2010 GRAND STRAND SINGLES TENNIS LEAGUE (GSTL)

USTA SOUTH CAROLINA TEAM SINGLES LEAGUE

ADULT AND SENIOR LOCAL LEAGUE RULES AND REGULATIONS

 USTA South Carolina State Singles Regulations shall apply to the South Carolina Singles League and take precedence over GSTL  Singles League Rules.

 The purpose of the Rules and Regulations is to assure that fair play and good conduct is maintained at all times and to assist the tennis league in rendering equity to all teams and players.  The Rules and Regulations are approved by the State prior to League Matches.

 The Local League Coordinator’s responsibility is to organize, coordinate and supervise all USTA League Tennis activities on the local level and report to the State Singles League Coordinator.

 The Local League Coordinator has been approved to implement and administer the League Tennis Program and interpret the Singles Local League rules, regulations and procedures.

 It is the responsibility of each Team Captain to familiarize all team members with the Rules and Regulations.

Format:

• A. Three singles positions. A minimum of three (3) players of the same gender per team. The team that wins at least two of the three individual matches wins the team match.
• B. Individual matches consist of the best 2 out of 3 sets with a ten-point match tiebreak (Coman Tiebreak) in lieu of the third set. Coman Tiebreak instructions at end of rules.
• C. Adult Levels of Play: 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0     Senior Levels of Play:  2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0      
• D. Local winning Adult and Senior Teams may advance to  the Singles State Competition.

 

 Eligibility:

• A. All players must have a current USTA membership which is valid through league season.(Any player applying for or renewing USTA membership may do so online when registering on TL.)
• B. ADULT – Player must reach at least 18 years of age during 2010.
• C. SENIOR – Player must reach at least 50 years of age during 2010.
• D. A player may play on multiple Adult teams in the same league as long as they are at different NTRP levels. A player may also play on multiple Senior teams in the same league as long as they are at different NTRP levels. Play on an Adult team and a Senior Team at the same level is permissible.
• E. If a player plays on two Adult teams at the same level or two Senior teams at the same level in the same league, all matches played will be defaulted and the player removed from both rosters.
• F. A player may play at the same NTRP levels in the same division (Adult or Senior) on teams in separate Local Leagues in South Carolina during the same season. 
• G. 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 representing the area that is affected and the State Singles 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 (Adult or Senior) and same level as in 2009.    

Computer Rating: Any player with a valid computer rating as a result of the Adult, Senior or Mixed Doubles USTA League Tennis Program must play at that level or higher

Self-Rating:

• A. 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 disqualification.
• B. A player that self-rated in the Adult League cannot self-rate lower for the Singles League.
• C. A self-rate is valid for 12 months.

Rosters:

• A. TennisLink is the official system for team registration.
• B. Team Roster with a minimum of 3 legal players must be submitted into TennisLink no later than June 7, 2010 in order to participate in the GSTL 2010 Singles League.
• C. After commencement of local league play, players may be added to the roster in accordance with the following:

                1. Player’s name must be added to the team roster before the player’s           

                         participation  in a team match.

             2. Players may be added to the roster until Jul 31, 2010.                                       

Fees:

• A. Fees will be collected (via credit card) when a person is put on a roster in the TennisLink system. The cost to play in the GSTL 2010 Singles League is $20, which includes the USTA/SC player fee, local league fee and TennisLink fee.
• B. Once placed on a roster through TennisLink, there will be no refunds.  It is possible to transfer from one team to another without additional fees by contacting the Singles League Coordinator to process the movement from one team to the next.  Transferring to another team must be done before the player plays their first match.

Local Play:

• A. Each team must have a captain or acting captain present at each match.
• B. Home Team Captain is responsible for contacting Visiting Team Captain one to three days ahead of scheduled match to confirm match and match time.
• C. Captains must exchange written line-ups prior to starting play. Scorecards MUST be downloaded from TennisLink. If there are multiple playing surfaces at a site, the visiting captain is entitled to select which positions will play on which surfaces before line-ups are exchanged.
• D. Each team must play a Round Robin with at least 2 teams of the same level. Each team in a round robin must play every team in the round robin at least once and an equal number of times.
• E. It may be necessary to divide a level into several different divisions if there are too many teams for a single round robin group. In that case, there will be a local league playoff to determine the GSTL champion and which team(s) advances to the State Championship.
• F. Each player must play at least two matches locally for Adult and 1 match locally for Senior to qualify for further championship play (one default received will be used to qualify for advancement to Championship.)
• G. Local League Winners will be determined based on team matches won or winning percentage of team matches. Procedures for playoffs, which will be published on the web and e-mailed to captains may vary according to the level of play and number of teams. In all cases, ties will be broken in the following order.
•   1. Winner of most individual matches
•   2. Loser of fewest sets.
•   3. Loser of fewest games.
•   4. Winner of head to head.
•   5. Toss of coin by LLC.
• H. Home team is responsible for court fees(WHERE APPLICABLE) and providing   new         balls.
• I. It is the responsibility of the home team captain to contact the visiting team captain prior to the scheduled match time if the weather will not permit play.  The captains can then discuss postponement, rescheduling, etc.  If weather and availability of courts at visitor’s site permits play, match should be played at visitor’s courts.
• J. If the beginning of a match is delayed by rain or wet courts, the teams must wait no longer than one hour past the original match time for the start of the first match to determine if the courts are playable. If the courts are still not playable after one hour has elapsed, the teams are free to reschedule and leave, unless both captains agree to wait longer.
• K. In the event that rain or inclement weather forces the cancellation and re-scheduling of a team match, substitutions may be made in any individual matches, which had not begun. Incomplete matches must be resumed at the exact score – set, game and point – as they stood when halted. Completed individual matches will stand as played.
• L. Rained out matches are to be made up before the next scheduled match. Captains must reschedule and notify the coordinator, within 24 hours, of the rescheduled time. Make-up matches may be played individually if necessary. If captains cannot agree when to play or have not contacted the Coordinator within the 24 hour deadline, Coordinator will set match for Friday night.
• M. Once matches are rescheduled and the Coordinator notified of rescheduled match, teams are committed to play on that date and failure by one team to play will result in a default of the match.
• N. Players must report to scheduled matches on time. The 15-minute default rule will apply – unless prior arrangements have been made between captains.
• O. CELL PHONES must be turned off.  If a cell phone rings during a point, the opponent wins the point based on a hindrance.
• P. Should a Spring Adult or Senior League Team progress to the State, Sectional or National Championship playoffs, Singles League team captains shall make accommodations in team match play when the affected team cannot field the required teams to complete a scheduled Singles League Match. Rescheduling procedure should follow inclement weather guidance and the Coordinator be advised of such.

Coaching:

           Once an individual match has begun, no coaching may be given a player by team      captains, coaches,  Pros or any other spectator.

 

Sportsmanship:

• A. No linesmen or umpires will be provided for matches.
• B. Every player is expected to call shots on his side, as he would expect his shots to be called on the other side and loud enough for his/her opponent to hear. Any out ball must be called instantaneously; otherwise, it is presumed good and in play. Avoid late calls.
• C. Balls that are not clearly out should be awarded the opponent.
• D. Players are advised to call the score before each point to avoid confusion. If the players cannot agree on the score, the score reverts to the score at which the players last agree.
• E. All complaints alleging a violation of fair play and unsportsmanlike conduct shall be filed in writing to the LLC who will forward the complaint to the Grievance Committee. The Grievance Committee will review the alleged grievance and determine the necessary actions that should be taken.

 

Scorecards:

• A. Scorecards are to be printed by captains from TennisLink.
• B. Captains are to exchange line-ups simultaneously.  No changes may be made after line-ups have been exchanged, except as indicated in the substitution rule(C below).  Please note:  After scorecards have been exchanged, if a team receives a default, the receiving team does not have the option to change their line-up!
• C. Substitution:  In the event of illness, injury, disqualification, or no-show of a player prior to the start of an individual match (once the lineup has been exchanged), a team may substitute a player in the affected position within the 15-minute default time.  The start of an individual match is once the ball is struck and put into play to begin the match.  In event rain or inclement weather forces cancellation and rescheduling of a team match, substitution may be made in any individual match that has not begun.  No player involved in a default may participate in rescheduled match.
• D. Captains are to agree on scores and players’ names (as they appear in TennisLink) on scorecard before leaving match and sign each other’s scorecards.  Signed scorecard will be official.
• E. The winning captain can report scores on TennisLink and must report within 24 hours of match.  The winning captain enters the score; the loosing captain confirms the score.  Each match must be entered and confirmed.  If the match is not confirmed within 48 hours after the first captain enters the score, TennisLink will automatically confirm it for you.  In case of disputed score, the captain must notify the Coordinator that a match has been disputed and the basis for the disputed score.  Refer to the match number when reporting a dispute and be specific.

Defaults:

A. Default – when a team knows in advance it will not be able to field all three   positions.  In this case, the #3 singles position must be defaulted.

B. Forfeit by default – when a player who was expected to play fails to appear on time or becomes unable to play and no substitute is available.  In this case, the position in which the player was scheduled to play is defaulted.

C. Default by disqualification – disqualification occurs when a player is ineligible to participate for any reason (i.e., not a member of USTA, under age, not on roster). The  position in which the disqualified player played is defaulted.

D. Team Forfeits/Default from League:          

 If a Team forfeits an entire team match  2 positions for Singles, 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 OPPONENTS 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 PLAYER.

E.     Players receiving a default must be listed on Scorecard; players giving a default must not be listed.

F.     Defaults given are voided in the event of rainouts provided no individual match has started.  If any match has started (first ball put in play), the default stands.

 

 Retirements:

            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 Retirement:

In case of retirement after commencement of a match, the non-retiring player shall  be        be credited with such number of additional games as would have been won if match was completed and non-retiring player won every subsequent game.  In TennisLink, mark as “retired” and submit actual scores of match at the point  of retirement (i.e. 6-3, 2-1, retired).

 Progression to State Championships:

•A. Each Player must play at least two matches locally for Adult and one match locally for Senior to qualify for further championship play.  One default received can be used to qualify for advancement to the championships.  A default given cannot.  A retired match shall count toward advancing for all players involved.

•B. If a player plays on more than one team at different levels, and both teams qualify for the State Championships, the player may participate in the State Championships on both teams.  Players may not participate on more than two Adult and two Senior teams at State.   However, no scheduling accommodations will be made.  If a player plays on teams in separate leagues at the same level and both teams advance to State Championships, the player may participate on only one team per level.

•C. The following number of teams per Local League will be qualified to go to the State Singles League Championships:  2-15 teams – 1 team;  16 and above teams -  2 teams. 

•D. Championship Draw:  The Championship Draw is a random draw done by the championship referee before league competition is completed.  Where possible, however, teams from the same local league will be put in separate flights.  The number of flights at a given level will depend on the number of teams eligible.  A flight will typically have four teams and the referee may elect to add wildcard teams to balance out flights.  In the case of three flights, a wildcard will be drawn at random (from the numbers 1, 2, 3 by the referee on the final day of round robin play to determine which flight’s second place team will play in the semi finals.  The wildcard team will play a team from another flight.

E. Entry fee for State Singles League Championships will be $20.00 each time a player’s name appears on a championship roster.

F. Teams that withdraw from the Championships after the roster/fee submittal deadline will default fees. A team substituted for the withdrawing team will be responsible only for any additional championship players exceeding the number of players submitted on withdrawing team.

•G.Teams that withdraw from the USTA SC Championships after the entry fees have  been paid by GSTL that team 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, members of the withdrawing team will not be eligible to participate in future league play until the reimbursement to GSTL is made.

•H. 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.      

Number of Teams:

When a Local League does not have the required number of teams (two teams) to constitute a level, the State Singles League Coordinator, in consultation with affected Local Singles League Coordinators, shall either:

• (1) Assign the singleton team to another Local League, in which case, (a) State Singles League Coordinator will transfer assigned team to League to which it is assigned and assigned team will abide by rules of host league; (b) the host league will make rule regarding travel for matches.
•   (2)  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 Singles League Coordinator will decide on the date(s), playoff structure, the site and the Local host League.

Day and Time of Play:           

           Matches for Adult and Senior play will be scheduled Sunday afternoon unless the number of teams warrant Saturday play.  The LLC has the option to schedule other days and times if the number of teams and court availability warrants such a schedule.

           Positions do not have to be played at the same time or place. However, all positions must be played prior to or on the regularly scheduled match day and time.

 

Grievances:

                             Procedure for Filing Grievances

• A. A complaint against a player or team alleging a violation during local league competition shall be filed in writing with the LLC prior to the commencement of the next team match involving such player or team, or within twenty-four (24) hours after the end of local league play, whichever occurs first, except a complaint based on ineligibility. The LLC shall send a copy of such complaint to the party(s) to whom the complaint has been made and the Grievance Committee.
• B. The grievance can be e-mailed, mailed or delivered to the LLC.  NOTE:  E-mailing is preferred as this will allow the procedure to be more timely expedited.
• C. The LLC will have the responsibility for naming a grievance committee to review the grievance and render a decision on the course of action to be taken on each incident.
• D. The guidance procedure for handling grievances as outlined in the USTA League Regulations shall be followed. The Grievance Form and the Protocol for filing the Grievance can be found on www.grandstrandtennis.net.  

The GSTL Grievance Committee and the Grievance Appeal Committee are appointed by the Local League Coordinator.  If a grievance is filed, and/or appealed and a Committee chair or Committee Member is close in any way to either party of the grievance, the Local League Coordinator may replace the chairman and/or committee member(s) to ensure maximum objectivity in the grievance procedure.

GSTL Grievance Committee:                     

                                 Marilyn Grigis, Chair  

                                         Katie Powell, Member

                                         Dave Hobson, Member

 

GSTL Grievance Appeal Committee:

                                 Debbie Jones, Chair

                                          Rita Gray, Member

                                          Mary Paige Singleton, Member

       

 

Susie Honeycutt

Grand Strand Tennis League

Local League Coordinator

843-293-5158 home

843-450-6788 cell

888-817-8759 Fax

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