USTA SOUTHCAROLINAAIKEN AREA TENNIS LEAGUE(AATL)
COMBO DOUBLES LOCALREGULATIONS
18 & Over, 40 & Over, 55 & Over, 65 & Over League Year2015
AATL Web Site -
SOUTH CAROLINA DIRECTOR OF LEAGUES(DL)
The following person has been appointed to implement and administer the South Carolina State USTA LeagueTennisProgram:
MaryGoins
P.O. Box 386Easley, SC29641864-855-0881
COMBO STATE LEAGUE COORDINATOR(SLC)
The following person has been appointed to implement and administer the South Carolina State USTACOMBODoubles League TennisProgram:
Joyce Harrison
226 Doulton Way
Columbia, SC29212
803-238-9030
LOCAL LEAGUE COORDINATOR(LLC)
The following person has been appointed to implement and administer the Aiken Area Tennis League, and tointerpretthe Aiken Area Tennis LeagueRegulations:
Shawn Risher
3100 Calli Crossing Drive
Graniteville, SC 29829
803-270-6428
0.1INTRODUCTION
0.2 USTA South Carolina has approved the AATL League Coordinator to organize, coordinate, interpretandsupervise all USTA League Tennis activities on the local level and report to the Director of Leagues and StateLeagueCoordinators.
0.3All players, teams and Local Leagues must abide by USTA Southern Tennis, USTA South Carolina, andAATLRules andRegulations.
0.4Southern League Regulations, and South Carolina State Regulations take precedence over AATL rules intheevent of ruleconflicts.
0.5New regulations or changes in regulations for 2015 are listed inred and underlined.
1.00GENERAL.
1.04 USTALEAGUE.
1.04B Team Captain.Each team shall appoint a team captain to handle administrativeaffairs,and to represent the team in USTA matters. The duties of captains are published at the endofthese regulations, and include expected actions for all team captains. The duties publishedare considered part of the AATL regulation set, and are enforceable assuch.
1.04C OFFICIAL INFORMATION SYSTEM. TENNISLINK is the official information system ofthe USTALeague.
1.04C (1) Official LeagueRegistration.
Rosters must be entered in TennisLink before League playbegins.
a.INITIAL ROSTER DEADLINE: AATL League Team Rosters with a minimum of3 eligible doubles pairings must be submitted into TennisLink no later than June 26, 2015inorder to participate in the AATL 2015 Combo DoublesLeagues.
b.AATL team registration will end on the initial roster deadline dates. Teamsmay continue to add players after this date, but only up until the last regularly scheduledmatch where a player can become eligible for statechampionships.
c.Once placed on a roster through TennisLink, there will be no refunds after leagueplay begins. It is possible to transfer from one team to another without additional feesby contacting the Local League Coordinator to process the movement from one team tothe next. Transferring to another team must be done before the start of the LeagueSeason.
d.Players may not move to a different team once match play has begun for thatlevel,unless approved by the State Combo Doubles LeagueCoordinator.
1.04C (2) Official Score Reporting and Standings System. Scores must be reportedin TennisLink within 48 hours of the completed team match by either captain. TennisLinkwill automatically confirm scores 48 hours after the team match is initially reported in TennisLinkifnot confirmed by opposingcaptain and will stand as recorded.
1.04 D LOCAL LEAGUES
1.04D (5) Two Team Leagues. If any Adult Division Age Group consists of only two teams in a certain NTRP level of play, each team must maintain its roster with at least 40 percent of its players at the designated NTRP level of play.
1.04D (6) Team.Local Leagues may limit the number of players that appear on a teamroster (AATL limit is 15players).
1.04D (9) AATL Team Composition.Except in the event of an AATL singleton teamplaying local league at state championships, AATL teams are required to have >50% playerswithresidence inside the AATL boundaries. AATL teams must play home local league matchesatfacilities within the AATL boundaries. Singleton teams placed in the AATL by the StateLeague Coordinator must play all matches at AATL facilities, and are not required to have>50% players with residence inside AATLboundaries.
1.04D (9) (a) Number of Teams. When a Local Combo League does not have the required number of teams (two teams) to constitute a level, the USTA SC State Combo Doubles League Coordinator, in consultation with the affected Local Combo League Coordinators, shall either:
Assign the singleton team to another Local League, in which case,(a) the assigned team registers on TennisLink in the Home Local League and then the USTA SC
(1)State Combo Doubles Coordinator will drag the assigned team to the Local (host) League to which it is assigned; (b) the assigned team will abide by the rules of the Host League; (c) the host league will make the rule regarding travel for matches.
(2)Local Leagues receiving an assigned team from the USTA SC State Doubles Combo League Coordinator do not have the option to refuse the assigned team.
(3)Group the singleton team with other singleton teams in the state and schedule a playoff among those teams to determine advancement to the Combo State Championships. The USTA SC State Doubles Combo League Coordinator will decide on the date(s), playoff structure, and designate the site and Local (host) League.
(4)Complete teams choosing to play in a local league area other than their home local league must secure home courts in the local league they choose to participate unless other arrangements are agreed upon by both Local League Coordinators.
1.04E PLAYERREQUIREMENTS
1.04E (1) Domicile. Each AATL team must maintain its roster with at least 60 percent ofits players with South Carolina Residence through State and Southern Championships(the player’s primary residence is to be defined inUSTArecords as South Carolina). The following total number of players on the team rosterper number of SC residents required shallbe:
Roster Total/Required SC Residents: 6/4, 7/5, 8/5, 9/6, 10/6, 11/7, 12/8, 13/8,14/9,15/9.
1.04E (2) Membership. All players must be current members of the USTA through theLocal League seasons, and allchampionships.
1.04G PLAYERPARTICIPATION
1.04G(2)c During the Local League Season a player may play on more than onecombined NTRP level for all Age Groups (e.g., 18 & Over, 40 & Over, etc.) in the AATL duringthe sameseason.
1.04G(2)d A player may play at the same combined NTRP level in the same League Typeonteams in separate Local Leagues in South Carolina during the sameseason.
1.04G (2)fFor a two team flight in any age group, each roster must have a minimum of 3 combined pairingsthatequal the level of thatflight.
1.04G (6)Players who qualify for South Carolina Combo Doubles Championships in 2015 may advance on more than one team within an Age Group only if they are at different NTRP levels. No accommodations for scheduling will be made at the Combo State Championships
1.4OFFICIAL BALL. Any USTA approved ball may be used in USTA League matches.In AATL matches, the home team is responsible for providing new balls, but new balls maybe introduced to a match at any time, if all players competing in the individual matchagree.
2.1 USTA LEAGUEREGULATIONS.
2.1A Combined Level of Play. The following levels will be offered in theAATL.18 & Over: 5.0 (Maximum NTRP=2.5), 5.5, 6.5, 7.5, 8.5,9.5,10.5
40 & Over: 5.5, 6.5, 7.5,and 8.5
55 & Over: 6.5, 7.5,and 8.5
65 & Over: 6.5, 7.5, and 8.5 This age group is SC only with no advancement past the SC State Combo Championships.
2.01C CompetitionFormat.
2.01C (1) Round Robin. All AATL teams in a flight shall play each other team thesame number of times, with a minimum of three total matchesplayed.
2.01C (2) Team Match. Each match will consist of 3 doubles lines where combined levels ofa partnership must be less than or equal to the combined level ofplay.
2.01C (3) Match Scoring. The AATL will use the Coman procedure for Set Tiebreak (first to7 by a margin of 2), and Match Tiebreak (first to 10 by a margin of 2) in lieu of a third set inLocal League play per USTA-SC regulations. There is a 2 minute rest period prior to beginninga Match Tiebreak, and continuous play is required throughout theTiebreak.
2.01C (5) Team Lineups. Team captains for each team shall exchange their team line-upcard simultaneously prior to the beginning of the team match. An individual match is startedwhen the first ball is put into play. After the start of an individual match, if injury to, or illness ofa player occurs, the opponents will be awarded a retirement that individual match only.If disqualification of a player occurs, the opponents will be awarded a default. Thedefaultprinciples in 2015 USTA League Regulations, shall be applicable, with the modificationsthat:
a.In the event of illness, injury, disqualification, or no-show of a player prior to the start ofan individual match (once the lineup has been exchanged), a team may substitute a player inthe affected position within the 15-minute default time, using a player not already listed inthe lineup. If no such substitution can be made, the affected position only will be defaulted inlocal leagues.
b.In the event that a team match must be re-scheduled and starting times arestaggered,where opponents are not available and ready to play, defaults will be awarded in theaffected positionsonly.
c.For Weather Affected Matches, See Mandatory procedure “Matches Affected ByInclementWeather”. Defaults given are voided in the event of rainouts, after scorecards havebeen exchanged, provided no individual match has started. If any match has started (first ball putinplay), all defaultsstand.
d.Two players will play together in the higher position when both of their partners do notshow in order to avoid twodefaults.
e.Full Team Defaults (Majority of linesdefaulted):
i.If a full team default in a multiple round robin, only the RR tier/segments that have thefull team default will be impacted. Each of the Round Robin segments will be treated aswhole and separate within the local league flight. If the first RR was finished and the fullteam default occurred during the 2nd RR then all matches for the first RR would stand. Ifall teams in contention had played the defaulting team, matches stand as played andrecorded inTennislink.
ii.Players on a team granting a full team default are not entitled to refund of any portionoftheir league registrationfees.
f.Players must be present and on court to receive a default except in the case of aknown default where the captain giving the default has notified the receiving captain via phone andin writing (email with copy to LLC) in advance of the match that a line will bedefaulted.
g.If an event affects several of the players from either team from playing at thescheduled match day/time, See the AATL Policy “MATCH CONFLICTS WITH OTHEREVENTS”
h.The maximum number of individual lines that a team may default in one leagueseason,prior to disqualification, is equal to the number of team matches scheduled for thatleague season.
2.02 Progression.
2.02A (2) Local League Competition. The AATL Combo League season enddateisSeptember 01,2015.
2.02C Championships:
First and Second place teams for each League Type/Level (Age Group/ NTRP) shall submit the following:
a. Printed Roster with players not attending championships circled and highlighted.
b. Completed Captain Information form.
c. A single check made payable to “AATL”, for an amount that includes $20 for each player attending championships. This check will be cashed, and deposited to the AATL account.
d. Check made payable to “USTA-SC” in the amount of $250 per USTA-SC regulation.
e. All items in (a-d) shall be provided by the first place team, and items (a-b) by the second place team, to the AATL LLC by September 15, 2015. Upon notification by the LLC, that the first place team did not meet the deadline or declined the invite to state championships, the second place team shall provide items (d-e) within 48 hours to represent the AATL at championships.The Combo Championship team entry fees, and roster information, must be receivedby the AATL Local League Coordinator on or before September 15,2015 and have to be submitted to Combo Doubles State League Coordinator by September 29, 2015.
f. Captains shall confirm receipt of information and checks by the AATL LLC on or before the dates listed in (e). Information may be delivered to the LLC: Shawn Risher 3100 Calli Crossing Drive, Graniteville SC 29829
2.03StateChampionships.2.03AEligibility.
2.03A 3 A player must compete in one match during the AATL Combo Doubles localleague season to be eligible to compete at StateChampionships.
2.03A 4 a.A default will count as a qualifying match for Combo Doubles LeagueState Championships.
2.03A 4 c.For all players involved, a retirement counts as a qualifying match forComboDoubles League StateChampionships..
2.03A 4 d.All matches played by a team that is removed from, or drops out of the leaguewill be used to qualify players for Championshipplay.
2.03A 4 e.Players who qualify for South Carolina Combo Doubles StateLeague Championships may advance on more than one team within an Age Group only if they are different NTRP levels. No accommodations for scheduling will be made at the Combo State Championships
2.03A(4)f For District Championship competition and including local league competitionplay at District Championships, 60% or more of the total number of players on the USTA-SCteam roster must reside in South Carolina, as indicated by the player’s primary residence andis defined in USTA records as SouthCarolina.
2.03A (4) gThe check from 2.02C (d) is to be sent to the AATL League Coordinatorto hold until the championship is completed. If the team completes the championship, theLocal League Coordinator will destroy it. For a team withdrawing after September 29, 2015 the check will be mailed to the USTA. For the withdrawingteam,penalties against these team members may include that all members on the submittedroster be banned from participating in any playoff (state or higher) for a period of up to 364days.
2.03I (1) Any team defaulting a court for any reason at the State Championships will incur
a $100 fine payable immediately (cash or check) for each court defaulted. If a team does not pay the fine, a grievance may be filed against all players on the state roster, which could result in the suspension of play from any USTA League play until the fine is paid. It is your team’s responsibility to have players on every court at each match at a State championship.
CHAMPIONSHIPDATES
2015 South Carolina Combo Doubles State Championships Oct. 15-19, 2015 Location:Hilton Head,SC.
2015 Double Sectional Championship 55 & Over- March 11-13, 2016; 18 & Over and 40 & Over- March 17-20, 2015
2.04 AATL Policy for Granting League feeRefunds
AATL refund of the league registration fee (less Tennislink $3 processing fee) will be granted if a player requests toberemovedfromateampriortheinitialrosterdeadlinedateforanyreason.Requestsforrefundswillnotbegrantedafterthe initial roster deadline except in the case where a direct to state team player is removed from the roster prior tothestate deadline. It is a player’s responsibility to submit refund requests to the AATL LLC. Full refunds (include $3USTANational Processing fee) will only be given by the AATL for the case where teams advancing directly tostatechampionships have play cancelled byUSTA-SC.
2.05 AATL Policy for Free Registration ofCaptains:
The AATL will register captains at no cost on or before the initial roster deadline per thefollowing:
1.Captain is required to attend one 2013 Captain’smeeting.
2.Team must have the required number of eligible playersregistered.
3.Captain must not have previously lost free registration privilege due to rules violations orgrievance.
4.Excluding those violations listed in #5 below, two violations of any other AATL Regulations shall result inlossof free registration privilege for a period of one calendar year. The AATL LLC will notify the captain inwriting(email) of the offense andpenalty.
5.If a captain allows someone to compete in a match who is not on the team roster, if a captain’s team dropsoutof State Championships after the information/fee deadline, or if captain’s team grants a Full-Team-Default,theFree Registration privilege shall be lost for a period of one calendar year. The AATL LLC will notify thecaptainin writing (email) of the offense andsanction.
2.06 OtherSituations:
If there is a situation that is not covered by these rules and regulations, refer to USTA State League Regulations.Theadvice and recommendations of the South Carolina State League Coordinator shall be secured by the LLCwhendeemed necessary. Questions regarding rules interpretations, refunds, Tennislink corrections shall be addressedbythe AATL LLC: Shawn Risher (,803-270-6428)
3.1GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES (Refer to NationalRegulations)
3.2ADMINISTRATION.
3.01A GrievancesCommittees.
3.01A (1) Local. All Grievance Committees shall consist of no less than threepersons,including a chairman, to adjudicate grievances. The members of the Committee may bethe same as or different in whole or part, from the committee firstapproved.
The Local League Coordinator has the authority to appoint the persons who shall serveon Grievance and Grievance Appeals Committees in the place of those persons listed belowin the case of conflict of interest, absence or other inability toserve.
The AATL Combo League Grievance Committeeis:
James Mosteller, Chairman
Kristin Reamer, Member
Courtney Whitlow, Member
3.01B (1) Grievance Appeals Committees. All Grievance Appeals Committees shallconsistof no less than three persons, including a chairman, to consider Appeals from theGrievance Committees. No member of a Grievance Appeal Committee may be a member of aGrievance Committee. The members of the Committee may be the same as or different in whole orpart,from the committee firstapproved.
The AATL Combo League Grievance Appeals Committeeis:
Mo Garcia, Chairman
Ben Holmes, Member
Kenny Brown, Member
3.03B Local LeagueProcedures.
3.03B (1) A complaint against a player or team alleging a violation during localleague competition shall be filed in writing with the LLC prior to the commencement of the nextteammatch in that flight involving such player or team, or within twenty-four (24) hours after theend of local league play, whichever occurs first, except a complaint based on ineligibilityunder USTA League Regulations which may be filed after knowledgethereof.
3.03B (2) Upon receipt of the complaint, the LLC shall send a copy of such complaint tothe State League Coordinator, party(ies) to whom the complaint has been made andthe Grievance Committee. Grievance Procedures are outlined in the USTA LeagueRegulations
3.00 Grievance Procedures. The form for filing a grievance can be foundat, underrules.
3.03E NTRPGrievance.
3.03E (7) NTRP Grievances filed within 21 days of the start date of the players’and/or captain’s State Championships will be administered after the event unless the state orsection authorizes the administration of the grievance prior to that time. If the grievance isnotadministered until after the event, points won by players will stand. Disqualified playersand/or captains that are suspended will not be eligible to advance to the next level ofchampionship play.