User Guide

Everything DugoutXC Can Do

A complete guide to every feature on the platform — from buying and selling to live scoring and community tools.

@Mentions

Tag other community members in forum comments and messages.

  • Type @ followed by a name in any comment or message field to mention a community member.
  • An autocomplete dropdown appears showing matching users — click to select.
  • Mentions are highlighted so the tagged person stands out in the conversation.
  • Works in both forum post comments and direct messages.

AI Assistant (Chat)

Get instant answers about gear, pricing, and platform features.

  • Ask the AI anything: "What's a fair price for a used Rawlings glove?"
  • Get gear recommendations based on your sport and budget.
  • Available 24/7 — no waiting for human support.
  • The AI can answer questions about how the platform works, what gear to buy, and more.

AI Gear Finder

Describe what you need in plain English and let AI find matching listings.

  • Click the chat bubble icon on the homepage to open the AI Gear Finder.
  • Type naturally: "I need a youth baseball bat under $80" and AI will search for you.
  • Results show matching listings with photos, prices, and conditions.
  • Great for finding gear when you're not sure exactly what to search for.

AI Game Synopsis

Generate an AI-written recap of your baseball or softball game.

  • After finishing a game in Live Scoring, click "Generate AI Synopsis".
  • AI writes a narrative recap based on the score, innings, and player stats.
  • Great for sharing with teammates, parents, or posting to the community.
  • Available for both baseball and softball games.

AI Photo Analyzer

Upload a photo and let AI auto-fill your listing details.

  • When creating a listing, upload a photo and click "Analyze with AI".
  • AI identifies the item, brand, model, and condition from the image.
  • Automatically suggests a title, description, and fair market price.
  • Saves time — no need to manually research pricing or write descriptions.

Bundles

Group multiple items into a discounted bundle deal.

  • Select two or more of your active listings to bundle together.
  • Set a bundle price lower than the combined individual prices.
  • Buyers can purchase the whole bundle in one transaction.
  • Great for selling a complete kit — bat, glove, cleats, bag — all at once.

Community Forum

Discuss gear, get buying advice, and connect with athletes.

  • Post in categories: General Discussion, Gear Reviews, Buying Help, Selling Tips, Meetups & Events, Brag Board, and more.
  • React to posts with emoji reactions.
  • Reply in threaded comments.
  • Report inappropriate content directly from any post.
  • Get a daily digest email of the most popular posts.

Support Center

Get help with your transactions — open disputes, submit evidence, and chat with the support team.

  • Access the Support tab from your Profile page to see all your buy and sell transactions in one place.
  • Each transaction card shows its current status: In Escrow, Complete, or a dispute badge if one is open.
  • Click any transaction to expand it — if there's a problem, click 'Open Dispute' to submit a reason and description.
  • Upload photo evidence directly within the dispute form (up to 5 images).
  • Once a dispute is open, a live message thread appears — you can add follow-up messages and more images at any time.
  • The DugoutXC support team responds in the same thread, so all communication is in one place.
  • Dispute statuses: Open → Under Review → Resolved (Buyer or Seller) or Closed.
  • Resolved disputes lock the thread and display the final outcome and any admin notes.

Disputes

Resolve issues between buyers and sellers fairly.

  • Open a dispute from the Support tab on any active or completed transaction.
  • Provide details and upload evidence photos.
  • Our admin team reviews and mediates all disputes.
  • Outcomes: resolved in favor of buyer, seller, or closed.

DugoutXC Store

Shop branded DugoutXC merchandise and swag.

  • Browse official DugoutXC apparel and accessories.
  • Purchases support youth sports programs.
  • Add items to your cart and check out securely.

Escrow Payment Protection

Funds are held in escrow until the buyer confirms they received their item.

  • After every purchase, payment is held securely in escrow — it's not sent to the seller right away.
  • Once you receive your item, click "Confirm Receipt" on the payment success page to release funds to the seller immediately.
  • If you don't confirm within 7 days, funds are automatically released to the seller.
  • Sellers can track the escrow status of each sale from their Seller Dashboard.
  • This system protects buyers from non-delivery and gives sellers peace of mind that payment is secured.

Forum Polls

Create interactive polls on any forum post and vote on community questions.

  • When creating a forum post, click "Add a Poll" to attach a question with 2–6 custom answer options.
  • Community members can vote on poll options directly from the post detail page.
  • Real-time vote bars show the current breakdown of responses.
  • Each user can only vote once per poll.
  • Great for gear comparisons, event planning, or community opinion questions.

Gear Showcase

Share photos of your setup and get inspired by the community.

  • Post photos of your gear collection or favorite setup.
  • Tag specific gear items (brand, model) so others can find similar products.
  • Like and comment on other members' showcases.
  • Save posts you love to revisit later.
  • Filter showcases by sport to find relevant setups.

Gear of the Week

A community spotlight on the best gear post of the week, featured on the homepage.

  • Every week, admins pick a standout Gear Showcase post to be featured on the DugoutXC homepage.
  • The featured post is displayed in a prominent spotlight section with the poster's photo, caption, and gear tags.
  • Post your best setup in the Gear Showcase to be considered — high-quality photos and detailed gear tags help!
  • Only one post is featured at a time; the spotlight rotates as admins select new winners.

ID Verification for High-Value Listings

One-time identity check required to sell items priced at $500 or more.

  • If you're listing an item at $500 or above, you'll be prompted to complete a quick ID verification before publishing.
  • Upload a photo of a government-issued ID alongside a selfie holding it.
  • Verification is a one-time process — once approved, you won't be asked again.
  • This protects the community from fraudulent high-value listings.
  • Your verification image is stored securely and only reviewed by admins.

Leaderboard & Badges

Earn badges based on your selling activity and community standing.

  • Badges awarded: Bronze (10+ volume), Silver (30+), Gold (50+), Platinum (70+), Diamond (90+).
  • The leaderboard ranks top sellers by total transaction volume.
  • Your badge appears on your profile and every listing you post.
  • Verified sellers get a special checkmark badge.

Live Scoring

Track real-time baseball and softball game scores.

  • Create a game and set up rosters for both teams.
  • Record pitches, hits, outs, runs, and base runners in real time.
  • View the full inning-by-inning scorecard.
  • Generate an AI game synopsis at the end.
  • Share a live link so fans can follow along.

Local Pickup Scheduling

Coordinate in-person pickup times with sellers directly on the listing page.

  • On any active listing, click "Schedule Local Pickup" to propose up to 5 date/time options.
  • Add a suggested meeting location (e.g. a nearby coffee shop or parking lot).
  • The seller receives your request and can confirm one of your proposed times or suggest a new location.
  • Once confirmed, both you and the seller receive a message with the agreed pickup time and meeting spot.
  • After the exchange, either party can mark the pickup as completed.
  • All pending and confirmed pickups are visible directly on the listing page for easy reference.

Map View

See listings pinned on a map near you.

  • Browse all active listings on an interactive map.
  • Filter by category and price while viewing the map.
  • Click a pin to preview the listing without leaving the map.
  • Great for finding local pickup deals close to home.

Marketplace

Browse & buy used sports gear from sellers in your community.

  • Filter by sport category, condition, price range, and location.
  • Search with natural language — our AI understands queries like "lightly used golf clubs under $150".
  • Save listings to your wishlist with the heart icon.
  • Click any listing to see full details, photos, seller info, and Q&A.
  • Add items to your cart and check out securely via PayPal or Stripe.

Messages

Chat directly with buyers and sellers about any listing.

  • Start a conversation from any listing page.
  • Attach images to your messages for clarity.
  • Get notified in the nav bar when you have unread messages.
  • Archive old conversations to keep your inbox tidy.
  • Receive an instant in-app pop-up alert when a new message arrives — even if you're on a different page.
  • Get an email notification for every new message so you never miss a conversation when you're away.

Offers & Trades

Make offers or propose trade deals on any listing.

  • Submit a cash offer below the listed price — sellers can accept or decline.
  • Propose a trade: describe what you're offering in exchange, with optional top-up cash.
  • Upload photos of your trade item so the seller can evaluate it.
  • Accepted offers generate a secure checkout link automatically.
  • Sellers receive an instant in-app toast alert the moment a new offer comes in — no need to refresh.
  • An email notification is also sent to the seller with the offer amount and a link to the listing.

Park Locator

Find nearby sports parks, fields, and facilities in your area.

  • Search for parks and athletic facilities close to your location.
  • Filter by sport type to find the right venue for your game.
  • View park details including address and available amenities.
  • Great for planning meetups, pickup games, or local gear exchanges.

Notifications

Stay instantly informed about offers, messages, and price drops — in-app and by email.

  • Real-time in-app alerts: a pop-up toast appears anywhere on the site the moment you receive a new message or offer — no page refresh needed.
  • New message emails: every time someone messages you, an email is sent with a preview and a direct link to reply.
  • New offer emails: sellers receive an email the moment a buyer submits an offer, including the amount and a link to the listing.
  • Price drop alerts: if a listing you saved drops in price, you'll get an email letting you know.
  • Saved search alerts: when a new listing matches a saved search, you'll receive an email notification.
  • Unread message count: the Messages link in the nav bar shows a red badge with the number of unread messages.

Saved Searches & Alerts

Get notified the moment gear matching your criteria is listed.

  • Save any search with filters as an alert.
  • Receive an email notification when a new matching listing appears.
  • Receive an email alert when the price drops on any listing you've saved to your wishlist.
  • Manage and delete saved searches from your profile.

Seller Dashboard

Track your sales, earnings, and listing performance.

  • See total revenue, pending payouts, and completed transactions.
  • Monitor views and saves on each of your listings.
  • Manage active listings, edit prices, and mark items as sold.
  • Request a payout to your PayPal account.
  • View your seller rating and recent reviews.

Seller Verification

Get verified to build buyer trust and stand out in search.

  • Submit a verification request with your experience and social links.
  • Admins review and approve requests manually.
  • Verified badge appears on your profile and all listings.
  • Verified sellers are ranked higher in search results.

Selling & Listings

List your gear in minutes and reach thousands of local athletes.

  • Upload up to 10 photos and a video to showcase your item.
  • Use the AI photo analyzer to auto-fill the title, description, and suggested price.
  • Pin your exact location so buyers know how close you are.
  • Manage all your active, sold, and reserved listings from the Seller Dashboard.
  • Edit or delete your listings at any time.
  • Boost a listing to feature it at the top of search results.

Wanted Posts

Post what you're looking for and let sellers come to you.

  • Describe exactly what gear you need, your budget, and preferred condition.
  • Sellers can browse wanted posts and message you directly.
  • Set your location so nearby sellers can reach you.
  • Close your post once you've found what you need.

Notification Preferences

Choose exactly which emails you want to receive from DugoutXC.

  • Visit Profile → Notifications to open your preferences page.
  • Toggle each email type on or off individually: New Messages, New Offers, Price Drop Alerts, Saved Search Alerts, and Followed Seller Activity.
  • Changes save instantly — your preferences are applied to all future emails.
  • Turning off an email type only stops the email; in-app alerts (toasts) are always on.

Bump a Listing

Re-post your listing to the top of the feed for free, once every 7 days.

  • In your Seller Dashboard, find any active listing and click the "Bump ⬆️" button.
  • Your listing is immediately moved to the top of the marketplace feed so more buyers see it.
  • Bumping is completely free — no payment required.
  • You can bump each listing once every 7 days. A countdown shows when your next bump is available.
  • Bumping refreshes the listing date, so it appears as recently listed.

Trade-In System

Offer one of your own listings in exchange for a listing you want — with optional cash to sweeten the deal.

  • On any active listing, click the "Trade" button to open the Propose a Trade modal.
  • Select one of your own active listings from a visual picker — it shows the photo, condition, and price.
  • Optionally add a cash top-up amount if your item is worth less than what you're trading for.
  • Upload up to 5 condition photos of your trade item so the seller can see its current state.
  • Add an optional message to personalize your offer.
  • A trade summary is shown before you submit so you can review the deal.
  • The seller is instantly notified by email and sees your offer in their Seller Dashboard under "Incoming Trade Offers".
  • Sellers can Accept or Decline trade offers with one click — and the proposer is emailed either way.

Follow a Seller

Follow sellers you love and get notified the moment they list something new.

  • Visit any seller's profile page and click the "Follow" button next to the Message button.
  • When that seller posts a new listing, you'll receive an email notification right away.
  • Click "Unfollow" on their profile at any time to stop receiving their notifications.
  • Followed-seller emails respect your Notification Preferences — you can turn them off there if needed.
  • Great for following your favorite local sellers so you never miss a deal.

The Dugout

A TikTok-style social feed where athletes connect, share moments, and engage with the community.

  • Access The Dugout from "The Dugout" link in the main navigation.
  • Write a post and optionally attach photos — posts appear instantly in the feed for everyone to see.
  • Like any post with the heart button; the like count updates in real time.
  • Click "Comment" on any post to expand the comments thread and reply.
  • Delete your own posts at any time using the trash icon.
  • Follow sellers directly from the feed to get notified when they post new listings.
  • Unfollow sellers anytime from the sidebar or from their posts.
  • The sidebar shows your profile, quick links to other features, and the list of sellers you're following.

Dugout Credits Wallet

Pre-fund your account with credits for instant one-click checkout on any listing.

  • Access your Wallet from the Profile page under 'My Wallet'.
  • Deposit funds via PayPal using preset amounts ($10, $25, $50, $100) or enter a custom amount — minimum deposit is $5.
  • Your credit balance is displayed prominently and updates instantly after a deposit.
  • When your balance covers the price of a listing, a 'Pay with Credits' button appears at checkout — no PayPal redirect needed.
  • If your balance is lower than the listing price, a top-up nudge is shown so you can add more credits quickly.
  • Every deposit, purchase, and refund is logged in your transaction history with timestamps and status badges.
  • Credits are held securely and apply the same buyer-protection escrow as regular PayPal purchases.

Like Listings

Like listings to show interest and let sellers know their gear is popular.

  • Click the heart icon on any listing card to like it.
  • The like count is visible on every listing card so you can see what's trending.
  • Sellers receive an email notification whenever someone likes one of their listings.
  • You must be signed in to like a listing — you can't like your own items.
  • Unlike at any time by clicking the heart icon again.

Pro Seller Upgrade

One-time upgrade that unlocks the full power of DugoutXC for serious sellers.

  • Upgrade once for $29.95 — pay once, keep the benefits forever. No subscriptions.
  • Unlimited free listing bumps — push any listing to the top of the feed as often as you like, with no 7-day wait.
  • Pro Seller badge displayed on your profile and on every listing you post, building buyer trust instantly.
  • Priority placement in search results so your listings appear above non-Pro sellers.
  • Instant buyer notifications — your followers are notified the moment you post a new listing.
  • Dedicated seller support with priority response from the DugoutXC team.
  • Up to 50 active listings at once, compared to 20 for free accounts.
  • Your own Pro Shop storefront — a public page at dugoutxc.com/shop/yourname with your banner, tagline, and all your active listings.
  • Set up your Pro Shop from the Seller Dashboard or immediately after upgrading on the success page.

Pro Shop Storefront

Your own branded storefront page with a custom URL — available exclusively to Pro Sellers.

  • After upgrading to Pro, go to the Seller Dashboard and click "Set Up Pro Shop" to configure your storefront.
  • Choose a unique shop URL slug (e.g. /shop/johndoe) — this becomes your permanent public shop address.
  • Upload a banner image to personalize your shop's header.
  • Add a tagline to tell buyers what you specialize in.
  • Your Pro Shop automatically displays all your active listings in a clean grid layout.
  • Share your shop URL on social media, in messages, or in your email signature to drive more traffic.
  • Buyers can visit your shop without an account — it's fully public.

DugoutXC Reels

Post short videos of your gear, record with your camera, and scroll a TikTok-style feed.

  • Tap 'Post a Reel' to upload a video from your device or record directly with your camera.
  • Add a caption and tag a sport to help others discover your reel.
  • Scroll through the full-screen vertical reel feed — swipe up/down or use arrow keys.
  • Like any reel by tapping the heart — creators see how many likes they've received.
  • Share a reel link with friends via the share button on each reel.
  • Reels are separate from marketplace listings — post gear demos, unboxings, tips, or highlights.

Creator Subscriptions (3 Tiers)

Support your favorite creators with a monthly subscription — choose from Starter, Pro, or Elite tiers.

  • Visit any creator's profile or reel and click 'Subscribe' to see the three tier options side-by-side.
  • Starter ($4.99/mo): Access to starter-tier exclusive reels and the foundational training video library.
  • Pro ($9.99/mo): Everything in Starter plus pro-tier exclusive reels, advanced training videos, and deeper performance insights.
  • Elite ($19.99/mo): Everything in Pro plus elite-tier exclusive reels, the premium training library, and personalized insights.
  • Subscriptions are secure recurring payments processed through PayPal — cancel anytime.
  • Upgrading or downgrading tiers automatically cancels your previous subscription to the same creator.
  • Creators can also mark individual reels as tier-exclusive, so only subscribers at that tier or above can view them.
  • Creators track their earnings, tips, and subscriber counts from the Creator Earnings page.

Training Library

Exclusive training videos curated by coaches and creators — gated by your subscription tier.

  • Access the Training Library from the 'Training' button on the Reels page.
  • Browse videos by category — pitching, hitting, fielding, speed, strength, mental game, and more.
  • Each video shows the required subscription tier (Starter, Pro, or Elite) with a colored badge.
  • Videos at or below your current tier are fully unlocked — click to watch in a full-screen player.
  • Videos above your tier show a lock overlay with a quick 'Unlock' button that opens the tier selection modal.
  • Search by title, category, or instructor name to find exactly what you need.
  • New training content is added regularly by admins and verified coaches.

Smart Coach Velocity Tracker

Log Pocket Radar Smart Coach readings, visualize your progress, and get training drills to improve your throwing speed.

  • Access the Smart Coach page from the vibrant CTA banner on the homepage hero or via the 'Smart Coach Velocity' button on your Profile.
  • Add readings manually by entering the velocity (MPH), sport, throw type, date, and an optional note.
  • Bulk import readings by uploading a CSV export from your Pocket Radar Smart Coach device — the parser auto-detects velocity, date, and metadata columns.
  • View your max, average, and total reading stats at a glance.
  • See a velocity-over-time line chart with an average reference line to track your progress.
  • Get targeted training tips — proven drills like long toss, weighted ball throws, plyometric push-ups, and sprint training to boost velocity.
  • Your latest readings appear in a summary card that updates in real time as you add or delete entries.

Auctions

Let buyers bid on your gear — highest bid wins when the auction timer runs out.

  • When creating a listing, toggle "List as Auction" and set a starting bid and auction end time.
  • Buyers place bids that must exceed the current highest bid.
  • The auction details show a live countdown timer, current bid, and full bid history.
  • When you're outbid, you'll receive an instant email letting you know the new highest bid.
  • Once the auction ends, the highest bidder wins and receives an email to complete checkout.
  • If there are no bids by the end time, the listing expires and you can relist it or convert to a fixed price.
  • The seller is notified when the auction ends with the winner's information.
  • Auctions appear in the marketplace with a special "Auction" badge and show the current bid.

Squads

Create or join sport-specific group chats with shared moderation, watch parties, and pinned posts.

  • Browse and join public squads by sport, or create your own private squad with invite-only access.
  • Chat in real time with images, threaded replies, and pinned moderator messages.
  • Moderators can flag messages, manage roles (moderator, gear specialist), and set community rules plus auto-moderation keywords.
  • Start a Watch Party inside any squad to stream a live game together and watch with your group.

Tournament Manager

Run end-to-end tournaments — registration, auto-scheduling, payments, team communications, and live streaming.

  • Create a tournament with custom registration fields, waivers, entry fees, and bracket format (single/double elimination or round robin).
  • Teams register online, pay the entry fee via PayPal, and get approved or checked in by the organizer.
  • Auto-scheduling builds the bracket, assigns fields/courts, and respects minimum rest periods between matches.
  • Score matches in real time with live bracket updates and scheduling conflict detection.
  • Built-in team communication threads keep coaches and organizers in sync.
  • Attach a live stream link to any game so fans can watch the action live.

Community Events

Discover and post local sports events, meetups, and tournaments in your area.

  • Browse upcoming community events on an easy-to-scan calendar grid.
  • Create your own event with date, location, description, and category.
  • RSVP to events and see who else is attending.
  • Great for gear swaps, pickup games, clinics, and watch parties.

Coaches Directory

Find vetted coaches by sport, read reviews, and view training galleries.

  • Browse coach profiles with bios, sports, years of experience, and contact links.
  • View each coach's training gallery to see their work and athletes in action.
  • Leave and read ratings and testimonials from athletes and parents.
  • Contact a coach directly through the platform to book sessions.

Testimonials

Read what the community says about DugoutXC and share your own experience.

  • Browse approved testimonials from buyers, sellers, and athletes.
  • Submit your own testimonial for admin review and publication.
  • Featured testimonials highlight the impact DugoutXC has on youth sports.

Donations

Support youth sports programs with a secure one-time donation.

  • Use the donation banner on the homepage to make a secure PayPal donation.
  • Choose what your donation goes toward — a specific team, program, or the general fund.
  • Receive a thank-you confirmation after your donation is processed.
  • 100% of donations are tracked and paid out to the designated organizations.

Velocity Coach Feedback

Coaches can leave feedback notes directly on your Pocket Radar velocity readings.

  • When you log a velocity reading, your assigned coach can attach a feedback note with tips.
  • Notes appear inline next to the reading so you see context alongside your data.
  • Coaches track athlete progress over time and tailor drills to trends.
  • Athletes get actionable, personalized guidance without a separate messaging thread.

Live Streaming

Embed a live video feed (YouTube, Twitch, or direct link) into any game for fans to watch in real time.

  • When creating or editing a game in Live Scoring, paste a stream URL and pick the source type.
  • Active streams show a LIVE badge and a featured embed at the top of the live feed.
  • Fans follow the scoreboard and watch the stream in one place — no separate app needed.
  • Works alongside real-time scoring and the AI game synopsis.

Stories

Share ephemeral photo stories that appear at the top of The Dugout for 24 hours.

  • Post a photo story from The Dugout — it appears in the stories bar above the feed.
  • Stories disappear automatically after 24 hours.
  • Tap any story to view it full screen.
  • A great way to share quick gear finds, game highlights, or behind-the-scenes moments.

Ready to dive in?

Start buying or selling sports gear in your community today.