Following is a recap of the items covered and issues decided at the Captain's meeting last week. Also, a reminder that the 2006 NTRP year end ratings are now posted on Tennis Link. You can look up ratings by individual, team, or gender and rating level.
All self rated players will complete the Player Profile on line at the time they register for the team. A player who does not have a valid, current NTRP rating will be required to complete a series of questions, and the first page declares who is doing the registering, the Player or the Captain/Administrator and declares the person completing the form is accountable for the information, If Captains are registering their players, be sure you have them fill in a Player Profile draft for you so that the information is complete and accurate. Player background covers play in the USA and foreign countries, so if your player was the third ranked junior in Russia, he is not a 3.5 player. The General and Experienced Player Guidelines form you will review before completing the self rating process will guide you to a correct level of play. For example, the very last guideline referred to as Athletic ability, refers to players new to tennis who have had competitive experience in other sports suggests they should consider rapid improvement anticipated and not rate below 3.0. Anyone with any high school experience may not rate below 3.0 and should consider their high school experience when self rating. The questions are simple and require Yes or No answers. At the end, the player/captain is asked to Select, then Save the Appropriate Self-Rate. There is also an Appeal Self-Rate if you feel other factors may impact your playing level. Select Close Window to continue with the Team Registration. If the Player selects the Appeal button, an NTRP Self-Rate Appeal Form will pop up. Complete the form prior to closing the window. Note: All self-rated players are subject to Self Rate Eligibility Grievances and three strikes DQ for playing significantly above the self rated level.
The link to the NTRP 2007 Appeal Form is on our site under FORMS. It is probably quicker than wading through the SCTA site. Players who wish to appeal their 2006 rating must complete the form and mail it to the SCTA along with a check for $10.00. They will receive written confirmation if the Appeal is accepted or denied. Please do not call Linda Milan to ask her to see if the player is eligible to appeal. All appeals must be received in writing.
The 2007 Section Regulations (Captain's Handbook) is on our site and can be reviewed and downloaded. We discussed the major National changes for 2007, including the move up/split up rules change that excludes any player who did not participate in a match during the local league season, including defaults. Players must have participated in TWO matches (one of which may be a default) to advance out of the local league. In order to advance to a National championship, an individual must have participated in THREE matches, with no defaults counting.
The major Section regulations changes that affect the players is that individuals may play on a maximum of two teams per area-division. There will be no limit on how many areas they may play in. Therefore, said player may play on a 3.5 and a 4.0 SFV team as well as a 3.5 Ventura team and comparable set of LA teams. Two teams, different levels, per area.
The COMAN TIE-BREAK will be used as a set tie-break or match tie-break . As we have elected to play out the third set we will use it for all set tie-breaks. FORMAT: Teams will switch sides of the court after the first point and then again every 4 points. This procedure allows individuals to continue to serve from the same side. Should one forget and use the old format of switching every six points, it is not a fatal flaw, points will stand as played, but Captains should be aware of the change and talk to their players before a match to remind them of the Coman Tie-break format.
Team Defaults and Postponements are always a sticky issue during league play. We work diligently with the various scheduling requests of clubs and teams with tennis related requests. When an accommodation cannot be made, the team with court problems is made Home so that they can reschedule the match before the season starts. This year any match POSTPONED after the season starts must be rescheduled within five days from the scheduled date. (Rescheduled, not physically played). It is incumbent upon the captains to set a new day, time and place as quickly as possible and notify me so that the new date can be posted to our master schedule.
TEAM DEFAULTS have serious ramifications during the season. If a team defaults a match, and that default affects the outcome of the season, results from that team will be deleted from the calculation. If it is in a round robin format, only the affected round will be removed from the calculation. Remember, no team may advance to a championship by a team default.
OK, we have covered self-rating procedures and responsibilities, NTRP ratings and Appeals, the new tie-break, and so, on to the final Captain meeting bullets:
Exchange Line- up cards simultaneously prior to the scheduled start time and after determining who is present and ready to play. In the event a substitution is allowed, the substitute shall play in the position that is open. No substitution is permitted after the line-up has been presented except if a player's partner does not show up due to injury, illness or disqualification.
Players must be on the roster prior to playing in a match, unless there were difficulties experienced during registration and I was notified as well as the opposing Captain prior to the match starting.
Defaults are taken at the second singles and/or third doubles. A minimum of four players is all that is required for a valid match.
Competition Format is round robin, where each team in a flight shall play every other team. If more than one flight is used, the flight winners will play off to determine a champion. This structure is used for Adult and Seniors Leagues as they involve dynamic ratings. Other formats may be used in Mixed and Fall Doubles as determined at the Captain's meetings.
SCORES are to be entered in TennisLink within 48 hours of match completion. Either Captain may enter the scores, so whoever gets there first should make the entry and the other captain must confirm or dispute. If there is a dispute, send us an email with the match number, and correction requested. We will then verify the entry.
The Visitor should call the Home Captain at least three days prior to the scheduled match to confirm Day, Time and Place of the match. If the Visitor does not call, Home should call Visitor with the same information. Email can also be utilized if necessary.
Please remember to carefully read the Captain's Handbook for 2007. The Code is the also posted on our site and every Captain and player should read this at least once as these are the rules we play under when no official is present, which is essentially 100% of the time. Friend at Court, 2007 can be reviewed on line, and we would recommend that Captains secure a copy to carry in their tennis bag. Copies can be purchased from the SCTA office in LA.
I want to thank those Captains that volunteered to serve on our Grievance committee, and sincerely hope I do not have to utilize your services. I wish all players a season of fun competition and thank the Captains for giving so much of their time and effort for this game we all love.