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SOFTBALL.DOC
Softball Coach
Version 3.0
August 1990
The Software Construction Co.
P.O. Box 160
North Billerica, MA 01862
(C) Copyright 1989, 1990 The Software Construction Co.,
All Rights Reserved.
1. Introduction 1
2. Getting Started 3
3. Using Menus 4
3.1 Return Key 4
3.2 Escape Key 4
3.3 Cursor Control Keys 4
3.4 Mouse Support 4
4. Options 5
4.1 MONITOR 5
4.2 CO.<function-key> 5
5. Errors 7
6. Files 8
6.1 Database Files 8
6.2 Options File 8
7. Menus 9
7.1 Main menu 9
7.1.1 Edit Data 9
7.1.1.1 Add a new player 9
7.1.1.2 Edit an existing player 10
7.1.1.3 Delete a player 11
7.1.1.4 Add a new game 11
7.1.1.5 Editing a game 11
7.1.1.6 Delete a game 11
7.1.2 Read Database 12
7.1.3 Write Database 12
7.1.4 Clear Memory 12
7.1.5 Batting Order 13
7.1.5.1 Select Roster 15
7.1.5.2 Select Criterion 15
7.1.5.3 Display Order 16
7.1.6 Reports 16
7.1.6.1 Run Report 16
7.1.6.2 Choose Order 17
7.1.6.3 Filter Players 17
7.1.7 Merge a database 17
8. User Supported Software 19
9. Bug Reports 21
10. Known Problems/Limitations 22
Appendices 23
A. Statistics Definitions 23
1. At Bats 23
2. Batting Average 23
3. Doubles 23
4. Game Winning RBIs 23
5. Games 23
6. Hit by Pitch 23
7. Hits 24
8. Home Runs 24
9. On Base Average 24
10. Runs Batted In 24
11. Runs 24
12. Sacrifices 24
13. Slugging Percentage 24
14. Stolen Bases 24
15. Strike Outs 25
16. Triples 25
17. Walks 25
B. Program History 26
Softball Coach Version 3.0
1. Introduction
As you are reading this, you must have some interest in
softball or baseball. This program will be of use for either
sport because the statistical record keeping is much the same
for both sports. Having said that, we must add, however,
that this program was initially developed to maintain the
statistics for the coach of a softball team, which might
explain some of its emphasis on offense rather than defense.
Softball Coach is intended to aid a softball coach in many
areas of managing the statistics of a team. It is
particularly good at maintaining individual statistics during
a softball season.
Softball Coach can also be used by an individual player to
keep track of statistics across multiple seasons. This is
easily accomplished by treating each season as if it were a
player. In this way, a player's "career" can be examined at
a glance by looking at team statistics.
Below is a list of statistics this version of Softball Coach
knows about. Those with an * before them are calculated from
other statistics entered and cannot be changed except by
changing the statistics upon which they are based. The
symbol following (if any) in parentheses is the abreviation
used in reports. See Appendix A for a description of these
statistics and how they are calculated.
At Bats (AB)
*Batting Average (Avg)
Doubles (2B)
Game Winning RBIs (GWR)
Games (G)
Hits
Hit by Pitch (HP)
Home Runs (HR)
*On Base Average (OBA)
Runs
Runs Batted In (RBI)
Sacrifices (SAC)
*Slugging Percentage (SLG)
Stolen bases (SB)
Strike Outs (SO)
Triples (3B)
Walks (BB)
Softball Coach is designed to run on MS-DOS [1] machines. It
1. MS-DOS is a registered trademark of Microsoft
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Softball Coach Version 3.0
requires version 2.0 or greater to operate correctly.
Softball Coach performs quite adequately from a floppy drive,
but as with nearly all programs, better performance can be
had if run from a hard disk.
Softball Coach has mouse support built in but has no support
at this time for a floating point coprocessor.
Corporation.
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Softball Coach Version 3.0
2. Getting Started
Before running the program for the first time, it is a good
idea to make a backup of the original program disk. Yes, we
know that EVERY program you have ever used says to make a
backup before you use it. We also know that most of you
ignore that advice. We would like you to know that this
advice is not given because we have stock in diskette
companies (we don't even know what brand of diskettes you
might use). It is given as good, friendly, advice that is
intended to possibly save you potential trouble.
We believe you know how to make a backup. So, we won't
describe how. If you need help, read the DISKCOPY entry in
your DOS manual.
Now that you've made the backup, you'd probably like to know
how to use this masterpiece we've slaved over (and we hope it
shows).
The format of the command line is:
softball [<database-name>]
<database-name> is the optional database name to load
(You'll be able to load a database
from within Softball Coach regardless
of whether you specify this parameter
or not.)
The title screen is displayed first. Type any character to
remove the title screen from your display and begin the
program. If a database name was specified on the command
line, it will be loaded. If you'd like to exit back to DOS
without entering the program, use the escape key (Esc on your
keyboard).
The initial screen has two parts. In the upper left hand
corner is the main menu. In it, you will see selections to
read and write databases, print reports, etc. Across the
bottom of the screen is another window which is used to
display various values (such as the name of the database
which is loaded) during the running of the program.
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Softball Coach Version 3.0
3. Using Menus
3.1 Return Key
The return key saves any data you may have just entered. To
exit the menu without saving, use the escape key (described
in section 3.2).
3.2 Escape Key
The escape key (Esc on your keyboard) is designed to get you
out of each menu without saving. Any data you may have
changed just before striking this key will be lost. To save
the data you may have just entered, use the return key
(described in section 3.1).
3.3 Cursor Control Keys
The cursor control keys let you select a different choice
from the current menu. To select the highlighted choice,
press return (described in section 3.1). To exit the menu
without saving, press the escape key (described in section
3.2).
3.4 Mouse Support
Softball Coach is designed to work with any
Microsoft [1], Mouse Systems [2], LOGITECH [3], or
compatible mouse. Mouse movement will move the highlighted
choice within the menu. To select the choice, use the left
mouse button (or use return on the keyboard). Exiting a menu
without saving works the same as with the cursor control keys
(use the escape key).
1. Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft
Corporation.
2. Mouse Systems is a trademark of MSC Technologies, Inc.
3. LOGITECH is a trademark of LOGITECH, Inc.
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Softball Coach Version 3.0
4. Options
Softball Coach can be configured to make the program better
match your hardware or your tastes. The way this is
accomplished is through a file named SOFTBALL.CFG. Each line
in this file must either start with a #, which indicates a
comment line (i.e. will be ignored), or be of the form
<option> = <value>
The values for <option> and <value> that are currently
supported are described below. The default value, if there
is one, is listed in ()'s after the option name.
4.1 MONITOR (MONO)
This option allows you to configure the program to match the
monitor attached to your machine. Valid values are MONO (for
monochrome) and COLOR. Note that red windows are reserved
for error conditions. The other window colors are randomly
selected as each window needs to be created.
If you choose MONO and have a color monitor, you will see all
menus in black and white.
If you choose COLOR and have a color monitor, you may get
various results depending on your monitor and display
adapter. Some monitors will display various shades, or
intensities. Others will display purely monochrome output.
You may notice that some of the window titles appear to be
missing in this situation. Others, still, may generate
errors or cause the program to fail. We haven't encountered
this problem, but we suppose it IS possible. Simply alter
the file to reflect the other type of monitor and start the
program over.
4.2 CO.<function-key>
This set of options allow you to configure the default
settings in the Select Criterion menu option (see section
7.1.4.2) and Choose Order menu option (see section 7.1.5.2).
<function-key> can be f1, f2, f3, f4, or f5. Valid values
are:
at-bats
batting-average
doubles
game-winning-rbis
games
hit-by-pitch
hits
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Softball Coach Version 3.0
home_runs
on-base-average
runs
runs-batted-in
sacrifices
slugging-percentage
stolen-bases
strike-outs
triples
walks
This set of options will make more sense after running
through the program a few times. As distributed by us, the
configuration file contains a sample set of values. For now
either ignore them or delete them from the file completely.
(Placing a # in front of the line is a good way of having
your cake and eating it too. They will be ignored by
Softball Coach but can easily be retrieved if necessary.)
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Softball Coach Version 3.0
5. Errors
Softball Coach displays a separate window to describe any
error condition which may arise. This window appear red on
those monitors which can display color if the MONITOR option
has the value COLOR. Note, only errors will appear in a red
window. The other window's colors will be selected at random
at the time that window is created.
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Softball Coach Version 3.0
6. Files
Softball Coach uses several kinds of files in the course of
its operation. We list them here so that you may decide
whether you need to keep these files on your disk. Be aware
that some of these files may only be manipulated by Softball
Coach. Any attempt to alter the contents may make the
program behave oddly (in the very least!).
If you are interested in writing a utility which may read any
of these files, contact us. We'll be happy to send you the
format.
6.1 Database Files
Any file in your directory with a .SBL extension will be
treated as a database file by Softball Coach. You may quite
effectively hide a database from the program by changing this
extension.
6.2 Options File
SOFTBALL.CFG contains information needed to set the various
options within the program. See section 4 for details about
how to manipulate this file.
Don't worry if you don't have a configuration file. Softball
Coach will choose default values for options that will work
in any situation.
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Softball Coach Version 3.0
7. Menus
This section describes each of the menus that you may
encounter and what they attempt to accomplish.
7.1 Main menu
The main menu gives the following choices:
7.1.1 Edit Data
This function allows you to manipulate player and/or game
data. The editing menu gives the following choices:
7.1.1.1 Add a new player
This selection guides the user through adding a new player
record to the database. This new record may be a new team
member if the database is to contain a team's data for a
particular season or a particular season for one player if
the database is to contain a player's data across multiple
seasons.
You will be prompted for the player's name (it can be a
season name if you are keeping career statistics for one
player). This name can be anything you can type in (e.g. You
can maintain your team as full names or initials or it could
be a year {1989} if you are maintaining career statistics for
a single player). Once the data structures are created for
that player, a window will be created with all the default
settings for this player. You can edit them for any initial
values you like.
The following keys have meanings in this window:
+ Increase the value of the statistic to which the
cursor points by 1.
- Decrease the value of the statistic to which the
cursor points by 1.
F1 Create a window allowing the user to edit the player's
name.
F2 Create a window allowing the user to edit the player's
uniform number. Note that we do check that the
uniform number is positive (or 0) and less than 100.
return Accept the data input so far and return to the player
adding menu.
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Softball Coach Version 3.0
esc Cancel adding the new player and return to the player
adding menu.
In addition, you can type the numeric value of the statistic
at each field. This is helpful if you are starting to use
the program after more than a small amount of data has been
generated (e.g., mid-season or to enter previous season's
data).
Note that typing a number changes that field to the number
typed and DOES NOT add that number to the value already
present.
Note, also, that you are only allowed to alter those
statistics which are not calculated by the program. You
can't move the cursor to a field that will be calculated
automatically. These values are updated after each
keystroke.
7.1.1.2 Edit an existing player
This selection allows the user to select a player's record
and edit the data on it. A window is created listing all
players in the database. An arrow on the left side of the
first or last line of the window signifies that there are
more names than could fit at one time. You may use the PgUp
and PgDn keys to display more entries.
You may use the cursor control keys or mouse to highlight the
name of the player you wish to edit. See sections 3.3 and
3.4 for more information concerning these topics. An edit
window is created with all the current statistics for this
player.
The following keys have meanings in this window:
+ Increase the value of the statistic to which the
cursor points by 1.
- Decrease the value of the statistic to which the
cursor points by 1.
F1 Create a window allowing the user to edit the player's
name.
F2 Create a window allowing the user to edit the player's
uniform number. Note that we do check that the
uniform number is positive (or 0) and less than 100.
return Accept the data input so far and return to the editing
menu.
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Softball Coach Version 3.0
esc Cancel adding the new player and return to the editing
menu.
In addition, you can type the numeric value of the statistic
at each field. This is helpful if you are starting to use
the program after more than a small amount of data has been
generated (e.g., mid-season or to enter previous season's
data).
Note that typing a number changes that field to the number
typed and DOES NOT add that number to the value already
present.
Note, also, that you are only allowed to alter those
statistics which are not calculated by the program. You
can't move the cursor to a field that will be calculated
automatically. These values are updated after each
keystroke.
7.1.1.3 Delete a player
This selection allows you to delete an existing record in the
database. There is a final check made before the actual
deletion takes place to help make certain that data is not
accidentally deleted.
7.1.1.4 Add a new game
This selection guides the user through the process of adding
a new game record. A window will appear with spaces for the
data items which can be stored in this record. Use the
return key to move from field to field. When you are
finished, the title on the window will change and prompt you
for a response as to whether you'd like to keep the data as
entered or edit it.
7.1.1.5 Editing a game
Selecting this menu option causes a window to appear
containing all the games currently entered. Highlight the
game you'd like to edit.
A window will appear just like the one that appears when a
game is added. The major difference is that this time the
fields are pre-filled in with the current data. Correct what
you'd like and, again, the title on the window will change,
prompting you for a response as to whether you'd like to keep
the data as displayed or edit it.
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Softball Coach Version 3.0
7.1.1.6 Delete a game
Selecting this menu option causes a window to appear
containing all the games currently entered. Highlight the
game you'd like to delete. The game record indicated will
then be deleted.
Note that there is no final check for this deletion operation
as all the information is displayed in the window used to
choose the game to be deleted.
7.1.2 Read Database
This function allows you to read in a new database without
leaving the program. You may change directories by using the
F1 key. A list of already existing databases in the current
directory will be displayed to help your selection. Note
that the program remembers what directory you started the
program in and will return to the same place upon normal exit
from the program regardless of how many times you change
directories within the program.
If you have made changes to the currently loaded data, a
confirmation window will appear, asking if you really wish to
lose those changes. If you do not, answer 'n' to this prompt
and save the data using the Write Database (section 7.1.3)
menu option. Then re-select the Read Database menu option.
7.1.3 Write Database
This function allows you to save a database to disk. You may
change directories by using the F1 key. A list of already
existing databases in the current directory will be displayed
to help your selection. Note that the program remembers what
directory you started the program in and will return to the
same place upon normal exit from the program regardless of
how many times you change directories within the program.
If you specify a database name that already exists, a window
will appear asking you to confirm that you really want to
overwrite the data already on disk.
7.1.4 Clear Memory
This function allows you to clear a loaded database out of
memory so that a new one can be started. If you wish to read
in another database, there is no need to select this menu
choice as the old database will be removed from memory
automatically before the new database is read in.
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Softball Coach Version 3.0
If you have made changes to the currently loaded data, a
confirmation window will appear, asking if you really wish to
lose those changes. If you do not, answer 'n' to this prompt
and save the data using the Write Database (section 7.1.3)
menu option. Then re-select the Clear Memory menu option.
7.1.5 Batting Order
This function allows you to create a batting order for a
subset of your team.
Creating a batting order consists of three separate actions.
The roster you have selected (described in section 7.1.5.1)
is sorted according to the rules you specified (described in
section 7.1.5.2). Finally, just before the output is
generated (described in section 7.1.5.3), a folding process
is applied to attempt to place your "best" players in the
cleanup spots of several "slices". See below for an example
describing the process of placing players in slices.
If you forget any of these steps, you are unlikely to get any
usable output. If you do not select a roster, you will
either get no players in your order (if you haven't selected
a roster in this session) or the roster selected the last
time. If you don't specify any ordering criterion, you will
get the batting order in whatever order you originally
entered the players or the order specified in the
SOFTBALL.CFG file (see section 4.2 for details on how to use
this feature). Obviously, if you do not display the order,
you get no output whatsoever.
The process of placing players in "slices" can best be
described with an example:
Suppose you have the following nine players on your roster
for tomorrow's game and you are only interested in their
batting averages for determining the batting order:
Jones 0.325
Brown 0.361
Smith 0.274
Adams 0.306
White 0.283
Green 0.201
Boggs 0.330
Glenn 0.312
Chase 0.298
The Batting order selection process first sorts them into the
following order:
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Softball Coach Version 3.0
Brown 0.361
Boggs 0.330
Jones 0.325
Glenn 0.312
Adams 0.306
Chase 0.298
White 0.283
Smith 0.274
Green 0.201
An algorithm is applied to this ordering to produce a
rotation of four hitters, the last of which will be the best
available batting cleanup. So the order above would be
printed as:
Chase 0.298
Adams 0.306
Jones 0.325
Brown 0.361
Smith 0.274
White 0.283
Glenn 0.312
Boggs 0.330
Green 0.201
Brown (the best batter) is batting fourth; Boggs (the second
best batter) is batting eighth; Jones (the third best batter)
is batting third; and so on.
*** DISCLAIMER ***
Note that we are NOT claiming that all batting orders should
be constructed in this manner. We are not even claiming that
this is a GOOD way of creating a batting order. It is the
way the coach of the team for which this program was
developed wished to create his batting order.
To give it some credence, however, we offer the following
quote:
"Suppose you don't have much thump in your lineup.
You try to space out your hitters a bit. If you have
four good hitters, bat one first, one third, one
fourth, one seventh. If you bunch them all together
you are grouping your best shot to score in just
three innings. The other six you're going out with
no firepower."
Tony La Russa
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Softball Coach Version 3.0
We realize that many of you have thoughts on how this should
be done. Some of you may even argue that creating the
batting order based on statistics is not a good idea at all.
If you do have any thoughts on this subject (or any other
relating to programs of this kind), feel free to write us at
the address we've listed in section 8. We are genuinely
interested in how this program might be made more useful.
7.1.5.1 Select Roster
This menu selection allows you to inform Softball Coach of
the roster for the game. Even if your entire team shows up,
not all of them may play, etc. Here is where you tell what
subset of your entire team will be batting in this game.
A window is displayed with each player on the team listed.
You may then select those that are coming to the game and
those that are not.
The following keys have meanings in this window:
+ Mark this player as coming to the game.
- Mark this player as NOT coming to the game.
return Remember this roster and return to the batting order
menu.
esc Same as return. We remember who is attending the game
as you specify each one, so there is no abandoning of
this editing session.
7.1.5.2 Select Criterion
This option is used to select the statistics upon which you'd
like the order of your players based. You will be presented
with a list of statistics. In order to select the sorting
order, place the cursor next to the statistic you desire and
press one of the function keys listed to the right of the
list of statistics.
The players selected through the procedure described in
section 7.1.5.1 are sorted based upon the statistic next to
F1. If there is a tie in that statistic, the tied players
are sorted based upon the statistic next to F2. This
continues through all statistics selected. If there is STILL
no difference between two players' statistics, they are
sorted in the order in which they were originally added to
the database.
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Softball Coach Version 3.0
Note that you needn't select statistics for ALL the function
keys available. In some cases, you may be interested in only
one or two statistics. If two players are identical in those
statistics, you don't care about the rest. In fact, you
needn't select F1 before you select any other function key.
If you are only interested in a single statistic, you may
select ANY of the listed function keys. This works because
we ignore any un-assigned selections.
If you have specified values in the configuration file (see
section 4.2) for the co.<function-key> options, you will see
that the spaces next to the function keys in the window will
be pre-filled with the values you've specified. You may make
any changes you like to this list. Your changes will be in
effect throughout the rest of this run of Softball Coach
unless, of course, you make further changes later.
7.1.5.3 Display Order
This selection is what displays the final batting order you
have selected. A menu is displayed allowing you to choose
whether you'd like the output to go to the printer, the
screen, or a disk file.
Be sure your printer is turned on if sending your output
there. However, we'll tell you if something isn't right.
If you've selected a disk file for output, another window
will appear, prompting you for the pathname of the file you'd
like written.
7.1.6 Reports
This menu selection can be used much like the batting order
menu described in section 7.1.5. The only difference in the
two procedures is that the algorithm to place the batters
into "slices" is not performed for the report generation
process.
After selecting this menu option, you are presented with a
menu giving two selections as described below.
7.1.6.1 Run Report
After selecting this menu option, are presented with another
menu which allows you to select whether you'd like your
output to appear on the screen, the printer, or a disk file.
Be sure your printer is turned on if sending your output
there. However, we'll tell you if something isn't right.
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Softball Coach Version 3.0
If you've selected a disk file for output, another window
will appear, prompting you for the pathname of the file you'd
like written.
7.1.6.2 Choose Order
This option is used to select the statistics upon which you'd
like the order of your report based. You are presented with
a list of statistics. In order to select the sorting order,
place the cursor next to the statistic you desire and press
one of the function keys listed to the right of the list of
statistics.
The players on your team are sorted based upon the statistic
next to F1. If there is a tie in that statistic, the tied
players are sorted based upon the statistic next to F2. This
continues through all statistics selected. If there is STILL
no difference between two players' statistics, they are
sorted in the order in which they were originally added to
the database.
Note that you needn't select statistics for ALL the function
keys available. In some cases, you may be interested in only
one or two statistics. If two players are identical in those
statistics, you don't care about the rest. In fact, you
needn't select F1 before you select any other function key.
If you are only interested in a single statistic, you may
select ANY of the listed function keys. This works because
we ignore any un-assigned selections.
If you have specified values in the configuration file (see
section 4) for the co.<function-key> options, you will see
that the spaces next to the function keys in the window will
be pre-filled with the values you've specified. You may make
any changes you like to this list. Your changes will be in
effect throughout the rest of this run of Softball Coach
unless, of course, you make further changes later.
7.1.6.3 Filter Players
This option is used to select the statistics upon which you'd
like players selected for your report. You will be presented
with a list of statistics. In order to select a filtering
criterion, place the cursor next to the statistic you desire
and press one of the function keys listed to the right of the
list of statistics.
A ">" symbol will appear to the right of the statistic name
just displayed and the title of the window will change to
prompt you for a minimum value. All players with at least
that value in that statistic will be included in the report.
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Softball Coach Version 3.0
7.1.7. Merge a database
This menu option allows you to combine several databases.
You can, of course, save the newly combined databases to a
disk, or print reports from this utility.
Adding a database works much like reading a new database.
The major difference is that the old database is not removed
before the new one is read. The statistics for whatever data
is read are added to the data records already in memory. See
section 7.1.2 for details on reading a database in Softball
Coach. Player data records for players with the same name
are totaled and the game records are simply inserted along
with the rest.
To illustrate this, if you were to merge a database with
itself, the result would be a database with the same number
of players as before each of whom have twice as many at bats,
twice as many games played, etc.
A window will appear on the right of the screen to keep track
of all the databases already merged or loaded.
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8. User Supported Software
This software is distributed through a unique marketing
approach called Shareware. What this means is that we
encourage you to copy this software distribution and share it
with your friends. We must make the stipulation, however
that you not modify the distribution in any way when you do
share it.
If you have received this software through one of the so
called "Shareware Houses" (companies whose business is
selling disks containing other author's software), please
note that none of the money you have paid so far has (or
will) make its way to the author. You have simply paid for
the duplication and distribution costs.
This method of distribution is based on the following
principles:
1. Users need to try out software to determine
its usefulness.
2. Authors of software can get support directly
from their users.
3. Software sharing and copying can/should be
encouraged.
If you use this software, we ask that you send a donation
($25 is recommended, but we don't turn away money of any
kind). We'll add you to our mailing list, send you the
latest version of the software, and notify you of future
updates to the software.
In addition to the above, when you register, we will include
the following:
+ The 1990 (more recent if possible) regular season
statistics for all major league baseball teams. If
you want to see the amount of data we can handle, this
will show off our stuff!
+ A small program developed to generate "magic" numbers.
You may use the registration form on the last page of this
manual to forward the necessary information to us. Please
send your contribution to:
The Software Construction Co.
P.O. Box 160
North Billerica, MA 01862
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Softball Coach Version 3.0
If you do not use this software, we'd also like to know why.
It is obvious you're somewhat interested or you wouldn't have
gotten this far into the manual. We'd like to know how we
can make these programs better. Please write to us at the
same address and let us know what we could have done to make
them useful to you.
For $5 to cover the cost of the diskette(s) and shipping, we
will supply you with the latest edition of the software.
Please specify 5.25" or 3.5" diskettes.
We would sincerely like to thank you for giving this, the
fruits of our labor, a trial. We hope it proves useful to
you.
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Softball Coach Version 3.0
9. Bug Reports
Should you discover a bug in this code, please let us know at
the same address listed in section 8. We regret that we
can't provide phone support at this time (maybe in the
future). Provide us with as much of a description of the
problem as you can, as well as your name and address. If you
would prefer being contacted by phone, by all means, add your
phone number and the hours you will be available at that
number.
What do you get for your trouble? We will send a copy of the
fixed program to the first registered user to report the
problem and will strive to answer all others with a letter.
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Softball Coach Version 3.0
10. Known Problems/Limitations
When entering a filename during the database reading or
writing procedure, you will not be able to backspace over the
first character typed in order to correct it. The best
workaround we can suggest is to make certain that the
filename you enter is not found. This will cause an error
window to appear. Typing any key will return you to the
start of the filename input field. You may then type the
correct filename.
Statistics must be less than 65,535. If they get larger than
that, they will wrap (i.e. 65,536 becomes 0).
22
Softball Coach Version 3.0
A. Statistics Definitions
The following is a detailed list of the statistics that can
be tracked with this software and a definition of their
intended use. If there is a symbol in parentheses after the
name of the statistic, it is the abbreviation used within the
program for that statistic.
1. At Bats (AB)
Any time a player makes a trip to the plate and
becomes a baserunner through any means other than a
walk. The lone exception to this rule is a
sacrifice (see below). It is not counted as an "at
bat." Note that a batter who is not allowed to
finish his "trip to the plate" is not considered to
have been at bat and becomes the first batter in
the following inning.
2. Batting Average (Avg)
Base hits divided by at bats.
3. Doubles (2B)
A base hit on which the batter reaches second base
safely and the defensive team has committed no
errors.
4. Game Winning RBIs (GWR)
A Run Batted In (RBI) which increases the score to
one greater than your opponent's final score. For
example, if your team wins by as score of 21 to 12,
the player credited with the RBI for the 13th run
for your team is also credited with a Game Winning
RBI. Note that this means you can only credit a
player with a Game Winning RBI when your team wins
and only one Game Winning RBI may be scored in any
game.
5. Games (G)
You're kidding, right?
6. Hit by Pitch (HP)
The batter is touched by a pitched ball which he is
not attempting to hit unless the ball is in the
strike zone when it touches the batter, or the
batter makes no attempt to avoid being touched by
23
Softball Coach Version 3.0
the ball.
7. Hits
Also known as Base Hits. A "hit" is scored when
the batter hits the ball and reaches a base safely
and the defensive team has committed no errors and
no other baserunner was forced out (fielder's
choice).
8. Home Runs (HR)
A hit where the batter is able to touch all bases
without the other team committing an error and, in
so doing, score a run.
9. On Base Average (OBA)
The sum of hits, walks, and hit by pitch divided by
the sum of at bats, walks, and hit by pitch.
10. Runs Batted In (RBI)
An RBI is scored for a batter when a baserunner
scores when that batter makes a base hit, a
sacrifice, or walks.
11. Runs
A run is scored when a player safely touches home
plate.
12. Sacrifices (SAC)
A sacrifice fly is a fly ball which is caught for
an out and which also allows a baserunner to tag up
and score. A sacrifice bunt is a bunt that allows
a baserunner to advance at the expense of the
batter being put out.
13. Slugging percentage (SLG)
Singles plus 2 times doubles plus 3 times triples
plus 4 times home runs divided by at bats. This
statistic indicates the average number of bases
gained per at bat (i.e. 4.000 is a perfect Slugging
percentage).
14. Stolen Bases (SB)
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Softball Coach Version 3.0
A stolen base is scored when a runner advances a
base unaided by a hit, another runner making an
out, an error, a passed ball, a wild pitch, or a
balk.
15. Strike outs (SO)
A strike out is scored when a batter is called out
after three strikes have been called.
16. Triples (3B)
A base hit on which the batter reaches third base
safely and the defensive team has committed no
errors.
17. Walks (BB)
Also known as Base on Balls. A walk is scored when
a batter reaches first base as a result of having
four pitches called balls in an at bat.
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Softball Coach Version 3.0
B. Program History
Version 1.0 - Circa 1988.
Initial version developed for the author's personal
use.
Version 2.0 - Spring 1989.
Many new features. Still unreleased.
Version 2.01 - November 1989.
Initial shareware release.
- Game Winning RBIs added.
Version 2.02 - December 1989.
Bugs fixed:
- Problem displaying first entered player in player
selection menu.
Version 2.03 - April 1990.
- Company name changed to The Software Construction
Co.
Version 3.0 - August 1990.
- Totals on the bottom of reports.
- Games, Hit by pitch, Sacrifices, stolen bases added.
- SBMERGE program moved into main menu as a menu
choice.
- Reports may now go to a disk file.
- Data may be typed in directly as well as using + and
- keys.
- Player data may now be "filtered" prior to sorting
and printing a report.
- New co.<function-key> options for SOFTBALL.CFG.
- Games records added (date, opponent, runs, hits, and
errors for each team as well as winning percentage,
average runs per game, average hits per game, and
26
Softball Coach Version 3.0
average errors per game).
- Clear Memory menu option.
27
2B see "doubles"
3B see "triples"
- A -
AB see "at bats"
adding a game 11
adding a new player 9
address 15, 19, 21
at bats 1, 5, 23
average see "batting average"
avg see "batting average"
- B -
base hits 1, 5, 24
base on balls 1, 6, 23, 24, 25
baseball 1
batting average 1, 5, 23
batting order 13, 16
BB see "base on balls"
bugs see "reporting bugs"
- C -
career statistics 1, 9
changing directories 12
choosing reporting order 17
clearing memory 12
color 5, 7
command line 3
comment 5
configuring the program 5
criterion 13, 15, 17
cursor control keys 4, 10
- D -
database files 8
database name 3
deleting a game 12
deleting player data 11
disk file 16
doubles 1, 5, 23
- E -
editing a game 11
editing data 9
editing existing players 10
errors 7
escape key 3, 4, 9, 10, 15
- F -
F1 key 9, 10, 12, 15, 17
F2 key 9, 10, 15, 17
file format 8
files 8
files, *.SBL 8
files, SOFTBALL.CFG 5, 8
floating point coprocessor 2
- G -
G see "games"
game winning RBIs 1, 5, 23
games 1, 5, 23
generating reports 16
getting started 3
GWR see "game winning RBIs"
- H -
hit by pitch 1, 5, 23
hits see "base hits"
home runs 1, 5, 24
HP see "hit by pitch"
HR see "home runs"
- I -
introduction 1
- L -
La Russa, Tony 14
limitations 22
loading a database see "reading a new database"
LOGITECH 4
- M -
main menu 3, 9
menus 4, 9
merging a database 18
Microsoft 4
MONITOR option 5, 7
mono 5
mouse 2, 4
mouse button, left 4
mouse support 4
Mouse Systems 4
- N -
name 9
- O -
OBA see "on base average"
on base average 1, 6, 24
options 5
- P -
PgDn 10
PgUp 10
printer 16
problems see "reporting bugs"
problems, known 22
- R -
RBI see "runs batted in"
reading a new database 12
reporting bugs 21
reports 16
return key 4, 9, 10, 15
roster 13, 15
runs 1, 6, 24
runs batted in 1, 6, 24
- S -
SAC see "sacrifices"
sacrifices 1, 6, 23, 24
saving a database see "writing a database to disk"
SB see "stolen bases"
screen 16
selecting a roster 15
selecting batting criterion 15
selecting reporting criterion 17
shareware 19
SLG see "slugging percentage"
slugging percentage 1, 6, 24
SO see "strike outs"
softball 1
stolen bases 1, 6, 24
strike outs 1, 6, 25
suggestions 14
supported statistics 1
system requirements 1
- T -
team statistics 1
title page 3
triples 1, 6, 25
- U -
user supported software 19
using menus 4
- W -
walks see "base on balls"
writing a database to disk 12
- Misc -
+ key 9, 10, 15
- key 9, 10, 15
The Software Construction Co.
P.O. Box 160
North Billerica, MA 01862
Name: ________________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Phone: ________________________________________________________
From Title screen: Version __________ Serial Number ________
Where did you get your copy of Softball Coach?
The Software Construction Co. _____ BBS _____
Friend _____ Shareware Dealer _____
If you checked BBS or Shareware Dealer above please tell us which
one:
_________________________________________________________________
What format media would you like? 5.25" _____ 3.5" _____
Comments or suggestions: ________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Directory of PC-SIG Library Disk #4108
Volume in drive A has no label
Directory of A:\
SOFTBALL CFG 310 11-13-90 8:28p
SOFTBALL DOC 60634 11-12-90 10:08p
SOFTBALL EXE 116390 3-09-91 10:43a
GO BAT 31 6-04-92 2:25a
GO TXT 847 10-08-93 3:27p
5 file(s) 178212 bytes
141312 bytes free