MAY 17, 2008
11:38:38 AM
 
  
 
MEN'S LEAGUE RULES
(September 2007 changes/modifications appear in red.)
 

     Platform tennis, which we call "Paddle", is a keenly competitive sport and, traditionally, one in which good sportsmanship, integrity and mutual respect are key elements. The game although competitive is one that is played for fun and there are two guidelines for behavior that are used to maintain the integrity, fairness and the fun of our sport.

     The first and most important set of guidelines is that of "The Etiquette of the Game". It is sincerely hoped that the history and tradition of the game will be maintained through a continued high degree of sportsmanship and mutual respect for all involved with our game of Paddle. It is understood that the guideline of etiquette involves a variety of "gray areas" which by definition are not hard and fast rules. However, it is expected that the spirit of sportsmanship and etiquette will be adhered to by all players and captains.

     The second set of guidelines is that of "The Written Rules of the Game", which are set forth below.

DEFINITIONS:

  1. TEAM as used herein shall mean the entire TEAM in a DIVISION.
  2. team as used herein shall mean an individual team of 2 players.

LIPTA ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH TEAM MEMBER:

  1. Each TEAM member must be at least 18, out of high school and a current member of LIPTA.
  2. In order to be a LIPTA member, the individual TEAM member must be a Long Island resident or a member of a club on Long Island.
  3. Each TEAM member must meet the LIPTA requirements as well as either LIPTA's Private Club Requirements or LIPTA's Public Facility Requirements.
    1. Private Club Requirements:
      1. A Private Club with a TEAM in the LIPTA Men's League.
      2. A current dues paying member of a LIPTA Private Club is eligible.
      3. Sons of current dues paying members of a LIPTA Private Club who have privileges under the family membership are eligible.
      4. Employees of a LIPTA Private Club, if allowed by both the club and LIPTA, are eligible. Employees of a LIPTA Private Club must play with that club, if allowed by the club. If not allowed, they may play on a Public Facility TEAM.
    2. Public Facility Requirements:
      1. The player must meet the eligibility requirements of the individual Public Facility in order to be eligible.
      2. The Village of Garden City and LIPTA have adopted the following as the eligibility for each Garden City Recreation TEAM:
        1. 75% of the TEAM must be Garden City Village residents.
        2. 25% of the TEAM may be non-residents of Garden City Village but must be Long Island residents.
      3. Employees of a LIPTA Private Club must play with that club, if allowed by the club and the league. If not allowed by either, they may play on a Public Facility TEAM, provided they meet the other Public Facility Requirements.
      4. As other Public Facility TEAMS enter the LIPTA League, guidelines will be established regarding those players.
  4. In the event that any player has dual eligibility and is eligible to play for more than one Private Club or Public Facility, he must elect one Private Club or Public Facility that he will play for during that season and declare his intent to LIPTA prior to the season.
  5. In order to be a LIPTA member, a person shall be required to pay to LIPTA the annual membership dues imposed by LIPTA for the current season (the 'Dues'), in accordance with the rules set forth below.
    1. Prior to the commencement of each season, the Dues shall be determined and published by the LIPTA Board of Directors. On or about September 1 of each calendar year, LIPTA shall issue and deliver to each PRIVATE Club an invoice for the Dues owed by each member of such Private Club who had previously indicated his or her intention to play in the LIPTA league or tournaments during the upcoming season (a 'Pre-Season Member'). On or about September 1 of each calendar year, LIPTA shall issue and deliver to each member of a Public Facility who had played for such Public Facility during the previous season (also referred to herein as a 'Pre-Season Member'), an invoice for the Dues for the upcoming season. The Dues shall be due and payable by a Pre-Season Member on or before October 15 of each calendar year.
    2. With respect to a Pre-Season Member, in the event that the Dues are not paid by or on behalf of such member by November 1 of each calendar year, the Treasurer of LIPTA will notify such individual Team member, the Captain of such Team, and the LIPTA Board representative from such Private Club or Public Facility, of such delinquency in writing by November 15 of such calendar year, and remind such Pre-Season Member to pay the Dues on or before November 30.
    3. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any member of a Private Club or a Public Facility for whom an invoice was not issued by LIPTA and who wishes to become a member of LIPTA at any time during the season (a 'Mid-Season Member'), such person shall obtain and print out from LIPTA's website, and complete and submit to LIPTA, an Application form, together with a check (or by credit card through the LIPTA website) in payment of the Dues. The Application form and payment of the Dues must be received by LIPTA no later than two (2) weeks after the Mid-Season Member has played his first Men's League match for the Private Club or Public Facility. The Captain of such TEAM is responsible for notifying the Mid-Season Member of this requirement, and for ensuring compliance therewith.
    4. In the event that the Dues are not paid by the final payment dates set forth above (i.e., November 30 for a Pre-Season Member or within two (2) weeks after the first match played for a Mid-Season Member), then the individual Team member shall not be a LIPTA member, and shall be automatically disqualified from being a LIPTA member.
    5. Any match played by an individual TEAM member who fails to pay the Dues by the final payment dates set forth above, shall be declared a forfeit (regardless of whether it was won or lost), and be recorded as a loss for purposes of the TEAM's season record. Furthermore, one (1) additional match won by the TEAM during that TEAM MATCH, if any, shall be changed to a loss for the TEAM'S season record.

Captains are responsible for making every effort possible to field their teams in order of strength, starting with their best team at #1 and following suit throughout their lineup. The Men's League Rules that follow are intended to aid and guide the Captains in setting their rosters. Any and all violations of the Men's League Rules will be enforced by the Men's League Chairman. Repeated violations and issues/disputes not governed by the Men's League Rules will be settled by the Men's League Rules Arbitration Committee.
 

LIPTA MEN'S LEAGUE RULES

  1. TEAM NOT PLAYING PROPER POSITION:
    1. If the Men's League Chairman determines that an inferior team lost its match in a higher slot in order to obtain an advantage and perhaps win matches in the lower slots, then at the discretion of the Men's League Chairman he will refer the matter to the Men's League Rules Arbitration Committee for review. If it is determined that an advantage was gained, all lower match wins may be defaulted.
       
  2. PROTECTED PLAYERS AND TOP PLAYERS:
    1. All players must be protected on a TEAM. A player not protected on a TEAM is not eligible to play a match. If that player does play, a penalty (loss of match) will result.
    2. Each LIPTA TEAM in divisions 1-5 shall select a minimum of ten (10) "Protected Players" who will not be permitted to play on another LIPTA TEAM in the same division or for a LIPTA TEAM in a lower division.
    3. If a LIPTA Team elects to play a "Protected Player" in the same division in which he is protected or on a LIPTA TEAM in any lower division in a Men's League Match, then that LIPTA TEAM shall forfeit all six (6) matches for that TEAM MATCH.
    4. A LIPTA TEAM electing to play any player in a Men's League Match using a "false identity" shall forfeit all six (6) matches for that TEAM MATCH and the TEAM Captain(s) and the individual player using a false identity shall be suspended from the Men's League until re-admitted by the LIPTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
    5. Each LIPTA TEAM in divisions 1 through 6 shall select six (6) "TOP 6 PLAYERS" (in order of ability) who will be ineligible to play in any position for their TEAM, EXCEPT that:
      1. The #1 player may only play in the 1 or 2 slots.
      2. The #2 player may only play in the 1 or 2 slots.
      3. The #3, #4, #5 and #6 players may only play in the 1, 2 or 3 slots.
    6. Each LIPTA TEAM shall be permitted to change their "TOP 6 PLAYERS" only two (2) times during the season, between matches 5 and 6, and 10 and 11. Any matches or make-ups of those matches pre-dating change shall be played with the original top six (6) players.
    7. All members of each LIPTA TEAM are required to play a minimum number of matches during the regular season. The specifics, which change by size of division, are outlined below.
      1. Division with 5 Teams - must play at least four (4) matches, one (1) match in each 4 match cycle.
      2. Division with 6 Teams - must play at least three (3) matches, one (1) match in each 5 match cycle.
      3. Division with 8 Teams - must play at least four (4) matches, two (2) matches in each 7 match cycle.
      Failure to comply will result in the Men's League Chairman requiring that another player be added to the Protected Player's list for that TEAM AT ANY TIME. This may result in the Protected Player's list being increased to more than ten (10) players and/or the Top Six (6) list being increased to more than 6 players.
    8. Both the "Protected Players" list and the "Top Players" list are subject to review by the Men's League Chairman and the Men's League Rules Arbitration Committee and may be rejected if it is determined that there are better players at a particular LIPTA CLUB who have not been selected for either list.
    9. A player from a lower division LIPTA Team "playing up" for a higher division LIPTA Team at the same club must play "behind" (lower matches than) ALL of the higher division's protected players with the following one exception. If eight protected players are playing matches 1, 2, 3, and 4, then the lower division player may play the #5 match even if one or two protected players are playing the #6 match.
    10. If any LIPTA Team shall play a match with a combination of players on any court which is not consistent with the permisssable combinations for such court as set forth above, then such LIPTA Team shall forfeit that particular match (regardless of whether it was won or lost), and such match shall be recorded as a loss for purposes of the TEAM's season record. Furthermore, one additional match won by the TEAM during that TEAM's match, if any (beginning with Court 6 and continuing to Court 1), shall be recorded as a loss.
    11. A player cannot play for the same team more than once per match.
       
  3. FOLLOW THE RULES OF GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP:
    It is expected that the spirit of sportsmanship and etiquette will be adhered to by all players and captains and any serious violation or breach will be referred to the Men's League Rules Arbitration Committee of the LIPTA Men's League in the same manner as any other protest for dispute resolution.
     
  4. DISPUTE RESOLUTIONS:
    Any dispute will be submitted to the Men's League Chairman. If necessary he may refer the matter to the Men's League Rules Arbitration Committee of the LIPTA Men's League. The Men's League Rules Arbitration Committee shall have the authority to reverse match scores, require the replaying of a match and to suspend players from the league. Their decision will be final. Serious violations may be referred to the LIPTA Board of Directors for such sanctions as they deem proper. Provision has been made on the Match Result Sheets for the lodging of protests. Protests may also be submitted by separate letter from a Captain.
     
  5. MATCH PLAY:
    1. TEAM lineups are to be exchanged by Captains at the beginning of the matches, 7:00PM. Play of the matches must be on the date of the scheduled match, unless the match is postponed due to inclement weather. The Captains "CANNOT" change the scheduled date of the match and all "6" matches are to be played on the same date. This also applies to postponed/make-up matches.
    2. Play of matches is to be as follows unless agreed by both TEAMS:
      1. Teams #2 and #6 will play at 7 p.m.
      2. Teams #1 and #5 will play at 8 p.m.
      3. Teams #3 and #4 will play at 9 p.m.
    3. In the event that a Home TEAM has elected to cancel a match because the Home TEAM's courts are "unplayable", then the Visiting TEAM shall have the option of providing their courts as the site for the match. In such event, the Home TEAM shall provide balls and refreshments for the match even though the match is being played on the Visiting TEAM's courts. Early notification of the Home TEAM's "unplayable courts" (if possible, the day before play) is important so commuters can arrange their schedules.
    4. Make-Up Matches.
      1. If a match is canceled, the schedule shows the make-up date for that match. Each TEAM will then field the best TEAM possible and play the match on the make-up date.
      2. Any match scheduled for play during the season shall be played AS SET FORTH ON THE LEAGUE SCHEDULE FOR MAKE-UP MATCHES, or it shall be scored as a 0-6 Loss for each TEAM, unless it is determined by the Men's League Rules Arbitration Committee that one TEAM defaulted due to extenuating circumstances.
    5. FORFEIT RULES:
      The league has been established for the playing of paddle and the forfeiting of a match by a LIPTA TEAM or LIPTA team is not an acceptable effort.
      1. If it is known prior to 7 p.m. that a TEAM cannot field all six (6) teams, then such TEAM will forfeit each match for which it cannot field a complete team. Forfeits will be charged "from the bottom up", so that Team #6 is forfeited first, Team #5 is forfeited second, Team #4 is forfeited third, Team #3 is forfeited fourth, Team #2 is forfeited fifth, and Team #1 is forfeited last. Captains must notify the opposing captain at the earlirst possible time prior to the match of any forfeited matches. In the spirit of good sportsmanship, it is expected that captains will not use a forfeit to gain an advantage.
      2. If a LIPTA team fails to show up for a match within 15 minutes of the time the match was scheduled to be played or within 15 minutes of the time the court is available for play, whichever is later, that individual match shall be forfeited. EXAMPLE: If the #1 team for the visiting LIPTA TEAM does not show up by 8 p.m. (the time set for the match) or within 15 minutes of the time the court is available for play, whichever is later, then the visiting #1 team defaults the match.
         
  6. SCORING:
    1. In order to obtain any points toward the league standings, the following will be required:
      1. The match will actually be played; and
      2. Each Captain shall fax the completed MATCH RESULT SHEET to the LEAGUE SCORER.
      3. The Two (2) captains may jointly complete and fax the MATCH RESULT SHEET with both signatures affixed.
    2. A "COMPLETED" MATCH RESULT SHEET shall have the following:
      1. First and last names of each player written legibly on sheet.
      2. Match scores written legibly on the sheet.
      3. Winning teams circled;
      4. The 24 names and scores of each match shall be neatly placed on the score sheets in order that it be "COMPLETE". If the score sheet is not complete, no scores will be entered.
      5. The MATCH RESULT SHEETS contain a section for Protest Provisions.
      6. The MATCH RESULT SHEETS must be submitted within 24 hours of the completion of the match. In the event that a scoresheet dispute occurs, and only one (1) captain has submitted a scoresheet, that scoresheet will be deemed to be the official match result.
    3. To determine the FINAL SEASON STANDINGS IN EACH DIVISION we will:
      1. Look to the season's most wins in the win/loss record.
      2. If there is a tie by TEAMS for the first place position in any Division, then we will have Co-Champions in that Division for the purposes of the Season League Trophy only.
      3. If there is a tie by TEAMS for either the first or last place position in any division, then for the purpose of determining which team will go up to a higher division or go down to a lower division, we will break the tie in the following manner:
        1. First, we will compare the season's head to head matches.
        2. Second, we will compare the season's head to head matches using the weighted match system 6-5-4-3-2-1.
        3. Third, if still tied we will compare each TEAM'S season record against the highest team in their division.
        4. Fourth, if still tied we will compare each TEAM'S season record against the next highest team in their division. And so on until the tie is broken.
    4. Establishing the Men's League SET-UP for any following year will be done by using the scoring and tie-breaking methods set forth above.
      1. It has been determined that the team finishing a season in first place will go to a higher division provided there is a higher division and the team has sufficient courts available to play its matches. (A two court club cannot have 3 teams playing on the same night of the week). Court availability is determined starting with Division One and working downward through the divisions. If a division winning team cannot move higher due to court availability, then the second place TEAM will be moved to the higher division.
      2. It has also been determined that the team finishing a season in last place will go to a lower division provided there is a lower division and the team has sufficient courts available to play its matches.
      3. In order to complete the Men's League SET-UP the divisions shall be set from top to bottom so that the middle and lower division teams shall be "juggled" as may be required with the intent to have the overall strongest teams at the top of the league and the weakest teams at the bottom of the league. This will also assure competitive divisions.
      4. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the regular season champion of Division 6 (Tuesday) and the regular season champion of Division 6 (Thursday) will play a playoff MATCH to determine which TEAM advances to Division 5 in the following year. If the playoff MATCH ends in a 3-3 tie, the weighted scoring system set forth below will be used to break the tie and determine the WINNER of the MATCH.
    5. POST SEASON TOURNAMENT
      After the completion of the regular season, the four (4) teams with the best final season standings in each Division will make the end of season Post Season Tournament. In each Division. the first (1st) place TEAM will play the fourth (4th) place TEAM, and the second (2nd) place TEAM will play the third (3rd) place TEAM. The winning TEAMS will then play each other in the finals to determine the end of season post season season champion. In all POST SEASON Tournament MATCHES, in the event of a 3-3 tie, the weighted scoring system set forth below will be used to break the tie and determine the WINNER of the MATCH.
      WEIGHTED SCORING SYSTEM
         Team #1 Match = 6 points
         Team #2 Match = 5 points
         Team #3 Match = 4 points
         Team #4 Match = 3 points
         Team #5 Match = 2 points
         Team #6 Match = 1 point
       
  7. CAPTAIN'S RESPONSIBILITIES:
    1. Prior to the start of the season, each captain shall submit a TEAM ROSTER to LIPTA. The TEAM ROSTER shall include each team member's name, residence address, home telephone number, and his basis for eligibility: Member; Son of a Member; or Club Employee. At least 10 Protected Players shall also be designated for each TEAM and the six (6) "Top Players" shall also be designated.
    2. Prior to the start of the season, each captain who will have a Club employee playing on his team shall obtain and submit to LIPTA a letter from their Club authorizing the employee to be a team member. The letter must be on Club stationery and signed by the Club's President/Commodore, or Club Secretary. The letter must attest to the individual being in the Club's employ during the current calendar year. The letter will be reviewed by the LIPTA President and the Men's League Chairman who will advise the team captain of the results of that review. Any matches played by an employee prior to this review process being completed will be forfeited.
    3. It will be the responsibility of the Captains to make sure that each player is eligible and a member of LIPTA before he plays in a match. If an eligible man wants to play and is not a LIPTA member, he may play as a protected player as long as the captain completes the application, notifies the League Chairman and sends in the LIPTA dues. The failure to comply will result in a forfeit.
    4. TEAM LINE-UPS are to be exchanged by the captains or their representatives at the beginning of the match at 7 p.m.
    5. It will be the responsibility of the captains to make sure as the home TEAM that the courts, balls and refreshments are provided.

MEN'S LEAGUE RULES ARBITRATION COMMITTEE:
The Committee shall consist of the LIPTA Vice-President, LIPTA Men's League Chairman and one (1) member of the Board of Directors. The purpose of the Committee will be to resolve disputes, not covered by the Men's League Rules, that may occur. To assist the Men's League Chairman in governing the Men's League. In the event of a conflict, either by team or division, that member of the Committee shall excuse himself; he will be replaced by a suitable member of the Board of Directors.

MEN'S LEAGUE RULES ARBITRATION COMMITTEE
 
Ron Ronzoni
Tim Mangan
Douglas Johnson