{"id":16250,"date":"2009-12-17T23:50:53","date_gmt":"2009-12-18T03:50:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.IreneEng.com\/?p=16250"},"modified":"2009-12-17T23:50:53","modified_gmt":"2009-12-18T03:50:53","slug":"mixed-doubles-season-local-rules-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tennis.ireneeng.com\/?p=16250","title":{"rendered":"Mixed Doubles Season Local Rules"},"content":{"rendered":"

QUEENS 2010
\nMixed Doubles Season Local Rules<\/a><\/strong>
\nAll captains and players are responsible for following the rules and regulations<\/span><\/p>\n

Governing Rules<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

USTA Adult leagues are divided into layers of organization: National, Sectional (Eastern), Regional (Metro), District (Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn), and then Divisions. Three levels of rules apply: The USTA League Tennis Regulations (National), the USTA Eastern rules (Section), and the Local Rules (District). In addition, The Code (The Player\u2019s Guide for Un-officiated Matches) applies. The local rules are to be read in a manner consistent with the Sectional and National rules whenever possible and are not intended to supplant those rules. The local rules are intended to identify only the most essential portions of the National and Sectional rules and only depart from those rules as authorized by the USTA and whenever deemed necessary and advisable by local league administration. Any players who use The Code to quote a rule during a match must be able to produce a copy of that rule.<\/p>\n

Captain’s Responsibilities<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Captains are responsible for the administration of their team for the entire season<\/strong>.\u00a0 Duties include: player recruitment; arranging match payments and refunds; reporting scores on TennisLink; sending points to their coordinator; arranging lineups and ensuring that team players are on-level, registered and fully informed of league rules. Captains are to show cooperation and courtesy to all players, captains and coordinators.<\/p>\n

Captains are responsible for ensuring new players do not have a current computer rating from any other US state. Captains should check a players\u2019 level of play before the player \u201cself rates\u201d.<\/p>\n

Captains who wish to captain more than 1 team must have the approval of the league coordinator.<\/p>\n

Player Registration<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Registration fees on TennisLink are $33<\/strong> (includes $10 USTA registration fee + $23 roster fee). This is in addition to USTA Membership ($40 per year)<\/p>\n

Players must register before their match.<\/strong> It is the captain\u2019s responsibility to check that their players have registered before they play a match and before the registration deadline (whichever comes first). Any team that plays an unregistered player will default the points for that court to the opposing team. The second time the team plays an unregistered player, they will forfeit all points earned for that match (the opposing team will only be awarded points for the court with the unregistered player). The third time will result in disciplinary action against the captain.<\/p>\n

USTA computer ratings are valid for 3 years for players under 60 years old, and for 2 years for players 60 and over. Players must use their current computer rating. Computer rated players may appeal their year end rating on-line by using the automated process on TennisLink. NOTE: Championship benchmarks may not be appealed during the 1st year received.<\/p>\n

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. Omission of information regarding a player\u2019s tennis history will subject the player (and any captain and\/or others who condoned inaccurate self-rating) to sanctions and disqualification. Players should self-rate at the level where they will be competitive, not at a level where they will dominate.<\/p>\n

A captain who completes a player\u2019s self-rate questionnaire will be held responsible for the answers provided. Once a player has registered with a self-rating, any rating appeals must be filed through the Eastern Section.<\/p>\n

Register Online<\/strong> at http:\/\/tennislink.usta.com\/leagues using your USTA membership # and 10 digit team code
\nRegistration deadline<\/strong>: March 1, 2010<\/span><\/p>\n

Team Match Fees ($27 per player per match)<\/strong><\/span>
\nAll fees must be paid in full by January 25, 2010. Failure to pay team fees by the deadline will result in match cancellation and\/or players being excluded from future Metrotennis CTA league play. NOTE: Matches played prior to the deadline must be paid for by 5pm the day prior to the match date.<\/p>\n

Match fees are paid online<\/strong>: www.metrotennis.com -> USTA League Tennis->Queens League-> Pay for matches.
\nReport any payment problems to your coordinator. Do not contact the USTA or Eastern offices; they are not involved with match payments.<\/p>\n

Player Participation:<\/strong><\/span>
\nRoster Limits<\/strong>: Team rosters are limited to 22 players.
\nOnly the following pairings are allowed:<\/span><\/span>
\n6.0 = 3.0\/3.0 or 3.5\/2.5 or 3.0\/2.5
\n7.0 = 3.5\/3.5 or 4.0\/3.0 or 3.5\/3.0
\n8.0 = 4.0\/4.0 or 4.5\/3.5 or 4.0\/3.5
\n9.0 = 4.5\/4.5 or 5.0\/4.0 or 4.5\/4.0<\/p>\n

If a team plays a pairing that is ineligible, any points earned for that court will be awarded to the opposing team.<\/p>\n

A player may not play more than one level above their rating<\/strong> (a 3.0 player can play at 6.0 & 7.0, but not 8.0).\u00a0 A doubles pair cannot play more than .5 pt above their combined rating level<\/strong> (3.5 & 3.0 partners can play at 7.0, but not at 8.0).<\/p>\n

Players may play on more than one team per season BUT NOT at the same league level in the same district. <\/strong>For example: A 3.5 player may play on a Manhattan 7.0 team. S\/he may also play in another district and\/or region at that level. Players\/teams that choose to play in more than one district or region will not be given any special consideration in the scheduling of matches.<\/p>\n

This is an amateur, recreational league. Players may not accept any gifts, money or incentives for playing in a match from anyone<\/strong>, including captains. Assistance with the payment of match fees, registration and\/or USTA membership is allowed.<\/p>\n

Pre-Match Preparation and Court Cancellation<\/span><\/strong>
\nCaptains:<\/strong><\/span>
\n1. Contact your players a few days prior to the match<\/strong> to confirm they know the correct date, time and location for the match. Players should be told to arrive at least 15 mins prior to their match time.
\n2. Call the club a few days prior to the match<\/strong>. Verify the team level, team number, number of courts needed and match time. Errors do occur. If there is a discrepancy, contact your coordinator immediately. If you do not confirm with the club in advance, Metro will not be responsible for reimbursement of court fees.<\/strong>
\n3. Contact the opposing team captain at least 48 hours<\/span> prior to the match<\/strong>. Verify the time, place and potential forfeits.
\nCanceling Courts<\/span>: ONLY COORDINATORS MAY CANCEL COURTS<\/strong>. The canceling captain must phone<\/span>, and email<\/span>, the coordinator and opposing captain<\/span> indicating which court they are cancelling. The coordinator will confirm by email when the court has been cancelled. If you cannot reach your coordinator, contact another coordinator (see list at the end of these rules) or the Metrotennis office.
\n***In order to receive a refund, the court must be cancelled before 3pm the day prior to the match. Any captain who does not follow these procedures will not be eligible for a refund.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rescheduling Courts<\/strong><\/span>: Each team may request the re-schedule of a maximum of 3 courts per season. NOTE: You can only re-schedule one court per match — 3rd doubles. All re-schedule requests must be submitted no later than January 15, 2010. One date will be given for the re-schedule. If either team can not make the re-schedule date, the requesting team must forfeit.
\nNOTE: Teams who represent Metro at a sectional or national playoff may be allowed to re-schedule courts. The captain must submit their request at least 3 weeks in advance and indicate which players will be competing at playoffs.<\/p>\n

Players:<\/strong><\/span>
\n1. Return calls\/emails to your captain to confirm your attendance at your upcoming match.
\n2. If you are delayed getting to a match due to traffic, inform your captain (or call the club) as soon as possible.
\n3. Plan to arrive at the club at least 15 minutes prior to the match start time.<\/p>\n

Forfeits + Defaults<\/strong><\/span>
\nForfeits: when a captain knows in advance that they are short a player(s) for the match<\/strong>. Always notify the opposing captain and your coordinator immediately and ensure the court has been cancelled. (See Canceling Courts). The forfeit takes place at 3rd doubles.<\/p>\n

Suggestion<\/strong>: At the beginning of the season, captains should decide on a team policy regarding the amount of notice a scheduled player must give in order to be reimbursed by a substitute player for their match.<\/p>\n

Legal Match<\/span>: Teams must field two courts for the match to be considered an eligible match. A team that forfeits and entire match without \u201cdue cause\u201d may have all points earned for the season removed. The entire team, at the discretion of the local coordinator, may not be permitted to play next season.
\n <\/span><\/p>\n

Default<\/span>: when player listed on the scorecard fails to show within 15 minutes after the match time. Players arriving onto the assigned court more than 15 minutes after the match start time may be defaulted at the discretion of the opposing team (having been so advised before the start of match play on that court.) If players from both teams arrive 15 minutes or later onto the same court, neither or both teams will be defaulted, depending on the circumstances.<\/p>\n

Double defaults<\/span>: Neither team will be awarded points for the defaulted court.<\/p>\n

Extenuating circumstances<\/strong><\/span> including, but not limited to, extreme weather\/travel conditions (i.e. snowstorms, bridge or tunnel closings, fires, tornadoes and major street closings). A coordinator has the power to extend the default time by 15 minutes — depending on the situation. If you can not reach any of the coordinators, play the match in good faith and deal with the legalities later.<\/p>\n

Line Ups + Scorecards<\/strong><\/span>
\nIf the captain or co-captain are not present at the match, an acting captain must be assigned. The acting captain must be on the team roster<\/strong>, be familiar with the Eastern and Queens Mixed Doubles Rules, and have the local rules document with them at the match.
\nPrint a blank scorecard from TennisLink using your match number. Clearly print the first and last names of your players on the scorecard and notate the court number. Order of strength is advised to ensure competitive play.<\/p>\n

Scorecards must be exchanged simultaneously between captains AT LEAST 5 minutes prior to the match start time. <\/strong>Teams must present a line up at this time, even if all players are not yet present**. It is strongly recommended that in addition to the captain, another player on the team know the line-up for the match. Once scorecards are exchanged, changes to the line-up can ONLY be made if there is an illness or injury during the warm up.
\n**Defaults MUST occur from the bottom up. If a doubles player is missing at the end of the warm-up, the line-up MUST be adjusted and that team put into the 3rd doubles position. The 2nd and 3rd doubles teams will be moved up 1 position \u2013 no changes in the teams are allowed. 3rd doubles MUST be the first court defaulted.<\/p>\n

If clocks are not present on the court, the captains must clearly define the match ending device for each court (i.e. buzzer, watches, etc) at the time of scorecard exchange.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

It is the responsibility of the players to make sure they are on the correct court with the proper opponents. Captains should give their players the names of their opponents when sending them to their court. All matches stand as played.<\/p>\n

Players must report their scores to the captain. Captains will enter the scores on the scorecard and circle the winner\u201fs names. Scores should be written from the winners\u2019 perspective, e.g., 6-0, 6-3. Do not write 0-6, 3-6<\/p>\n

Both captains must sign the scorecards. Scorecards should be kept and be available to send to the coordinator in the case of a discrepancy.<\/p>\n

Match Play<\/strong><\/span>
\nMatch play is 2 hours, with a 3rd set tie-breaker in lieu of 3rd set.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Each team fields 6 players per match (3 men\/3 women). Order of strength is encouraged to ensure competitive play.
\nThe points awarded are: 1D = 6pts, 2D = 4pts, 3D = 3pts<\/p>\n

Games are regular scoring, with a 7-point tie-break when 6-6 in games is reached during the first 2 sets. If you split sets, a 10-point tiebreak will be played in lieu of the 3rd set. The first team to 7 (regular tie-break) or 10 (tie-break in lieu of a 3rd set), by a 2 point lead, wins. Play continues until the 2 point lead is reached. Coman rotation is used for all tie-breaks: teams switch sides after the first point, and then after every 4th point (after 1st, 5th, 9th point, etc.)<\/p>\n

Timing Matches<\/strong>: If a clock is visible from the courts, then players must go by the time on that clock. If no clock is visible, players must use the match ending device determined by their captains.
\nWarm ups may take no more than fifteen minutes, including service practice. If a player arrives on court prior to the default time, they will are only entitled to a 5 minute warm-up. Under no circumstances may a match start more than 20 minutes past the match start time.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

A 2 min break<\/strong> is permitted between the 1st and 2nd set only. Play is continuous between the 2nd set and the 3rd set tie break unless there is a changeover (when the usual 90 second changeover applies). 90 seconds on changeovers. 20 seconds between points. No coaching is allowed between or during sets.
\nAll cell phones and electronic devices must be turned off during matches.<\/strong> Players may not use cell phones courtside.<\/p>\n

Line calls<\/strong>: If line calls become an issue among opponents on court, the players on court can ask one person from each team or can agree on a single person to assist with calls. The observers may ONLY overrule incorrect calls (rather than rule on every ball) and can make calls only on balls they can clearly see.<\/p>\n


\nMatches cannot be extended over the 2 hour time period. Please do not try to talk club staff into letting you play on. This will jeopardize the league being able to use the clubs.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Unfinished Matches<\/strong><\/span> (matches not completed within 2 hours)
\nFIVE MINUTE RULE: if 5 minutes or more remain before the end of the match, you MUST start and attempt to complete the next game. If less than 5 minutes remain, do NOT start a new game.<\/p>\n

A game in progress at the end of the time period is stopped and not counted. A tie-break in progress should be completed unless circumstances make it impossible to do so (players are waiting to use the courts, club maintenance staff is waiting for the courts or the club turns off the lights).<\/p>\n

For Unfinished Matches<\/strong>, if the match ends under the following circumstances, the scoring is as follows:<\/p>\n