Rules Last Modified: 3/23/10
(newest changes are in yellow)

Scoring System

Players earn points based on the set scores of their matches. The winner receives 12 points for a 3 set win, or 14 points for a 2 set win

The loser receives one point for each game won in their two highest scoring sets, up to a maximum of 8 points.

Example: Match score 6-1, 6-4 - winner receives 14 points, loser receives 5 points

Example: Match score 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 - winner receives 12 points, loser receives 8 points

If players split sets, and all players agree to play a "super tie break" instead of a full 3rd set, then the losing player(s) will get points only from the first two sets. See "Match Format" below for more information about super tie breaks.

Match Scheduling - General Info

Players must generally be available during the season to play during "normal playtimes."  Those are weekday evenings and weekends.  No player is expected to be available during all normal playtimes.  However, those who are generally not available to play on weeknights or generally not available to play on weekends should not commit to the league, as this will likely cause scheduling issues.

Players schedule match times and locations among themselves.  This means that players must take the initiative to reach out to their opponents to schedule matches.  It is a mistake to wait for the other player to contact you. 

Match Scheduling - Contact Deadlines and Dispute Resolution

Every player must make contact with their opponent by the contact deadline. The contact deadline is the week before the match.  Don't wait until the week of your match to make contact... that is too late. If you wait to make contact until the week of your match, that approach will cause problems for you, and your entire flight.

Contact your opponent and offer at least 3 days and times to play that fall within normal play times (weekday evenings and weekends).  A player who does this, and sticks to those offered dates, is essentially protected should the match not occur do to a scheduling dispute. Thus it is in your best interest to be the first to make contact to schedule a match.

If a match is not completed due to players not being able to schedule the match or not making contact with each other, then both players will receive a default (see default rules below).  The exception is if one player can demonstrate that they made good faith contact with the other player to setup the match. If this can be shown, then only one player will be defaulted (see default rules below).  Here are the requirements to show that a good faith effort was made by one one player to schedule a match.

1. They made email contact with their opponent by the contact deadline date, as listed on the match schedule webpage, and...
2. They offered to their opponent at least 3 "normal time" play date and time options that fall within their scheduled match play dates, and...
3. They did not back out of any of the offered dates and times, and...
4. They did all this before their opponent did it.

If a match ends up not being completed by the match deadline, and neither player managed to complete the steps above, then the match will default, and both players will earn zero points.

Important Dates

The weekly draws list several key dates. One is the Contact Date. That is the date by which players should make contact with their opponent to schedule the match.

The next dates are the Match Play Dates. This is a one week date range. Ideally you should play your match during this time. However, you are free to play your match earlier or later than these dates, as long as the match is played and reported no later than the Match Deadline Date.

If a match is not recorded by the Match Deadline Date, then both players for that match will receive zero points. The exception is if one player can demonstrate that they followed all of the match scheduling guidelines (see above).

Match Locations

Matches should be played on public courts located in Folsom or El Dorado Hills. Below are some exceptions to this rule.

If two opponents both belong to a private club, their match may be played at the club. If one player belongs to a private club, and the other does not, the match may be played at the club only if the club member is willing to pay any guest fees, or use one of their guest passes for the opponent.

Only if two players agree may a match be played on courts not located in Folsom or El Dorado Hills. If one player wants to play locally (Folsom or EDH), and the other would rather play somewhere else, then the match must be played locally.

Tennis Balls

Both players shall bring a can of balls to the match. Either can may be opened for play. At the conclusion of the match the winning player shall take home the unopened can of balls.

When You Arrive At The Court

When both players have arrived at the court they should do the following before warm-ups or play begins.

1. Decide which can of balls to open for the match
2. Spin a racquet or flip a coin to choose serve/receive and starting sides. Warm up should be done on the side of the court on which each player will start the match.

Match Format

Scoring should be two out of three sets, regular scoring with a "tie break" used at six games all. No-ad scoring may be used if agreed upon by both players in advance. In the event of a tie break, here are the standard USTA rules:

Because of the way our scoring system works, 3rd sets should normally be played out. However, both players may agree to play a "super tie break" in place of the regular 3rd set. A super tie break is played like a regular tie-break, except it is played until a player reaches the score of 10 by a margin of at least 2. The losing player(s) will get points only from the first two regular sets. If a super tied break is played, the the score for that set should be reported as "1-0".

The best way to avoid scoring conflicts is to call out scores clearly before the start of each point as well as each game. When a dispute in scoring occurs, players must go back to the last point or game in which they agree upon and resume the match from there.

Unless otherwise stated, all competition should comply with USTA playing rules

Defaults

If a player is unable to complete 4 matches by the season deadline date, then that player's results will be removed from the flight. It will be as if that player never entered the league.

If a player defaults just one match, but still completes 4 other matches, then the opponent will get the win, and all other matches will stand. The opponent of the defaulted match will receive either 12 points, or the average of the points earned by other players in their matches against the defaulting player, which ever is higher.

Note that if a player has a bye week during their season, then they must complete all of their matches.  Failure to complete all matches will result in removal from the draw.

If a player defaults 2 or more matches for any reason other than injury, that player will not be allowed to play in the following Easy League season.  Exceptions may be approved by Rob Vomund.

No Shows

A player is considered a "No Show" if they are more than 20 minutes late to a match. The waiting player can continue to wait, and forgive the late player should they arrive. Alternatively, the waiting player may declare the other player as defaulted once they are 20 minutes late to a match.

To avoid misunderstandings that can lead to unnecessary no shows, you should:

• Keep your cell phone with you and turned on
• Have your opponent's contact numbers on hand
• Call your opponent immediately if running late and provide a time frame as to when you will arrive

Retired Player

When a match is incomplete as the result of one player being unable to continue, it is considered a "Retired" match. Circumstances that fall under a "retired" match may include:

1. One player cannot continue due to injury or illness
2. One player leaves due to personal reasons
3. One player refuses to complete a match due to a disagreement

The "retired" player will lose the match, but will receive points for all games completed prior to stopping play, up to a maximum of 8 points. The opposing player receives the win and will receive either 12 or 14 points.

Incomplete Match

A match that was not completed not as a result of just one player is considered an incomplete match. Rain would be one likely cause of an incomplete match. In the case of an incomplete match, players have some options.

1. Reschedule the match and resume play exactly where the match stopped.
2. Elect to receive points for all games completed at the time play stopped up to a maximum of 8 points. Neither player will receive the win.
3. If one player wants to complete the match and the opponent is not willing to complete the match, the player who wants to complete the match will win the match, and the other player is considered "retired" (see above rules).

Reporting Scores

Unless otherwise agreed between players, the winner of the match is responsible for logging onto this website to report the match scores within 24 hours of match completion.  A single match can not be reported as both an Easy League match and a ladder match.  It is one or the other.  Please don't double report a match, as I simply don't have the bandwidth to enter that many scores and results!

Player Rankings

Players will be ranked within their flight based on the total points accumulated. Should two players be tied at the end of a season, their head-to-head result will determine the ranking.

Playoffs

If there is only one flight within a play level (3.5, 4.0, etc.), there will be no playoffs.  The final ranking will determine the winner. If the top two players have the same score, then a playoff match may be played to determine the final winner.

For play levels that have more than one flight, the top player from each flight will move onto a playoff round to determine the ultimate winner of that level.  If there are two flights then the top player from each will play one match to determine the winner. 

If there are more than two flights, then the top players from each flight will play each other. Their regular season point accumulation will reset to zero, and the players will use the same point system as they used during the season.  Once all have played, the player with the most points will be the winner.  If there is a tie, then the playoff head-to-head match will determine the winner. If there is still a tie, then total points from the regular season will be added to the play-off points to determine the top player. If there is still a tie, then the players will play rock-paper-scissors, best 3 out of 5.

Final Say

Rob Vomund has final say about rule or score disputes. Though the rules here are thorough, something might come up that is not covered by a rule. In that case Rob will have final say on what will be done. Rob Vomund also has the right to kick out any player from the league if it is reasonably believed the player has shown poor sportsmanship.