This season, pitchers in the Virginia High School League (VHSL) were not allowed to throw more than 110 pitches in a single outing. Given the new restrictions, the VHSL mandated that all teams use the GameChanger app. Available to iOS and Android users, the app aims to make keeping track of every pitch, and other advanced stats, very simple.
Along with pitch counts, more than 150 stats can be tracked in the app. GameChanger automatically updates stat totals so that players’ progress can be followed with ease.
“It’s been seamless,” VHSL Assistant Director of Athletics Shawn Knight told Nova Baseball Magazine. “We were able to get the information out about how to get teams on the system, and initial concerns about Wi-Fi were alleviated because you obviously don’t need that for the application.”
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The transition from the old rule that determined pitchers’ rest based on the number of innings thrown has been streamlined with GameChanger. It doesn’t make the lives of coaches any harder either as all game data is immediately sent to the VHSL via the app. This way the league, which has its state championships concluding this week, can quickly determine if there’s been a violation.
If a coach wishes to monitor a pitcher closely, the app can be set up to notify when a certain number of pitches have been thrown. There are also plenty of other benefits for coaches.
“I’m loving GameChanger,” Langley coach Kevin Healy told Nova Baseball Magazine. “Out of old habits, I still have my clicker I use in-game and carry around with me. But you can see where the other team’s guy is — it streamlines in-game decisions and where you used to have to do all the charting and reference those.”
Along with metrics, the system acts as a communication tool for parents, coaches and athletes. Messages detailing important information can be sent and games can be followed live, similar to a professional game.