SAZ LEAGUE RULES
2019 Local Rules and Regulations
USTA LEAGUES
All USTA Southern Arizona Leagues including USTA SAZ Adult and Mixed Leagues are governed by the USTA National League Regulations, the USTA Southwest League Regulations, these USTA SAZ League Rules and The Code of Conduct contained in Friend at Court. These can be found on the SAZ website under Leagues, Captains Corner.
These SAZ League Rules are developed to supplement the USTA National and Southwest Section Rules and Regulations. The SWS office has approved these Local Rules and Regulations.
The Local Rules and Regulations must not contradict National or Section established rules and regulations.
All players, as a condition of their participation in the USTA League Tennis Program, agree to abide and be bound by the league rules, the standards of good conduct, fair play and good sportsmanship. Team captains shall be responsible for knowing the National, Southwest and SAZ League Rules. Team captains shall inform all team members of their obligation to be bound by these rules. Failure to comply with any league rule shall not be excused on the grounds that one was misinformed by a USTA staff member or volunteer. The National and Southwest League Regulations are available on the USTA Southwest website www.southwest.usta.com and/or www.saz.usta.com
SAZ LEAGUES
Leagues only held locally with no advancements for league winners. All USTA league rules still apply.
RULES
All captains will receive the link to the a USTA National League Regulations. READ THE RULES! USTA rules apply to all matches.
In all matches played without officials, the USTA "Code" of Conduct shall be observed. A copy can be obtained at www.saz.usta.com/captainscorner.
ELIGIBILITY
Each team member must be a member of the USTA throughout the entire league season.
Each team member shall have reached the age of 18 years for 18&Over Adult and Mixed, , 40 years for 40&Over Adult and Mixed, , 55 for Adult and 65 years for 65+ prior to or during the calendar year in which such player plays in his/her first local league match.
FACILITIES
Each facility hosting league matches must be an organization member of the USTA as of January 1st of the current league year.
Facilities must have water and bathrooms available to host league matches.
PARTICIPATION
Examples:
A 4.0 rated player may play on one 4.0 team and may also play on a 4.5 team.
A 3.5 rated player may play on a 3.5 team in Tucson and a 4.0 team in Tucson or he/she can play on a 3.5 team in Tucson and a 3.5 team in Phoenix.
A player can play on two teams such as a 3.5 and 4.0 team each in the Adult 18 and over and Adult 40 and over League at the same time but may not play on the third team such as a 4.5
If there is a day division and a night division with a play-off to determine the local league winner, the player can either play on a day team or a night team, not both.
Players who play on two teams must notify their captain.
In all matches in which ineligible players participate, the team using ineligible players shall be penalized by forfeiting all individual matches played by such players. (Exception is for players registered in error on two teams in two flights at the same level, matches played in good faith will stand.)
A player shall not play a league match under another player's name. Any player who does so, the team captain, and any team member who plays in the same match with knowledge of the impersonation, may be suspended from all USTA sanctioned activities up to a year.
The Local League Coordinator in agreement with the SAZ Leagues Committee has the right to suspend the playing privileges of a captain, player, or team whose behavior has been disruptive and/or found to be not in compliance with the regulations.
RATINGS
Players with a computer rating on file in TennisLink must enter a USTA League Tennis division at that rating or at the next higher level.
CAPTAIN
Each team must have a captain or designated co-captain present at each match who will be the only official spokesperson for that team. All correspondence/communications, etc. will be done by the captain or designated co-captain.
Home team captain shall contact the visiting team captain at least three days prior to the match to confirm the following:
· date and time of match
· directions to tennis facilities
· number of courts to be utilized
Team captains or their representatives at matches shall be responsible for their actions and the actions of their players. Teammates, spectators, or coaches may not volunteer advice on line calls, scoring, or on the conduct of the match. It is the home team's responsibility to control the conduct of spectators during match play.
REGISTRATION FEES
The fees for 2019 USTA leagues are $30.00 ($27.00 + $3.00 user fee subject to change by Active.com) per player for each USTA League Division – Mixed and Adult.
The fees for 2018 SAZ leagues are $30.00 ($27.00 + $3.00 user fee subject to change by Active.com) per player for each SAZ League. Early registration discounts may be offered for a limited time.
The fees for 2019 65 and Over SAZ League are $20.00 ($17.00 + $3.00 user fee subject to change by Active.com) per player for each USTA 65 and Over League.
CREDITS
Refunds will no longer be processed. Credits will be applied only for the following reasons:
1. If a league or flight is cancelled by the SAZ League Coordinator
2. A team or individual withdraws for any reason prior to the schedule being posted in TennisLink.
3. An individual has an unforeseen injury and the individual has not yet played any matches for that team (medical excuse may be requested by League Coordinator)
When a player is given a "credit", the corresponding registration is moved to a holding area. The player MUST contact saztennis@gmail.com to have the credit (prior registration) applied to a new team within 12 months of receiving the credit.
If the registration ("credit") is NOT used in 12 months, the credit will become null and void.
“Credits” can only be used for the registered player and cannot be transferred to another player for their use.
LOCAL LEAGUES
If there are not enough teams in an area to form a league, teams may request permission in writing to play in another area. The Section League Coordinator and the Local Coordinators from each area involved must approve this application in writing. There will be careful consideration given to the effects on both league areas with the understanding that there is a responsibility and obligation to promote the growth of the program without disrupting existing leagues.
TENNIS BALLS
A sanctioned USTA League tennis ball must be used. The home team furnishes the balls and pays any court fees for the match.
COURT SURFACE
Each Captain must declare to the District League Coordinator in advance of the start of the season the court surface their team will play on for home matches. All matches for that league season must be played on the surface declared for home team matches, unless agreed upon by both Captains at least 24 hours prior to the match.
MIXED DOUBLES FORMAT
The Local League will consist of combined rating levels of 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0, and 10.0. The combined rating system will be used at Mixed Section and National Championships.
Under this system the sum of the ratings of the individuals who make up each doubles position must be at or lower than the level in which they are playing. (Ex. 7.0 level - a 4.0 man and 3.0 woman or a 3.5 man and 3.5 woman are both valid combinations).
Each player's NTRP rating must be on the official scorecard at the time of line-up exchange before the team match begins.
No more than 1.0 rating (level) may separate the rating of the partners in each individual doubles team.
LOCAL LEAGUE PLAY - SCORING FORMAT
All matches will be the best of two tiebreak sets with a match tiebreak in lieu of a third set. If both captains agree before the match begins and the facility has court availability, a third set may be played. IF THE TEAMS DECIDES TO PLAY THE THIRD SET IN LIEU OF A TIEBREAK THE SCORE WILL BE ENTERED IN TENNISLINK AS 1-0. ALL INDIVIDUAL LINES IN THE MATCH WILL PLAY THE SAME FORMAT.
SCORECARDS
Match results must be reported on TennisLink by a team captain (or his/her designee) within 48 hours of the team match.
The opposing team captain or designee must log in to TennisLink and confirm or dispute the reported match scores within 48 hours after they have been reported. After that time, all reported results are deemed final and complete.
FORFEITS
Individual Player Forfeits: Use of an ineligible player will result in a default. The match will be scored as a 6-0, 6-0 win for the opposing team. The No. 2 singles must be forfeited before the No. 1 singles may be forfeited. The No. 3 doubles must be forfeited before the No. 2 doubles and the No. 2 doubles must be forfeited before the No. 1 doubles.
TEAM LINEUPS
Teams are encouraged to field their team in order of strength.
ORDER OF PLAY
If there are not enough courts available at one time for a team match the team captains must agree in advance the starting time for each individual match. The #1 position must play before the #2 position and the #2 position must play before the #3 position. Generally, TWO (2) hours should be allotted for each match.
PENALTY SYSTEM
The following penalty system will be used:
· Under 5 minutes - Loss of Toss + 1 game
· Up to 10 min - Loss of Toss + 2 games
· 10 to 15 min - Loss of Toss + 3 games
· Over 15 min - Default
Process to start penalty clock:
· Captains exchange line up no later than time of match.
· Players who are not at the facility yet at the match time, if the other team chooses to enforce the penalty system must declare they are starting the clock for the above time frames and show the clock with the acting captain. Only acting captains can administer the Penalty System, not players.
· In the event a team decides to play regardless of the time a late player arrives, the Penalty System cannot be used. The Penalty System needs to be used in its entirety or not at all.
· The clock stops once the player arrives at the facility and is insight, not when the player gets on the court. All players have the right to a ten minute warm-up, even if late.
· If players are not at facility when exchanging line up, Captains should place them at the end of the line ups to follow the Order of Play rule (above) in the event they default the court.
WARM-UPS
The official SAZ warm-up time is 10 minutes at the match start time. (Example if match time is 9 am, exchange line ups at match time, go to assigned courts and players are allowed a ten minute warm up before starting the match. Matches should start no later than ten minutes after the match time.)
If a team requires a longer warm-up then they may ask the home captain if there are warm-up courts available, if not, then the visiting team should warm-up at their home facility.
All warm-ups, including serves, must be taken before match begins (before any points are played).
MATCH DELAYS
Match Delays: Matches should always be played according to the published schedule if possible.
Rescheduling of Matches: Matches should only be rescheduled due to rain or circumstances beyond the players’ control. Agreements for date and time of rescheduled matches must be submitted in writing by both captains to the Local League Coordinator, unless the coordinator reschedules the match.
Examples of circumstances beyond the players’ control are:
· No available courts at home facility during the scheduled league match day and/or time
· One or more player participating in league advancement matches, such as SAZ League Playoffs, Sectional or National League Championships
· One or more players participating in a Level 2 Adult Tournament held in Tucson.
Delay of Matches-in-Progress: Completion of matches-in-progress delayed due to rain or circumstances beyond the control of the players should be scheduled as soon as possible and must be played using the original line-up cards exchanged at the originally scheduled match. Agreements for scheduled date and time of delayed matches-in-progress must be submitted in writing by both captains to the Local League Coordinator, unless the coordinator schedules the match.
GRIEVANCES
All complaints alleging a violation during local league competition shall be filed in writing with the Local League Coordinator having jurisdiction prior to the commencement of the next team match in that specific flight involving such individual or team, or within twenty-four hours after the end of local league play, whichever occurs first. Send Grievance Form to saztennis@gmail.com. Grievance form is located at https://s3.amazonaws.com/ustaassets/assets/1/15/usta_league_grievance_070915.pdf
TWO TEAM LEAGUES
If it is necessary to have a two team local league, a minimum of three matches must be played in the local league in order for the winning team to progress to the Section Championship. If an Adult 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.
If you have any questions, please contact:
USTA Southern Arizona League Coordinator - saztennis@gmail.com