Palm PC news

THE Leeton District Cricket Association is entering a new age this season with the introduction of computerised scoring.
From the opening round on Saturday, all A grade games will use the Palm Pilot scoring system and one manual score book.
B and C grade were given the option of using the system and the majority of teams have taken up the challenge.
The Palm Pilot system has been used by the Griffith association for a number of years with success, but LDCA treasurer and recording officer Col Tuckett said Leeton had never looked at implementing it until now.
“I’ve known about it for a couple of years,” he said.
“Griffith is looking at its fourth year now. It has not been brought up before, not in our association, but Griffith highly recommends it.”
The new scoring will be done sing P-cricket software loaded onto a Palm Pilot, with all LDCA teams and most player names saved in the software.
Using a stylus, each ball is scored depending on what has happened on the field of play.
At the end of the game, the Pilot is connected to a PC and the data transferred. The CricketStats software on the PC interprets the data and generates match reports as well as allowing the compilation and uploading of statistics in seconds.
Tuckett said there are three benefits of using the system – it is easier to score during the game; it makes the job of the recording officer easier; and it makes submission of reports for publication in The Irrigator easier and legible.
The software can generate run rate per over graphs, wagonwheels of batting patterns and run rate required in the second innings, among other configurations.
“It doesn’t remove all errors but it will negate some,” Tuckett said.
“This year there will be issues that will come up.
“A grade has to use (the new system) and for B and C it was optional, but most have taken up the option.
“I thought there’d be some clubs that would jump at it and others that would be reluctant. I think there’s some guys still reluctant.
“It is one entry (per ball), where before the scorer had to do the batting, the running total and then the bowler.”
Another bonus is encouraging younger players to take on the responsibility of scoring games.
“I think it will get more young people scoring,” Tuckett said.
“The problem will be when you have the book and the Pilot as to who will do the book.”

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