Lakeshore Tennis
League
Rules and Regulations
SPORTSMANSHIP - The Lakeshore Tennis League was created to
provide new opponents for league members as well as to foster competition and
good sportsmanship. Hopefully these goals will be practiced throughout the
season. Players exhibiting unsportsmanship conduct may be reported to the
League director.
MATCH SCHEDULES - The time, date, and site of each match will be
decided by mutual consent of the scheduled players. The match should be played
any day during the week scheduled. If, for any reason, you are unable to play
the week scheduled (vacation, injury, etc.) you MUST notify your opponent ahead of time. This will
prevent your opponent from taking a possible default (see FORFEITURES). Any
exceptions to this rule must be mutually agreed upon by the players involved.
Either player listed has the responsibility of scheduling the week's match.
Players are encouraged to contact other opponents if the scheduled opponent is
unavailable. Remember the purpose of our league is to provide enjoyment - NOT
frustration!
PRACTICE MATCHES - Lakeshore league members are encouraged to contact
players from other divisions for practice matches. The main objective is to
have fun playing tennis. You are not restricted to playing just league matches.
FORFEITURES - Matches not played within the scheduled week may
be played at a later date only with the mutual consent of both players. Players
may agree to play at a later date in the event of illness, injury, personal
emergency, or other condition. If you are leaving on vacation, please notify
your opponent BEFORE leaving. A
member who feels that his scheduled opponent has not made himself available for
play may declare a forfeit and be awarded a default.
The following “three
strikes – you’re out” method for declaring a forfeit was
appoved at the 2001 banquet:
1) Contact your opponent to schedule a match.
2) If there is no reply to the first message - leave a
second message.
3) If there is no reply to the second message - leave a
third message stating that if the opponent does not establish contact by a
certain date (a week for example) that you will declare a forfeit.
4) If there is still no reply - send notification of
the default to the League director (please include dates messages were left).
Defaults are awarded based
upon an honor system – please allow sufficient time between contacts (a
week for example?) for an opponent to respond to a message. If neither player
notifies the League director that there is a problem, defaults will NOT be
recorded. (revised 2001)
EQUIPMENT - The player in the left-hand column is expected to
provide three new playable balls for each match. Therefore, each player is
responsible for providing balls for about half of his matches. Please comply
with this policy. At the start of a third set either player may, at his own
expense, open a new can of tennis balls (ref: banquet 2002)
PLAYING MATCHES - Service will be determined by traditional racquet
spin. Rules of the USTA will govern play. All matches are BEST TWO OUT OF
THREE SETS, and the sets must be
completed the same day except when interrupted by darkness or inclement
weather. In the event that a set is tied at six games each, a twelve-point
tiebreaker should be used (see below).
Alternate
set tiebreaker methods:
If
BOTH players agree BEFORE the start of the match one of two alternate scoring
methods may be used in place of a twelve-point tiebreaker:
1) Instead of playing a twelve-point tie-breaker when a set is tied at six games each, players may continue playing until one player achieves a two game advantage (LTL - 1998).
2) A deciding tie break game may be played when the score in sets is one-all. This
tiebreak game replaces the third set. (USTA Rule 27 appendix 2001)
TWELVE POINT TIE BREAKER- 7 out of 12 points ("Wimbledon" method
as approved by ILTF) for singles play. Player A serves first point from right
court; player B serves points 2 and 3 (left & right); player A serves
points 4 & 5 (left & right); player B serves point 6 (left) and, after
players change sides, point 7 (right); player A serves points 8 & 9 (left
& right); player B serves points 10 & 11 (left & right); and player
A serves point 12 (left). If points reach six-all, players change sides and
continue as before. Player A serves point 13 (right); player B serves points 14
& 15 (left & right); etc. until one player establishes a margin of two
points. Players change ends for one game to start the next set, with player B
to serve first.
INTERRUPTED MATCHES - If play is interrupted or discontinued by mutual
consent, play is to resume at that point in the match. You do not begin the
whole match over. Therefore, if sets are 1-0, games are 5-4, and play is
stopped, you continue within that week at that point with whoever was serving, with
no points or advantage to anyone. The sets remain at 1-0 and games 5-4.
Scheduled matches have priority over make-up matches.
REPORTING MATCH RESULTS - The match results are to be reported by the
winning player to the League director upon completion of the match. Acceptable
methods of reporting match results are by post card (approximately 5
pre-addressed cards are provided to each player), or by e-mail (address
provided at end of rules & regulations). All matches should be completed by
the deadline indicated on the match schedule. There will be additional time at
the end of the schedule for make-up matches (usually 2-3 weeks at the
discretion of the League director).
LEAGUE STANDINGS - Standings are determined by individual win-loss
records. Each division will be ranked according to the number of wins. If there
is a tie in the number of wins the person completing the most matches will be
ranked higher. It is necessary to play off ties for only the first place in
each division. If there is a multiple tie for first place, the order of play
will be determined by the league recorder who will initiate a drawing or coin
toss. Ties for other than first place will be resolved by awarding the higher
standing to the winner of the regularly scheduled match.
LEAGUE RULES - League rules may be added, deleted, or modified
by a simple voice vote taken at the end of season awards banquet.
Any questions or concerns
please call:
Mark Pelton 262-681-1186 or
mpelton@wi.rr.com