Scoreboard

[Andy]

I'm a qualified scorer and know how much there is to do. I often have to score the match on my own not knowing the opposition players at all. I get people to help with the scoreboard as it's too much when wickets fall or a new [unknown] bowler starts to bowl.

I've scored at quite a high level at grounds where 1st class has been played [e.g. Milton Keynes, old Hastings ground] and have always been given assistance with a scoreboard. It's vital that the score is accurate both on paper [or laptop] and on the scoreboard.

There you go. Has to be a solution somewhere here, especially if a few could rotate as Aztec's 'right-hand'. Either that or the club might look for an 'apprentice' - it's the sort of job small boys used to do (and frankly sounds like the average 11 year old 'nerd' could be very useful).

...and I know the morning spiel off by heart. "And to avoid possible accidents with heavy machinery....."

...wear sunscreen. And adopt the safety position.

[bwildered]

Surely only the Umpires should be contacting the scoreboard during the hours of play, has it is their responsablility that the score is correct .

[essexfan548]

Surely only the Umpires should be contacting the scoreboard during the hours of play, has it is their responsablility that the score is correct .

Indeed - the scorers are there to record and display the score - the umpires make sure its correct. No excuse for any other interruptions.

[Postman]

Of course people should not be phoning the scorer during play-and the scorer should not have to multi-task as scoreboard operator and announcer. And in the latter role he should not need to waste time and breath with interminable health and safety edicts. No other ground I have ever been to (and I've been to almost every current first class ground plus a few no longer in use) features these endless repetitions. For example, at Hove last week the announcer started the morning by telling us the times of lunch and tea and close of play, plus the locations of food and drink and first aid, and then shut up until lunch when he told us we were welcome to walk on the outfield as long as we kept off the square (no advice on how to avoid possible, or indeed impossible, accidents with heavy machinery etc etc): he does not bore everyone rigid with the rules about floodlights unless the lights actually come on.  I am not getting at our scorer who I'm sure is an excellent scorer, but that is where his role should begin and end. This is a straightforward case of management taking its eye off the ball (possibly because it is more used to a larger ball, rarely if ever put into its opponent's net at Portman Rd). Peter Edwards would never have allowed such a silly situation to develop. Sort it out before we become a laughing stock when some major scoreboard/scoring cockup appears live on TV.

[Andy]

Peter Edwards would never have allowed such a silly situation to develop. Sort it out before we become a laughing stock when some major scoreboard/scoring cockup appears live on TV.

Peter Edwards would have done much of the announcing and telephone handling.  Reckon it's the old chestnut of too many people swanning around looking busy whilst they've 'delegated' the hard work...

[jimmy]

I attended the second eleven T20 double header at the county ground today, the scoreboard was operated very swiftly. I'm sure there are fewer calls on a scorers attention at a game like this but that is in itself an indication that without so many distractions Mr Choat could focus on the duties that concern the spectators, namely scoring and operating the board. The spectator experience demands an effective up to date scoreboard or does this fall some way behind merchandising and food/drinks concessions ?

[Perov]

Was the second small scoreboard also working?
I went to a T/20  double header last season at Chelmsford, and the main scoreboard was much quicker than for first team games.
I asked the seconds scorer why it was quicker and he said because the small scoreboard was not  in operation that day, and when it is, it slows up the process to the main board.

[jimmy]

Second board was working