Fungo Media to Create Live Play-by-Play Apps for Little League Baseball
(SPORTS TECHNOLOGY)
Just a few years ago, New York City-based Fungo Media introduced its GameChanger technology, which allows fans to track the performances of their favorite amateur, high school and youth baseball and softball teams through an easy-to-use mobile application. More than 6,500 teams have been using GameChanger as their primary scorekeeping method since early 2009, Business Insider reports. Next spring, that number is sure to skyrocket.
The company announced earlier this week that it will partner with Little League International to bring its services to the world’s largest youth sports organization. Through the collaboration with Fungo Media, Little League International will launch two new applications next spring for the iPhone (News - Alert), iPad and iPod Touch.
The first app, called “Little League Baseball and Softball Scorekeeper Powered by GameChanger,” allows parents and team managers to document every play that happens on the field using simple drag-and-drop technology. The software automatically creates pages of statistics that can be viewed at any time. Users can download this app for free.
The second application, known as “Little League Live Powered by GameChanger,” is designed for fans that can’t make it to the game. Parents who download this paid app can stream live play-by-play updates that are generated by other users.
“We’re bringing technology to Little League that, until recently, was reserved strictly for big leaguers,” said Ted Sullivan, CEO of Fungo Media.
“This partnership marks an important shift in the way youth baseball teams manage their data, where fans anywhere can keep up with the action just by using their phones. Just ask any mom or dad—the live updates are priceless,” he added.
By partnering with Little League International, Fungo Media dramatically increases its ability to generate revenue. Last year alone, the organization sponsored more than 75,000 youth baseball and softball teams.
Beecher Tuttle is a Web Editor for TMCnet. He has extensive experience writing and editing for print publications and online news websites. He has specialized in a variety of industries, including health care technology, politics and education. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.
Edited by Tammy Wolf
