Rev 4/11
LOWCOUNTRY
TENNIS ASSOCIATION
LOCAL
LEAGUE REGULATIONS
FOR
THE 2011 USTA LEAGUE TENNIS MIXED DOUBLES PROGRAM
1.00 GENERAL
1.07 Tennis Balls
1.19 State League Coordinator (SLC)
1.20 Local League Coordinators (LLC)
1.21 Team Captain
1.24 Local League Season
1.25 Assigned Teams
1.26 Court Facilities
1.27 Coaching
And Sportsmanship
2.00 GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES
2.01 Grievance
Complaints
2.01B Grievance Complaints During LCTA Playoffs
2.02 Grievance Complaints Concerning LCTA League
Administration
2.03 NTRP Eligibility Grievance Complaint
3.00 MIXED DOUBLES LOCAL LEAGUE REGULATIONS
3.01 LOCAL
LEAGUE
3.01A Number of Teams
3.01B Team
3.01D Entry onto a Team
3.01E. Flights of Play
3.01G Scoring and Rest
3.01H Competition Format
3.01H(1) Schedule Format
(a)
Regular Season
(b)
Local Play-Offs
3.01H(2) Team Match and Scoring
3.01H(4) Team Lineups
3.01(H)(5) Player Participation
3.01J Inclement Weather
3.01J(1) Inclement Weather During Regular Season
3.01J(2) Inclement Weather During Playoffs
3.01K Registration
3.01L Rescheduling Due to Conflicting Events
3.03 AREA, SECTIONAL, AND NATIONAL EASTERN LEAGUE
CHAMPIONSHIPS.
3.03A(2) Eligibility
3.03B Championship Schedule
INTRODUCTION
0.01 The following are the regulations for the 2011
USTA League Tennis Mixed Doubles Program in the Lowcountry Tennis Association
of the South Carolina State of the Southern Section, and they apply to the
Adult League, the Senior League, and the Super Senior League. These regulations augment the 2011 USTA
League Tennis Regulations, the USTA Southern Section Regulations for USTA
League Tennis for League Year 2011, the USTA South Carolina Mixed Doubles
Regulations for USTA League Tennis for League Year 2011, the Lowcountry Tennis
Association Constitution and the Lowcountry Tennis Association By-Laws. All of the regulations mentioned can be found
on the Lowcountry Tennis Association web site (http://www.lctatennis.org). 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 Section, 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.
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 Holly
Goddard 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 USTA/South
Carolina 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 USTA/South
Carolina Mixed Doubles USTA League Tennis Program: Susan Turner, 48 Upper Pond Road, Columbia,
SC 29223, 803-201-1016, tennistogo@aol.com
c.
The
following person has been appointed to implement and administer the South
Carolina Super Senior Mixed Doubles League Tennis Program: Patti McVey, 147 Clouds Point, Leesville,
SC 29070, 803-318-8463, mxdsupersrs@att.net
1.20 LOCAL LEAGUE COORDINATORS (LLC).
a. 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
b. The following person has
been appointed to implement and administer the Lowcountry Tennis Association
Mixed Doubles USTA League Tennis Program and to interpret Lowcountry Tennis
Association Local League Regulations for Mixed Doubles: Doreen “Dee” Mack, 1014 Magnolia Road,
Charleston, SC 29407, 843-766-6485 (H) 843-308-5468 (W) 843-568-0391 (C) hotback4@bellsouth.net and mackdr2@state.gov.
c.
The following person has been appointed to implement
and administer the Lowcountry Tennis Association Mixed Doubles USTA League
Tennis Program and to interpret Lowcountry Tennis Association Local League
Regulations for Senior Mixed Doubles and Super Senior Mixed Doubles: Judi
Fillinger, 1969 N Creek Dr Mt Pleasant, SC 29466, 843-849-0513, jfillin@hotmail.com
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 Mixed Doubles Local League shall be from April 13, 2011, to August
10, 2011.
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. It may
be necessary to amend match times and/or HOME matches to accommodate facilities
with multiple teams at the same level.
1.27
COACHING AND SPORTSMANSHIP.
A. All matches shall be
the best of two sets and the Set tiebreak shall be used at 6-all in each
set. In lieu of a third set, a Match
tiebreak shall be played. There will be a two-minute set break at the end of
each set with no coaching.
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. 2.01), the match will be scored as a
retirement by the offended player.
2.00 GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES
2.01
GRIEVANCE COMPLAINTS. 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 Local League Coordinator 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 Mixed Doubles State League Coordinator, the Lowcountry
Tennis Association Mixed Doubles League Grievance Committee is comprised of the
following persons. The chairperson and
at least two of the four members will meet to decide any grievance submitted to
the Committee. The members are:
Chairperson-Nancy Pitcairn
Members- Curt Holcomb, Renee Hendrix, Tony Wespy, and Debbie Sisco
The
decisions of the Lowcountry Tennis Association Grievance Committee may be
appealed. With the approval of the Mixed
Doubles 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
members will meet to decide any grievance appeal submitted to the
Committee. The members are:
Chairperson-Art
Welling
Members-Marie
Ferringo, Nancy Schwartz, Gil Ballenger and Jim Jeffers
2.01B 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.
Play will not recommence until the Grievance Appeal is decided.
2.02 GRIEVANCE COMPLAINTS CONCERNING LCTA LEAGUE
ADMINISTRATION.
All
grievances against the Lowcounry 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.
2.03 SELF-RATE
GRIEVANCE.
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 Self-Rate 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
Self-Rate Eligibility Grievance Committee Chairman.
3.0 MIXED DOUBLES LOCAL LEAGUE REGULATIONS
3.01
LOCAL LEAGUE.
Players
may appeal their rating once anytime during the 2011 league year. However, if a player’s rating is changed
through appeal after the first match played by their Mixed Doubles league team,
the player must continue to use the rating submitted on the roster for the
entire Mixed season including through any championship level play. For instance, a 3.5 player signs up for a
team on May 15 and their team's first match is on May 27th. They may
successfully appeal their rating on May 28th and get bumped down to 3.0. However, they must play the mixed season,
including championship playoffs, as a 3.5 rated player even if they did not
play in the first match.
3.01A Number of Teams. The Lowcountry Tennis Association shall
consist of a minimum of two teams in a specific level of competition or
flight. In order to accommodate
scheduling considerations, the Lowcountry Tennis Association may establish two
or more subflights within a flight. The
decision to establish two or more flights will be made by the Mixed Doubles
Coordinator or Senior Mixed Doubles Coordinator, as appropriate. Subflights
will generally not be established where it results in a subflight of fewer than
five teams and subflights will not generally exceed 13 teams. The make-up of a
subflight will be the result of either a random selection or on the basis of
geographical location, as determined by the Mixed Doubles Coordinator. When using the random selection alternative,
the Mixed Doubles Coordinator may elect to split, to the maximum extent
possible, the teams from a single tennis club among the subflights.
3.01B Team.
(1) A team will consist of a minimum of six
players (at least three men and three women) eligible to compete at a specific
level of competition.
(2) All members of a team in Mixed Doubles Adult must be at least 18 years of age by December 31, 2011.
(3) All members of a team in Mixed Doubles Senior must be at least 50 years of age by December 31, 2011.
(4) All members of a team in Super Senior Mixed Doubles must be at least 60 years of age by December 31. 2011.
(5) Each team must maintain its roster with at least 60 percent of its players with South Carolina residence (the player’s primary residence is to be defined in USTA records as South Carolina). If a team desires to have on its rostere players who live in another state (as defined by the player’s address in the USTA database), prior approval must be obtained as described in paragraph 1.04E(1) of the USTA South Carolina State Mixed Doubles Regulations for League Year 2011. Forms for requesting such approval are available from the LCTA Local League Coordinator. A player playing out of his/her home state without obtaining prior approval will be subject to sanctions, including, at a minimum, defaulting of all matches played prior to receiving approval. Sanctions may be applied to the team captain as well. A player whose primary residence is not in South Carolina, who previously received approval to play in the LCTA, and who has played in the LCTA every year since that approval was granted need not reapply for approval to play in the LCTA in the same division (Adult and/or Senior) as played in 2010.
(6) Beginning in 2011, players may play on multiple teams in South Carolina at the same level of play as long as they are in different leagues. Players who qualify for South Carolina Mixed Doubles Championships may advance on two Adult teams at different NTRP levels or two Senior teams at different NTRP levels or one Adult and one Senior team at the same or different NTRP levels. A player may not advance on more than two teams in any of those combinations. Players who qualify for Mixed Super Senior Doubles Championships may advance on two Super Senior teams at different NTRP levels. No accommodation for scheduling will be made at Adult, Senior or Super Senior Mixed State Championships.
3.01D Entry.
(1) Players with a computer rating at the time of
registration must play at that NTRP level.
(2) Players without a computer rating but who self-rated within the past year must play at that level.
(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.
3.01E. Flights of Play.
3.01E
(1) The Lowcountry Tennis Association
Local Mixed League has determined that for the league year of 2011 the
following flights shall be available if there are at least two teams for the
flight.
Mixed
Doubles Adult: 2.5,
6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0, and 10.0*
Mixed
Doubles Senior: 2.5,
6.0, 7.0, 8.0, and 9.0*
Mixed
Doubles Super Senior: 6.0, 7,0,
and 8.0
*10.0
Adult and 9.0 Senior teams will not play during the normal LCTA Mixed Doubles
Local League season, but will advance directly to the State Championships.
3.01E(2) Except for the 2.5 flight, the combined ratings of a partnership must not exceed the level of the flight. Additionally, the difference in ratings for any on-court partnership may not exceed 1.0. For example, a 4.0 player and a 2.5 player may not play together in 7.0 even though their combined rating is less than 7.0. For the 2.5 flight, both players in the partnership must be rated 2.5 or below.
3.01G Scoring and Rest.
3.01G(1) All
matches in the Mixed Doubles Adult, Senior and Super Senior Leagues 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, all adult matches in the LCTA will use
the Coman Tiebreak Procedure
3.01G(2) There will be a 2-minute break at the end of
each set.
3.01G(3) There will be a changeover, but no break, at the end of the first game of each set.
3.01H Competition Format.
3.01H(1)
Schedule Format.
(a) Regular Season.
(i) Each level of play shall consist of one
flight or two or more subflights as discussed in paragraph 3.01A above.
(ii) Each flight/subflight 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 three matches.
(b) Play-Offs.
(i) Single Flight. There are no Lowcountry Tennis Association play-offs when the division consists of a single flight.
(ii) Two Subflights. When there are two subflights in a division, the play-off format will depend upon the number of teams from the LCTA that will participate in the South Carolina Mixed Doubles 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 subflight.
(bb) If the Lowcountry Tennis Association receives two entries to the State Championships, a round robin playoff, involving the top two teams in each subflight, will be held to determine the final placement of the teams. In the first round, the top team from each subflight will play the number two team in the other subflight. In the second round, the top team in each subflight will play the number two team in its subflight. In the third round, the top teams from each subflight will play each other as will the second place teams from each subflight. The final placement of teams will be determined according to 3.01H(2)(c) below.
(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 round robin playoff involving the top three
teams from each flight. The six teams
will draw positions A through F, and the final placement of teams will be
determined according to 3.01H(2)(c) below.
-
In the first round, it will be A vs B, C vs D, E vs F.
-
In the second round, it will be A vs C, B vs E, D vs F.
-
In the third round, it will be A vs D, B vs F, C vs E
-
In the fourth round, it will be A vs E, B vs D, and C vs F
-
In the fifth round, it will be A vs F, B vs C, and D vs E.
(iii) Three Subflights. When there are three subflights 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 Mixed Doubles
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 Mixed Doubles Coordinator will then
select, in turn, Flights #2 and #3 from the remaining sheets of paper.)
(iv) Four Subflights. When there are four
subflights in a division, the final placement of the top four teams will be determined
by one round of single elimination, followed by a four team round robin
involving the winners of the single elimination play. In the single elimination portion of the
playoff
- The first place finisher in subflight #1, and will play the
second place finisher in subflight #4.
- The first place finisher in subflight #2, and will play the
second place finisher in subflight #3.
- The first place finisher in subflight #3, and will play the
second place finisher in subflight #2.
- The first place finisher in subflight #4, and will play the
second place finisher in subflight #1.
(In
order to determine which flights are subflights #1, #2, #3, and #4, the Mixed
Doubles Coordinator will put the names of the four subflights on separate
sheets of paper, put them in a container, and select one sheet from the
container. That will be subflight #1. The Mixed Doubles Coordinator
will then select, in turn, subflights #2, #3, and #4 from the remaining sheets
of paper.)
Following the elimination round, the four winners will play a round robin. The four teams will draw positions A through D, and the final placement of teams will be determined according to 3.01H(2)(c) below.
-
In the first round, it will be A vs B, C vs D.
-
In the second round, it will be A vs C, B vs D.
-
In the third round, it will be A vs D, B vs C.
(v) Play-Off Dates. For all Adult flights/subflights having
play-offs, the play-off dates are as follows:
6.0 Mixed Doubles Adult: July 22nd-July24th
(Rain Date: July 25th) 7.0 Mixed Doubles
Adult: July 29th-July 31st
(Rain Date: Aug 1st) 8.0 Mixed Doubles
Adult: July 15th-July 17th
(Rain Date: Jul 18th).
3.01H(2) Team Match and Scoring.
(a) Each team match in the Lowcountry Tennis
Association shall consist of three individual doubles matches.
(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/subflight 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) Head to head competition.
(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 will receive one warning. Any additional occurrences of not entering
the score within 48 hours of match completion will 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) Play-Off Sites. The selection of the play-off
site(s) is the responsibility of the Mixed Doubles 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 Mixed Doubles Coordinator will select a neutral site for the match.
3.01H(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 team default occurs
when a team captain cannot field at least two positions for a team match.
(ii) Individual defaults must be given "from the
bottom" except as provided for in paragraph 3.01H(4)(b) above. i.e., the No. 3 doubles must be the
position defaulted.
(iii) Two players will play together in the higher position when
both of their partners do not show in order to avoid two defaults if they can
form an eligible partnership. For
example: in a 7.0 match, a 3.5 woman
scheduled to play position #2 will be able to play with a 3.5 man scheduled to
play position #3 in position #2 if neither of their scheduled partners
shows. Position #3 would then be
defaulted. This change must be made
within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time.
(iv) 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.
(v) If a captain is advised prior to the match that the opponent
must default a position 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.
(vi) 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.
(vii) If both teams default the same position, neither team will receive a win and the scorecard will indicate a double default.
(viii)
If a 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 will count in the league results-both
those matches already played and those matches yet to be played. (Example:
If there are ten scheduled matches for a team, there will be thirty 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.)
(ix) By joining the Lowcountry Tennis Association, a team is
making a commitment to play every match.
If, however, circumstances dictate that a team cannot field at least two
positions, then the entire match (i.e., all positions) must be defaulted in
accordance with rules 2.03K and 2.03L of the 2011 USTA League Tennis
Regulations. If it is determined by the Mixed
Doubles Coordinator in consultation with the Local League Coordinator, at
any time during the season, that such 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 mixed exclusive 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.
3.01(H)(5) Player Participation
(a). In accordance with rule 1.04G
of the USTA South Carolina State Regulations, individuals may play at the same
level on more than one team in South Carolina but not on more than one team at
the same level in the same league.
Individuals may compete on both an Adult League team and a Senior League
team at the same level of play.
(b). 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
the State League Coordinator, and the team must play its home matches at a Lowcountry
tennis facility.
(c) 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 for which he/she will play during the Championships,
and the player may play on only that team for that level during the
Championships.
3.01J Inclement Weather.
3.01J(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 Mixed Doubles or Senior/Super Senior Mixed Doubles Coordinator, as
applicable. 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
local league playoffs.) If the two
captains cannot mutually agree on a make-up date, the make-up date will be the first Saturday, following the two week
make-up period at 2:00P. All
positions should be played at the
same time and date just as in a regularly scheduled match, if possible. 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 date is established and
the Mixed Doubles Coordinator or Senior/Super Senior Mixed Doubles Coordinator
is informed, this is considered to be the official match date and cannot be postponed
unless there is inclement weather on that date. If
there is inclement weather on the agreed upon make-up date, the make-up match
must be rescheduled within 14 days of the agreed upon make-up date.
(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 2 weeks, and
the Mixed Doubles coordinator must be notified when the match(es) are to be
played. The Mixed Doubles Coordinator or
Senior/Super Senior Mixed Doubles Coordinator will establish the make-up date
and time if the players cannot agree. Once
the make-up date is established and the Mixed Doubles Coordinator or
Senior/Super Senior Mixed Doubles Coordinator is informed, this is considered
to be the official match date and cannot be postponed unless there is inclement
weather on that date.
3.01J(2) Inclement Weather During Playoffs.
(a) During playoffs, it is the responsibility of
the Mixed Doubles Coordinator or Senior/Super Senior Mixed Doubles 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 those Coordinators to decide when players should be released.
(b) Make-up times and dates for postponed playoff matches will be determined by the Mixed Doubles Coordinator or Senior/Super Senior Mixed Doubles 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.
3.01K Registration.
3.01K(1) Teams will register for play in the LCTA 2011 Mixed Doubles Adult, Senior, and Super Senior Leagues by entering their rosters in TennisLink, beginning January 31, 2011 and no later than April 12, 2011. No new teams may be established after that date unless a waiver is received from the Mixed Doubles Adult Coordinator or Mixed Doubles Senior/Super Senior Coordinator.
3.01K(2) In order for a roster to be considered valid on April 12, 2011, it must have at least six players, and at least three eligible partnerships (3 men and 3 women).
3.01K(3) A player may be added to a team roster until
the date of that team’s last scheduled match in the regular season.
3.01K(4) A player may not play for a team until the
player has been entered on the roster.
If he/she does play a match when not on the roster, the individual match
will be considered to be a default.
3.01K(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 2011 season must have their memberships paid-up through the
LCTA local league season, i.e., August 10, 2011.) 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 $12
fee is split as follows: $3 to USTA to
support TennisLink operations; $6 to USTA/SC to support league tennis
operations in South Carolina; and $3 to LCTA to support league tennis
operations in our local league.)
3.01L 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 for a 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 3.01J(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.)
3.03 AREA, SECTIONAL, AND NATIONAL EASTERN LEAGUE
CHAMPIONSHIPS.
3.03A(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 at the adult level. One of these
matches can be a default received, but defaults given do not count towards
meeting this requirement. In order to
play at the senior or super senior State Championships, players only need to
play in one local match (including a default received). 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.
3.03B Championship Schedule. The USTA South Carolina State Championships
for the Mixed Doubles Adult and Senior will be held September 10th-12th, 2011,
in Florence, SC. The USTA/Southern Section Championships for Mixed Doubles Adult
and Seniors will be held October 14th- 16th, 2011, in Macon, GA. The Mixed Doubles National Eastern
Championships will be held November 11th-13th, (2.5, 7.0, 9.0) and 18th-22nd, (6.0,
8.0, 10.0) 2011 in TBA. The State Championships for Mixed Doubles Super Senior will
be held October 14th-16th, 2011 in Aiken, SC and there will be no competition
beyond the State Championship level
Submitted: Ken Edwards Date:
Ken
Edwards
Lowcountry
Tennis Association
President/Local
League Coordinator
Dee Mack
Lowcountry
Tennis Association
Mixed
Doubles Local League Coordinator
Judith Fillinger
Lowcountry
Tennis Association
Senior/Super
Senior Mixed Doubles Local League Coordinator
Approved: Susan Turner Date:
4/13/2011
Susan
Turner
USTA/South
Carolina
Mixed
Doubles State League Coordinator