Watchfire Handheld Controllers: 3 Things Your Volunteers Won’t Miss

If you’ve ever tried to recruit volunteers to run the scoreboard at a youth or rec league game, you already know—it’s not always easy. The job can be intimidating, especially for those who don’t have tech experience. Add awkward hardware, hard-to-read screens, and even your most loyal volunteers might start looking for the exit.

At Watchfire, we believe scoring a game should be simple, reliable, and even enjoyable. That’s why we designed our series of handheld scoreboard controllers with volunteers in mind. One of the biggest innovations included is E-paper display technology, the same tech used in popular e-readers. 

What does that mean for your volunteers? Here are three things they won’t miss when using a Watchfire handheld scorekeeping device. 

1. Shading the Screen with Their Hands
   You’ve probably seen it—a volunteer hunched over the portable controller, squinting and using one hand to block the sun just to see the display. Some LCD screens can be difficult to read outdoors, especially in full sunlight.

With e-paper, that frustration is gone. E-paper reflects ambient light instead of relying on backlighting, meaning it actually performs better in bright conditions. Whether it’s a sunny afternoon at the baseball diamond or a bright morning football game, the display remains crisp and readable—no hand-shading required. 

2. Worrying About Battery Life
   Game-day setup is already full of things to remember. The last thing anyone needs is a scoring system that dies mid-game. E-paper technology is incredibly energy-efficient. It only consumes power when the display is updated—not while it’s sitting idle. This drastically extends battery life.
3. Tilting the Controller to See the Screen
   Some screens look fine—if you’re looking at them straight-on and holding them just right. But that’s not practical when you’re trying to watch a game, follow plays, and keep score all at once.

The high-contrast, wide-angle visibility of e-paper makes this a non-issue. No matter how the wireless scoring device is held—or where the volunteer is seated—the display remains easy to read. It’s especially helpful for older volunteers or anyone with vision challenges. 

Many volunteers are parents, grandparents, or first-time helpers just trying to support the team. That is why Watchfire built our handheld controllers to be intuitive, easy to operate, and reliable in real-life game-day scenarios. 

Whether you’re scoring basketball (BB500), baseball/softball (BA500), football (FB500), or Soccer (SC500), Watchfire’s handheld controllers are designed to reduce stress and encourage volunteers to come back week after week. 

Contact us today and learn more about Watchfire’s handheld controllers and how they can make your next season easier.