Newsletter #3

Hello everyone

I hope you are all having great time playing tennis in this first half of session I. We had another strong week, 20 matches done on time, 3 forfeits and 1 DNP s. Unfortunately couple of people had to leave the league over the past few days. Lars Rasmussen and Erin Quiding dropped out , and I got two new players in right away. I believe we have 3 more people on the waiting list to cover future openings. Latest scores and standings are updated on our web site www.rochestertennisleague.com

Setting up matches

As I said countless times before, quick and early communication among players is very important to be able to finish matches on time. I strongly recommend e mailing your opponent on Monday or even earlier each week. This should give you enough options to comfortably set up time that works for both of you. Sending that initial e mail of Friday and offering one time slot that works for you most likely will not get it done. Even if you are able to use extension and play Tuesday it still disrupts your next round match which gets pushed back as well. By emailing late in the week you already missed 4-5 possible opportunities during the week, and relaying on last couple of day to play is always risky because of the weather. Our scheduling format works great if players show flexibility and good communication. You have 8 days to play your match so you should have plenty of opportunities to set it up.

Having said that, I understand that everyone will miss a match at some point for various reasons. According to the rules those matches are recorded DNP (did not play) unless one of the players (generally one who was less available) forfeits. Forfeit is treated as 6-0,6-0 win, and for DNP both players lose half of a point as penalty. These rules are enforced without exceptions.

Contact info

I would suggest submitting an e mail address that you can check over the weekend and in evenings. Submitting a phone number can also help you to get in touch with each other . We can even make your phone number a primary contact info if you are not checking your e mail often. I already have a lot of players on the list that submitted phone numbers, but I am thinking that we might need to make it a requirement. We had a few situations this session where it took players 4-5 days to hear back from their opponents.

Availability

Our scheduling format is very flexible having 8 days to complete one match , but at the same time it requires you to be active negotiating time each week . Players need to show flexibility and they have to be available more than just one or two time slots a week. Chances are pretty slim that your opponents will be available that same night and that weather will cooperate every week.

Session I

The group phase of session I is important because it will in most cases determine your level for session II. But I just wanted to mention that last 3 weeks (playoffs phase) can also determine where you play next session. We usually have a good number of people dropping out in between sessions for various reasons, so players get bumped up. For example if you win 9th place at the end of session I (through playoffs) you will be next one to have opportunity to move up to Division I if one of the top 8 players quits in between sessions.

Have a great week and good luck in your coming matches.