Imagine a world in which all pool players are connected by Fargo ratings and are always rated accurately. Because organized leagues are the backbone of the billiards community, realizing this vision requires a league management system that is robust, easy to use, and suited for small-town leagues, larger regional leagues, or entire state and regional league associations. The FargoRate League Management System (LMS) is that tool. Just a few of the key features include:
Before you get started with LMS, it's important for you to understand some foundational aspects to avoid errors, frustration, unnecessary support requests, and delays in getting your league started.
- FargoRate integration
- Format flexibility
- Mobile scoring
- Schedule generator
- Copy divisions
- Online league stats
- And more...
Before you get started with LMS, it's important for you to understand some foundational aspects to avoid errors, frustration, unnecessary support requests, and delays in getting your league started.
LMS Help Section
LMS has its own help section that can be found by clicking "HELP" in the top right corner of the screen while logged in. The LMS help section is a step-by-step guide on how to properly use LMS. There are very few questions that can't be answered and issues that can't be resolved by thoroughly reading and understanding this content. Most of the issues new League Operators experience are caused by not thoroughly reviewing the LMS help section before getting started.
Below, are tips to compliment the information in the LMS help section.
Below, are tips to compliment the information in the LMS help section.
Use Google Chrome
LMS is a web-based system. There is no installation required. For the best LMS experience, use Google Chrome as your internet browser. You may encounter some compatibility issues with other browsers. Google Chrome can be downloaded for free here.
League Assistants Need Their Own Account
Never share your LMS account credentials with anyone. If assistants need to access your league in LMS, please request additional LMS accounts by emailing [email protected]. Be aware that assistants will have access to all of your divisions. When requesting additional accounts, please include:
- League number & name
- First name, last name, city, state, & email address of the assistant
Supported Games & Game Types
LMS supports many singles, scotch doubles, and team formats that are round-based or set-based. The games played must be 8-ball, 9-ball, or 10-ball. Other games are not permitted.
Note that all games must be played in the round-based format. Set-based is the only option in which all games are not required to be played to determine a winner. This setting cannot be changed after a match is scored.
Note that all games must be played in the round-based format. Set-based is the only option in which all games are not required to be played to determine a winner. This setting cannot be changed after a match is scored.
Creating Divisions
If you create a division from scratch, ensure that you have selected "BCAPL" as the "Division Type." We encourage you to begin division names with the calendar year of play so they stay organized in your division list. It's also recommended to have the game and season in the name. For example, if you are running a fall division that begins in September and ends in December of 2024, you may name it "2024 Fall 8-Ball - Shooters Billiards."
To create a division, you must either build your own custom score sheet or select one of the pre-built options. Create a custom score sheet using the "SCORESHEET LAYOUT" button. Choose a pre-built score sheet by using the "ADVANCED TEMPLATE" BUTTON.
Be aware that once a match is scored, you cannot change the score sheet template or layout, format, game-type, sanction year, or scoring settings. Additionally, teams and locations will have limited editing abilities and may force a rebuild of your schedule.
To create a division, you must either build your own custom score sheet or select one of the pre-built options. Create a custom score sheet using the "SCORESHEET LAYOUT" button. Choose a pre-built score sheet by using the "ADVANCED TEMPLATE" BUTTON.
Be aware that once a match is scored, you cannot change the score sheet template or layout, format, game-type, sanction year, or scoring settings. Additionally, teams and locations will have limited editing abilities and may force a rebuild of your schedule.
Test Mode
When you first begin using LMS, it's recommended to leave your divisions in "test mode" until you verify that everything is functioning as intended. It's easier to correct errors while the division is in test mode. Once everything is functioning as expected, change the "Test Division" setting from "Yes" to "No." All division information will then get reported to FargoRate. After the fourth week of play, LMS will require you to do this in order to continue using the system. No league data will flow into FargoRate while in test mode.
Adding Players
When adding a player to your league in LMS, a box appears prompting you to search for his or her existing profile first. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP. To increase the chance of finding the person's profile, enter just the first few letters of the first & last name and/or try spelling variations. For example, instead of "Jonathan," try "Jon" or name variations such as "Mike" and "Michael." You must be cautious to not select the wrong profile of a person with the same name who may live in a different city or state. Once you are confident that you have located the correct profile, click it to add the person to a team.
If you are unable to locate a player's profile after exhausting all possible searches, you can create a new player profile. However, be aware that if the player's profile already exists, you will be creating a duplicate profile, which can lead to numerous problems such as you being overcharged, incorrect ratings, missing memberships, inability to register for tournaments, and unnecessary support requests to merge the profiles later. League Operators who routinely and negligently create duplicate profiles may have their LMS account suspended.
If you must create a new player profile, enter their legal first and last name. Do not enter nicknames or partial names and please make sure to spell it correctly. You will be required to assign new players a starter rating. Please read the "Starter Ratings" section below before doing so.
New player profiles may not appear in the FargoRate app or BCA Pool League database for up to two days.
Be aware that updating a player's profile after it is created only updates it in LMS. If a player profile needs to be updated in FargoRate or the BCA Pool League systems, please submit a support request by reading the "Additional Support" section below.
If you are unable to locate a player's profile after exhausting all possible searches, you can create a new player profile. However, be aware that if the player's profile already exists, you will be creating a duplicate profile, which can lead to numerous problems such as you being overcharged, incorrect ratings, missing memberships, inability to register for tournaments, and unnecessary support requests to merge the profiles later. League Operators who routinely and negligently create duplicate profiles may have their LMS account suspended.
If you must create a new player profile, enter their legal first and last name. Do not enter nicknames or partial names and please make sure to spell it correctly. You will be required to assign new players a starter rating. Please read the "Starter Ratings" section below before doing so.
New player profiles may not appear in the FargoRate app or BCA Pool League database for up to two days.
Be aware that updating a player's profile after it is created only updates it in LMS. If a player profile needs to be updated in FargoRate or the BCA Pool League systems, please submit a support request by reading the "Additional Support" section below.
Starter Ratings
Starter ratings provide a starting point for new players and prevent large rating fluctuations from week to week as your league's data is reported to FargoRate. It's important to understand a few key terms.
ASSIGNING STARTER RATINGS
As you add new players to your league in LMS, it's important to assign starter ratings (typically between 250 & 720) for any player with a rating robustness less than 200. For a comparison chart to see how other ratings compare to FargoRate, click here.
UPDATING STARTER RATINGS
League Operators also have the ability to update existing starter ratings in LMS, with two restrictions:
To update a start rating, follow these steps while logged into LMS:
It is recommended to monitor unestablished players, those with a rating robustness of less than 200, closely and update their starter ratings periodically. Please note that the BCA Pool League will not update or adjust starter ratings for you. Therefore, League Operators should be cautious and deliberate when assigning and updating starter ratings.
NOTE: All players with an unestablished rating will undergo an automatic rating review when they register for BCA Pool League events. If deemed necessary, the BCA Pool League will adjust starter ratings to protect the integrity of its events.
- Starter Rating - an assigned starting point for players with a robustness of less than 200 (less than 200 games in FargoRate)
- Unestablished Fargo Rating or Preliminary Rating - a rating based on a robustness of less than 200 (less than 200 games in FargoRate) and a starter rating. This is a proportional blend of the starter rating and a performance rating based on less than 200 games.
- Established Fargo Rating - a rating based on a robustness of 200 or more. This is a pure performance rating. The starter rating has no effect once a player reaches a robustness of 200.
ASSIGNING STARTER RATINGS
As you add new players to your league in LMS, it's important to assign starter ratings (typically between 250 & 720) for any player with a rating robustness less than 200. For a comparison chart to see how other ratings compare to FargoRate, click here.
UPDATING STARTER RATINGS
League Operators also have the ability to update existing starter ratings in LMS, with two restrictions:
- The starter rating may only be adjusted in the direction of performance. For example, if a player with a starter rating of 400 is performing at a 467 level, the rating may only be adjusted upward, not downward.
- The starter rating may not be adjusted beyond actual performance. In the previous example, the League Operator may adjust the starter rating upward but not above 467.
To update a start rating, follow these steps while logged into LMS:
- Click the “Teams/Players/Locations” icon at the top right of the page.
- Click the gray "Players" tab which displays your player list.
- Click the edit button for the player, enter the starter rating or starter rating update and click “OK”. If the “OK” button is grayed out, there is likely other information that must be completed. The most common items left incomplete are “State” and “Gender.” It is important to complete this section thoroughly because it helps distinguish between players with the same or similar names. It’s also important to include email addresses so your members receive important BCA Pool League information. Any item that has an asterisk (*) is required.
It is recommended to monitor unestablished players, those with a rating robustness of less than 200, closely and update their starter ratings periodically. Please note that the BCA Pool League will not update or adjust starter ratings for you. Therefore, League Operators should be cautious and deliberate when assigning and updating starter ratings.
NOTE: All players with an unestablished rating will undergo an automatic rating review when they register for BCA Pool League events. If deemed necessary, the BCA Pool League will adjust starter ratings to protect the integrity of its events.
Mobile Scoring App
One of the great benefits of the BCA Pool League is free mobile scoring. The BCA Pool League Scoring App is available for free to all BCA Pool Leagues that use LMS. Click here for an overview of how to properly log into the BCA Pool League scoring app for the first time and how to use it to score matches.
There are also special scoring codes that can be used to indicate and track special league statistics such as break & runs, table runs, shut-outs, forfeits, etc. For a list of those codes and how to enter them, click here.
LMS does not generate printable score sheets as most leagues just use the scoring app. However, several printable score sheets can be found on the "Downloads" page of the BCA Pool League website by clicking clicking here.
There are also special scoring codes that can be used to indicate and track special league statistics such as break & runs, table runs, shut-outs, forfeits, etc. For a list of those codes and how to enter them, click here.
LMS does not generate printable score sheets as most leagues just use the scoring app. However, several printable score sheets can be found on the "Downloads" page of the BCA Pool League website by clicking clicking here.
Viewing League Stats
Sanctioning
The BCA Pool League member sanctioning process is an integral aspect of your league. Your players receive an array of membership benefits and you want them to take advantage of those benefits as quickly as possible. Fortunately, the FargoRate League Management System (LMS) makes the process easy. Click here for a complete explanation.
If there are any changes with your league such as new league officers, new locations of play, new nights of play, etc., please submit a new online application to let us know.
If there are any changes with your league such as new league officers, new locations of play, new nights of play, etc., please submit a new online application to let us know.
Archiving Divisions
Divisions in LMS cannot be deleted. Once a division is complete, you may archive it to remove it from view. Archived divisions may also be unarchived.
Additional Support
Review the additional support options available to you by clicking here. Always utilize the self-help options before submitting a support request. If you must submit an LMS support request, always provide your league number & division name and email [email protected]. Please don't wait until the very last minute to ask for help as we can't always provide immediate support.
Video Tutorials
Below are links to a series of LMS video tutorials. Although things might look a little different today, as the system is constantly evolving, they should still be helpful in getting you oriented to the system.
LMS – Building A Division
LMS – Adding Team, Players & Locations
LMS – Creating A League Schedule
LMS – Entering Scores
LMS – Building A Division
LMS – Adding Team, Players & Locations
LMS – Creating A League Schedule
LMS – Entering Scores
