General Rules & Regulations
The Upper Valley CTA is a registered CTA with the USTA-
therefore we follow the official
USTA Rules &
Regulations.
Some exceptions have been made to accommodate our
particular CTA and in those cases the rules &
regulations listed below will override USTA
Rules.
Format for the matches:
• Each
match will consist of three doubles matches.
• Singles
matches may be played only if agreed upon by both captains
in advance, and only if one team cannot field a third
doubles team. That match will be reported as a default for
the team that couldn't field the doubles.
• A team must win two out of the three matches to
declare a match WIN
• Matches consist of two regular six game sets. At six
all, play a 7 point tiebreak.
If the sets
split, then go to a third set 10 point tie break.
•
There will be no matches played with a full 3rd set.
The
3rd set will consist of a 10 point tie break.
Warm up will
be 15 minutes
• If a match is delayed more than 15 minutes (without
previous notification), the late team defaults.
• If a team decides to halt play for any reason other
than weather, they default their match.
• If a team needs to default one of their matches for
lack of players, they must forfeit their #3 team.
What to do in the case of bad weather:
Rain Date Options-
• If there is a question of weather please call the other captain- Vermont/NH weather is unpredictable and it may be raining in one area and not the other. Never assume a match has been cancelled. The Home team captain has the final call on weather cancellations.
• The Boss Center in Hanover (hours & rates) and River Valley Club in Lebanon will be optional sites to play matches in case of rain.
• If the home teams opt to play the match indoors rather than reschedule they will be responsible for covering the court fees.
• The Home team ultimately makes the decision whether they wish to play at an indoor site or reschedule for their home courts.
• The Home team captain has until 4PM to call the match- so please tell your team not to assume it has been cancelled prior to that time.
• If the home team decides to play indoors and the visiting team can not field 6 because players assumed a cancellation then the visiting must take a default
• Bad weather cancellations must be made by 4:00 p.m. by the team captains.
• Rain cancellation during a match will be made jointly by the captains. If they are not in agreement, the match must be halted and resumed (weather permitting) in 10 minutes. Otherwise, the match will be resumed on an agreed rain date. The match will resume play at the exact score in effect at the time the match was interrupted.
• A match will not be cancelled or postponed due to high heat. If a team wishes to default one or all three of their matches due to heat, that is their decision.
• Only matches postponed for rain may be played after the original match date. If matches are rescheduled for other reasons, they must be played prior to the original match date.
• Except in the case of rain, a team is required to show for any match that is on the schedule, otherwise they will default the match.
What to do in the case of injury:
• Injury during a match will constitute a default, but the match may continue for recreational purposes if a team sub is on hand to immediately continue play.
• If a team needs to replace a player due to injury for the balance of the season, they need to remove that player’s name from the roster for the remainder of the season, but may replace them with another player.
Reporting Match Results:
• Both captains are required to bring printed score sheets with completed line-ups to each match and to sign off on each other's sheet at match completion.
• The Home Team must report online within 24 hours and the Visiting Team must confirm the online scores within 48 hours.
• If there is a dispute as to the recorded scores, then both teams will be notified when the correction has been made.
Scoring and line call disputes:
• If teammates disagree on a line call, the point goes in favor of the opponent. It is NOT to be replayed
• The score shall be called by the server before serving each point.
• If there is a disagreement on the score, go back to the last score that you both agree on, or spin a racquet. The team winning the racquet spin then determines the score.
Tennis Captain Duties and Rules
What to supply at a match:
• The home
team is to provide 3 cans of unopened balls for each match,
to be opened at the service spin - winning team will keep
match balls
• The home team should provide 2 gallons of water for
refill purposes if there is no water available at the
courts.
• Please
advise your team members to bring filled water bottles.
• The Home team should have ice available in case of injury (ice cubes, disposable ice packs, etc.)
• If your club has any attire requirements, please advise the visiting team in advance.
Other requirements:
- There will be NO COACHING during matches from coaches, team-mates, or fans. Players should not be speaking to anyone other than their partner and their opponents during a match.
- Team line-ups must reflect the ability level of your members. Your #1 team must be stronger than your #2 team, and the #2 team must be stronger than your #3 team. NO SANDBAGGING!
- Ladies "B" Division is 3.0-3.5, the "A" Division is 3.5- 4.0
- In the Ladies "A" Division, a doubles team may not exceed an 8.0 USTA combined rating. If you have a USTA 4.5 rated player, that player must play in the #1 spot. In the "B" division, a doubles team may not exceed a 6.5 USTA combined rating.
- Mens "B" Division is 3.0-3.5, the "A" Division is 3.5 & Up
- Mens teams must put out their teams in order of strongest to weakest - no stacking!
- Each team roster shall consist of a maximum of 15 players.
- If a 'B' player wishes to play on an 'A' team also, they must register and pay to play on each team. An 'A' player may not play down on a 'B' team.
- All fees will be non-refundable, as stated on the registration forms.
- June 30th is the deadline for additional players to register.
- Team captains may bench a player if they are a “no show” for more than 2 matches or if they display chronic bad sportsmanship.
- If a team displays chronic “no show” behavior, they will be reviewed and possibly suspended from the league the following season.
- Captains need not confirm matches 24 hours in advance. Phone calls are only required if there is a question of weather on the day of the match. Some captains may wish to call the day before as a courtesy.
- Players must compete in at least two regular season matches in order to qualify for playoffs (quarters & semis) and the Championship Tournament on August 11, 2008.
- Starting in 2009 there will be a Ladies "C" Division. Team standings at the end of the 2008 season will determine which teams will be in each division. The top half of "B" teams will remain in the "B" Division and the bottom half will comprise the new "C" Division. Also, the top ranking "B" team will be bumped up to the "A" Division and the bottom ranked "A" team will be bumped to the "B" division for the 2009 season. This process will happen each year and will help to provide competitive match play.
Protest/Appeal Process
Prior to each match, captains will exchange score/match sheets with completed line-ups for their teams. If, after the exchange, a captain feels that the opposing team is not playing in order, the captain may request that the opposing captain "adjust" the line-up to showcase the best team at #1, and the weakest team at #3. After the request has been made, and if a captain still feels that the opposing team is playing out of order, the captain may file a complaint with the UVCTA staff. If, during a season, a captain receives two filed complaints, the league staff will intervene. Site and match visit will ensue. If the CTA staff feels that the integrity of the line-up is in question, match forfeitures may be issued.