching purposes during the course of the game."

[ChrisB]

Last night we had a District Fed Clinic, and the presenter was adamant that the only things the coach is allowed to have in the coaches box is a pencil and a scorebook, no pagers, phones etc... to be left in the dugout.

[WestMichBlue]

Originally Posted by ChrisB

Last night we had a District Fed Clinic, and the presenter was adamant that the only things the coach is allowed to have in the coaches box is a pencil and a scorebook, no pagers, phones etc... to be left in the dugout.

Tell your presenter to read the da_mn book! Personal opinions don't belong in a clinic.

NFHS does not prohibit electronic scoring devices in dugout or in the coaches box. If the 1B coach wants to carry her notebook with her on the field, she is legal.

Communication devices (ie., cell phones) cannot be used for coaching purposes. (So no text messaging from the stands to the dugout or to the field during the game.) Normally we tell coaches to leave their cell phones in the dugout - BUT there is no rule to support that. They can have them; they just can't be used for coaching.

However, if I am in A position I don't know what the 3B coach is seeing when he is looking at his cell phone. Is it a missed messge from his wife? Or a text message from an assistant in the stands stealing signals? That is why we ask them to leave the phones behind.

WMB

[Roger Greene]

If it is only used for scorekeeping purposes I don't think it would be a violation. However if it was being used in some way to communicate with others or for some type of "coaching purpose" it would be in violation. If it was being used to retrieve stats for making coaching decisions, then it would be in violation, in my opinion.

If it were determined that it was being used for scorekeeping purposes only, then it would probably be a safty decision on allowing its use in the coaching box, and probably up to the association or UIC for the particular game.

All team personell are supposed to be in the dugout during a Fed game, but adult scorekeepers in my area are often allowed to be behind the fence next to their dugout. That makes it easier for the umpire to confirm the score between innings and keep them on the same page.

Roger Greene,
Member UT

[Skahtboi]

Since this is the time of year when the boards are slow, I have been revisting some of the old posts just for fun. I was wondering, on this thread, how have the years and the prevalence of PDA's...etc. affected how you think about this?

[MNBlue]

I have only witnessed one assistant coach use an electronic scoring device (a PDA in this case). She stays in the bench area and uses it as a score book.

If it were to be used to look up past stats, how would that be a violation? If she had a paper scorebook, she could do the same thing. As long as it doesn't violate 3-3-1m , I don't see any problem with it.

[Scooby]

The problem is how do you know if she is keeping score or texting someone?

[Mountaineer]

Originally Posted by Scooby

The problem is how do you know if she is keeping score or texing someone?

Same with a PDA . . . I can send messages to other PDA's and if there's a wireless network in the area I can access internet. You can't know that.