Birchmount Baseball Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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This FAQ is broken up into five sections. Click on the question you would like answered.

1) General Information on the Birchmount Baseball League

1.1 What is the BBL?
1.2 What is the BBL’s Mission Statement?
1.3 Who runs the BBL?
1.4 Where do BBL teams play?
1.5 How can I help/get involved with the BBL?
1.6 How do you help sponsor the BBL?
1.7 When is your AGM?
1.8 How does the BBL fit with regards to other baseball organizations within Scarborough or Toronto?
1.9  Who do I send my comments/concerns to?
1.10 How long is the season?
1.11 What is the call up policy?
1.12 Are there any dates where there are no games?
1.13 When are the playoffs?
1.14 What is your rain out policy?
1.15 What is your make up game policy?

2) House League Information
2.1 What division would by child play in this year?
2.2 What are the differences between the different levels?

2.2.1 What Days do House League Games take place on?
2.3 What experience do you need to play House League for the various divisions?
2.4 Is your League Co-ed?
2.5 What type of equipment do I need to get for my child?
2.6 What does BBL supply for playing baseball?
2.7 Can the shoes have metal cleats?
2.8 What is Fair Play?
2.9 Can I request my child to be on the same team as their sibling? What about a friend?
2.10 If I am coaching a team, do I get my son/daughter on my team?
2.11 What are ratings?
2.12 Why are ratings used
2.13 How are teams picked?
2.14 What are the rules for each division?
2.15 How are the standings for each division calculated?
2.16 What do the standings mean for each division?
2.17 I don’t have any experience, but can I help coach a team?
2.18 What is the Code of Conduct for players and for parents?

3) Select/Rep Information

3.1 What is the difference between Select and Rep?
3.2 How do you qualify to play Select/Rep?
3.3 If I make a Select team, do I still play House League?
3.4 When do Select Teams usually play?
3.5 What are the Scarborough Stingers?
3.6 Why does Birchmount have a Bantam Rep team?

4) Registration Information
4.1 How do I register my child(ren) to play for BBL this year?

4.1.1 I need some help on the online registration
4.2 What forms of payment do you accept?
4.3 Do I get a receipt for the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit?
4.4 What is the refund policy?
4.5 I have noticed a different online registration process this year.  Why the change?
4.6 Is our credit information safe?
4.7 Why can’t I use a credit card at an OnSite Registration?
4.8 When are the OnSite Registration Dates?
4.9 Can I register after the season starts?
4.10 What is the price for each division?
4.11 If I am going to the OnSite registration can I download the registration form before I go so I can fill it out ahead of time?

5) Umpire Information
5.1 How do I get involved in being an umpire with BBL?

6) Website Information / How to Use the Website
6.1 What happened to the old website?
6.2 Why was the old website replaced?
6.3 Is the new website costing the BBL more money?
6.4 Why does the website take longer to load than the old one?
6.5 How do I know if games are cancelled?
6.6 Why is BBL using Twitter for the communicating Cancelled Games?
6.7 What are the ads I see on the right hand side of the webpage?
6.8 Will there be ads from other parties other than sponsors?
6.9 Do certain sponsors get more time on the website than others?
6.10 I am a sponsor and I want to change what is shown on the web.  How do I do that?
6.11 What is the benefit of registering with a username and a password?
6.12 How do I use the calendar on the website?
6.13 What is the difference between Latest News and Popular?
6.14 Something was on the front page, now its gone.  How can I find it?
6.15 How do I contact the appropriate person about an issue?
6.16 How do I contact the webmaster if there is an error or issue?

1) General Information on the Birchmount Baseball League

1.1 What is the BBL?
The Birchmount Baseball League is a baseball league in Scarborough Ontario, a part of City of Toronto.  It was founded in 1956.

1.2 What is the BBL’s Mission Statement?
 "Birchmount Baseball League, based in southwest Scarborough, founded in 1956, and incorporated in 1993, is a 'not-for-profit' organization and shall operate according to its constitution to:
- Provide safe, affordable, recreational and competitive amateur baseball programs for youths 4 to 18 years old
- Promote sportsmanship, fitness, fair play, equal playing time and team work.
- Provide training for youth to improve their skills in baseball.
- Promote youth baseball in Scarborough.
- Provide and encourage training programs for coaches and umpires.
 
1.3 Who runs the BBL?

The BBL is run by volunteers, from coaches to the Executive.  The Executive is comprised of individuals voted in by the members of the League at the Annual General Meeting.  We are governed by the BBL Constitution which can be found here.

1.4 Where do BBL teams play?

Click on the link on the left that says Parks

1.5 How can I help/get involved with the BBL?

Give us a call, talk to one of the Executives or contact us through the Contact Us page.  Our league is solely dependant on people volunteering.  We require volunteers to help with Photo Day and Closing Day, we need coaches, assistants.  No experience is necessary.  Don’t be afraid to step forward and help us out.

1.6 How do you help sponsor the BBL?
Contact the President through the Contact Page.  We welcome new sponsors.  Sponsors will be given a space on the website with a link to detailed information. 

1.7 When is your AGM?

It is typically in September after the season has ended.  The AGM will be announced on the website.  Anyone who is in the league is encouraged to attend and participate.

1.8 How does the BBL fit with regards to other baseball organizations within Scarborough or Toronto?

There is the Toronto Baseball Association (TBA) under which the Scarborough Baseball Association (SBA) falls under.  Within the SBA there are four leagues, Agincourt-Wexford, Toronto East Baseball Association, Westhill Baseball and Birchmount Baseball

1.9  Who do I send my comments/concerns to?
Use the Contact Us page to determine who is best to direct your comments or concerns.  If in doubt contact the webmaster and he will send the request/comment to the appropriate person.

1.10 How long is the season?
The season runs from May until August.  Please check the Calendar on the website for exact dates.

1.11 What is the call up policy?

In line with OBA and the Toronto Baseball Association players can only be called up from the age below (for example if a player is being called up from Rookie Ball, the player must be 9 years old).  It is at the discretion of the Executive as a whole whether a player can play up one age level.

1.12 Are there any dates where there are no games?
Yes, no games are practices are scheduled on statutory holidays.  Please check the online Calendar for exact dates.

1.13 When are the playoffs?
There is a Championship day for all divisions including Teeball at the end of the season.  However all divisions from Rookie Ball up have a period of a week or two for a round robin Playoff schedule to determine which two teams will play on Championship Day.  The online Calendar has these dates marked for the season.

1.14 What is your rain out policy?
The Executive will make a decision on weather or not games are cancelled due to poor weather.  This decision will be made by 5 pm the day of the game.  This will then be posted on the website (see How do I know if games are cancelled).  If the game is not cancelled and weather conditions change at the ball park it is the umpires who will call the game off.  At any sign of lightening or thunder games are immediately cancelled and everyone must vacate the ball park due to safety reasons.

1.15 What is your make up game policy?
Games will be made up as soon as possible.  It requires the league to find umpires and fields in which to play the makeup game.  At the Tee-ball level, the league does not make up games if only a small number have been cancelled during the season.  It is the Executives discretion to make up Tee-Ball games.

2) House League Information

2.1 What division would by child play in this year?
Divisions are based on birth year.  The chart below is for the 2010 season.  It can also be found in the House League section.

2.2 What are the differences between the different divisions?
For a complete list of rules click here (coming soon).  Here is a brief overview of the different divisions

TeeBall– Players hit a ball of a Tee.  The opposing team plays on the field as regular baseball but with the following exceptions:
           

1. A player will stand at the pitcher position to field wearing a helmet with a faceguard (provided by the league)
2. There are 5 outfield positions
3. Player is given 5 strikes before thy are out
4. No score is kept at this level to encourage skill building

Rookie Ball – A pitching machine is used to pitch the ball.  The machine “throws” the ball at around 40 mph. 

1. The players get 5 strikes
2. Two players  play at the pitcher position on opposite sides of the pitching machine wearing a helmet with faceguard (provided)
3.  

Mosquito –  For the most part regular baseball rules apply.  The ball is thrown by a player on the opposing team (pitcher).  All other positions are played like regular baseball.  The distance between the bases is 65 feet

PeeWee- For the most part regular baseball rules apply.  The ball is thrown by a player on the opposing team (pitcher).  All other positions are played like regular baseball.  The distance between the bases is 75 feet

Bantam/Midget – For the most part regular baseball rules apply. 

2.2.1 What Days do House League Games take place on?

For the 2010 Season the following has been decided:

Teeball: Tuesdays and Thursdays

Rookie Ball: Monday through Thursday (two nights a week). Exact dates to be determined

Mosquito: Tuesdays and Thursdays

Peewee: Monday and Wednesdays

Bantam/Midget: Monday through Friday

2.3 What experience do you need to play House League for the various divisions?
None.  Even if you have never played baseball you can play House League.  You will play at the division denoted by your birth year.
           
2.4 Is your League Co-ed?
Yes, the league is open to both boys and girls.

2.5 What type of equipment do I need to get for my child?
You will need to purchase a baseball glove and shoes for your child (Tee-ball players can still use regular running shoes).  You will also need to purchase a jock (or jill) for your player, this is mandatory for Rookie Ball and higher.

2.6 What does BBL supply for playing baseball?
The league supplies bats, balls, bases, uniform, helmets, catcher’s equipment, pitcher equipment (Tee-Ball and Rookie Ball- they have special helmets).

2.7 Can the shoes have metal cleats?
No.  Metal cleats have been phased out due safety.  There are no metal cleats permitted within the BBL.

2.8 What is Fair Play?
Fair play is the guiding principal in which BBL plays.  It’s about having fun, respect and learning the game of baseball.  In House League a team has to win, and one has to loose, but we do so with grace, dignity and respect to the umpires, coaches, parents, players, opposing players and the rules.

2.9 Can I request my child to be on the same team as their sibling? What about a friend?
We will do our best in ensuring that siblings play on the same team.  Requesting friends will be considered, however, the primary goal when teams are set up in House League is to ensure they are fair.

2.10 If I am coaching a team, do I get my son/daughter on my team?
Yes absolutely!  95% of coaches get involved because their kids are involved!

2.11 What are ratings?
A ratings night takes place before the season starts.  Players (even returning ones) are asked to come out to the ballpark on a scheduled night.  The go through various drills and the coaches assess their baseball skills.

2.12 Why are ratings used?
In order to try to make the House League teams as balanced as possible the ratings are used to attempt to distribute players of equal strength evenly across the division.  The goal is to create balanced teams so that during the season each team has an equal chance of winning the game.

2.13 How are teams picked?
A draft is held by the coaches and the Convener for the Division.  The ratings are used to try to equally distribute players of equal skill levels across the teams.  The goal is to create balanced teams so that during the season each team has an equal chance of winning the game.

2.14 What are the rules for each division?
Click here for the official rules for the league.  It is broken up for each division.  (The 2010 season rules will be posted shortly)

2.15 How are the standings for each division calculated?
Two points are awarded for each win, one point is awarded to each team in which a game ends in a tie.  Runs for and Runs against are also recorded and tallied

2.16 What do the standings mean for each division?
At the end of the regular season, the points determine who will face whom in each round of the round robin playoffs.  Also the team who places first in each division, at the discretion of the Executive  will represent BBL in the playdowns. 

2.17 I don’t have any experience, but can I help coach a team?
Absolutely!  We need coaches.  BBL has often run coaching clinics to help new coaches get comfortable in coaching baseball.

2.18 What is the Code of Conduct for players and for parents?
The code of conduct can be found here.  It is basically the expectations required from both players and their parents during the course of the season.

3) Select/Rep Information

3.1 What is the difference between Select and Rep?
First there is House League in which anyone can play regardless of skill level.  Select is the next level up in player ability followed by Rep which is even higher.  Under the Scarborough Stinger Program most Rep teams are run by the Stingers.

3.2 How do you qualify to play Select/Rep?
On the registration form (both online and paper) there is a box to fill in if you are interested in Select.  This website will post tryout dates and times for the various teams.  Players must tryout for the team.  The coaches make the selections for the team.

3.3 If I make a Select team, do I still play House League?
Under the SOBA constitution players on a Select team MUST fulfill their obligation to their House League team.  So yes, the player must play House League.

3.4 When do Select Teams usually play?
Normally it is Sunday nights.

3.6 Why does Birchmount have a Bantam Rep team?
2010 will be the last year this team exists.  After this season it will be absorbed into the Scarborough Stinger program.

4) Registration Information

4.1 How do I register my child(ren) to play for BBL this year?
There are two ways to register your child(ren) for BBL.  You may do so in person at one of our On Site Registrations or you may register here on the website by clicking on the Registration button.

4.1.1 I need some help on the online registration.

Here is a"> video that takes you through the steps for the 2010 House League Registration.

4.2 What forms of payment do you accept?
Onsite Registration: We accept only cheques or cash.  Receipts will be given
Online Registration: We accept Mastercard/Visa.  Receipts will be emailed to you.

4.3 Do I get a receipt for the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit?
You will receive a receipt through email for the tax credit. 

4.4 What is the refund policy?
Full refunds will be offered up to the date of the last Onsite Registration day.  50% will be given between the last registration date and Opening Day (for 2010 that is May 25 2010).  There is NO refund after Opening Day (May 25)

4.5 I have noticed a different online registration process this year.  Why the change?
We have upgraded our registration process.  This year everyone will have to create a new account.  However after this year, your account will stay with BBL and you will only need to update payment information?

4.6 Is our credit information safe?
Yes.  We are using a company for all our registration.  No one in the BBL will even see your credit card information.  The company that is used keeps all information secure and encrypted.

4.7 Why can’t I use a credit card at an OnSite Registration?
This would mean BBL members would have access to your credit information.  Under no circumstances will any BBL member have access to credit information. This is why cheques and cash are the only method of payments OnSite.

4.8 When are the OnSite Registration Dates?
These will be posted on the main page of the website.  Only when the registration period is over will that information be taken down.

4.9 Can I register after the season starts?
It depends on the number of spots that are available in the division.  You must contact the Registrar after Registration is closed to see if spaces are available.

4.10 What is the price for each division?

4.11 If I am going to the OnSite registration can I download the registration form before I go so I can fill it out ahead of time?
Yes, you can download it here.  Please note you need Adobe Acrobat Reader.  It is formatted as a legal piece of paper (not letter).

5)Umpire Information

5.1 How do I get involved in being an umpire with BBL?
Contact the Umpire in Chief through the website.  Also look for announcements on the website for Umpire Clinics as well as the online calendar.

6)Website Information / How to Use the Website

6.1 What happened to the old website?
The old website was retired in November 2009.

6.2 Why was the old website replaced?
The new website allowed BBL to use Web 2.0 technologies that would allow better communication to the BBL community.  It would also require less work to maintain once it was fully operational. 

6.3 Is the new website costing the BBL more money?

No.  The website itself uses Joomla which is an Open Source Content Management System (CMS).  There is no fee to use it.  We are using free extensions and modules for the website.  The website is being hosted at a new webhosting firm (a Canadian one now) which is cheaper than the old website.
           

6.4 Why does the website take longer to load than the old one?

This current website is pulling information from several different servers such as Google and Twitter as it loads.  It does take a few more seconds to gather all of this information before the first page is displayed.  This slight delay, although an inconvenience will allow you to view the most up to date information.
           
6.5 How do I know if games are cancelled?
Click on the link, Game Status Via Twitter to see the status of the current day's games. If nothing has been posted for that day, the decision has not yet been made and all parents and players should be prepared to play at the scheduled time.

Alternatively,

If you have a Twitter account you may also follow us on Twitter for updates.  If you are logged into Twitter you will receive updates as soon as a decision is made.  If you have a mobile device with a Twitter application, game status notifications will be sent to you directly on your device.  For either option, in your twitter account you must follow the BBL Twitter username which is bbl_web.

6.6 Why is BBL using Twitter for the communicating Cancelled Games?

It allows users to get access to game status information instantly without the need to continually look at the website, but that still remains an option.  Now people with mobile devices can access the information as soon as the decision is made.  It also allows the BBL to send updates from the ball park if necessary, instead of running back to a computer to update the website.

6.7 What are the ads I see on the right hand side of the webpage?

These are the current sponsors of the league.  They have donated money to help keep the league running financially in order to provide you and your children baseball at an affordable rate.  As you click on different pages ads from the different sponsors will appear.  Eventually when you click on the sponsor’s logo a pop up will appear with all the contact information, email addresses, website addresses and any special discounts the sponsor may offer BBL members (this is not up yet).

6.8 Will there be ads from other parties other than sponsors?

No, only sponsors will be highlighted on the web.  No other ads will be displayed.

6.9 Do certain sponsors get more time on the website than others?
No.  A randomization algorithm is being used to display the ads.  It is possible that a certain sponsor’s ad may come up a few times more than others in the short term.  In the long run though, no sponsor’s ad will be given any special treatment.

6.10 I am a sponsor and I want to change what is shown on the web.  How do I do that?
Contact the webmaster from the Contact Us page.  All ads are 250 x 250 pixels with a resolution of 72 dpi. 

6.11 What is the benefit of registering with a username and a password?

There is a newsletter you can subscribe to if you have a username and password on the website.  This will allow you to subscribe to the newsletter.  The newsletter will be automatically generated once a week.  This way updates to the website can be sent to you directly and you don’t need to continually visit the website.    We also hope to add other features may be added in the future.

6.12 How do I use the calendar on the website?

Since we are using a free module the Calander isn’t as clear as the webmaster would like.  For now just click on any date that is highlighted.  You will then be brought to that date.  Then click “Back to Calendar.”  You will then be able to go to any date/month/year you wish to visit.  Or Click on one of the upcoming dates.

6.13 What is the difference between Latest News and Popular?

These are both automatic features of the website.  The Latest News section will list the latest items posted onto the website.  The Popular list will show which items are most actively viewed on the website.

6.14 Something was on the front page, now its gone.  How can I find it?

There are two possibilities:
1) The item is no longer in the Latest News because too much information has been posted since the website was last viewed by you.  You can either a) find it under the categories it should have been filed into or b) use the search function at the top and type in the key words to finding it

2) If this doesn’t work, the item may have been deleted by the webmaster.  This is most often with announcements that are past the actual date.
 
6.15 How do I contact the appropriate person about an issue?
Go to the Contact Us page and look for the position you think it should be sent to.  If you are unsure send it to the webmaster who will forward it to the most appropriate person(s).  Please make sure that enough detail, such as division, dates and names are in the email so that it can be forwarded properly.  Please don’t just write vague information like “I was upset with last night’s game.” 

6.16 How do I contact the webmaster if there is an error or issue?

Under the Contact Us page click on the Webmaster