April 21st, 2010
GSTL Mixed Doubles League Rules
2010
ADULT, SENIOR AND SUPER SENIOR
THE USTA, USTA SOUTHERN SECTION, AND USTA SOUTH CAROLINA RULES AND REGULATIONS TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER LOCAL LEAGUE RULES. IF A CONFLICT OCCURS, THE ABOVE WILL OVERRULE THE LOCAL LEAGUE RULES. LOCAL LEAGUE RULES MAY HAVE TO BE CHANGED ANNUALLY WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF LOCAL MEMBERSHIP IF STATE, SECTIONAL OR NATIONAL USTA REGULATIONS ARE CHANGED.
CAPTAINS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KNOWING ALL THE USTA, SOUTHERN, SOUTH CAROLINA AND GSTL RULES AND REGULATIONS, AND FOR ENCOURAGING TEAM MEMBERS TO FAMILIARIZE THEMSELVES WITH THE RULES AND REGULATIONS. MAKE SURE THAT EACH TEAM MEMBER HAS ACCESS TO THE RULES AND REGULATIONS.
A. FORMAT
1. Three mixed doubles partnerships. A minimum of six players (3 of each gender).
2. Team that wins at least two of the three individual matches is the winner of the team match.
3. Individual Matches – best 2 of 3 sets with a ten-point tie break (Coman Tiebreak in lieu of the third set)(INSTRUCTIONS ATTACHED AT END OF RULES)
4. ADULT LEAGUE: Straight 2.5 and combined 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0, 10.0 levels.
SENIOR LEAGUE: Straight 2.5 and combined 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0 levels.
SUPER SENIOR LEAGUE: Combined 6.0, 7.0 and 8.0 levels.
5. The combined ratings of a partnership cannot exceed the level of play. Each individual player’s rating in a partnership may be no more than 1.0 apart.
6. There are no team limit restrictions. It is suggested that each team has a minimum of 12 players.
7. A player may compete in Senior, Super Senior and Adult Mixed Doubles League, but there will be NO scheduling accommodations.
B. ELIGIBILITY
1. All players must have a USTA membership valid through the end of the local league season (September 2010).
2. ADULT- Player must reach at least 18 years of age during 2010.
3. SENIOR – Player must reach at least 50 years of age during 2010.
4. SUPER SENIOR – Player must reach at least 60 years of age during 2010.
5. A player may play on multiple Adult teams in SC at the same NTRP level as long as they are in separate local leagues. A player may also play on multiple senior teams in SC at the same NTRP level as long as they are in separate local leagues. A player may also play on multiple Super Senior teams in SC at the same NTRP level as long as they are in separate local leagues. Play on an Adult team, a Senior Team and a Super Senior team at the same flight level in the same local league is permissible.
6. A Player may play out of his/her Local League area (as defined by the player’s primary residence as listed in USTA records) without approval from the player’ Local League Coordinator or the Local League Coordinator in the area the player wishes to play.
7. A player from another state (as defined by the player’s primary residence as listed in USTA records) may not participate in South Carolina without approval by the Local League Coordinator (LLC) representing the area that is affected and the State Mixed Doubles 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 from another state who previously received approval to play in South Carolina and who has played in South Carolina in every year since that approval was granted, need not reapply for approval to play in 2010 in the same local league in the same division and same level as in 2009.
C. COMPUTER RATING
1. A player with a valid computer rating as a result of playing in the Adult, Senior or Mixed USTA League Tennis program must play at that level or higher.
2. Players may appeal their 2009 year-end ratings at any time during the 2010 league year. USTA will allow one appeal. NTRP Grievances will be sent to the Mixed Doubles Local League Coordinator and then to the State Mixed Doubles Coordinator to be forwarded to the Section Grievance Committee. Medical Appeals must be submitted in writing, by fax, mail, or email, to Mary Goins, State League Coordinator. Forms for medical appeals are available on www.grandstrandtennis.net. NTRP computer rating appeals must be done online. Appeals to be moved down from a self-rating must be directed to their Local League Coordinator.
D. SELF-RATING
1. 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 do so or omission of information regarding a player’s tennis history will subject the player, the captain and/or others who condoned inaccurate self-rating to sanctions and disqualifications.
2. A player who does not have a computer rating, but does have a self-rating on file in TennisLink, must play at that level and cannot self-rate lower for Mixed Doubles.
3. Players who submit an appeal to their self-rating through the Tennis Link system before their local league deadline for registering players will be permitted to register up to seven days after the notification of final self-rating.
E. ROSTERS and FEES:
1. TennisLink registration begins May 17, 2010.
2. Deadline to register a team for Mixed Doubles is June 4, 2010. Each team must have 3 eligible positions registered by this date or they will not be considered in the scheduling.
3. Deadline for adding additional players – July 20, 2010.
4. Deadline for team registration for Senior 9.0 and Adult 10.0 is July 10. These teams will play their local league during the State Championships. The player add-on deadline for these levels playing their local league at State Is August 24, 2010.
5. League Season is June 14 – August 25.
6. Schedules will be posted on TennisLink no later than 8 PM June 8, 2010.
7. Registration Fee is$20 per player. The fee includes a $3 TennisLink fee, a $6 head tax to USTA SC, and $11 to defer local league expenses.
IF FOR ANY REASON A PLAYER DECIDES TO NOT PLAY IN MIXED DOUBLES (AND THEY HAVE NOT PLAYED A MATCH) THEY WILL BE MOVED TO AN “EXTRA” TEAM AND NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN. PLAYER MAY SUBSEQUENTLY BE MOVED TO ANOTHER TEAM DURING 2010.
8. Once placed on a roster through TennisLink, TennisLink fees will not be refunded.
9. A player 80 years of age or over will have their entry fee refunded once the LLC is in receipt of an email from the player or the players captain.
F. LOCAL PLAY
1. Each team will play a round robin competition with at least one other team in the same level. Each team in a round robin must play every other team in the round robin at least once and an equal number of times.
2. It may be necessary to divide a level into two or more sub-levels if there are too many teams for a single round robin group. In that case, there will be a local league play-off to determine the GSTL champion and the team(s) to advance to the State Championships.
3. Each team must play at least three matches in local league to qualify for championship play.
4. Winners will be determined based on team matches won or winning percentage of team matches. Procedures for playoffs may vary according to the flight and number of teams. In all cases, ties will be broken in the following order:
a. Winner of most individual matches
b. Loser of fewest sets.
c. Loser of fewest games.
d. Winner of head to head.
e. Toss of coin by the League Coordinator.
5. Home team is responsible for scheduling courts, paying court fees (if applicable), and providing new balls. Captains may reschedule matches in the event of inclement weather (rain – snow – hurricane). However, all positions must be made-up within two weeks of the regularly scheduled match.
In EXTREME Circumstances (such as Local Tournaments and State, Sectional and National League Championships) both captains WILL change a scheduled Match or individual positions to an earlier date.
- STATE, SECTIONAL AND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER LOCAL LEAGUE MATCHES. FOR LOCAL TOURNAMENTS, ONLY THE PLAYER(S) INVOLVED IN THE LOCAL TOURNAMENTS MAY PLAY THEIR POSITIONS EARLY. HAVING PLAYERS OUT OF TOWN IS NOT A REASON TO RESCHEDULE A POSITION unless the players are playing in a league championship.
Not having your strong players available is not a reason to have a match rescheduled.Matches rescheduled due to extreme circumstances must be played prior to the regularly scheduled match.
6. Rained out matches must be made up within two weeks. ONCE A RESCHEDULE DATE HAS BEEN SET, NOTHING CAN CHANGE THIS DATE EXCEPT BAD WEATHER. If captains cannot agree on a date, the Coordinator will set a date. Make-up matches may be played individually. Any positions not played by the end of the TWO WEEKS will be counted as a double default. The league season ends August 25, 2010; therefore all matches must be completed by this date.
7. Captains should encourage all players to show up at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled match time. Captains must exchange lineups no later than 15 minutes prior to the scheduled match time (unless all players are not present). The 15-minute default rule will apply to the regularly scheduled match time – unless prior arrangements have been made between captains. Direct substitutions may be made for any player injured during warm-up. A direct substitution may also be made for a no-show. However, the no-show substitution must be made prior to expiration of the 15-minute default period. Captains and players are encouraged to begin the 10-minute warm up at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled match time. If court(s) are not available at the scheduled time, each position will complete the 10-minute warm-up and commence the match as soon as a court(s) become available. Matches/Positions that do not start within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time or within 15 minutes of the time of court availability will be forfeited to the team whose players are at the court ready to begin play. The home team captain and the visiting captain should confer to insure both are in agreement as to the “official” time for beginning the 15-minute default period. Team captains should report any violations of this policy to the Local League Coordinator. Repeat offenders will be reported to the LOCAL LEAGUE COORDINATOR. THE LOCAL LEAGUE COORDINATOR will determine the appropriateness of disciplinary sanctions on the Captain or the team.
8. If a home team has access to more than one court surface, the home captain must call the opposing team to let them know at least 4 days before the scheduled match that they will be using multiple surfaces for their match. Within 2 days of this notice, the visiting team captain must notify the home team of the visitor’s choice of which positions will play on hard and which position(s) will play on clay.
9. Matches begin when the ball is served for the first point.
G. SCORECARDS AND LINEUPS:
1. All scores MUST be recorded on TennisLink by the WINNING team captain, within 24 hours after the last position of each match is finished. The LOSING team captain MUST confirm the match score within 48 Hours after the final position scores are recorded. If the captain fails to confirm the scores, TennisLink will confirm them automatically. ONCE TENNISLINK HAS CONFIRMED THE SCORES, CHANGES MAY NOT BE MADE. LOSING TEAM CAPTAIN MUST CONFIRM THE PLAYER’S NAMES AND SCORES WITHIN 48 HOURS. INCORRECT NAMES AND SCORES COULD AFFECT PLAYERS’ RATINGS.
2. Line-up/scorecards will be used to exchange line-ups only. Each captain will provide their own line-up scorecard, or portion thereof. Each Captain should keep a copy of final scores to assist in posting or confirming scores on TennisLink. (SUGGESTION: HAVE THE OTHER CAPTAIN CHECK THE SCORES ON YOUR SCORECARD AND SIGNING IT SHOWS THEIR AGREEMENT. THIS WILL AVOID WRONG SCORES AND INCORRECT NAMES BEING PUT IN TENNISLINK.
3. Captains are to exchange line-ups simultaneously. NO CHANGES may be made after the line-up has been exchanged, except as allowed in the substitution rule. NOTE: after scorecards have been exchanged, if a team receives a forfeit, neither team will be allowed to change their line-up!
H. FORFEITS:
Forfeits are used for Defaults or for Disqualifications. These two different forms of forfeit are defined as follows:
1. Forfeit by DEFAULT- when a player fails to appear on time,
2. Forfeit by DISQUALIFICATION- Disqualification occurs when a player is ineligible to participate for any reason [i.e. under age, not a USTA member, NTRP disqualification, not on the team roster, etc.]
3. SCORING OF FORFEITS: Scores for forfeits are not entered in TennisLInk. Default is selected for “status” of match and the team receiving the default shall be awarded the win for the individual match that was forfeited. In the event of forfeit by both teams (double default), neither team will receive credit for the win.
4. Team Forfeits/Default from League: If a Team forfeits an entire team match, 2 positions for Mixed Doubles THEN THAT TEAM WILL BE DEFAULTED FROM THE LEAGUE. ALL REMAINING MATCHES SCHEDULED FOR THE DEFAULTED TEAM SHALL BE VOIDED AND WILL NOT BE PLAYED! HOWEVER, ALL TEAM POINTS AWARDED TO OPPONENT FROM PREVIOUS MATCHES PLAYED WILL REMAIN VALID. In this case, the team that has the highest percentage of team Match VICTORIES will be deemed the league winner AT THE end of the season.
THE TEAM THAT RECEIVES AN ENTIRE TEAM FORFEIT WILL NOT RECEIVE credit for THE WIN. IT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF BOTH TEAMS TO WORK IT OUT SO THAT AT LEAST 2 POSITIONS CAN BE PLAYED.
5. For a forfeit to count as a win, the players receiving the forfeit must be present at the match site except in specific cases as stated elsewhere. Players receiving the forfeit must be listed on the line-up and entered in TennisLink. Players giving the forfeit must not be entered in TennisLink.
6. In case of a forfeit, the # 3 doubles position must be forfeited first. Forfeits must always be from the bottom up. Please check your USTA regulations for further examples of how to forfeit.
7. In the event line-ups have already been exchanged and a player listed fails to show, that position in which the player was to play is the position that is forfeited (defaulted). Once exchanged, line-ups may not be rearranged (unless rain causes match not to begin).
8. Two players will play together in the higher position when both of their partners do not show in order to avoid two defaults (as long as combined ratings do not exceed the designated level of play and the 1.0 maximum differential of the ratings.
9. Points awarded for forfeits during original line-up exchange will stand. All players involved in such forfeit CANNOT participate in the rescheduled match.
DO NOT PUT SOMEONE IN THE NUMBER ONE OR TWO POSITIONS THAT YOU KNOW IS GOING TO BE LATE OR YOU KNOW WILL NOT SHOW. REPEAT OFFENCES WILL BE GROUNDS FOR A GRIEVANCE TO BE FILED AGAINST THE CAPTAIN BY THE LOCAL LEAGUE COORDINATOR.
I. RETIREMENTS
A retirement occurs when an individual match has started and a player is unable to continue due to injury, loss of condition, or emergency.
SCORING OF RETIREMENTS: In case of retirement after commencement of the match, the non-retiring players shall be credited with such number of additional games as would have been won if the match was completed and the non- retiring players won every subsequent game. Note: for NTRP computer data entry, actual scores are required, (i.e. the winner of the retirement if the match ended at 6-4, 4-3, should be recorded as a retirement at that score.)
J. REPORTING SCORES
All scores must be entered into TennisLink within 24 hours of the match. The WINNING team captain is responsible for entering the scores, and the losing team captain must confirm or dispute the scores within 48 hours. After 48 hours, the scores are automatically confirmed by TennisLink and cannot be disputed later. If a captain disputes the scores in TennisLink, the captain must also notify the League Coordinator right away that there is a disputed score.
A Computerized message will be sent to both captains if scores are not posted on time. Both captains receive this message because neither the Computer nor the LLC know who has won the match. Captains receiving this message need to coordinate with the other captain and get the scores posted in the computer.
K. PROGRESSION TO STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
1. When the Local League does not have the required number of teams (two teams to constitute a level, the State Mixed Doubles League coordinator, in consultation with the affected Local League Coordinators, shall either:
A. Assign the singleton team to another Local League, in which case:
(1) State Mixed Doubles Coordinator will transfer assigned team to League to which it is assigned and assigned team will abide by rules of host league;
(2)host league will make rule regarding travel for matches.
Or
B. Group the singleton team with other singleton teams in the state and schedule a playoff among those teams to determine advancement to the State Championships. The State Mixed Doubles League Coordinator will decide on the date(s), playoff structure, and designate the site and Local (host) League.
C. Complete teams choosing to play in a local league area other than their home Local league must secure home courts in local league they choose to participate.
2. A player must play at least two matches locally for Adult and one match locally for Senior and Super Senior to qualify for championship play. A default RECEIVED will qualify for advancement to the championships; A default GIVEN will not qualify. A default received will count as a qualifying match for Adult and Senior State and Sectional Championships. A default does NOT COUNT for Mixed Doubles National Championships. Forfeits do not count towards computer ratings.
3. Players who qualify for South Carolina Mixed Doubles State Championships may advance on one Adult and one Senior team in the 2010 season, but may not advance on two adult or two senior teams. Scheduling will not accommodate players who compete on an Adult and Senior team. Players who qualify for Sectional Championships may advance on one adult and one senior team but may not advance on two adult or two senior teams. If eligible players do not participate at the State Championships, they may participate in the Sectional and/or National Championships. There is no advancement beyond State Championships for Super Senior Mixed Doubles.
4. Teams that withdraw from the USTA SC Championships after the entry fees have been paid by GSTL will be required to reimburse the GSTL if a replacement GSTL team cannot be found. If GSTL has to forfeit entry fees for the withdrawing team, member of the withdrawing team will not be eligible to participate in future league play until the reimbursement to GSTL is made.
5. If a team withdraws from a championship after the draw has been published, a grievance will be filed against all members on team roster that is submitted for the championship. Sanctions against these team members may include that all members on the submitted roster be banned from participating in any playoff (state or higher) for a period of up to 11 months.
6. If an entire team defaults their match during a championship, a grievance will be filed against all members on team roster that is submitted for the championship. Sanctions against these team members may include that all members on submitted roster be banned from participating in any playoff (state or higher) for a period of 11 months.
L. COURT PROCEDURES:
1. Players are not allowed a rest period between the first and second game of each set They must change sides and continue play without delay. Players do not have the option of taking a ten minute break between the second set a the 10-point Match Tiebreak used in lieu of the third set. A two-minute (or 120 second) set break may be taken between the second set and the tenpoint match tiebreak, the same as between the first and second sets.
2. Spectators may not aid players in making a line call or in determining the score. Spectators may not participate in the match in any fashion, and must refrain from doing so even if asked by the player [s]. Coaching of any player at any time is prohibited.
3. Spectators may QUIETLY watch a match in progress.
4. Spectators may clap when good points are made.
5. Spectators may not sit or stand at the end of the court immediately behind the servers or receivers or at the side fence because it is a distraction to the players. It is the responsibility of each team and team captain control the noise and behavior of its spectators. A protest may be filed against the offending team.
6. No line judge or umpire will be provided for matches. Players are urged to call the score after each point to avoid confusion. Total disagreement concerning the score in the game will result in a spin of the racquet if players are unable to go back to a score they both agree. If a conflict occurs during match play over line calls, the players involved may request that the captain of each team appoint a lines person for the remainder of match.
If a ball is 99.9% out it is 100% in.
7. FOOT FAULTS: Foot faults are illegal. Constant and blatant foot faulting gives the server a definite advantage, and should be politely brought to the attention of the server during the match. If it continues, the players involved may request that captains of both teams appoint a line person for the remainder of that match.
8. Bathroom Breaks may be taken at any time, but it is preferred that they be taken at set breaks and/or changeovers. In an emergency bathroom breaks may be taken at any time. Reasonable time is allowed for a bathroom break (distance from court), and the player is not allowed to talk with anyone as this will be considered coaching and a grievance may be filed.
9. DISPUTES ON COURT:
A) In matches where there is no umpire, as in GSTL local league matches, players themselves act as umpires and must see that obvious violations of the rules do not occur. It is imperative that players know the USTA, STA, South Carolina and GSTL Rules and regulations which govern play.
B) Coaches or club pros must refrain from intrusion in discussions between players or captains unless specifically asked by both captains. Even then, it is the responsibility of the two captains, not the pro, to decide on the resolution of the Incident.
C) Disputes should be settled between players before the match is finished. Remember, all points played in good faith stand. It is hoped that the players involved can resolve the dispute by themselves. If that is not possible, the procedure to follow is:
1) A player should inform the opponent of the problem and his/her intent to leave the court to obtain the assistance of his/her captain. The player should leave their racquet on the court when going for the captain. 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.
2) If the captains and players cannot agree on a resolution to the conflict, the offended player[s] may:
a) Notify the opponent that due to his/her opinion that a violation of the rules occurred, he/she is going to continue to play but that he/she is playing under protest and intends to file a grievance with GSTL after the match is completed. His /her captain would then record the protest on the line-up/scorecard.
b) Stop play-telling his/her opponent why, and have her captain indicate on the scorecard that the match was stopped in protest. The exact place and score of the match when play stopped must be recorded and signed by both captains.
c) The captain or designated captain at the match has 24 hours in which to register a complaint with the LLC, Susie Honeycutt. This initial report may be done by phone but must be followed up within one week with a written grievance. Failure to comply with the 24-hour rule renders the grievance invalid. If the team captain chooses to file a formal grievance, the captain must submit the grievance to the LLC on the USTA SC grievance form (available on www.grandstrandtennis.net) and to the captain of the opposing team. The LLC will forward the grievance form to the GSTL Grievance Committee for action.
3) The grievance committee will exercise the following options:
a) Rule in the complaining player’s favor
b) Rule that the match be completed at a later time-starting at the exact point when protested or when play ended.
c) Rule in favor of the complainant’s opponent.
d) Other actions that may be determined by the
4) The Local League Coordinator has the right to file a Grievance against any team or player regarding sense of fair play, sportsmanshiP, default and forfeits or rules violations!!
M. CHAMPIONSHIPS
SC State Championships: September 11 – 13, 2010 Charleston Tennis Center
Super Senior Mixed Championships: TBD
Southern Sectional Championships: October 15 – 17, 2010 Jackson, MS
National Eastern Regional Championships, Nov 20 – 22, 2010, Las Vegas
N. GRIEVANCES
THE GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE AND THE GRIEVANCE APPEALS COMMITTEE ARE APPOINTED BY THE LOCAL LEAGUE COORDINATOR. THE LOCAL LEAGUE COORDINATOR HAS THE AUTHORITY TO APPOINT THE PERSONS TO SERVE ON GRIEVANCE AND GRIEVANCE APPEALS COMMITTEES IN THE PLACE OF THOSE PERSONS LISTED BELOW IN THE CASE OF CONFLICT, ABSENCE OR OTHER INABILITY TO SERVE. SUBSTITUTE APPOINTMENTS WILL NORMALLY COME FROM REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CLUBS.
GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE GRIEVANCE APPEAL COMMITTEE
ELORES BLOUNT, CHAIR DEBBIE JONES, CHAIR
TONYA BARR DAVE HOBSON
JAN DIETER KRISTY POWELL
MIXED DOUBLES COORDINATOR
RITA GRAY
843-455-9274
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LOCAL LEAGUE COORDINATOR
SUSIE HONEYCUTT
Home: 843-293-5158
Cell: 843-450-6788
Fax: 1-888-817-8759