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GREATER DES MOINES TENNIS ASSOCIATION
RULES FOR 2010
THE SCHEDULE
First Session: Starts on Friday, April 16th and runs through Sunday, June 20th.
Second Session: Starts on Monday June 21st and runs through Sunday, August 22nd.
Note: All match results must be called in by 10 P.M. the last day of the session in order to count. (There is a late night meeting that evening to set up the tournaments so scores reported after that cannot be considered.)
1. A time and place for the match should be scheduled that is agreeable to all players. If agreement can’t be reached, the challenged player or team may choose the place to play. Court reservations, if needed, are the challenger’s responsibility. Any court costs should be shared equally.
2. The challenger will provide new balls.
3. A match suspended due to weather or darkness should be completed as soon as possible. It should resume at exactly the same point where it was suspended; be sure to agree on that and, if possible, a continuation date before you leave. Scheduling of the interrupted match, to the extent practical, should take precedence over scheduling of any new matches. The suspended match is reported as being played on the date it is completed.
4. Regular scoring is the norm, but no-ad scoring may be used if there is agreement prior to commencement of the match. The winner is the best of three sets.
5. Defaults
a. No Show: If any player is late by more than 15 minutes that player or his team will be deemed a “No Show” and will forfeit the match. This counts as a match for the individual or team present on time, but not for the person or team who defaulted. In the case of a default no individual or team will move up on the ladder, but a defaulting individual or team that was above their opponents will move down to the position below them on the ladder. Report it to the ladder recorder as a “no-show”.
b. Withdrawal: Once a match has begun, if a single player or team cannot continue, for any reason, the player or team must default This is a win for their opponents and a loss for them. It counts as a match for both players / teams.
1. There are no challenge limits. You move up the ladder by challenging and winning over someone higher up the ladder. If you play someone in a higher skill division and win, you will be moved up to that higher division once the match is reported.
2. You may challenge up in any skill division but you cannot challenge outside an age division. If two players from multiple divisions play, they must agree in advance on the division in which the match will be reported.
3. If you play a ladder opponent in any other venue, such as the Hawkeye Tournament or regular season leagues, you may count the match as a ladder match as long as both players / teams agree to do so.
4. All challenges must be accepted and scheduled (not played) within 3 days of being issued. If you feel someone is being evasive about accepting a match or is persistently unavailable, it is your responsibility to bring it to the attention of the ladder secretary. That person will be contacted and if the problem is not corrected, they will be moved down below you. Do not wait until the end of the session to challenge, because by then players’ schedules will be full.
If you will have access to the internet within 24 hours please report scores via the web site. (Go to www.gdmta.com and click on the “Go to Report a Score” button on the left of the page. Then follow the easy instructions.) This reduces the Ladder Secretary’s work considerably. If you will not have access to the internet you may use the phone recorder which is available by dialing 327–0245. If using the recorder please speak clearly and at a slow normal pace to avoid errors or the necessity for a clarifying return call. The recorder line may be busy for a short time if someone else is calling in, or if the ladder secretary is taking off reports, but is otherwise always available. If calling in on the phone, you don’t have to listen to the message every time. Just wait for the message to start, and hit the pound # sign and leave your message.
1. Matches must be reported within 24 hours . If reported late, the match will be counted as a match played, but the winner (who is responsible for reporting) will not move up.
2. The winner should report the match (Date,Time, Division, Winner, Loser, Score, and a contact phone number in case of a question).
3. It is your responsibility to keep a personal record of your matches. Mistakes are made and computer glitches occur.
The data base which controls the web site ladder postings at www.gdmta.com (Go to Ladders) should be updated at least twice a week. Access to the ladder listings is via the web. If you have limited access to the web and would like hard-copy mailings you may contact the Ladder Secretary and we will try to set up periodic mailings to you.
First Session playoff requirements and schedule:
1. Singles-you must rank in the top 8* (see exception below) and have recorded at least 6 matches.
2. Doubles-you must rank in the top 8* (see exception below) and have recorded at least 4 matches.
3. Playoff phone calls will be made on or before June 23th.
4. 1st round: 6/24 to 7/4 2nd round: 7/5 to 7/11 3rd round: 7/12 to 7/18
*Note: Any ladder with more than 40 members as of the last day of the first session will be allowed up to 16 qualified competitors in the playoffs rather than 8.
Playoff participants are moved to the bottom of their ladder to avoid interfering with regular play. The second session starts immediately on June 19th. Playoff matches DO NOT count toward the second session match quota. They do count toward the Rita Evans Award. Playoff deadlines are definite. Controversies will be settled by the division playoff coordinator.
Second Session playoff requirements and schedule:
1. Singles-everyone who has recorded at least 6 matches.
2. Doubles-every team who has recorded at least 4 matches.
3. Playoff phone calls will be made on or before August 25th.
4. 1st round: 8/25 to 9/5 2nd round: 9/6 to 9/12
3rd round: 9/13 to 9/19 4th round: 9/20 to 9/26
Both Sessions:
Individuals, except those playing in a first division ladder, who are winners of a singles skill divisions or on a team that wins a doubles skill division in any sessions will automatically be moved up to the next higher singles or doubles skill division. They may elect to remain in the same division, by contacting the ladder secretary, but will be ineligible to compete in the playoffs in the division that they won for the next two sessions. Any doubles team having a player who elects not to be moved up to a higher ladder will be so disqualified from the playoffs.
1. All awards will be presented at the annual meeting usually held on a Friday in October.
2. Prizes will be awarded for the 1st and 2nd place playoff winners of each session for each ladder division with four or more players / teams.
3. The Rita Evans Award is given to the individual man and woman player who plays the most matches overall for the entire season. This total includes playoff matches. In addition to their individual award, the winner’s name is put on permanent display at Aspen Athletic Club.
4. There may be recognition of significant contributions to our ladder, to our organization, or to the sport of tennis in general..
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