If you missed the meeting, read through this to make sure we are all on the same page. If you were at the meeting, please read anyway and advise if you see any errors or omissions.
Most important. For your team to be included in the Spring schedule, you must have a minimum of eight (8) players signed on by March 8 (5 if you have a 2.5 or 5.0 team). I have no idea what I was thinking when I indicated March 22nd as the final cut off. By March 22nd we hope to have the actual schedule in place so teams can begin to plan their first match in April. The March 8th date still gives you ample time to sign on players for Spring. If you are within a player or two for the minimum, and swear to me on your favorite tennis racquet that you do have a team, I will include you in the schedule. You can continue adding players through May 31st. If you do not have your team number yet, please contact me by email or phone. If your team members or home facilities have major events scheduled that will make it impossible for you to obtain courts or participate on a particular weekend, be sure to inform me prior to the deadline. We will do our best to accommodate these situations.
On Wednesday, March 10th, the initial match rotations will be published, so you will know what weekends you need to secure courts for your home matches. That is also the opportune time to let me know if there is a problem I have not dealt with, so that we can work together to smooth out the schedule. You do not need to contact the opposing captain to arrange the day and time. Arrange your home court matches for the entire season and let me know by March 17th. Matches may not start before 8:00 AM, nor can they be scheduled to start after 5:00 PM. The number of matches you will play during the season will be dependent on the number of teams in the division.
Some teams will begin play the weekend of April 3, others may begin one week later. No matches will be scheduled the weekend of April 10 or May 30. Mother’s Day and Father’s day, matches will be scheduled. If you are the home team and desire not to play on that day, you can control your schedule and play on Saturday. However, if you are the visitor and home schedules a match, you are expected to play. You may negotiate with the home team, but the decision is theirs to call.
Once the schedule is published and confirmed accurate, you are expected to play the schedule as posted. However, there are some circumstances where changes can be made. If you are the home team and need to change the day or time of the match, but on the same weekend as it was originally scheduled, you may do so as long as you give the visitor and the coordinator two week’s notice. We will consider notice prior to 6:00 PM two Monday’s before the weekend in question to satisfy this requirement.
If both captains agree to change the time or day of a match, this can be done without the required two week’s notice, but the match must be completed by the Sunday following the original scheduled weekend.
If only one captain desires the change, and there is no sudden loss of available courts, the match must be played as scheduled.
Playability of courts is determined by the home team captain. For example, if it is raining, or blowing sandstorms or there is an environmental hazard, it is up to the home captain to decide if a match should go on. If a match must be rescheduled due to such an event, the makeup can be scheduled any time during the season, but the day and time must be agreed upon and given to the coordinator to post within the week after play was canceled. Both captains must agree to the amended schedule.
Unavailability of strongest players is not a valid reason for postponing/rescheduling a match.
All captains at the meeting received a printed copy of the “2004 Sectional Rules and Regulations” for the Southern California Section. Click here to read online: SCTA League Rules. A couple of highlights: Players may play on a maximum of two teams for which they are qualified by their rating. They may play two different levels in the same area, e.g. a 3.5 player may play on a 3.5 team and a 4.0 team in the SFV, or at the same NTRP level in two different areas, such as 3.5 in the SFV and 3.5 in Ventura.
Team captains or their designated co-captain must be present at all matches and are responsible for the behavior of their players. It is also the responsibility of the home team captain to control the conduct of spectators during match play.
All players must be properly rostered prior to playing a match. If there is a valid reason a player cannot be registered prior to play, the coordinator and opposing captain must be told in advance of play commencing.
The self-rating system continues, however the DQ level has been lowered as the USTA determined that too many out of category players were slipping through. Players who’s dynamic rating exceeds the new, lower level, will earn a strike. Three strikes and you are disqualified from participation at that NTRP level. Affected players may appeal the DQ.
Additionally, there is a method by which action can be taken against players who enter the program below their actual skill level. These acts are considered a violation of good conduct, fair play, and good sportsmanship, and guidelines have been implemented to deal with these violations. A Fair Play Grievance form may be filed by a captain or a coordinator against the player and/or captain who commits or condones these actions. A Section Grievance committee will have jurisdiction and may take action, as they deem appropriate.
The detailed pamphlet: "USA League Tennis Regulations for 2004" deals with self-rating, year-end and mid-year dynamic ratings, appeals procedures and other general regulations. It is the captain’s responsibility and duty not to allow out of category players to sign on to his/her team. Here is a link to the content of this pamphlet as posted online at the USTA site: 2004 League Rules. However, the information on the inside cover is not posted there so we have reproduced it here: Use of NTRP Computer Ratings.
We do not use the Penalty Point system in our area. We do implement the 15 minutes forfeit time, but remind captains that the 15 minutes begins when the time has come and a court is available for play. Certainly the time can be extended if both captains agree to give a player a few minutes more. (e.g., the player is in the parking lot or on the premises and scurrying to the court, they have driven a gazillion miles and have called in a Sigalert, but are almost there.) We are all here to play tennis, not to win by default. There is nothing more insulting than to claim a default and then offer to play a “fun” match. Such accommodations are like line calls: if you are generous, you will get generous in return.
In Spring League a third set is to be played if the first two are split. No tie-break in lieu of a third set. If despite this rule, a third set tie-break is played, you will not be able to enter the result as "1-0." You will have to enter "7-6" which will be a disadvantage for both teams. There is a ten minute break allowed between the second and third set, and coaching is permitted during that break and only during that break. After the first game of each set and during a tie-break, play shall be continuous and the players shall change ends without a rest period. A set break of a maximum of two minutes shall be taken between the first and second set, and no coaching is allowed during the set break.
Dress codes are enforced at Braemar, and a handout was given. Tennis themed t-shirts are OK. Basically, tennis attire is required. No denim, no walking shorts no tank tops or sleeveless shirts. Women may wear tank tops that are designed for tennis. No food or drink should be brought. All courts have water provided.
Dress codes are also enforced at Porter Valley, and men must wear collared shirts. All attire must be appropriate tennis wear. If a player is not allowed to play because he is not in tennis attire, you must correct the situation or the other team may claim a default.
We had over 1200 players participating in our last Spring league. We expect to exceed that number this year. We love to see our favorite sport grow and participants having a fun, competitive team experience. The dynamic rating system will inevitably work properly, and we encourage players to play at the level of their skill, and possibly one level up, if they and the team feel that is good for all. We also strongly encourage captains to put together teams that enjoy playing together, understand team goals and support the goals of good conduct, fair play and good sportsmanship.
Janine and Dean Smylie