Before I outline how pleased I've been with our first two weeks of competition, I'd like to get some tedium out of the way. The use of subs has been a matter of minor uncertainty this session, owing primarily to the obscure way their role has been defined. Some teams selected subs before the season even started. Others are yet to do so. To inject formality into the sub structure, the following edicts are effective immediately:
I. Teams have until this Saturday (May 5) at noon to select and report their subs. Please email names to me at CJones@Chatham.edu.
II. Each team can have only one sub. Only that sub can participate in league matches. If a primary team member and that team's approved sub are unavailable for a match, a random sub can play for the sake of ensuring that the match takes place. In the standings, however, victory will go to the team that shows up with its approved roster.
III. A sub cannot play on more than one team.
IV. There are no limits on the number of matches approved subs can play. Teams may utilize their subs however they wish.
It's not the RTL's goal to be the communists of Minnesota tennis. We're just trying to introduce fidelity to a system that could be corrupted by the random application of subs. Subs should be of skill levels appropriate to their divisions. Please don't recruit 3.0 subs for Division One teams or 4.5 subs for Division Two teams. We aren't imposing a rigid rating system in this case. Let's just try to be reasonable when assessing the abilities of our subs.
Like week one, week two was a huge success, with all matches played and promptly reported. Tuesday night at Soldiers Field was an all-out RTL occupation. We practically showed up with tanks! At one point, every court was hosting a Division One match. I wasn't present for Division Two matches on Wednesday, but I can only presume that the setting was similar, given that all scores were submitted to me by late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. Thanks so much for your impressive commitment to upholding our schedule.
I'll do my best to observe a match or two this week. I still want to feature a "Match of the Week" on an ongoing basis. My doubles match is scheduled for tonight, so I'll try to visit Soldiers Field tomorrow and Wednesday to take in the action. Unfortunately, this week's weather might disrupt our format.
Check out this article on tennis elbow, a problem plaguing several players at the moment: http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/sports-injuries-prevention-and-treatment-of-tennis-elbow-194. Tennis elbow can be caused by excessive play, the use of light rackets, poor technique, age-related tendon degeneration, and a variety of other factors. Let's do our best to stay healthy and not miss any court time.
Rochester Tennis League Doubles Blog
Monday, April 30, 2012
Saturday, April 21, 2012
A Great Opening Week
Welcome to "Tales from the Court," the official doubles blog of the Rochester Tennis League (RTL). For those who don't know me, I'm Christopher Jones, the bearded fellow who always wears bandannas when he plays tennis. I'm not attempting a fashion statement. I've simply found bandannas to be the most useful garments for keeping sweat out of my eyes. Hats are cumbersome and obstruct my vision, and headbands look absurd on guys with shaved heads. They make me feel like an egg clad in an elastic belt or a baseball wrapped in a bath towel. Also, they do nothing to protect me from the sun.
Enough about me.
Despite heavy rain, strong winds, and several chilly evenings, our first week of competition was a huge success. In both divisions, all matches were played and all scores reported. You can view our current standings at the RTL doubles website: http://rtldoubles.moonfruit.com/.
A note about the rules that govern the scheduling of doubles matches, as there's been some confusion on this topic in recent days: Division One matches are to be played on Tuesdays, Division Two matches on Wednesdays. If one team is unable to play on the designated day, it's up to the available team to decide whether or not the match should be rescheduled. The available team reserves the right to demand that the unavailable team forfeit the match. If both teams agree to reschedule the match, however, they may play it on the day of their choosing, though Sunday is the official makeup slot for matches. Also, all matches must be completed by Sunday evening of the week during which they're scheduled (for instance, you can't play a week-two match during week three).
Let's do our best to play matches on their designated nights. With RTL singles starting this week and with USTA summer competition on the horizon, many of us have very busy tennis schedules. Changing the date of a singles match is challenging enough, but altering the time of a doubles match, which requires four players to reach an agreement, can be frustrating beyond belief. Sticking to the guidelines Maksim set forth is the best way to minimize conflict and avoid forfeit.
Enjoy your week-two matches. Please remember to report your scores to me, not to Maksim. I promise that my next post will be more entertaining and less instructional.
Enough about me.
Despite heavy rain, strong winds, and several chilly evenings, our first week of competition was a huge success. In both divisions, all matches were played and all scores reported. You can view our current standings at the RTL doubles website: http://rtldoubles.moonfruit.com/.
A note about the rules that govern the scheduling of doubles matches, as there's been some confusion on this topic in recent days: Division One matches are to be played on Tuesdays, Division Two matches on Wednesdays. If one team is unable to play on the designated day, it's up to the available team to decide whether or not the match should be rescheduled. The available team reserves the right to demand that the unavailable team forfeit the match. If both teams agree to reschedule the match, however, they may play it on the day of their choosing, though Sunday is the official makeup slot for matches. Also, all matches must be completed by Sunday evening of the week during which they're scheduled (for instance, you can't play a week-two match during week three).
Let's do our best to play matches on their designated nights. With RTL singles starting this week and with USTA summer competition on the horizon, many of us have very busy tennis schedules. Changing the date of a singles match is challenging enough, but altering the time of a doubles match, which requires four players to reach an agreement, can be frustrating beyond belief. Sticking to the guidelines Maksim set forth is the best way to minimize conflict and avoid forfeit.
Enjoy your week-two matches. Please remember to report your scores to me, not to Maksim. I promise that my next post will be more entertaining and less instructional.
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