MID CAROLINATENNIS LEAGUE, ADULT/SENIOR

LOCAL LEAGUE RULES AND REGULATIONS

2014 USTA League Year

0.0 INTRODUCTION

The following are the regulations for the 2014 USTA League Tennis Program in the Mid Carolina Tennis League of the South Carolina District of the Southern Section, and they apply to the Adult League. These regulations augment the 2014 USTA League Regulations, 2014 USTA League Tennis Southern Sectional Regulations and the USTA South Carolina League Tennis Regulations. For the most part, Local League Regulations do not repeat rules and regulations found in other documents. In those instances where a regulation is repeated, it is repeated verbatim.

0.01 STATE LEAGUE COODINATOR (SLC). The following person has been appointed to implement

andadminister the South Carolina State USTA League Tennis Program:

Mary Goins

P. O. Box 386

Easley, SC 29641

(864) 855-0881

0.02 LOCAL LEAGUE COORDINATOR (LLC). USTA South Carolina has approved the Local League Coordinator to organize, coordinate and supervise all USTA League Tennis activities in the local level and report to the Director of Leagues and the 40 & Over League Coordinator and in conjunction with Mid Carolina Tennis League Committee, shall have the authority to interpret the Mid Carolina Tennis League Regulations.

The following person has been appointed to implement and administer the Mid Carolina Local League Tennis Program:

Kim Ozmon

897 Maplewood Ln

Rock Hill, SC 29730

803-326-3841

1.00 GENERAL

1.03 TEAM CAPTAIN.Each team shall appoint a team captain to handle administrative affairs and to represent the Mid Carolina Tennis League matters. It is recommended that the Team Captain be a playing member of the team, however any MCTL member can captain. The team captain must either be present or have an assigned acting captain at every match. In the event the captain must assign a substitute captain, the captain must call the opposing captain a minimum of 24 hours before the scheduled match, informing the opposing captain of the acting captains contact information.

1.04C (1)OFFICIAL REGISTRATION. Captains and players will register on TennisLink (USTA’s Official System). REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS JANUARY 20, 2014 (Midnight), WITH THE EXCEPTION ONLY OF CREATING A NEW LEVEL OR CREATING A NEW TEAM WHERE THERE IS ONLY ONE TEAM. Captains will be reimbursed their league fee as a Captain’s Gift from the league. Players who submitted an appeal to their self rating through the TennisLink system before the deadline for registration will be permitted to register up to seven days after the notification of final self rating. No player may play a match without being registered on the team. TennisLink will not accept a player without a valid USTA membership. The captain or player must enter the most current rating or self-rating of each player.

1.04D (1) LOCAL LEAGUE SEASON. The season for the Mid Carolina Adult Spring Local League hereby referred to as MCTL, shall be played as scheduled by the local league coordinator starting approximately at the first of February 2014.

1.04D (2) ELIGIBILITY. MCTL Adult League play is open to all tennis players who reach the age of 18 prior to or during the league year. A player must be a member of the USTA during the entirety of the season, up to minimum of 6/30/14. We suggest that captains remind players of their expiration date as matches could be disqualified if membership expires prior to the end of the season. Please see Section 1.04E for additional requirements.

1.04D (4) TEAM ID. The captain must first receive a Team ID number from the LLC as MCTL Captains Play for Free. The captain should give each player the TEAM ID number for the player’s own registration. ALWAYS KEEP YOUR TEAM ID NUMBER. It is needed to enter scores etc.

1.04D (5)LEAGUE FEES. League fees for MCTL are $11.00 per player plus $6.00 SCTA head tax, plus a $3.00 TennisLink fee, for a total of $20.00. League fees must be paid online when registering and no later than January 20, 2014 (for the Minimum Player Initial Roster, (8) for Adult & 40, (5) for 2.5 and 5.0, (6) for 55, and 75 Over. There will be no refunds except in the case of a team not meeting minimum eligibility.

1.04D (6)ADD-ONS. MCTL will allow player add-ons untilthere are only (2) SCHEDULED team matches remaining in that level for the season. A player whose rating increased in level during the 2014 scheduled season may be added to a higher level team’s roster at any time prior to playoffs or championships. Only the LLC has authority to change an add-on date. A team who lost a player due to that team member’s rating increase will be allowed a replacement player if that team’s minimum # of players decreases under the minimum roster. This would be considered a “transfer” within the league.

1.04D (8) NUMBER OF TEAMS. When a Local League does not have the required number of

teams (two teams) to constitute a level, the State League Coordinator, in consultation with

affected Local League Coordinators, shall either:

(1)Assign the singleton team to another Local League, in which case, (a) the assigned team will register on TennisLink in the Local (host) League to which it is assigned and pay the fees and abide by the rules of the host league; (b) the host league will make the rule regarding travel for matches.

(2)Local Leagues receiving an assigned team from the State League Coordinator do not have the option to refuse the assigned team.

(3)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 League Coordinator will decide on the date(s), playoff structure, and designate the site and Local (host) League.

(4)Complete teams choosing to play in a local league area other than their home local league must secure home courts in the local league they choose to participate unless other arrangements are agreed upon by both Local League Coordinators

1.04D (8)a TWO TEAM LEVEL. If an adult division league consists of only two teams in a level of play, each team must maintain its roster with at least 40 percent of its players at the designated NTRP level of play. (Percentage reduced for 2014)

1.04D (9)TEAM SIZE RESTRICTION. There is no limit on the number of team players. Captains will be responsible for players being qualified for state championships. Captains are to inform their players before the first match, the dates of championships and get their commitments for that time period to be prepared to field the local winning team at state championships.

1.04D (10) RATINGS AND SELF-RATING. A player must first use their most current computer rating (previous 3 years) or if none, otherwise self-rate.Self-ratings are valid for 2 years. The player will enter into TennisLink as Self Rated and complete questionnaire. No paper forms are necessary.

Any player who is 60 years or older and promoted at year-end is eligible to appeal suchrating based on his/her three most recent year-end ratings rather than on the three prior consecutive years. Any player 65 or over will not be “bumped up”. Please see 2.05E(2)

1.04E (2) For District Championship competition and including local league competition play at District Championships, 60% or more of the total number of players on the USTA-SC teamroster must reside in South Carolina, as indicated by the player’s primary residence and isdefined in USTA records as South Carolina.

1.05 TENNIS BALLS. The home team must furnish one can of unopened Type 2 USTA approvedyellowhard court tennis balls for each individual match to be played. For clay courts, home team must furnish yellow soft courtclay balls. In all cases, a USTA “transition” ball is prohibited.

2.00 LEAGUE PLAY

2.01A LEVELS OF PLAY

2.01A (1) MCTL Adult Spring League for 2014, offers age type levels of 18+, 40+, 55+, and 75+with divisions of skill levelratings 2.5 through to 5.0 for Men and Women. 75+ 4.5 level will be combined level of 9.0. We encourage beginner levels of play. 65+ and 70+ will be offered in the Fall League.

2.01C COMPETITION FORMAT

2.01C(2) MATCH SCORING – Round Robin Format. All Adult League will play 2 sets with a 7 point Set Coman Tiebreak Procedure at 6-6 in game scoring and a 10-point Match Tiebreak for the 3rd set with a 10-point Coman Tiebreak Procedure, both with a margin of 2 points.

2.01C(4) TEAM LINEUPS. Captains must print scorecards from TennisLink and have their lineups written up prior to the scheduled match time. Promptly at the scheduled match time, captains must simultaneously exchange their lineups. Captains are to have their players on the assigned court promptly at the scheduled match time with no delay. From the original scheduled match starting time, a 10 minute warm upONLY is allowed. Players must begin their matches promptly at this time. If a different location must be used, the home captain is to notify the opposing captain no less than 24 hours prior to the match and inform which courts need to be played at the different location. If a captain does not exchange their line up promptly at scheduled match time, a grievance will be filed and sanctions could be imposed.

2.01C(5)SCORECARD EXCHANGE. Once the scorecards are exchanged, no changes to the lineup will be permitted, except if within the 15 minute default time, illness, injury or disqualification of a player occurs or if there is a no-show, then a player not already listed on the lineup may be substituted in the affected position. Should a player arrive late, but within the 15 minute default time, or a player is substituted for a no show player, those players for that match should have a 5minute warm up. If there should be a delay in starting matches at the scheduled time due to availability of the courts, then the default rule starts from the time the courts are ready for play. Captains should coordinate their timepieces upon arrival.

2.01C (6)OFFICIAL SCORING. The winning captain must enter the team’s match scores into TennisLink within 48 hours after the match. The losing captain must confirm on TennisLink that the match scores arecorrectwithin 48 hours afterentry. Should the winning captain fail to enter the scores within 48 hours, the losing captain may enter the scores and the winning captain confirm. In all circumstances, all match scores must be entered within 48 hours after play and confirmed within 48 hours of the entry. If a score is not disputed within 48 hours, then the score as first reported will stand as good. The LLC may doubledefaultthe match if scores are not reported within 48 hours. A default is scored as6-0, 6-0. A retirement (injured or sick player stopped playing) is scored as match stood. i.e. 2-6, 1-3 retired and the system will automatically credit the receiver of the retirement with enough games to make them the winner of the match. (2-6, 6-3, 1-0 for tiebreak). Scores are to be entered dated on the date the match was finished not as scheduled, such as for a rain make-up.

2.01D INCLEMENT WEATHER.

Matches may be postponed prior to match time under the following circumstances:

-The match facility has closed the courts and confirms they will not be open at match time (applies at staffed facilities, such as Rock HillTennisCenter).

-The home captainverifies courts cannot be ready for play by match time due to existing – not potential – weather conditions (applies at facilities with no staff, such as Shiland or Clover High School).

-In either circumstance, the home captain is responsible for communicating this information to the opposing captain.

Matches will not be postponed due to the possibility of unplayable court conditions unless impending severe weather would endanger players traveling to or waiting to play matches. Under these circumstances, both captains must verbally agree to postpone; otherwise, players will adhere to the match schedule.

The home captain should communicate unplayable court conditions to the opposing captain as early as is practical. If no agreement to postpone has been reached by the two captains, players must assume the match will be played as scheduled, and act accordingly.

Failure to appear to a match when courts are playable and no postponement agreement has been reached will result in an individual match default at affected positions or a team default when a complete team is missing.

1)If teams exchanged line-ups and only if match play has not started, (first ball put into play) and inclement weather cancels play, team captains may substitute another player in the affected position(s) to reschedule play of that match before the next league play.

2)If none of the individual matches started prior to the inclement weather match postponement, points allowed for a default during original lineup exchange will stand. Teams may restructure the lineups for the rescheduled match, but may not use a player who was named for the defaulted match.

3)If possible, play rained out matches before the next scheduled match. Captains must reschedule and notify the local league coordinator via e-mail () within 24 hours regarding rescheduled day, time, and location.

4)To facilitate match completion before the next league play, teams may play the matches on different dates, times or locations.

5)If captains cannot agree when to play, the LLC will set a date, time and location to facilitate completion of match play. If a team doesn’t show up for the match scheduled by LLC then it will be a team default.

If there is a rainout on the rescheduled date, then the same above rules apply. In all cases, any rained out matchwill be completed within 2 weeks of the original scheduled match or otherwise captains contact the LLC for rescheduling.

2.01E (1)TEAM DEFAULTS. A team will be disqualified after the first entire team forfeit. The remaining matches for that team will be null and void.

USTA SOUTH CAROLINAScoring of Team Defaults If a team defaults an entire team match for any reason during round robin play, then all matches of that team played, or to be played, shall be null and void when determining standings. If all teams in contention for the local championships have already played the defaulting team in good faith, those matches stand as played.

2.01E (2)INDIVIDUALDEFAULTS. Default time is 15 minutes from the scheduled match time or from the time that the designated court is available for play. A default is when a player does not show up within 15 minutes of starting match time. Captains must make sure their players show within the 15 minute default time regardless of the weather or any other situation, or the player is defaulted and the opposing team receives the default unless both captains have arranged a default prior to the scheduled match, in which

case, the players receiving the default are not required on court. CAPTAINS MAY NOT MAKE OTHER AGREEMENTS REGARDING THIS RULE!!!!! Only one default will count as a qualifying match for state championships. A team must play three positions to be considered a team match. Teams must default from the bottom up. If one player is missing, default # 2 Singles or # 3 Doubles. If two players are missing, default the #3 Doubles. Once the scorecards have been exchanged, captains may not move players from their original positions.

2.01FCOACHING AND SPORTSMANSHIP. Once match play has begun, coaching is not allowed. Players are not to listen or accept advice from spectators. All players are expected to conduct themselves according to the rules and guidelines of The Friend atCourt. Players should be instructed by their team captains that cursing or racket throwing are forbidden.Tennis is for good clean competitive fun.

2.01GPLAYER CONDUCT

  • Alcoholic beverages are prohibited at any public facility which includes schools. Grievances could be filed. Alcohol could negate insurance coverage.
  • THE NEXT SCHEDULED MATCH PLAYERS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON COURT DURING LEAGUE PLAY MATCHES ALREADY IN PROGRESS.
  • Upon completion of a team match, players will immediately vacate the courts.
  • USTAdoes not permit cell phone use during USTA League Match Play. Cell phones are not allowed on court unless in the off position once match play has begun.

2.02 PROGRESSION

2.02A LOCAL LEAGUE DIVISION WINNERS. The majority of team matches won determines Local League Division Winners.

In the event of a tie, the winner is determined by the number of:

  • Individual matches won
  • Loser of the fewest number of sets
  • Loser of the fewest number of games
  • Winner of head-to-head match.
  • Toss of Coin

2.02BAREA (STATE) AND SECTION CHAMPIONSHIPS. The winning team from each skill level division will advance to SC State Championships. To be eligible for advancement,a player of a team must have played a minimum of twomatches. A retirement received counts as a match played. Only one (1) default received will count as one of the required matches for AdultProgression.Championship play is round robin format. Entry fee for State Championships is $20.00 per player. If there is more than one flight in any level, the LLC will determine the method of selection for the progressing team. Any daytime flight will play against a night/weekend flight within a level to determine the winner to advance to State Championships. SC State Championships play a Round Robin format.