LOWCOUNTRY TENNIS ASSOCIATION

LOCAL LEAGUE REGULATIONS

FOR THE 2012 USTA LEAGUE TENNIS PROGRAM

1.00 INTRODUCTION

1.07 Tennis Balls

1.19 State League Coordinator (SLC)

1.20 Local League Coordinator (LLC)

1.21 Team Captain

1.24 Local League Season

1.25 Assigned Teams

1.26 Court Facilities

1.27 Coaching And Sportsmanship

E-I. Basic Protocol and dispute resolution

2.00 LOCAL LEAGUE REGULATIONS

2.01A Number of Teams

2.01B Team - min. number of players

5. Playing up requirements

2.01D Entry onto a Team including Self rating procedures

2.01E. Levels of Play offered

2.01G Scoring and Rest - 10 point match TB in lieu of third set

2.01H Competition Format

2.01H(1) Schedule Format

(a) Regular Season

(b) Local Play-Offs - including formats based on number of subflights

vi. playoff sites

2.01H(2) Team Match and Scoring

2.01H(4) Team Lineups -

(b) When and how to exchange lineups

(d) Defaults

2.01(H)(5) Player Participation

(b) playing on two teams at same level in different areas

2.01J Inclement Weather

(1) Inclement Weather During Regular Season

(a) who determines

(b) makeup requirements

(2) Inclement Weather During Playoffs

2.01K Registration - roster deadlines and adding players to roster

2.01L Rescheduling Due to Conflicting Events

2.03 AREA, SECTIONAL, AND NATIONAL EASTERN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS.

2.03A(2) Eligibility for advancement

2.04 LEAGUE NTRP DISQUALIFICATION AND APPEAL PROCEDURES

(A) DQ procedures

(B) DQ Appeal procedures

(D) Scoring of a DQ'd player

3.00 GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES

3.01 Grievance Complaints

3.01b Grievance Complaints During LCTA Playoffs

3.02 Grievance Complaints Concerning LCTA League Administration

3.03 Self-Rate Grievance

INTRODUCTION

0.01 The following are the regulations for the 2012 USTA League Tennis Program in the Lowcountry Tennis Association of the South Carolina State of the Southern Section, and they apply to both the Adult League and the Senior League. These regulations augment the USTA League Tennis 2012 Regulations, the USTA Southern Sectional Regulations for USTA League Tennis for League Year 2012, the USTA South Carolina State Regulations for USTA League Tennis for League Year 2012, the Lowcountry Tennis Association Constitution and the Lowcountry Tennis Association By-Laws. For the most part, Local League Regulations do not repeat rules and regulations found in the other documents. In those instances where a regulation is repeated, it is repeated verbatim. For a person to understand the full set of regulations that apply to the Lowcountry Tennis Association, it is necessary to have copies of all of the Regulations mentioned above.

0.02 USTA League Tennis, Southern Sectional, and South Carolina State regulations take precedence over the Lowcountry Tennis Association Local League Regulations. If any conflicts occur, the Local League Regulations will be overruled by the other regulations.

0.03 It may be necessary to correct or change the Local League Regulations in order to react to changes in USTA League Tennis, Southern Sectional or South Carolina State regulations.

0.04 Although the USTA League Tennis 2012 Regulations have separate sections dealing with the 2.5 and 5.0 Adult Levels and the Senior League, the LCTA regulations address all Adult and Senior League Regulations in the same section with paragraph numbering based upon the USTA League Tennis 2012 Regulations for the Adult League.

1.00 GENERAL

1.07 TENNIS BALLS. The home team must furnish one can of unopened yellow or white Ball Type 1 (fast-regular felt) or Ball Type 2 (medium-heavy duty felt) tennis balls for each individual match to be played. If both players/teams agree prior to the start of an individual match, a can of unopened Ball Type 3 (slow-larger ball) may be used. The Penn pink tennis balls are not approved by the USTA and thus cannot be used for League Tennis play.

1.18 SECTIONAL LEAGUE COORDINATORS. The Southern Section has appointed Chris Walling as Sectional League Coordinator to implement and administer the USTA League Tennis Program in accordance with the USTA League Tennis Regulations.

1.19 STATE LEAGUE COORDINATOR (SLC).

a. The following person has been appointed to implement and administer the South Carolina State USTA League Tennis Program: Mary Goins, P. O. Box 386, Easley, SC 29641, 864-855-0881, mggoins@charter.net.

b. The following person has been appointed to implement and administer the South Carolina State USTA Senior League Tennis Program: Jimmy Sain, 510 Jameson Drive, Piedmont, SC 864-269-5419, rxtennis@charter.net.

1.20 LOCAL LEAGUE COORDINATOR (LLC). The following person has been appointed to implement and administer the Lowcountry Tennis Association USTA League Tennis Program, and to interpret the Lowcounty Tennis Association Local League Regulations: Ken Edwards 2 Ocean Point Drive, Isle of Palms, SC 29451, 843-886-6648, ken@lctatennis.org. The local league coordinator also has the authority to change the dates for registering a team and/or adding players to a team.

1.21 TEAM CAPTAIN. Each team shall appoint a team captain to handle administrative affairs and to represent the team in Lowcountry Tennis Association matters. It is recommended that the team captain be a playing member of the team but, in no circumstances, may an individual be a team captain of more than one Adult League team at the same level of play or more than one Senior League team at the same level of play, though an individual could be the captain of one Adult League Team and one Senior League Team at the same level of play, or of multiple Adult League teams and/or multiple Senior League teams at different levels of play. The team captain, or an acting team captain, must be present at every match. Each team may also appoint a co-captain.

1.24 LOCAL LEAGUE SEASON. The season for the Lowcountry Tennis Association Local League shall be from January 14, 2012, to May 31, 2012.

1.25 ASSIGNED TEAMS. If teams are assigned from other leagues and/or tennis associations to play in the Lowcountry Tennis Association, those teams will play all of their matches at Lowcountry Tennis Association sites. Such teams may, if they desire, establish a home site at one of the Lowcountry Tennis Association facilities.

1.26 COURT FACILITIES. Each team participating in the Lowcountry Tennis Association must guarantee the use of three courts at one location for all LCTA regularly scheduled and make-up matches. Any approved USTA surface is permissible, including indoor and outdoor (clay or hard) surfaces. The choice of surfaces is the prerogative of the home team, and more than one surface may be used for a single team match. The home team must identify which individual matches will be played on which surfaces prior to either team turning in the line-up for that day’s play. The home team is responsible to have courts available and playable at match time.

1.27 COACHING AND SPORTSMANSHIP.

A. There is no coaching allowed in the LCTA Senior or Adult League.

B. There are no linesmen or referees for LCTA matches. If a conflict occurs during match play over line calls, the players involved may request their captains to appoint a linesperson for the remainder of the match.

C. Foot faults are illegal. Constant and blatant foot faulting giving the server a definite advantage should be politely brought to the attention of the server. If the foot-faulting continues, the players involved may request the captains to appoint a linesperson for the remainder of the match.

D. Players should call the score after each point to avoid confusion. If there is disagreement over the score, players should go back to the last agreed upon point.

E. Spectators may not aid players in making a line call or in determining the correct score. Spectators should not participate in the match in any way and should refrain from doing so even if asked by the players.

F. Spectators may quietly watch a match in progress. They should not sit or stand at the end of the court immediately behind the servers or receivers if it is distracting to the players. Spectators may quietly clap for points well played. It should be remembered that the well-played point should be applauded regardless of who won the point. It is poor tennis etiquette to clap for unforced errors.

G. It is the responsibility of the team captain to control the noise and behavior of team spectators. Loud, boisterous or unsportsmanlike behavior is unacceptable. If a problem arises with a spectator, both players should ask the spectator to refrain from the offensive behavior. If the behavior persists, the team captains should be summoned to handle the situation. If necessary, a grievance should be filed.

H. Coaches and club professionals must not interfere in discussions or negotiations between players or captains unless specifically asked by both captains for advice. Even then, it is the responsibility of the two captains, not the coach or professional, to decide on the appropriate resolution.

I. Disputes should be settled between players as soon as they arise. All points played in good faith stand. Players should be able to resolve any dispute by themselves. If, however, they cannot, they should do the following:

(1) The player should inform the opponent of the problem and intention to leave the court to obtain the assistance of the team captain. When leaving the court, the racket should be left on the court.

(2) The captain should contact the opponent’s captain and they should try to resolve the dispute. If the captains are involved in playing a match, the players may have to postpone their play until the captains are available to assist them.

(3) If the captains and players cannot agree on a resolution to the conflict, the offended player(s) may either:

(a) Continue to play the match, but to do so under protest. The score and who was serving at the time of the protest will be indicated on the scorecard with the annotation, "played under protest." At the conclusion of the match, the offended player(s) may or may not file a grievance. If no grievance is filed, the results of the match stand as completed.

(b) Stop play, ensuring both captains and the opponent know why. Indicate on the scorecard that the match was stopped in protest and indicate the score and who was serving at the time the match was stopped. The offended player or the player’s captain should file a grievance. If no grievance is filed within the required time frame (see para. 2.02B), the match will be scored as a retirement by the offended player.

2.00 LOCAL LEAGUE REGULATIONS

2.01 LOCAL LEAGUE.

2.01A Number of Teams. The Lowcountry Tennis Association shall consist of a minimum of two teams in a specific level of competition or division. In order to accommodate scheduling considerations, the Lowcountry Tennis Association may establish two or more flights within a division. The decision to establish two or more flights will be made by the Level Coordinator for that Division in consultation with the Local League Coordinator. Flights will generally not be established where it results in a flight of fewer than five teams and flights will not generally exceed 13 teams. Assigning teams to flights will be done as follows:

(1) Teams desiring to play during the day will be in separate flight(s) from teams desiring to play in the evening.

(2) If there are two or more flights within the day or night groups, the make-up of a flight will be the result of either a random selection or on the basis of geographical location, as determined by the level coordinator. When using the random selection alternative, the level coordinator may elect to split, to the maximum extent possible, the teams from a single tennis club among the flights.

2.01B Team.

(1) An Adult League team in the 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, and 4.5 divisions shall consist of a minimum of eight players of the same sex eligible to compete at a specific level of competition.

(2) An Adult League team in the 2.5 and 5.0 divisions shall consist of a minimum of five players of the same sex eligible to compete at a specific level of competition.

(3) A Senior League team shall consist of a minimum of six players of the same sex eligible to compete at a specific level of competition.

(4) Team members may have an individual Dynamic National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP) rating below but not higher than the maximum NTRP rating of the level in which they are competing.

(5) Teams in the Lowcountry Tennis Association are limited in the number of players on the roster who have an NTRP rating (whether computer-generated or self-generated) that is lower than the level of play. Adult teams, except for 4.5 teams playing in the LCTA Spring and Fall Adult League are limited to four players that are “playing up,” while all senior teams , except for 4.5 teams playing in the LCTA Spring and Fall Adult League are limited to three players playing up. Teams that believe they should be given an exemption from this rule may submit a well-justified request to the Local League Coordinator. An LCTA Committee will review the request and determine whether or not an exemption will be granted. Teams with more than the authorized number of players “playing up” will be required to remove one or more players from the team until the authorized number is not exceeded. Adult 4.5 teams are allowed an unlimited number of players playing up as long as there are at least four players on the team with a 4.5 rating. Senior 4.5 teams are allowed an unlimited number of players playing up as long as there are at least three players on the team with a 4.5 rating. Irrespective of the regulations above, if any LCTA team is in a flight consisting of only two teams, both of the teams must be in compliance with 2012 USTA Regulation 1.04D which requires that each team in a two team league must maintain its roster with at least 60% of its players at the designated NTRP level of play.

2.01D Entry.

(1) Players with a computer rating must play at that NTRP level or higher.

(2) Players without a computer rating but who self-rated within the past two years must play at that level or higher.

(3) Players who do not have a computer rating on file in TennisLink shall self-rate in accordance with the National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP) Guidelines and complete the self-rating process on TennisLink when registering for a team. Failure to provide accurate information regarding a player’s tennis history will subject the player, the captain and/or others who condoned inaccurate self-rating to sanctions and disqualification. Important note: After a player self-rates, the player must play at that NTRP level or higher; i.e., the player may self-rate at a level lower than the level at which the player intends to play.

2.01E. Levels of Play. The Lowcountry Tennis Association Local League has determined that for the league year of 2012, the following levels shall be available if there are at least two teams for the level.

Adult Men: 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, Open

Adult Women: 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, Open

Senior Men: 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5

Senior Women: 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5

2.01G Scoring and Rest.

(1)(a) All matches in the Adult and Senior League will be the best of three sets with a match tie break (i.e., first team to win at least 10 points and with at least a two point margin over the opponent) in lieu of the third set, and with set tie breaks (i.e., first team to win at least 7 points and with at least a two point margin over the opponent) at 6-all in the first two sets. If either a set tiebreak or match tiebreak is needed the LCTA will use the Coman Tiebreak Procedure.

(1)(b) During Local playoffs in the LCTA, all matches in both the Senior and Adult League will be the best of three sets with a match tie break used in lieu of a third set.

(2) There will be a 2-minute break at the end of each set

2.01G(3) There will be a changeover, but no break, at the end of the first game of each set.

2.01H Competition Format.

2.01H(1) Schedule Format.

(a) Regular Season.

(i) Each division shall consist of one or more flights as discussed in paragraph 2.01A above.

(ii) To the extent possible, each flight in each division shall play at least one round robin competition wherein every team plays every other team, and each team must play a minimum of three team matches. In a flight with only two or three teams, each team must play a minimum of four matches

(b) Play-Offs.

(i) Single Flight. There are will be no Lowcountry Tennis Association play-offs when the division consists of a single flight.

(ii) Two Flights. When there are two flights in a division, the play-off format will depend upon the number of teams from the LCTA that will participate in the South Carolina State Championships.

(aa) If only one LCTA team will participate in the State Championships, that team will be determined during a single play-off match involving the top team in each flight.

(bb) If the Lowcountry Tennis Association receives two entries to the State Championships, a round robin playoff, involving the top two teams in each flight/subflight, will be held to determine the final placement of the teams. In the first round, the top team from each flight will play the number two team in the other flight. In the second round, the top team in each flight will play the number two team in its flight. In the third round, the top teams from each flight will play each other as will the second place teams from each flight.

(cc) If the Lowcountry Tennis Association receives more than two entries to the State Championships, the final placement of the teams will be determined during a play-off in a single elimination, eight-draw tournament format consisting of the top three teams from each flight. The first place team will be the winner of the play-off. The second place team will be the losing finalist of the play-off. The third place team will be the winner of a match between the two losing semi-finalists of the play-off. The fourth place team will be the loser of a match between the two losing semi-finalists of the play-off. The teams will be seeded in the following format.

- Position 1 will go to the first place finisher from flight #1, and will have a first round bye.

- Position 2 will be a bye position.

- Position 3 will go to the second place finisher from flight #2, and will play Position 4 in the first round.

- Position 4 will go to the third place finisher from flight #1, and will play Position 3 in the first round.

- Position 5 will go to the third place finisher from flight #2, and will play Position 6 in the first round.

- Position 6 will go to the second place finisher #2 from flight #1, and will play Position 5 in the first round.

- Position 7 will be a bye position.

- Position 8 will go to the first place finisher from flight #2, and will have a first round bye.

(In order to determine which flight is Flight #1 and which is Flight #2, the level coordinator will put the names of the two flights on separate sheets of paper, put them in a container, and select one sheet from the container. That will be Flight #1.)

(iii) Three Flights. When there are three flights in a division, the final placement of the top four teams will be determined during a play-off in a single elimination, eight-draw tournament format consisting of the top two teams from each flight. The first place team will be the winner of the play-off. The second place team will be the losing finalist of the play-off. The third place team will be the winner of a match between the two losing semi-finalists of the play-off. The fourth place team will be the loser of a match between the two losing semi-finalists of the play-off. The teams will be seeded in the following format.

- Position 1 will go to the first place finisher Flight #1, and will have a first round bye.

- Position 2 will be a bye position.

- Position 3 will go to second place finisher from Flight #2, and will play Position 4 in the first round.

- Position 4 will go to second place finisher from Flight #3, and will play Position 3 in the first round.

- Position 5 will go to second place finisher Flight #1, and will play Position 6 in the first round.

- Position 6 will go to first place finisher from Flight #3, and will play Position 5 in the first round.

- Position 7 will be a bye position.

- Position 8 will go to first place finisher from Flight #2, and will have a first round bye.

(In order to determine which flights are Flights #1, #2, and #3, the level coordinator will put the names of the three flights on separate sheets of paper, put them in a container, and select one sheet from the container. That will be Flight #1. The level coordinator will then select, in turn, Flights #2 and #3 from the remaining sheets of paper.)

(iv) Four Flights. When there are four flights in a division, the final placement of the top four teams will be determined during a single elimination, eight draw, tournament format play-off involving the top two teams in each flight. The teams will be seeded in the following format.

- Position 1 will go to the first place finisher in Flight #1, and will play position #2 in the first round.

- Position 2 will go to the second place finisher in Flight #4, and will play Position #1 in the first round.

- Position 3 will go to the second place finisher in Flight #2, and will play Position #4 in the first round.

- Position 4 will go to the first place finisher in Flight #3, and will play Position #3 in the first round.

- Position 5 will go to the first place finisher in Flight #2, and will play Position #6 in the first round.

- Position 6 will go to the second place finisher in Flight #3, and will play Position #5 in the first round.

- Position 7 will go to the second place finisher in Flight #1, and will play Position #8 in the first round.

- Position 8 will go to the first place finisher in Flight #4, and will play Position #7 in the first round.

(In order to determine which flights are Flights #1, #2, #3, and #4, the level coordinator will put the names of the four flights on separate sheets of paper, put them in a container, and select one sheet from the container. That will be Flight #1. The level coordinator will then select, in turn, Flights #2, #3, and #4 from the remaining sheets of paper.)

(v) Five Flights. When there are five flights in a level of play, the final placement of the top four teams will be determined during a single elimination, sixteen team draw, tournament-format play-off involving the top two teams in each flight. The first place team, i.e., LCTA Champion, will be the winner of the play-off. The second place team will be the losing finalist of the play-off. The third place team will be the winner of a match between the two losing semi-finalists of the play-off. The fourth place team will be the loser of the match between the two losing semi-finalists of the play-off. The teams will be seeded in the following format.

- Position 1 will go to the first place finisher in Flight #1, and will have a bye in the first round.

- Position 2 will be a bye position.

- Position 3 will be a bye position.

- Position 4 will go to the second place finisher in Flight #2, and will have a bye in the first round.

- Position 5 will go to the second place finisher in Flight #4, and will play Position #6 in the first round.

- Position 6 will go to the second place finisher in Flight #5, and will play Position #5 in the first round.

- Position 7 will be a bye position.

- Position 8 will go to the first place finisher in Flight #3, and will have a bye in the first round.

- Position 9 will go to the first place finisher in Flight #2, and will have a bye in the first round

- Position 10 will be a bye position.

- Position 11 will be the second place finisher in flight #1, and will play position #12 in the first round.

- Position 12 will be the second place finisher in flight #3 and will play position #11 in the first round.

- Position 13 will be the first place finisher in flight #5, and will have a bye in the first round.

- Position 14 will be a bye position.

- Position 15 will be a bye position.

- Position 16 will be the first place finisher in Flight #4, and will have a bye in the first round.

(In order to determine which flights are Flights #1, #2, #3, #4, and #5, the level coordinator will put the names of the five flights on separate sheets of paper, put them in a container, and select one sheet from the container. That will be Flight #1. The level coordinator will then select, in turn, Flights #2, #3, #4, and #5 from the remaining sheets of paper.)

(vi) Play-Off Sites. The selection of the play-off site(s) is the responsibility of the level coordinator. There are three possible approaches: (a) play all of the play-off matches at one site; (b) play each play-off match at the home facility of the team with the higher standing in the flight competition; (c) or a combination of the two. Under (b) and (c), if the home facility of the team with the higher standing is not available to host the play-off match, the team with the lower standing will be asked to host the play-off match. If neither facility can host the match, the level coordinator will select a neutral site for the match.

(vii) Play-Off Dates. For all divisions having play-offs, the play-off dates will be determined prior to the start of the season and the play-off dates will be posted on the LCTA web site. .

2.01H(2) Team Match and Scoring.

(a) Each team match in the Lowcountry Tennis Association shall consist of:

(i) 2 individual singles matches and 3 individual doubles matches for men and women in the Adult League 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, and 4.5 flights.

(ii) 1 individual singles match and 2 individual doubles matches for men and women in the Adult League 2.5 and 5.0 flights. (The format for the 5.0 divisions may be revised by vote of a majority of the captains of the teams participating, and if so approved by the LCTA Local League Coordinator.) .

(iii) 3 individual doubles matches for all flights in the Senior League.

(b) The team winning the majority of the individual matches in a team match shall be awarded one team point.

(c) Flight standings at the end of the regular season shall be in the order of the number of team points won, i.e., the winner of the flight competition shall be the team with the most team points at the end of the season, etc. In the event that two or more teams in a flight have the same number of team points at the end of the season, the tie shall be broken in the following manner:

(i) Winner of the most individual matches during the season.

(ii) Loser of the fewest number of sets during the season.

(iii) Loser of the fewest number of games during the season.

(iv) Winner of head-to-head competition between the two teams who are tied.

(d) During play-off round robins, the positions of the teams at the end of the round robin shall be determined in the same manner as during flight competition except that only matches played during the playoff round robin will be used to determine team points, individual matches won, sets lost and games lost.

(e) Recording and Reporting Scores.

(i) Match scores are to be entered into TennisLink within 48 hours of the end of the match. While either team may enter the score, it is recommended that the captain or co-captain of the winning team enter the score.

(ii) If match scores are not entered into TennisLink within 48 hours, a team may receive a warning. Any additional occurrences of not entering the score within 48 hours of match completion may result in the match being excluded when determining the division/flight standings.

(iii) The captain of the losing team (or the team not entering the results in TennisLink) will verify that the scores have been entered correctly. The verifying captain will either confirm, through TennisLink, that the match score as reported is accurate, or will dispute the score if he/she believes an error has been made and that the reported score is incorrect.

(iv) The verification of the match score must be completed within 48 hours of the score being entered into TennisLink. After 48 hours, the reported score will be assumed to be correct, and there will be no opportunity to correct a score even if it is wrong.

(v) It is strongly recommended that the two captains compare notes at the end of the match in order to decrease the probability of an erroneous score being entered into TennisLink.

2.01H(4) Team Lineups.

(a) Strength sheets will not be used in the Lowcountry Tennis Association.

(b) The two team captains shall exchange their team lineups in writing simultaneously, prior to the beginning of the team match but no later than the scheduled start time of the match. No substitution may be made in an individual match after the lineup has been presented, except for injury to, illness of, disqualification or no-show of a player. In the event of illness, injury, disqualification, or no-show of a player prior to the start of an individual match (once the lineup as been exchanged), a team may substitute a player in the affected position within the 15 minute default time, using a player not already listed on the lineup. If no substitution can be made, the affected position will be defaulted.

(c) Starting Match Play. All individual matches will begin (i.e., the first serve will be made) within fifteen minutes of the scheduled start time. All warm-ups, including service warm-ups, must be concluded prior to fifteen minutes after the scheduled start time. (Exception: All players will be allowed a five-minute warm-up even if this means starting the match after the mandatory start time.)

(d) Defaults.

(i) A default occurs when a team captain cannot field all positions for a team match.

(ii) Defaults must be given "from the bottom" except as provided for in paragraph 2.01H(4)(b) above.

(aa) Singles. The No. 2 singles must be defaulted before the No. 1 singles may be defaulted.

(bb) Doubles. The No. 3 doubles must be defaulted before the No. 2 doubles, and the No. 2 doubles must be defaulted before the No. 1 doubles may be defaulted.

(iii) To receive a win by default, the non-defaulting player or players must be present on court, ready to play; however, if a team captain advises his/her opponent in advance of the default, he/she, in effect, waives the requirement for the non-defaulting player(s) to be present in order to receive the default.

(iv) If a captain is advised prior to the match that the opponent must default one or more positions and that captain knows that he/she would also have had to default a position, it is incumbent upon that captain to demonstrate good sportsmanship and declare a double default rather than to accept the win.

(v) If a team defaults an individual match during or prior to the line-up exchange, and inclement weather forces the match to be postponed before a point is played in any individual match, then the default is cancelled.

(vi) If both teams default the same position, neither team will receive a win and the scorecard will indicate a double default.

(vii) If an Adult League team playing in the 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, and 4.5 flights defaults an excessive number of matches, i.e., more than twenty percent of its scheduled individual matches, during the season, none of that team’s individual matches for the entire season--both of those matches already played and those matches yet to be played--will not count in the league results. (Example: If there are ten scheduled matches for a 3.5 Adult League team, there will be fifty scheduled individual matches. If a team were to default 11 or more individual matches, none of the team’s individual matches for the entire season would count except for determining computer ratings.)

(viii) If an Adult League team playing in the 2.5 or 5.0 flight, or if a Senior League team defaults an excessive number of matches, i.e., more than one-third of its scheduled individual matches, during the season, none of that team’s individual matches for the entire season--both those matches already played and those matches yet to be played--will not count in the league results.

(ix) By joining the Lowcountry Tennis Association, a team is making a commitment to play every match. If it is determined by the Flight Coordinator in consultation with the Local League Coordinator, at any time during the season, that a team default will affect the league standings in a material fashion (i.e, which team goes to the local league playoffs or the State Championships),, then none of the team's individual matches for the entire season will count in the final standings except for determining computer ratings.. This will pertain even if the team has not defaulted an excessive number of its individual matches as described above.

(x) A grievance may be filed against any team which defaults an excessive number of its individual matches or which defaults an entire team match. The situation will be assessed by the Grievance Committee and penalties imposed as appropriate. Penalties could include barring the team and/or its players from participating in future Lowcountry Tennis Association league tennis play for some specific period of time.

2.01H(5) Player Participation

Individuals may not play at the same level on more than one team in the 2012 Spring Lowcountry Tennis Association Adult League nor at the same level on more than one team in the 2012 Lowcountry Tennis Association Spring Senior League. Individuals, however, may play on multiple teams in the Lowcountry Tennis Association, or on teams in other leagues in South Carolina, in either the Adult League or the Senior League, as long as those teams compete at different levels of play. An individual may also compete on both an Adult League team and a Senior League team at the same level of play.

(a). The above rule not withstanding, the LCTA Local League Coordinator may bar a team from playing in the LCTA, without a return of registration fees, if more than 40 percent of the team’s players do not reside in the Lowcountry area (Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester, and Colleton counties) unless such team is assigned to the LCTA by they State League Coordinator, and the team must play its home matches at a Lowcountry tennis facility.

(b) If a player is on two or more teams at the same level in South Carolina, and two or more of those teams qualify for the State Championships, the player must select, before the Championships, the team which he/she will play on during the Championships, and the player may play on only that team during the Championships.

2.01J Inclement Weather.

2.01J(1) Inclement Weather During Regular Season.

(a) It is the responsibility of the home team captain to determine whether weather conditions warrant the postponement of a regular season team match. If teams have assembled and have started play or are waiting to start play, they should be prepared to wait one hour to determine if the courts are playable. It is recommended the home team captain consult with the visiting team captain prior to making the "play/no play" decision, especially if match play has already begun.

(b) If match play has not begun (i.e., no individual match has started), the team captains will decide, within 48 hours, on a mutually agreeable make-up date and inform the level coordinator. This make-up date must be within two weeks of the scheduled date of the postponed match. (within 72 hours if at the end of the season and it affects who will participate in the local league playoffs). If the two captains cannot mutually agree on a make-up date, that will be within the 14 days, the match is automatically set by the league for the first following Saturday at 2:00 PM at the Home Team courts location. Captains are encouraged to play all positions at the same time, just as they would in a regularly scheduled match; however this is not a requirement. Team lineups on the make-up day do not have to be the same as they were on the day of the postponement even if the lineups had already been exchanged, and any defaults given during or prior to the line-up exchange are cancelled. Once the make-up dates are established and the level coordinator is informed, those are considered to be the official match dates and they are not postponable unless there is inclement weather on those dates. If one team shows for a team or an individual match and the other does not, the match will be recorded as a default by the team that did not show. If neither team shows for the agreed upon make up date or the league set date, the match will be scored a double forfeit. If the two teams double forfeit the entire match in this manner, this will result in both teams losing one team match, three individual matches; six sets, and 36 games. If one or more individual positions are double forfeited (while others are played), it will result in both teams losing one individual match, two sets and twelve games for each double defaulted match. If it rains on Saturday, the match is rescheduled for the following Saturday at 2:00 pm unless both captains agree to another day and/or time prior to that. Coordinators have the responsibility to ensure these requirements are met.

(c) If match play has begun (i.e., at least one point played in one individual match), completed matches will stand as played, incomplete matches must be resumed by the same players at the exact set, game and point score as when play was halted, and matches not started will be played by the individuals listed on the line-up without any substitutions. Defaults given prior or during the line-up exchange will stand. The incomplete matches or unstarted matches do not have to be played at the same time and date, but can be arranged by the individuals involved in each of the individual matches. The decision when individual matches will be resumed must be made within 48 hours and the matches played within 14 days (within 72 hours if at the end of the season and it affects who will participate in the local league playoffs) or the match will be set by the league automatically on the first following Saturday at 2:00 PM at the Home Team courts. Once the make-up dates are established and the flight coordinator is informed, those are considered to be the official match date and it are not postponable unless there is inclement weather on those dates. If one or both teams in an individual match do not show to play on the agreed upon or league established make-up date, there are three possible outcomes:

· If an individual match had started prior to the inclement weather and if one team shows for the make-up match and the other does not, that position will be recorded as a retirement by the team that did not show, with the score being entered as it was when play was interrupted;

· If an individual match had not started prior to the inclement weather and if one team shows for the make-up match and the other does not, that position will be recorded as a default by the team that did not show;

· If neither team shows for the match, the individual match will be scored as a double forfeit. This will result in both teams losing one individual match, two sets and twelve games.

· If it rains on Saturday, the match is rescheduled for the following Saturday at 2:00 pm unless the players involved agree to another day and/or time prior to that. Coordinators have the responsibility to ensure these requirements are met.

(2) Inclement Weather During Playoffs.

(a) During playoffs, it is the responsibility of the level coordinator to decide when a match must be postponed due to inclement weather. There is no maximum wait time, but it is at the discretion of the level coordinator to decide when players should be released.

(b) Make-up times and dates for postponed playoff matches will be determined by the level coordinator. Completed matches will stand as played; incomplete matches must be resumed by the same players at the exact, set, game, and point score as when play was halted; and matches not started must be played using the same players as listed on the line-up at the time of the line-up exchange. In the event that postponement begins prior to the start (playing at least one point) of an individual match, the line-ups may be changed and defaults given during or prior to the line-up exchange are cancelled. Every effort will be made to play the make-up no later than the following day, subject to court availability. (It may be necessary to shift playoff sites and court surfaces.) All postponed individual matches whether in progress or not at the time of postponement will recommence at the same time.

2.01K Registration.

2.01K(1) Teams will register for play in the LCTA 2012 Spring tennis program by entering their rosters in TennisLink no later than January 9, 2012. No new teams may be established after that date unless a waiver is received from the Lowcountry Tennis Association President/Local League Coordinator.

2.01K(2) In order for a roster to be considered valid on January 9, 2012, it must have at least eight players if the team will be competing in the Adult 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 or 4.5 flights; five players if competing in the Adult 2.5 or 5.0 flights; and six players if competing in the Senior League.

2.01K(3) A player may be added to a team roster until the date of that team’s last scheduled match in the regular season.

2.01K(4) A player may not play for a team until the player has been entered on the roster. If a player is not on the roster at the start time of a match and plays in that match, the individual match will be considered to be a default.

2.01K(5) To be listed on a roster, a player must:

(a) Be a paid-up member of the USTA. (In accordance with USTA/SC regulations, all players for the 2012 season must have their memberships paid-up through the LCTA local league season, i.e., May 31, 2012.) TennisLink will not allow a player to be added to the roster if this requirement is not met.

(b) Pay a $12 fee through TennisLink. This fee is collected each time a player’s name appears on a roster. This fee is not refundable for any reason. The entry fee consists of the following elements: $6 to USTA/SC to support league tennis operations in South Carolina; $3 to LCTA to support league tennis operations in our local league; and $3 to support the operation and maintenance of TennisLink.

(c) Be on a team that plays at or above the player’s current rating as indicated in TennisLink. A player may play at a level higher than his/her rating. Players without a rating in TennisLink must self-rate, using the National Tennis Rating Program standards, before registering for a team. Those self-ratings will be in effect for two years or until the player generates a computer-based rating.

2.01L Rescheduling Due to Conflicting Events. During the season, it is quite possible that a team will have a scheduled match that conflicts with championship play (i.e., LCTA playoffs, State Championships, Sectional Championships, or National Championships) or play on a team that is representing the LCTA in tennis competition (such as the Southern Cities Championship). In such circumstances, if the team has three or more players (two or more players if an Adult 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 or 4.5 team with 10 or fewer players on the roster or a Senior team or an Adult 2.5 or 5.0 team with 7 or fewer players on the roster) participating in such championship level play or on a team representing the LCTA, then the captain of the team may request that the match be rescheduled and the request must be granted by the opposing captain. When that occurs, the captains should make every effort to reschedule the match to a date prior to the originally scheduled date. If that is not possible, then the rescheduling must occur as indicated in paragraph 2.01J(1)(b) for a match that is totally postponed due to rain. (If a league match is scheduled to be played in the morning and the competing event is a local league playoff match to be scheduled at 5:00 p.m. or later, that does not constitute a conflict for the purposes of this rule. Neither does this rule apply to conflicts with local sanctioned or unsanctioned tournaments though captains may opt to reschedule such matches if mutually agreeable to both captains.)

2.03 AREA, SECTIONAL, AND NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS.

2.03A(2) Eligibility. Players need not have participated in any minimum number of matches to play in LCTA division play-off competition. By contrast, players must have participated in at least two league matches, including play-off matches and retirements, in order to participate in the state or sectional level championships. One of these matches can be a default received, but defaults given do not count towards meeting this requirement. In order for a player to participate in the National Championships, he/she must have played (does not include defaults received or defaults given, but does include retirements) in at least three matches, including the state and sectional championships.

2.04 LEAGUE NTRP DISQUALIFICATION AND APPEAL PROCEDURES

2.04A NTRP Disqualification Procedures. During local league competition and at every level of championship competition below national championships, computer ratings will be calculated for all players to determine if any players have reached the disqualification criteria using the USTA NTRP Computer Methodology Procedures. Players will be NTRP disqualified if they reach the disqualification level three times based on all matches reported in the national database for Adult and Senior Divisions. There will not, however, be any disqualification of a player with a B (benchmark) or C (year-end computer rating not including a rating resulting only from play in mixed doubles) rating.

(1) Local League NTRP Disqualification. Any player that reaches the NTRP disqualification level three times shall be disqualified and will not progress to championship competition at that level of play. These players will be immediately notified and have the right to appeal in accordance with procedures in 2.04B(1) of the USTA League Tennis Regulations.

2.04B NTRP Appeal Procedures.

(1) If the player or the team captain of a player disqualified in the local league desires to appeal the NTRP disqualification, he/she must file an appeal, in writing, to the Southern Tennis Association within 48 hours of notification of the disqualification.

2.04D Scoring Procedures

If a self-rated player or a player with a granted medical appeal is disqualified for that particular level of play, all matches played by that individual player at that level shall be considered losses and scored (6-0, 6-0). All players who have computer rated appeals (A), dynamic ratings (D), mixed exclusive (M) or tournament ratings (T) who are subject to disqualification, will not be subject to match reversal if disqualified. Players not disqualified by conclusion of local league round robin play will be eligible to compete in entire local playoff. Dynamic ratings will be calculated at the end of the local playoff to inform any disqualified players that they may not advance to the state championships. Points earned by disqualified players will stand. Local play occurring at the State Championships: Players will be permitted to play in the entire event but, if a disqualification occurs when the ratings are run at the conclusion of the tournament, those matches will be handled in the following manner: If the play is a Round Robin, matches for the DQ’d players are reversed. Matches played during a playoff, by winners advancing from multiple Round Robins are not reversed.

3.00 GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES

3.01 GRIEVANCE COMPLAINTS.

3.01 GRIEVANCE COMPLAINTS DURING LCTA REGULAR SEASON PLAY. Grievance complaints may be filed not only for infractions of the regulations but also for failing to abide by good conduct, fair play, and good sportsmanship. Such grievances must be filed in writing with the chairman of the Lowcountry Tennis Association Grievance Committee prior to commencement of the next team match involving such player or team, or within 24 hours after the end of local league play, whichever occurs first, except a complaint based on ineligibility may be filed at any time after learning the person is ineligible.

With the approval of the State League Coordinator, the Lowcountry Tennis Association Grievance Committee consists of five Lowcountry Tennis Association members appointed by the Lowcountry Tennis Association President/Local League Coordinator. The chairperson and at least two of the four additional members will confer to decide any grievance appeal submitted to the Committee. The members are: Chairperson- Nancy Pitcairn; Members- Jim Nista, Steve Speer, Maggie McCann, and Dee Mack.

The decisions of the Lowcountry Tennis Association Grievance Committee may be appealed. With the approval of the State League Coordinator, the Lowcountry Tennis Association Appeal Committee consists of five Lowcountry Tennis Association members appointed by the Lowcountry Tennis Association President/Local League Coordinator. The chairperson and at least two of the four additional members will confer to decide any grievance appeal submitted to the Committee. The members are: Chairperson- Art Welling; Members - Tony Wespy, Steve Wilson, Beth Briggs, and Terra Burke.

If a conflict of interest arises from any grievance or grievance appeal committee member, the local league coordinator may at their discretion appoint additional committee members to fill the temporarily vacated slot.

3.01B GRIEVANCE COMPLAINTS DURING LCTA PLAYOFFS.

(1) Filing a Grievance. Grievance complaints may also be filed during the LCTA Playoffs. A complaint against an individual or team may only be filed by the team captain of the team who has competed in the match where the alleged violation occurred, the league coordinator, or the Playoff Director. These complaints must be submitted, in writing, within thirty minutes of the end of the team match to the Playoff Director (or his/her designated representative). When such a grievance is filed, the next round of play will be delayed for all teams until the grievance is decided.

(2) Playoff Grievance Committee. Prior to the playoff, a three person Playoff Grievance Committee will be designated, and the captains participating in the playoff will be advised of its composition. Normally, the Playoff Director will be one of the members of the Committee. Members of the Playoff Grievance Committee need not be at the site during the playoffs, but must be available by telephone throughout the playoff competition. Whenever possible, the Playoff Grievance Committee should meet at the playoff site if a grievance is filed, but participation by telephone is allowable if necessary. The decision of the Playoff Grievance Committee shall be by majority vote.

(3) Filing an Appeal. Any party to a grievance complaint may appeal the decision, in writing, within 30 minutes following the rendering of the grievance committee decision. Prior to the playoff, a three person Playoff Grievance Appeal Committee will be designated, and the captains participating in the playoff will be advised of its composition. Members of the Playoff Grievance Appeal Committee need not be at the site during the playoffs, but must be available by telephone throughout the playoff competition. Whenever possible, the Playoff Grievance Appeal Committee should meet at the playoff site if a grievance appeal is filed, but participation by telephone is allowable if necessary. The decision of the Playoff Grievance Appeal Committee shall be by majority vote and the decision of the Grievance Appeal Committee is final and binding. Play will not recommence until the Grievance Appeal is decided.

3.02 GRIEVANCE COMPLAINTS CONCERNING LCTA LEAGUE ADMINISTRATION.

All grievances against the Lowcountry Tennis Association administration of the USTA League Tennis Program wherein the complaint alleges that a coordinator or committee has violated National, Sectional, State or Local Regulations will be handled by the USTA Southern Section Leagues Grievance and Grievance Appeal Committees.

3.03 NTRP ELIGIBILITY GRIEVANCE COMPLAINT.

Self-rated players who enter the USTA League Tennis Program by misrepresenting their actual skill level are considered to have violated the standards of good conduct, fair play, and good sportsmanship, and may be subject to a grievance complaint and possible disqualification. Grievances against such players may be filed by the Local League Coordinator, a team captain, or a tournament committee. Such grievances will be reviewed and decided by a NTRP Eligibility Grievance Committee appointed and convened by the Section League Coordinator. These complaints should be first delivered to the Local League Coordinator, who will forward them to the State League Coordinator, who will forward them to the Section League Coordinator who, in turn, will forward them to the Southern NTRP Eligibility Grievance Committee Chairman.

Submitted: Kenneth L. Edwards Date: December 30, 2012

Kenneth L. Edwards

Lowcountry Tennis Association

President/Local League Coordinator

Approved: Mary Goins Date:

Mary Goins

USTA/South Carolina

State League Coordinator