2009 Tri Level Regulations

TRI-LEVEL LEAGUE  

2009 ALABAMA REGULATIONS  

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS:  SEPT. 24-27
Gulf Shores, AL 

Play is governed by the Rules of Tennis; “The Code” as contained in the current USTA yearbook and the following state rules: 

1. All players must be current members of USTA during the entire league season and must register for a team via TennisLink.  Any player that progresses to championship levels in this program must be a current USTA member through each championship progression.
2. All players must reach 19 years of age during the calendar year in which they play their first local league match.
3. Failure to meet the above requirements will make the player ineligible for each match played and points earned while ineligible will be removed.
4. Players participating in the tri-level league program acknowledge the risks associated with playing competitive tennis, accept those risks voluntarily, and in consideration of their acceptance in the program assume all risks for bodily injury, waive all claims for injury and property damage and release and hold harmless Alabama Tennis Association and any host facility, their officials, employees and agents with respect to any injury or loss caused by negligence or otherwise to the fullest extent permitted by law.
5. Each local league will have a Local League Coordinator offering only one season of local play.  Local league rules must be submitted to the State League Coordinator within two weeks of the captains meeting.  The Local League Coordinator shall be appointed for a period of one league year subject to a yearly renewal.  The State League Coordinator shall have final authority in the selection and retention of all local league coordinators.
6. Each local league must have a minimum of two or more teams at a given level consisting of a minimum of six players of the same gender and a maximum of fourteen per level.  Team roster entry deadline for local leagues will be no later than August 1, 2009.  All local league play must be concluded by August 25, 2009

A team must have a minimum of two eligible doubles teams available for play in each match or the entire match must be forfeited.  Any tri-level may be divided into flights and each team shall play every other team in its flight.  The flight winners may enter a playoff structure to establish a local league champion for that tri- level.

7. The NTRP computer rating program is the official system for rating levels of competition in this program.  Players without a NTRP computer rating may self-rate in accordance with the NTRP guidelines.  NTRP computer ratings from 2006, 2007 and 2008 will be used for the 2009 Alabama Tri-Level league. 
8. The format of play will be three individual doubles matches per team match.  Tri-levels offered in this program are Adult Women 2.5 through 3.5, 3.0 through 4.0, and  3.5 through 4.5.  Adult men tri-levels offered are 3.0 through 4.0, 3.5 through 4.5 and invitational level 4.0 through 5.0.  Highest NTRP level plays at the highest position, i.e. 3.5 #1 doubles, 3.0 #2 doubles and 2.5 #3 doubles.
9. A maximum or four players residing outside the state of Alabama is allowed on a roster.
10. All players must play 1 match locally to be eligible for further competition with the exception of

The adult men 4.0 through 5.0 level.   A forfeited match shall count as a match played for the players receiving the forfeit, but not for the players who forfeited.  A retired match shall count for all players involved.  An individual player may play in only one doubles match within each team match. 

11. Players may participate on more than one team; however, a player may not play on more than one adult team in the same tri-level (unless playing in different local leagues).  In local leagues where levels are divided into flights, players may not play in more than one flight. 
12. Players who qualify for advancement to state championships within a division must choose which tri-level they will represent.
13. State Championship Eligibility:

2-10 teams                   1 team advances to state
11 – 20 teams              2 teams advance to state
21 – 30 teams              3 teams advance to state 

            If a team forfeits an entire match or fields only one court during round robin play at the state championships then all matches of that team played or to be played may be considered null and void.  If all teams in contention for the championship have already played the forfeiting team in good faith, those matches stand as  played.  The state may impose further sanctions or penalties on said team.

Players on teams entered in the State Championships that withdraw after the schedule has been published will be subject to a fine of $75. per person payable to ATA.  Said players will be ineligible to compete in any USTA league including Southern Combo Doubles until the fine is paid.  An appeal may be submitted to the chairman of the Adult League Committee within two weeks after the end of the said championship.  All entry fees will be forfeited.

            No substitution may be made in an individual match at the state championship after the lineup has been presented, except for injury to or illness of a player, prior to the start of such match, and except under further circumstances as the championship committee may authorize.  If the substitution is made during the warm-up, the substitute player is entitled to a five (5) minute warm-up. Grievance complaints at the state championships shall be processed through the championship grievance or grievance appeal committees.  Decisions of such Grievance Appeal Committees by a majority shall be final and binding.  All complaints shall be filed against the player or team complained against, (a) by the team captain of the team who competed in the match where the alleged violation occurred, (b) by a league coordinator or (c) by a member of a championship committee.  All complaints alleging a violation during championship competition shall be in writing and delivered to the duly appointed site director within thirty minutes of completion of the team match. 

The grievance committee and grievance appeal committee members are:
Jeff Burns
Jeannie Harrell
Perry Baker
Judy Stalcup
Martie McEnerney
W. Red Wilder
Emily Baker
Lynn Lamere
Kevin Kelly
Ken Vines
Christine Slaughter
Eph Walker