WTL AGC Meeting Notes for Website

November 12, 2009

Hillcrest Country Club – meeting started at 12:30 p.m.

 

 

AGC Reps in attendance:                Kalpana Kadaba – Riviera

                                                            Dinah Ruch – Mulholland

                                                            Lindsay Gallagher – LATC

                                                            Sue Moore – Stoner

                                                            Imee Ersheid – Palisades

                                                            Diane Nathan – Marina City

                                                            Kyle Ishimatsu – Pepperdine  (for Carol Rush)

                                                            Doreen Gelfand – Brentwood

                                                            Anne Hance – Rancho

                                                            Linda Brown – Hillcrest

                                                            Joan DiGiacomo – Westwood

                                                            Carol Weiss – Beverly Hills

                                                            Sharon Landry - Malibu       

                                                            Cynthia Grant – Moun’ate (for Leslie Wright)

 

WTL Board Members:                      Eleanor Padnick – AGC Chair

                                                            Cynthia Grant

                                                            Zofia Tan       

                                                            Barbara Garner

 

Others Present:                                 Shizu Takayasu – Rancho captain

 

 

NOTE:  AGC ATTENDANCE IS LIMITED TO AGC REPRESATIVES ONLY.

 

Discussion topic:  Players who want to play below a level seemingly appropriate to their statistics.

 

The AGC decided NO EXCEPTIONS should be made to the asterisk rule (V.A.2).

 

A.  A player asterisked to move to a division in which their club does not have a team will NOT be allowed to play in the lower division, even with restrictions.   .

             For 09-10, the AGC voted that two B1 players who fit this description be allowed to finish this season, but that this NOT be allowed in the future.

 

B.  Regarding when a player does not participate in WTL for a period of time, returns to WTL and the appropriate level team no longer exists at her club,    The AGC asked the Board to propose a specific wording change in Rule V.A. 1 to say that an asterisk remain in effect for two, full, consecutive seasons following the last season she played; and after that period of time, the player may be considered the same as any other player wanting to move down a division.  (See below: V.A.5.) 

            The AGC voted that an A1 player fitting this description, be allowed to play in the lower division with restrictions.

 

                       

Approved Balls

Only balls listed as USTA approved balls will be allowed in WTL matches.  No rule is required because WTL follows USTA rules.  (Dunlop heavy duty balls are NOT on the approved list).

 

Discussion:  Days of Play

Majority of AGC reps confirmed that a different day for each division is best for the majority of WTL players.   They discussed that it allows more teams in WTL;  avoids problems of scheduling around limited courts and multiple club teams playing the same day’  avoids conflicts with holidays and does not extend the season..   

 

A few A1 players present said they do not like playing Monday.  AGC decided the A1 Captains and Board can meet to discuss alternatives that do NOT affect other divisions.  Alternatives mentioned were playing on Monday or  Friday, or a “Late Start” (teams arrive at 10:30 and begin each line when the earlier division finishes).

 

 

Update on grievances and penalties as of November 12, 2009

 

No grievances. 

A B1 team received a two point penalty for not posting match results, ignoring repeated requests to post results, using an ineligible player, and posting the the name of a player who did not actually play.

 

 

 

 

AGC approved the following RULE and STRUCTURE changes

including a major re-writing of the grievance procedure.   All of the following changes were approved,  EXCEPT B. #3 due to clarify.   The  Board will re-write B.3 before the next AGC meeting

 

Rule V.A. 5   The Board’s approval is required for any player moving down a division.  The Board may prevent a player from moving down a division, before or during a season, if the player is deemed too strong for the lower division.  Requests to move down a division must be sent in writing to the WTL President.

 

 

VI – Grievances, Conflict Resolution and Interpretation of Rules

 

“Tennis is a game that requires cooperation and courtesy from all participants.”  Players, coaches and spectators “are under a duty to encourage and maintain high standards of proper conduct, fair play and good sportsmanship…and to avoid acts which may be considered detrimental to the game of tennis.”

 

A.         Grievances and questions regarding interpretations of rules should be referred to the Advisory/Grievance Committee Chairperson.

 

B.         All players should make every attempt to resolve any conflict in a courteous manner.

 

            1.         Players should be able to amicably resolve any questions that may                                     arise  during a game by referring to WTL and/or USTA rules or by any                              mutually agreeable solution, including asking someone to act as

                        a linesperson.

 

            2.         If a situation cannot be resolved by the players while a match is in                           progress, the teams may halt their game to notify their respective captains.                      Team captains may interrupt their game for five minutes to help resolve                                   the dispute.  If the situation cannot be resolved in five minutes, play the                                    match out.  After the match, the captains and players should further                                   attempt to resolve the issue.

 

            3.         To be re-written

                        If there is no resolution, the match must still be completed.  If one team                             does not agree to complete the match, they must forfeit the match. 

 

 

            4.         If a formal grievance is filed with the AGC Chair, all pertinent                                                information must be presented at the time the grievance                                                             is filed.

 

            5.         The AGC Chairperson will attempt to resolve the issue, consulting with                              the Executive Board as needed.

           

            6.         If an agreement is still not reached, the Advisory Committee will meet and              rule on the complaint.  Prior to the meeting, the captains must send the                                    AGC Chair a one page summary including all pertinent details.  At the                           committee meeting, the captains will be present only to answer any                              questions.  No additional information can be presented at this time.  The                            AGC will determine penalties in accordance with WTL and/or USTA                                   rules.  

 

 

C.         Sportsmanship:  If an individual, team or club receives one written grievance             regarding sportsmanship, the Advisory Grievance Committee Chairperson will    discuss the grievance with the Captain and ask that the captain discuss the situation with those involved.  If an individual, team or club receives two written grievances regarding sportsmanship, occurring during different matches within a two year period, the Advisory/Grievance Committee shall meet to decide if penalties will be imposed.  Should the Committee find valid cause, they may suspend the individual, team or club from League play for a period of time to be determined by the Committee.        All written grievances will be on record with the League indefinitely.

 

 

WTL Structure #10  

 

Advisory/Grievance Committee:  This Committee is comprised of one representative from each club.  Each club has one vote regardless of the number of teams or divisions a club fields.  Members of this committee are the liaisons between the League and all the captains of every Westside League team at their club.  The committee’s function is to discuss and advise on issues and rule changes and hear unresolved grievances.  The AGC may assess penalties when       necessary.

 

            Representatives should meet with the captains in theirs clubs before Advisory meetings to discuss any upcoming issues or concerns which the captains would like to have brought up.  They shall contact the captains after Advisory meetings to disseminate information and actions of the meetings.  It is then the captains’ responsibility to convey these particulars to their individual team members.

 

            Representatives must be active members of the League.  The Committee will meet as often as necessary and at least once prior to the spring captains’ meeting to make any changes for the coming year.  The AGC is headed by the Advisory/Grievance Chairperson.

 

 

WTL Structure #14

 

                        i.          If a grievance issue involves the team of either the Advisory Chair                                       or President, the grievance will be referred to the Vice-President,                                            then the Secretary-Treasurer.

 

                        ii.          The Advisory Chair will chair the meeting.  Executive Board                                                 members may attend and speak but are not allowed to vote                                                unless they are serving as their club’s representative to the                                       committee. 

 

The meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m.

 

EP:  AGC minutes for website