Ladies Interclub Tennis League
Birmingham Alabama
Established in 1973
It shall be the policy of this league to play by the USTA's “The Code”as written by N.E. Powell. “The Code” constitutes a way for honest players to employ the same approach to various situations so that neither takes advantage of the other. Team Captains and Club Reps should read and be familiar with the rules of the Ladies Interclub Tennis League.
Teams or players failing to adhere to the following rules may be brought before the ethics committee and may be penalized by sitting out a season.
I. General Rules
a) Club eligibility - Each club or organized tennis group entering or participating in LITL must have three courts (hard or soft to field one team). If multiple teams at one level are registered, the club must have enough courts to field multiple teams (three courts for 1-2 teams, six courts for 3-4 teams). Nets with adjustable straps, and courts within reasonable distance of each other. Suitable restrooms must be within reasonable distance of the courts. Captains must notify their opponents in advance, if there is no fresh water available at the facility.
b) Matches - The Fall and Spring seasons will be limited to eight matches. (Winter maximum of 6 matches) For levels fielding 10 or more teams, matches will be randomly set. For a level fielding 16 teams or more, there will be two divisions.
c) Meeting Attendance -A club rep from each club/organization is required to be at the Spring and Fall general meetings. Captains are not required but are encouraged to attend.
d) Move Down Requests - Must be submitted to the ethics committee prior to the start of each season. (Feb. 1st for the Spring season and August 1st for the Fall season.
e) Players - Will dress and conduct themselves in a proper manner. Remember that, in many instances club members are relinquishing playing time so that matches can be played.
f) Prizes - Individual awards will be presented to each winning or runner -up team member at each level at the club rep meetings in the Fall and Spring. Prizes will be awarded to players playing 2 or more matches. Winter prizes will be awarded to1st place teams only at the following season rep meeting.
g) Registration – Each club representative must submit the LITL registration form (found on the website) and a fee of $70.00 per team ($50.00 for Winter League), in order to be scheduled. Upon receipt of the registration the team will be listed on the website and the login will be sent to the person indicated on the registration form. It is the club’s responsibility to make sure that the form is received by the VP of Scheduling on the due date (not postmarked on the due date). Registrations are due February 1st for Spring and August 1st for Fall. (Winter league registrations are due by December 2nd). Failure to have the form and the check(s) per team on the due date will result in a $50.00 late fee. If the form (checks) are not received when scheduling commences that team will sit out that season.
h) Scheduling - If a club is fielding more teams than they have courts to support, they must seek the approval of the VP Scheduling prior to scheduling. It is also the responsibility of the club reps to notify the VP Scheduling in writing of any scheduling conflicts.
i) In order for a Division to be scheduled for match play it must contain at least 4 teams. As needed, different levels may be combined by the VP scheduling to ensure match play for those teams already registered. In this case, team captains will be notified.
II. Establishing Level of Play
a) A Player may only play for one team at one club/facility during the season.
b) New players may be added at any time during the season, but they must play on a team at or higher than their USTA or NTRP rating.
c) Players and substitutes must be at least 18 years old, and members of the participating club/facility.
d) Teams must determine lineups according to the strength of players in order to make play fair and competitive for all. “SANDBAGGING” is prohibited. Each week the captain must ascertain that her strongest team is in the #1 position and that the weakest is in the last position. USTA and SC ratings should not determine strength of day.
III. Determining Level of Play (85% Rule)
Each player's rating will be substantiated by her win loss record, as determined by her statistics at the end of each season, regardless of the court position she played. Each player's record will be reviewed by the Ethics Committee. Those playing 75% of their matches and winning 85% or more will be notified by email. Winning percentages will be determined by averaging the percentage of sets won and percentage of matches won. The Ethics Committee has the authority to review any player who has won 85% or better but did not play the required 75% of her matches. The Ethics Committee will rule on each player individually and may require that a player receive a move up without the required 75% played. After receiving two consecutive emails at the lower level, the player is required to move to a higher level. When a player has been given permission to move down a level and then makes stats at that level during that season, the player will be required to move back up.
*Teams winning 2 consecutive seasons in their division (excluding winter) will also be subject to move up.
IV. Substitutes
a) A team may use a sub from a lower level team already playing at her facility. During each season, she may sub three times per team per division at that facility.
b) Any player subbing more than three times on a team will automatically be counted as a new member of the higher level team, and any matches played and won at the lower level will be forfeited.
c) Facilities that field two teams at the same level may not interchange rostered members.
d) A team may add a sub to her team from another facility, provided that:
a. The sub is the same level and is currently not a member on another team within that same division
b. Has not already subbed for any other club or facility in the division she is being asked to sub for.
c. Subs that are used from another facility will be counted as a new member on the team and facility they have subbed for.
d. SUBS MAY NOT PLAY ON FIRST COURT, sets will be forfeited if a sub was on first court.
V. Guidelines for Captains
a) Must be a playing member of the team
b) Must have Internet Access and an email address and cellphone (or designated player with cell phone access)
c) Will exchange a complete written line up using the appropriate LITL form (found on the web site) prior to the start of the match. (9:30 a.m.)
d) No changes can be made to a line-up except for rainouts, if play has not begun.
e) Will be responsible for entering or confirming scores on the website within 3 days of the match play date. However, the visiting team captain is allowed to also enter the scores. In that case the Home captain would then confirm the scores. Each captain should keep a paper copy of the scorecard for all matches played during the season.
f) Will reschedule rained out matches within three weeks, or ten days of the last scheduled match whichever is earlier. If for any reason a match is not played as scheduled, the Level Coordinator should be notified by the captains involved. If a mutual date cannot be agreed upon, the Coordinator will assist in resolving the conflict.
g) Will designate new members and subs at the bottom of her score sheet.
h) Will be familiar with all rules in the LITL handbook. Each team must have a captain or acting captain present for each match.
i) Will be responsible for keeping her team informed of LITL activities and rule changes. Every club representative, and level coordinator must attend a mandatory meeting that is scheduled prior to league play, if absent, you must have someone to represent you in your place.
j) Questions concerning subs or player eligibility should be addressed to your level coordinator 24 hours prior to your match.
VI. Match Play
a) Cell Phones/Smart Devices and smart watches must be on silent mode with no communication or coaching allowed. Violation will result in loss of game in progress or the next game if during a changeover. Players on the other courts may call an immediate let if the ringing affects their play.
b) Balls- New, unopened USTA regulation balls appropriate for the playing surface will be provided by the host team, except where the asterisk appears on the schedule by the visiting team. The host team is the team responsible for the balls. A home team is the team that belongs at the facility where the match is being played.
c) Snacks- Individuals are responsible for their own snacks.
d) No Mixed Surfaces for play will be allowed unless the opposing team captain has been notified 24 hours in advance of the match, and agrees to it.
e) Default- Play has begun. If one of the players is unable to continue due to injury or illness, after a 5 minute grace period, the player must default the remainder of the match. DEFAULTS ARE COUNTED IN PLAYER(S)'S Statistics and entered in the computer as a default instead of completed. (Example: if the first set score is 3-3 and Player B is injures or becomes ill, the score will be 6-3, 6-0. Both sets are counted as wins for Player A. If a default occurs in the second set, the first set stands as played, with the second set counted as a loss for the Defaulted Player.)
f) Forfeit - Play has not begun. A team is unable to fill a position in the lineup.
1. If no sub or eligible new member is available, the Captain must forfeit the lowest court, and move everyone up in the lineup.
2. The two sets are counted for the opponents and are scored 6-0, 6-0. Forfeits are not counted in player's statistics and should be entered on the computer as forfeits. Winning player names must be entered.
3. If a team drops out mid-season or if a team forfeits one match, that team will be subject to review by the Ethics committee for the appropriate actions. If a team forfeits a match the team members and captain can be subject to sitting out the next season.
4. A match consists of fielding at least 2 courts.
g) No Coaching or Pro Consultation is allowed while players are on the court playing a match.
h) No linesman will be provided for matches. In case player(s) request a linesman, the captains will agree on a person to monitor the match.
i) Play is to be Continuous. There will be no rest breaks between sets. When changing sides a maximum of 90 seconds shall elapse; a maximum of 30 seconds shall elapse between points and even games.
j) Protests- All Protests emailed, and directed to the Ethics Committee or President within 7 days of the match. During that time online scores entered into the website should not be confirmed. (Please do not hit the dispute key if there has been a keying error on the website!!! Call the captain and have her correct it!) The ethics committee will contact both teams involved, review both sides of the protest, and will settle at their discretion. No action will be taken on Protests received after 7 days of the match.
k) Rainouts- In the event of rain or bad weather, all matches are to be made up within three weeks, or within 10 days of the last scheduled match whichever is earlier.
1. If the weather is questionable, both teams will go to the courts as scheduled. If both the home courts (Soft or Hard) are not playable, but the visiting team's courts (either Soft or Hard) are playable and available, then the match must be played at the visiting teams courts on the scheduled match day. An additional and reasonable amount of time must be allowed for traveling to the visiting team's courts.
2. If both the home and visitor courts are unplayable, the host captain must offer the visiting team captain 3 possible make up dates, as soon as possible, that fall within a three week time frame for the match to be played. (Make sure host club has courts and players available to play before submitting dates to other captain!) The match may be played at the visiting team courts if the host team cannot obtain courts within this time frame.
3. The Level Coordinator must be notified of the scheduled date, and it shall be treated as a regular match.
4. In the event that the two captains cannot agree on a date, the Coordinator after obtaining dates from each captain, may randomly pick a date.
5. All rainouts must be played within 10 days of the last scheduled match for the level and division involved.
6. If play has begun, lineups turned in at 9:30a.m. will stand and cannot be changed for the scheduled match. In case the match is rained out before the first ball is served, the match must be rescheduled in its entirety and a new line up may be submitted.
7. Completed individual matches will stand as played. Incomplete matches will be continued and played at set, game, and point scored as they stood when halted. If the match cannot be completed as a team, individual players can reschedule at their convenience within three weeks.
8.In the event of cold weather, LITL follows the rule of USTA code. The air temperature must be 32 degrees or higher 1 hour before the scheduled start time of the match
k) Unsportsmanlike Conduct - Complaints of unsportsmanlike conduct must be emailed to the Ethics Committee. Any player that continually violates the rules or show unsportsmanlike behavior will be reviewed by the Ethics Committee and may not be allowed to play Ladies Interclub.
(8) Winners - Teams winning the most matches will be the winner of their level. In the event of a tie, the tie will be broken as follows:
1. Team Points won
2. Least Sets Lost
3. and finally fewest games LOST
Spring and Fall play days will be:
Monday 2.5
Tuesday 5.0 and 5.3/5.5
Wednesday 4.5
Thursday 3.0 and 3.5
Friday 4.0
Winter Plays days will be:
Tuesday 5.0 and 5.3/5.5
Wednesday 4.0 and 4.5
Thursday 3.0 and 3.5
Friday 2.5
a. Clubs that field 2 teams that play on the same day must abide by the rules in Section (I-h).
b. Team matches will consist of 3 doubles positions. Each position will play best 2 out of 3 full sets. A team receives one team point per position won. (Total points possible will be 3 points)
c. A 7 point Coman tie break will be played when any of the three sets played reaches 6-6.
d. Match play will begin at 9:30a.m. There is a 20 minute forfeit for all scheduled matches. Players not present by 9:50 a.m. must forfeit one set and, if not present by10:00a.m., must forfeit both of their sets of doubles.
e. Each team must have a minimum of six players rostered by the registration deadline. Any player subbing more than three times on a team will automatically be counted as a new team member. If the sub is from a lower level team and has subbed more than three times on a team, she will be counted as a new member of the higher level team and any matches played and won at the lower level will be forfeited.
f. Set percentages and match percentages will be averaged to determine 85% email.
VII Point Tie Break (Coman Variation)
Tie Breakers - will go into effect when games reach 6 all in any set.
The player whose turn it is to serve shall serve the first point from the deuce court. (because the score is 0-0!)
After the first point, the players shall change ends and the following two points shall be served by the opponent(s) (in doubles, the player of the opposing team due to serve next) starting from the ad court.
After this, each player/team shall serve alternately for two consecutive points (starting from the ad court); changing ends after every four points, until the end of the tiebreak game. (We play a seven point tie break to determine a set, winning the tie break by two points ie…7-5,)
Players Switch sides after points 1,5,9,13,17 etc. every 4 points
The set score is recorded 7/6 in favor of the winner. If you are playing another set, you will switch sides from the last point played in the tie break.
If your opponents served the first point of the tie break, it will be your serve for the beginning of next set.
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
February 1st - Move down requests due to Ethics. Team Money and Form due to VP Scheduling for Spring Season.
August 1st - Move down requests due to Ethics. Team Money and Form due to VP Scheduling for the Fall Season
December 2nd - Team Money and Form due for the Winter Season
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors will consist of a club representative from each club/organized tennis group. Each club representative shall serve at least a two-year term, if possible. If a club representative changes clubs, her club/organized tennis group shall arrange to replace her. However, if she is an elected officer, she may finish out her year in that capacity, but only the new club representative from the club/organized tennis group will have the one vote permitted from each club/organized tennis group.
Officers will be elected at the end of the fall season to serve beginning at the spring Board of Directors meeting of the following year. The current LITL President will serve on the nominating committee. She shall appoint three representatives at large and one member of the advisory council. Every effort will be made to select officers on a rotating basis so as to ensure representation from all participating clubs/organized tennis groups. In order to be able to hold the office of President, a person must be from a club/organized tennis group in the Birmingham area only and reside in Birmingham. The President shall have served as an elected officer on the board.
Executive Board
The following officers will be elected:
President - She will schedule all meetings, preside over and conduct all business of LITL, including rules and interpretation.
Vice President of Scheduling - She will be in charge of scheduling match play for the divisions. She will be in charge of managing access to the website, and be in charge of training, on an as needed basis. She will also be responsible for all communication internal and external for the league.
Vice President of Awards - She will be in charge of awards selection for the divisions. She will assist the Vice President of Scheduling as needed.
Secretary - She will record all meetings and be responsible for all the records of LITL, as well as any correspondence.
Treasurer - She will be in charge of all finances and will submit records for audit to a person appointed by the Executive Board at the end of her term.
Susan Briggs Tournament Chair(s) - She will be in charge of planning and running the Susan Briggs Charity Tennis Tournament sponsored by the LITL.
Ethics Committee
The Ethics Committee will be comprised of the two most recent past LITL Presidents. Any Level Coordinator or past President may be called upon to serve as needed.
The Ethics Committee duties are as follows:
1. Review control sheets and make recommendations for position/level changes.
2. Take action on any protest, complaint or inquiry.
3. Assist the President when requested.
Level Coordinators
There will be a level coordinator for each level who will be responsible for checking input of computer scores by team captains and for keeping records of all matches played during the season. The level coordinators are appointed by the President-Elect and assume their duties March 1st, along with the other Officers of LITL.
Duties shall be as follows:
1. Shall have a copy of the season schedule and check at the end of each season to see that all matches were played and entered into the computer and confirmed. If a score sheet was not entered and confirmed within 5 days after each match, she should call one of the team captains involved to see if the match was played or rescheduled. (within three weeks).
2. Should have a copy of the team rosters for each team on that level. Will be responsible for adding new team members in the computer when notified by the team captain. Must keep a record of all new members and subs used by each team. Should determine the winner and runner-up of her level and submit that information to the President and Vice President Scheduling immediately following the end of the season. The President will then notify the Vice President of Awards of the winners and runner-ups.
3. Will assist, when asked by opposing team captains tore-schedule make up matches.
4. Will attend mandatory meetings scheduled prior to league play
Club Representatives
The club representative's duties are as follows:
1. Be responsible for keeping her club/organized tennis group updated on all information given to her by LITL.
2. Be responsible for contacting all team captains from her club/organized tennis group about the date and time of any mandatory meetings prior to the beginning of league play.
3. Be familiar with the LITL rules as listed.
4. Serve at least a two-year term.
5. Be present or represented at the Spring and Fall board of directors meetings.
6. Collect money from all of her teams and mail this with the LITL registration form to the VP Scheduling. Each check must include a club name, levels and divisions of play.
7. Obtain from the captains all annual player updates for the web site/directory to the secretary as requested.
8. Attend all other mandatory meetings scheduled prior to league play.
3157 Brook Highland Drive 35242
3325 Country Club Road 35213
Gardendale Parks and Recreation
631-65802109 Moncrief Rd. Gardendale 35071
5624 Greystone Way 35242
3300 Highland Ave 35205
121 Oxmoor Road 35209
3140 Club Drive 35226
300 Inverness Pkwy 35242
3051 Healthy Way 35243
3960 Montclair Road 35213
19 Beechwood Drive 35213
2401 20th Place S 35223
7251 Old Overton Club Dr 35242
100 Racquet Club Pkwy. 35124
5100 Pine Whispers Drive 35210
2000 Club Drive 35244
1640 Lake Cyrus Club Drive 35244
4601 Riverbend Rd. Trussville 35173
Wald Park (Vestavia High School) (call captain)
2235 Lime Rock Rd.35216
5920 Valley Road Trussville 35173
400 Beaumont Drive35216