How to Call In Scores

Newspapers depend upon coaches, parents and other readers to call in scores of high school games not staffed by reporters. Here’s a guide to providing information to The Times Orange County.

* Who to call: The Times Orange County Edition sports department, at (714) 966-5904 or (800) LA TIMES, Ext. 65904.

* When to call: As soon as possible on the same day as the event.

* What we need: The necessary information varies with the sport. The more specifics you can offer, the more complete account of the game can appear in the paper. Have rosters for both teams with correct spelling of names. First and last names are needed for all players mentioned. Here’s some tips for specific sports:

* Badminton: The final score, what each player did in the match and the overall and league records of both teams.

* Baseball and Softball: The final score, score by innings, and run, hit and error totals for each team. Pitching batteries and names and records of winning and losing pitchers. Names of players who had doubles, triples and or home runs. Overall and league records of both teams.

* Swimming: The final score and overall and league records of both teams. Names of winners of each event, plus their times, in the order the events were contested.

* Tennis: The final score, what each player did in the match and the overall and league records of both teams.

* Track and field: The final score and overall and league records of all teams. Names of winners of each event, plus their times or distances, in the order the events were contested.

* Volleyball: Score of each game and records for both teams. Kill leaders for each team and players with 13 or more kills.

* Important: Please be patient, particularly on Thursday nights because of the high number of events involved. The earlier you can call, the quicker your information can be taken. Questions? Feel free to call early in the day.