Managers Quickstart

  1. Install BenchApp on your device (App Store, Play Store).
  2. Wait for your BenchApp invite. Check your spam folder -- it may be there!
  3. Review the team roster for any problems and help parents to get access to their child's record. You should be able to add any additional player contacts as needed.
  4. Review “Do’s and Don'ts” below.
  5. Enter your events into the schedule as needed.
  6. Get access to the league website and take ownership of your team. You will need a "confidential code" that you should be able to get from your convenor.
  7. Wait for the periodic update from the scheduler and enter the practices into the schedule.

Benchapp Quickstart

BenchApp is a simpler app than TeamLinkt or TeamSnap, but it has all the functionality we need for a much lower price. A prepaid "Pro" team will be created for your team. If you really don't want to use BenchApp, please let the registrar know.

Adding parents

The registrar takes care of importing the roster from Spordle, however the data may be incomplete. The youth  are usually imported without an email address associated with them, which means that they don't have a separate account and must be managed by a parent.

Note: This may be easier in the desktop browser, not in the BenchApp mobile app.

  1. Go to the Roster view for the team
  2. Click the "Add player" button (even though you're not adding a player)
  3. Add the parent's info (name, email) and select "Spectator" as their class
  4. Save the record
  5. Go to their child's record
  6. Drop down the "Parents" section
  7. Add the newly created spectator as the player's parent

Entering Events

There may be some events already on your team's schedule when you get access to it as a manager, but after that initial import all in-app schedule management is your sole responsibility. The registrar/scheduler won't put any events directly on your team's BenchApp schedule.

Note: this process is easier on a desktop computer, not in the BenchApp mobile app.

Entering games

  1. Open the official league schedule
  2. Select “Category” (e.g. “9U-B”) and then select your team under “Teams”
  3. You can either go by week-by-week or choose “All games” under “Schedule Navigation”
  4. On the BenchApp website for your team, select the Schedule and then "Add Event" to create a new event
  5. If the opponent isn’t listed, create a new one.
  6. Use the list of parks on the LSL site if you don't know where the park is.

Entering practices

  1. The scheduler will send out an updated list of practices weekly.
  2. Make sure your practice schedule looks correct.
  3. If you see anything surprising, let the scheduler know.
  4. If you want an extra practice, check the field availability on the "Schedules" page of this site, but always ask the scheduler first before booking the slot on your schedule (see the section below).

Rescheduling games and practices

All official practices and home games need to be scheduled centrally by the BWI scheduler. Do not self-schedule any practices on official BWI fields, because you will likely find that another team is already using the field at that time.

Rescheduling practices
  1. Email bwi-scheduler@baseballwestisland.com
  2. Clearly mention the team level and name (“9U Expos”) in the subject
  3. Describe which practice (date, time) needs to be moved or added
Rescheduling Home games
  1. Email bwi-scheduler@baseballwestisland.com, and CC the visiting team coaches (see the “Bottin des Entraineurs” document to get their contact info)
  2. Clearly mention the official game number in the subject (e.g. “Rescheduling game 1234”)
  3. The scheduler should email back with several dates that work for both teams
  4. Continue until a suitable rain-out game date is established and confirmed by the scheduler; the scheduler will also follow up with the league to get it on the official LSL schedule
Rescheduling Away games

It is the responsibility of the away team to reach out to you, but you may need to follow up if nothing is happening for a few days after the game is cancelled. All games are supposed to be rescheduled within 2 weeks of the original game date, unless there are extenuating circumstances (e.g. the team has a tournament).

Do’s and Don'ts

  • DO communicate with parents and players using the “Broadcast” functionality in BenchApp. You can also use the “Chatter” option for quick updates.
  • DO self-cancel practices if you need to (for rain, attendance, etc reasons). If you're cancelling a practice days ahead of time due to a conflict, let the scheduler know so they can give the slot to someone else.
  • DON’T forget to notify the scheduler when you cancel a game, so they can notify the city. Your coaches should have their own set of instructions on how to properly cancel a home game.
  • DON’T reschedule any existing practices or create new practices if they use official BWI baseball fields. See “Scheduling and Rescheduling” for details.
  • DO create social team events (e.g. pizza lunches) or practices for running/fielding drills if they use public parks, disused school fields, or someone’s backyard.

LSL League site

The LSL League site (lslbaseball.com) is a completely separate entity from BBWI, so we do not have any administrative access to it.

Taking team ownership

You will need to do the following:

  1. Obtain the "confidential code" from your convenor
  2. Go to lslbaseball.com and click "create an account"
  3. Input your name, select your team, enter the confidential code
  4. Write down/save the username and password that the system will create for you
  5. Use that username and password to log in

Editing the roster

Important: This needs to be done before the first game.

  1. Collect jersey numbers from your players (e.g. via BenchApp)
  2. Log in with your team credentials on lslbaseball.com
  3. Go to your team ("Schedules", then select the "Teams" tab)
  4. To edit a player, click on their name and use the "Commands" drop-down to edit them
  5. To add a player or coach, use the "Commands" drop-down and then "Add a team member"

Entering game sheets

Important: This needs to be done within 24 hours after the game

  1. Take pictures of both game sheets and both defensive sitting docs
    • download them to your computer and make sure they are in PNG or JPG formats, with high resolution
    • You should have 4 separate pictures:
      1. home team score sheet
      2. away team score sheet
      3. home team defensive sitting out
      4. away team defensive sitting out
    • Do not combine them into a single document, you will need to make 4 separate uploads
  2. Log in with your team credentials on lslbaseball.com (see above on how to set that up)
  3. Go to the schedules and find the game entry
  4. There should be a special mark in the table for your game: clicking on it will take you to the game information screen
  5. Enter the score, attendance and pitcher records (if applicable to your division) using the information on the game sheets
  6. Upload all 4 photos in their corresponding spot
  7. Save the game

Batting practices at the Sarto Batting Cage

We have a batting cage at the Sarto-Desnoyers batting field that is available exclusively to BWI.

Availability

If you aren't already using Sarto-Desnoyers for your practices, the cage is available at the following times:

  • Monday-Friday : 5PM-6:20PM
  • Saturday : 3PM-8PM
  • Sunday : 1PM-8PM

If you are a 11U team with practices at Sarto, the cage is available to you during your regular scheduled practice times.

Using before games at the Sarto field

If there is a game taking place at the Sarto field, please make sure that your players are not disruptive to the teams preparing for the game. You must complete your batting practice and leave 10 minutes before the game starts.

Reserving

Please request a regular weekly slot for your team by emailing bwi-scheduler@baseballwestisland.com. If you need to move it some weeks due to a conflict with a game or another practice, we will find an alternative time that works that week.

Accessing the cage

The cage must remain locked when not in use. To unlock the cage, please go to the Sarto-Desnoyers chalet front desk and sign out the key. They have the names of all BWI coaches for the current season and may compare your name against that list.

You must lock the cage after you are done to prevent theft, vandalism, or unsafe use of the equipment. Return the key to the chalet reception desk.

Using the pitching machine
  • The cage has a Jugs Sports M1601 pitching machine installed. There is an operating manual available at the shed where the machine is set up, or you can read the instructions manual online.
  • The machine must be operated by a coach (or a similarly responsible adult).
  • There will be a bucket of orange rubber balls in the same shed. You can also use regular baseballs, but this will greatly increase their wear and tear, so it is not recommended.
  • When you are done, you must unplug the power cord and keep it fully in the shed so that the plug doesn't get wet or rusted.
  • The usual batter safety equipment is required -- helmets, protection cups, etc.

Handy links