Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: Explaining Jeremy Lin's Early, Surprising Success

Large Print Score Books?

Has anyone seen any good score books that are good for the visually impaired?  My 6 yr old godson is visually impaired and loves baseball and the Cubs.  I'd love to teach him how to keep score, whether he's at the game or listening on the radio.  But most score books I've seen have print that is way too small for him to use.   I'd like to find one that is in a larger font.  If I can't I may just look for a PDF scoresheet somewhere and have one printed and bound myself.  Any recommendations on that would be welcome as well.

While I see fewer and fewer fans keeping score during games, I can't imagine experiencing baseball otherwise. 

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

Comment 11 comments  |  8 recs  | 

Do you like this story?

Comments

Display:

There are a few fans here that keep score with their own, homemade scorecards.

Wait a day or so and I’m sure you’ll get some comments about a .doc or .pdf that’s available and may be manipulated to a larger-print size. We also have a regular poster here that is visually impaired and she may be able to offer some help. Good luck!

Dan

"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks

by dtpollitt on Jul 6, 2009 9:00 PM CDT reply actions  

This is one of the main reasons I don't

keep score, myself. I can’t see pencil and all the score books I’ve manged to find are teeny tiny.

After a bit of googling, I’ve found freeware software that seems to all you to keep score via computer. That might be a good teaching mechanism while you continue to find a way to let him do it on paper.

Depending on how low your godson’s vision is that may or may not work. I’ll continue looking. Best of luck!!

Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas

by Allie on Jul 6, 2009 9:07 PM CDT reply actions  

Actually

Check this page out. Specifically the file: scdoc1.doc (under Word).

Its got really nice big boxes, at least on top. It might do as a template for you to make your own (which would probably be the best way, finding an off-the-shelf product will be very difficult).

Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas

by Allie on Jul 6, 2009 9:19 PM CDT up reply actions  

Excel Spreadsheet

I put together an EXCEL spreadsheet that does the job very nicely. If you get a little creative, you can come up with a very nice one. Personally, I love to keep score of the ball game regardless of where I am, Wrigley, Comerica, or elsewhere.

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. -- George Santayana (1863-1952)

by cubfred on Jul 6, 2009 9:34 PM CDT reply actions  

Email me Dave...

I think I can help you.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 6, 2009 11:20 PM CDT reply actions  

A couple of ideas/resources

I worked for twenty-five years in Special Education as a School Psychologist in Illinois.

The Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind would be an excellent resource to inquire about different largeprint materials options for your godson:

http://www.thechicagolighthouse.org/programs-and-services/educational-services/illinois-instructional-materials-center-iimc

The link above is for their Eduactioanl Services that houses the Illinois Instructional Materials Center (IIMC). All of their services are free, and this is a state-operated service that includes producing textbooks into large print.

Although a baseball scorecard is not exactly a text book (although I would argue that it SHOULD be!), there are many published scorecard books that you could checkout, and discuss with the IIMC to consider reproducing. One very good, complete, and age appropriate instructional scorecard book is sold by Dick’s Sporting Goods for $4.99; although the copyright is listed as B.P. Longo, 1996; SCORE RIGHT PUBLISHING CO., Phone: 1-800-969-6896.

This scorecard book is titled “SCORE RIGHT; BASEBALL/SOFTBALL SCORING BOOK”. It includes 16 batting positions for each scorecard per game, plus it is spiral bound, with “simplified scoring instructions”. The 60 scorecards are duplexed -printed back-to-back. This includes 29 duplexed scorecard pages, plus two scorecard pages that are duplexed to the initial scoring directions in the front; and a “Batting Averages” pre-calculated chart that displays computed batting averages data for number of hits (through 45) up to 89 total at bats.

A “Season Totals” page is also included in the back with ERA, Slugging Percentage, On Base Average, and Stolen Base Average computation formulas, plus a complete legend for all abbreviations; e.g., AB, H, R, RBI, ERA, etc.

This book was designed for non-professional groups, but would be an excellent published text to discuss with IIMC for reprinting. Since Dick’s Sporting Goods has their logo on the cover, they might also be interested in promoting the availability to individuals and groups, and supporting the IIMC in getting the publisher to assist with the large print edition needed for your grandson.

Be sure to have your grandson’s specific visual impairment information available to discuss his exact vision (print) needs when you contact the IIMC. His parent/s’, legal guradian’s consent will probably be needed to release his confidential medical information to the IIMC.

If you or your grandson are not residents of Illinois, I would be happy to help you with similar services available in your home state. The print (font size), as well as color and background are just a few of the variables that need to be considered for optimal large font reprinting, depending on your grandson’s specific type and degree of visual impairment.

A transition option would be to buy the book, and experiment with enlarging a scorecard page for effective use. I always recommend ultimately obtaining a professionally reproduced enlargement that will enhance your grandson’s effective use, enjoyment, and minimize any “stigma” associated with NOT having a professioanlly produced “genuine” scorecard book of his own!

One other option to explore would be to contact the Cubs Care organization, especially addressing this to the attention of Derrick Lee. He would probably be very supportive, becuase of his family’s personal history involving his daughter, Jada’s, rare vision condition. If you share the IIMC information with Cubs Care, this might assist them in getting things started.

Please keep me posted on your progress. I am approaching the Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind as a prospective graduate Psychology practicum/internship site for some of our students in the ABA Program at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (Chicago Campus).

Best wishes for a wonderfully supportive and educational project! Your grandson is very blessed to have you in his baseball corner and life!

Someday…

by GeneticCubsFan on Jul 7, 2009 12:54 AM CDT reply actions   2 recs

Lighthouse does great things

Really have had a great experience with them.

Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas

by Allie on Jul 7, 2009 2:54 PM CDT up reply actions  

Additional Contact Information Correction

The correct name and contact information for this outstanding organization is:

The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
1850 West Roosevelt Road
Chicago, IL 60608-1298
Tel: (312) 666-1331
Fax: (312) 243-8539
TDD: (312) 666-8874

The IIMC contact information:

Illinois Instructional Materials Center: Barbara Perkis (312) 997-3699

In the ’50s as a young boy, when I first attended games at Wrigley Field, I recall one particularly helpful cigar-smoking “oldtimer” fan, who shared his extensive knowledge and skills with my brother, cousin, and me to learn how to keep score correctly.

With a little practice and perfecting my skills, I always looked forward to the PA announcement at Wrigley by Pat Piper to “Get your pencils and scorecard ready for today’s lineup”!

I hope that the BCB community and my help is “paying it forward” for you and your godson!

Someday…

by GeneticCubsFan on Jul 7, 2009 1:19 AM CDT reply actions  

Ditto

Very impressive amount of information, thank you for helping to educate all of us.

If the world didn't suck we would all fall off.

by carolinacub on Jul 7, 2009 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions  

P.S.

reccomend this one folks. It should be required reading

If the world didn't suck we would all fall off.

by carolinacub on Jul 7, 2009 2:41 PM CDT up reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to Bleed Cubbie Blue, the Chicago Cubs blog for the SB Nation, created on February 9, 2005 by Al Yellon

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Small
Jazz Up Your Recs!
Img_0001_small
Value of Various Plate Approaches
284_small
Cubs' Fantasy Camp 2012 as seen by a Player's Wife
P7200073_small
Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp 2012

Recent FanPosts

Small
Arguably OT: Aussie Baseball Finals Go To Decisive Game Three
Small
New Cubs draft strategy player development
Jeffnewwork_small
What I Expect From The Cubs In 2012
Wrigley_scoreboard_small
What To Do With Alfonso Soriano
Small
A quick update from the 2012 concessions orientation
Caray_small
Is there any FA left worth going after?
Marvin_the_martian_small
Thoughts On Gerardo Concepcion: Trust The Scouts
Star_small
What if Hendry were still our GM instead of TheoJed?

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

FanShots

Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.

Recommended FanShots

Nice article about Ernie Banks
Yankees Hire Jim Hendry
Dale Sveum Meets Early Arrivals At Camp Buss

Recent FanShots

The Rickettsification of Wrigleyville has begun!
Marlins' Cespedes Offer 6 years, under $40M (MLBTR Link)
BCB Fantasy Baseball 2012
Former Cubs Blogger Interviewed on The Score
Cubs vs. Rangers In Las Vegas Tickets On Sale Monday 2/13
Hoyer driving to Spring Training with his dog
Hoyer-Soriano likely a Cub to start 2012, Garza extension talk a possibility
Law's Top 100 prospects
Ranking the Farm Systems
WGN Releases Season Schedule

+ New FanShot All FanShots >

Featured Poll

Poll
How many games will the Cubs win in 2012?

  290 votes | Results

It Is Only...

It Is Only...

Cubs By The Numbers

Cubs By The Numbers is a history of the ballclub by uniform number, but the biographies help trace the history of our beloved team in a new way. For everyone who's a Cubs fan, anyone who ever wore the uniform is like family. Cubs By The Numbers reintroduces readers to some of their long-lost ancestors, even ones they think they already know.

Click here to order your copy, available now!

Recent Stories in Ticket Exchanges


Managing Editor

Alyellontoppscard_small Al Yellon

Front Page Contributors

Primary_fc_small Josh Timmers

Marvin_the_martian_small Shawn Domagal-Goldman

Other Contributors

Dsc_0139_small David Sameshima

Toonmike_small Mike Bojanowski