Scoreboard

From Encyclopedia Jr, free information reference for Kids

A scoreboard is a large board for publicly displaying the score in a game or match. Most levels of sport from high school and above use at least one scoreboard for keeping score, measuring time, and displaying statistics. Scoreboards in the past used a mechanical clock and numeral cards to display the score. When a point was made, a person would put the appropriate digits on a hook. Most modern scoreboards use electromechanical or electronic means of displaying the score. In these, digits are often composed of large dot-matrix or seven-segment displays made of incandescent bulbs, LEDs, or electromechanical flip segments. An official or neutral person will operate the scoreboard, by a control panel.

One of the largest scoreboard manufacturers in the United States is Daktronics. Other top manufacturers include S'portable Scoreboards, Nevco, Fair-Play Scoreboards, Electro-Mech, Varsity, All American, Santech, and Spectrum. Prior to the 1980's most electronic scoreboards were actually electro-mechanical. They contained relays or stepper switches controlling digits consisting of incandescent light bulbs. Beginning in the 1980's, advances in solid state electronics permitted major improvements in scoreboard technology. High power transistors replaced mechanical relays, Light emitting diodes first replaced light bulbs for indoor scoreboards and as their brightness increased outdoor scoreboards. Light emitting diodes last many times as long as light bulbs, are not subject to breakage, and are much more efficient at converting electrical energy to light. Advances in large scale integrated circuits permitted the introduction of computer control. This also made it cost effective to send the signals that control the operation of the scoreboard either through the existing AC wires providing power to the scoreboard or through the air. Powerline modems permit the digital control signals to be sent over the AC power line. The most common method of sending digital data over power lines at rates less than 2400 bits per second is called frequency shift keying (FSK). Two frequencies represent binary 0 and 1. Radio transmission usually also sends data digitally. Until recently radio transmission was subject to short range and interference by other radio sources. A fairly recent technology called spread spectrum permits much more robust radio control of scoreboards. Spread spectrum, like the name implies, distributes the signal over a wide portion of the radio spectrum. This helps the signal resist interference which is usually confined to a narrow frequency band. S'portable Scoreboards is the innovator in wireless scoreboard technology.

[edit] Scoreboards in various sports

[edit] American football

In American football, the minimum thing that is usually displayed is the time and score of both teams. A typical high school scoreboard will additionally display the down, the yardage of the line of scrimmage, the yards to go until a first down, the team with the possession and the quarter. Higher levels will also include play clocks and the number of time outs left for each team. Football scoreboards may include a horn to signal the end of a quarter.

[edit] Basketball

A basketball scoreboard will at the minimum display the time left in the period and both team's scores. Most high school scoreboards also include a display of the number of team fouls, the number of the last player to commit a personal foul (with the total number of personal fouls for that player), the period, and indicators of which team has a bonus and possession. College basketball scoreboards include shot clocks and the number of time outs left for each team. Larger scoreboards include statistics on the players in the game. Basketball scoreboards almost always have a horn or buzzer to signal the end of a period, fouls, and substitutions.

[edit] Baseball

A large scoreboard used for Major League Baseball at Jacobs Field. This scoreboard is in full color and has a large video screen integrated.

For baseball the scoreboard will at the minimum show both team scores. In addition the number of balls, strikes and outs and the number of hit and errors are indicated. Larger scoreboards offer an inning-by-inning breakdown of the scores and the time of day.

[edit] Ice hockey

Hockey scoreboard in Helsinki Ice Hall.

An ice hockey scoreboard will at the minimum display the time left (in North America) or played (in Europe), the number of goals scored by each team as well as any penalties currently being served. Additional information such as shots on goal may be shown on smaller scoreboards located in the arena.

[edit] Track and field

In track and field there is usually an elapsed time display. Sometimes the team scores are displayed. Often in higher levels there is a variable message display next to each field event area that displays the standings and who is up next. Other indicators may show track side wind speed.

[edit] Soccer

A soccer scoreboard usually shows the score for the home and away team, as well as the current match time. A board displaying the current stoppage time is usually held up by one of the match officials towards the end of the first and second half.

[edit] Softball

Similar to baseball, a softball scoreboard will at the minimum show both team scores. In addition the number of balls, strikes and outs and the number of hit and errors are indicated. Scoreboard is also the name of a softball team in Dallas, Texas. The team plays in both coed and men's leagues, and is considered to be the best in the area. The star players on this team include Zachari Schueneman, Justin and Tamara Bates, James and Sara Jones, Christina Armstrong, Mike Arnold, and many more.

[edit] Wrestling

Wrestling scoreboards will display the team scores, the current match time, the match score, and the weight class.

[edit] External links

• Yesterday's news: An electric football scoreboard from 1908