"Tennis is a game that requires cooperation and courtesy from all participants." "No system of rules will cover every specific problem or situation that may arise. If players of good will follow the principles of USTA Rules, and the Westside Rules and Structure and Organizational Procedure, they should always be able to reach an agreement, while at the same time making tennis more fun and a better game for all." The Code. By providing this document, captains should be able to find a resolution to issues arising before or during a match.

I. Captain & Club Guidelines

1. All captains should have a copy of the current Friend at Court (The USTA Handbook of Tennis Rules and Regulations) and be familiar with USTA Rules and The Westside League "Rules" and "Structure and Organizational Procedures".
   
   1. All captains should give their team members, including substitutes, a schedule of play and these Westside League "Rules" and "Structure and Organizational Procedures". This information is available online at our website: www.westsidetennisleague.com. All personal information appearing on the website may not be used for any purpose other than the Westside Tennis League.
   2. Captains should be sure their teammates understand the procedures of a league match and these Rules.
   3. USTA rules are in effect except where superceded by Westside League Rules.
      
2. The host team captain, or acting captain, shall call the visiting captain, or acting captain, before scheduled play to confirm the match and offer directions and information if needed. Either captain can initiate the call.
   
3. All clubs must provide:
   
   1. Three courts in acceptable condition, beginning no later than 9:00 a.m. If repeated complaints are received about playing conditions, the Executive Board may require a club to correct the problem or not play at that location. (Refer to Structure 1.b.)
   2. The new can of balls (three balls throughout the match).
   3. Simple refreshments (water, juice, coffee, cake, fruit, cheese or similar).
      
4. Captains are responsible for completing the line-up score sheet according to these Rules.
   
   1. Each captain must review the play roster of the opposing team before play begins to check if all players are eligible to play in the indicated position. Once play begins, the results of the match stand (except as noted in later sections).
   2. Each captain shall submit a completed and signed score sheet online within 48 hours after each match.
      
5. Captains' additional responsibilities.
   
   1. All captains or team representatives are required to attend the fall and spring Captains' meeting.
   2. Captains will vote on Rule and Structure changes proposed by the Advisory Grievance Committee or Executive Board. Additional responsibilities are listed throughout these Rules and in the Structure.

II. Participation & Rosters

1. Participants in the Westside Tennis League
   
   1. All participants must be women over 21 years of age, and not a current member of a college team.
   2. All participants, line players and substitutes, shall play for one club only. A club is defined as where the team's home courts are permanently located.
      
2. WTL Divisions
   
   1. There are five divisions in WTL. The divisions are based on the NTRP ratings and the team's ability to compete in a particular division.
   2. Clubs may field more than one team in any division provided they have sufficient players and substitutes at the appropriate level and there is space available in that division.
   3. Designation Guidelines:

      Division	Predominant Rating of Players	Maximum Rating Allowed
      A+	4.5	open
      A1	4.0 and 4.5	4.5
      A2	4.0	4.0
      B1	3.5	4.0
      B2	3.0 and 3.5	3.5

      
      
   4. Rostered players and substitutes shall be "designated" to the one division and one line closest to their playing ability and in relation to their teammates.
      
3. Player Designation to a Line
   
   1. It is a fundamental principle of the Westside Tennis League that each club's three doubles teams compete in order of ability. WTL rules exist to support this principle.
   2. A player must be listed on the team roster to be eligible to play.
   3. The captain shall give each individual line player and substitute a "line designation" based on the player's ability, in relation to the other line players and substitutes on the same team.
      • The strongest players on the team shall be grouped on line 1. The next strongest group of players shall be listed on line 2 and the least strongest players shall be shown on line 3.
   4. A team's roster must list 6,7,or 8 players as "rostered" or "line" players. A roster must show 2,3,or 4 players on each line, grouped by the individual players' ability.
   5. A player rostered in a line position on a team may not sub for any other team in their same division. They may sub up to line 3, or the lowest possible line of the next higher division team within their own club.
      
4. Substitute players shall follow the same rules as rostered line players.
   
   1. Substitutes must be listed on the roster in order to play.
   2. Substitutes shall be designated to one division based on the same criteria as rostered line players.
   3. The substitutes must be listed on the sub list grouped in a division and as line 1,2,or 3 subs based on their individual ability. Listing majority of subs on line 2 undermines rostering rules and is subject to penalties.
   4. Substitutes who normally play in a lower division (line players and subs) shall be listed on the upper division sub list as line 3 players. Their lower division designation must also be indicated.
   1. Example: A B2 player or substitute appearing on a B1 sub list must be noted as a B2 line 3 on the B1 sub list.
   2. If a substitute is shown without the lower division designation, she will be considered an upper division player and will not be permitted to play in the lower division.
   5. A club who has more than one team in the same division may share substitutes but cannot share rostered line players. See rule E.
   6. Substitutes must follow all the same rules as rostered line players (with the exception of E.5 above). Regardless of the division, line, or whether a player is rostered or a substitute, all three doubles teams must play in order of strength.
   7. There is a limit of 50 names that can be submitted as team substitutes.
5. Any player or substitute is limited to playing an opposing team twice during a season, regardless of whether the player or substitute changes teams or clubs. It is the responsibility of the team captains sharing the sub list to assure that this does not occur. If this rule is violated, the irregular match will be defaulted.
6. It is the captain's responsibility to arrange the doubles teams on their scoresheet so that their teams compete in order of ability, with the strongest doubles team playing in the line 1 position, and the next strongest team in the line 2 position, etc. Each club's three doubles teams must play in order of ability.
7. A team will be penalized for putting a stronger team on a lower line lower than their own weaker team (this is called "stacking").
8. Rostered line and substitute players may play up or down one line only.
• Players rostered on line 1 can play line 1 or line 2.
  Players rostered on line 2 can play line 1, 2, or 3.
  Players rostered on line 3 can play line 3 or line 2.
  A player who is listed at position line 1 cannot play position line 3 nor vice versa.
• Exceptions to #a. In the event that a team only has line 3 rostered players and subs from a lower division for a given match, the third line rostered player(s) will be permitted to play in line 1 and lower division subs will be allowed to play on the lowest line possible. This is so that the principle of playing in order of strength will be upheld.
• If the above exception occurs, contact the webmaster to report match results. See rule IV.D.2.b. for additional information.


9. A team will be penalized for not playing their three lines in order of strength ("stacking") or not correctly designating the appropriate line for players or substitutes.
   
   1. If a captain believes that there is an irregularity in the line-up sheet, she should discuss it with the opposing captain, preferably before the match. Only after a captain has discussed the concern with the other captain (before or after the match) and continues to believe there was a violation of the rules, she should email her concern to the AGC Chair. If a violation occurred, the AGC Chair may call a default after the match or refer it to the AGC.
   2. It is the opposing captain's responsibility to initiate a stacking grievance if the stacking issue was not resolved at the match. The AGC determines whether stacking has occurred and assigns the following penalties if stacking indeed did occur:.
   1. A one point penalty is deducted from a team's total points in the standings.
   2. The line match in which a stronger team played on a lower line will be defaulted. If the point was won by the “stacking” team, it will be taken away and awarded to the opposing team. If the “stacking” team lost, the point is kept by the opponent.
   3. The line match is not recorded in any of the four line match players' stats.
10. A match using an ineligible player (e.g., unlisted subs, rostered players and subs in prohibited line positions, etc.), will result in a default of that line. The default point is given to the opponent. An additional point will be deducted from the offending team's total points in the standings. The match result is not recorded in the players' stats.
    
11. Initial submission, changes or additions of rosters.
    
    1. Rosters must be submitted during the week of September 1-8.
    2. Any roster change or addition of any line player or a substitute is allowed only during the following revision dates: Changes are effective after Thursday matches.
       1. The first Thursday through Saturday of November by 9:00 p.m. PST
       2. The first Thursday though Saturday of February by 9:00 p.m. PST
12. Players' names must be spelled the same for the entire season. Errors in spelling may be corrected only within three days after the roster revision period when the player is entered on the roster for the first time. After this time, the initially submitted name must remain as spelled. Adding, changing, or deleting players or subs is prohibited after the revision period, except as directed by the Board.
13. In addition to making the change online, Captains must notify the following people of the specific changes during those same dates:
    • All Captains in your division, the League President, the Advisory Chair, the Secretary, and the Head Statistician.
14. Email addresses can be changed at anytime by contacting the Webmaster. Captains can update their own phone numbers anytime through the Captain's profile page. No other changes are allowed.
15. There is no grace period on any deadline. A point penalty will be assessed on late submissions or failing to make a roster change after being informed to do so by the Board or Webmaster.

III. Rules Governing Play

1. Westside Tennis League Rules shall prevail with USTA Rules and Regulations applied in all other matters. Refer to USTA Friends at Court, particularly The Code.
   
2. Scoring shall be tournament "ad" scoring and best two out of three sets. A set tiebreaker will be used at 6 games all (first to seven by a margin of two. Teams must switch ends after every 6 points are played).
   
3. Continuous Play and Rest Periods.
   
   1. Play shall be continuous and at a reasonable pace, in accordance with USTA Rules and the following provisions. Deliberate slowing between points and games is poor sportsmanship and should be discouraged.
      
      1. Teams change ends at the end of the first game of each set. There is no rest on the changeover after the first game of any set.
      2. Teams will change court ends on odd games. At changeovers (other than the first of each set), players are entitled to a 90 second rest (from the last ball struck to the first of the next game).
      3. At the end of the first set, a break of not longer than 120 seconds is allowed.
      4. A rest period of no more than ten-minute is allowed between the second and third sets.
      5. Play is at a reasonable pace and both the server and receiver have up to 25 seconds to prepare for the next point.
   2. Bathroom visits are limited to the following:
      
      1. Bathroom visits should be taken prior to warm up and during the set break.
      2. Emergency bathroom breaks are permitted anytime during a match, pursuant to USTA rule.
         
   3. Warm-up is ten minutes. Players are obligated to warm up the opponents if requested to do so. All warm-up serves must be taken before play begins.
      
4. Coaching is permitted only between the second and third sets.
   
   1. "Coaching" includes any advice given by teammates, spectators and coaches.
   2. Coaches and players should not converse with each other during, nor pertaining to, the match. If a coach needs to be consulted or serve as a lines person, players from their own club should approach them.
      
5. Teammates, coaches, and spectators are permitted to observe the match from no closer than the centerline of the adjacent court, or an equivalent distance at the ends of the court. Players may request that spectators move further away. No one (i.e., spectators, children, teammates, coaches or pets) is allowed on the court while play is in progress.
   
   Players, coaches, and spectators shall not cheerlead. "A simple 'good shot' or a polite clap is appropriate."
   
6. Cell phones and pagers are distracting and are not permitted during League matches. They must be made inaudible or turned off prior to the start of a match. There are no exceptions. If a cell phone or pager rings on a court during a League match, the opponent may claim a let for the first occurrence and the player must make the phone or pager inaudible or turn it off immediately. The opponent receives a point if there is a second occurrence.
   
7. Line Calls.
   
   1. Any question about line calls, foot faults, etc. is to be resolved courteously. The USTA Code describes how to amicably resolve any question that may arise during a game.
   2. Linesperson:
      
      1. We encourage players to ask someone to observe the match as a linesperson, if this is needed for the game to be played in a sportsmanlike manner.
      2. Anyone may act as a linesperson. It is the presence of an observer that is important, not who it is. The linesperson must be acceptable to both teams.
      3. The lineperson's sole function is to uphold or overrule a call, only when a player asks for an overrule of a call. The linesman shall not call lines, nor give assistance in making a call nor give any opinion, unless specifically asked to overrule a call.
   3. If an agreement cannot be reached, the match may be stopped and rescheduled when an agreed upon linesperson is available. If needed, captains may interrupt their own game for 5 minutes to be of assistance.
      
8. Disputed Scores - Methods for settling disputed scores, in order of preference:
   
   1. Count agreed upon points and games; replay only disputed points or games.
   2. Resume play from a mutually agreed upon score.
   3. Flip a coin.

IV. Start Time, Scoresheet Exchange, and Forfeits

1. Start time is between 9:00 a.m.and 9:30 a.m.
   
   1. Warm-up begins at 9:00 a.m. The actual match shall start as soon as all players are ready and by the 9:30 forfeit time at the latest. There is no need to wait until the forfeit time.
   2. Three courts must be available by 9:00 a.m.
   3. The line-up sheets shall be exchanged as soon as both captains have all their players present or know the players will arrive before the 9:30 forfeit time.
   4. Forfeit of the first set is at 9:30 a.m. (see forfeit procedure below). The match begins as soon as the late player will arrives on the court. There is no late warm-up after 9:30 a.m.
      
2. Exchange of Line-up Score Sheets.
   
   1. The Line-up shall be based on the team's own order of ability, with the strongest team on line 1.
   2. Line-ups should be exchanged after all players have arrived and are definitely playing, but in any event, exchanged prior to 9:30 a.m.
   3. The players' names must be written down prior to the simultaneous exchange of the line-ups.
   4. Each captain should review the roster against the line-up of the opposing team before play begins to check if all opponents are eligible to play in the indicated position.
   5. Players need not wait until the line-ups are exchanged to warm up because match play will begin no later than 9:30 under any circumstance.
      
3. Tardiness and Forfeits.
   
   1. If a player or doubles team is not on the court and ready to begin play at 9:30 a.m., her team forfeits the first set.
   2. If a player or doubles team is not on the court and ready to begin play at 9:45 a.m. her team forfeits the match. There is no grace period after 9:45 a.m. and a team must forfeit due to tardiness at 9:45 a.m. (also refer to rule IV.D.2.)
   3. In case of injury or "no-show", a player may be replaced with a qualified sub within the scheduled time limit.
   4. In the event of players arriving after 9:30, both captains or their representatives are permitted a 5 minute break to attend to the situation.
      
4. Insufficient Number of Players.
   
   1. As soon as a captain is aware that her team will not be able to field six players, she shall notify the opposing captain. A team shall not delay notification or obscure information in an attempt to manipulate the opposing team's line-up.
   2. If a line 1 or line 2 player(s) is missing, the captain of the full team has the option to have all lines below the missing player(s) line wait until 9:45 to start so she can change her line-up if the opposing player fails to arrive. At 9:45, the team with the missing player must forfeit the match. The forfeit written on line 3.
   3. If the computer will not allow the scores to be entered because of an irregular line-up, contact the Webmaster.
      
      1. In the event of a one-match forfeit, the forfeit is written at the 3rd position, regardless of which players are absent. Both clubs may field any players they choose. All League rules are in effect and both clubs must still line up their teams in order of strength.
      2. If two matches are forfeited, the forfeits are written at the 2nd & 3rd position; the match is written on the 1st line. In this case, 3rd line players can be shown on line 1. The non-forfeiting team may field any players they choose.
   4. In the event of a double forfeit (both clubs missing a team in the same position or otherwise on the day of a scheduled match), both clubs must take a loss.
      
5. Retired Matches. Retirement is when a match cannot be completed beacuse a player is ill, injured or has a personal emergency. The retirement should be shown on the actual line where the match could not be completed as a loss for the team that retired, and a win for the opponents. The match is recorded in the players' stats.

V. Requirements to Move Up or down a Division

1. Requirements to move up and down for Individuals.
   
   1. Statistics are kept on all players, including substitutes. The statistics are reviewed in June. Players meeting the following requirements may only play at, or above, a designated division in the following season in which they participated. They are not permitted to play below that division. This rule applies to both line players and substitutes. Any player who (1) played in 49% or more of the matches at the highest line during a season, and (2) won 85% or more of those matches will be required to play no lower than the next higher division.
   2. The requirement to move to a higher division remains in effect for up to two years if a player does not participate in WTL for one or two years following being required to move up. Upon a player’s return to WTL, her placement is subject to review by the Board.
   3. For players who won on multiple lines, the Board will determine the appropriate line. Players may petition in unusual circumstances.
   4. Number of matches are rounded down to a whole number (i.e., 8.67 is 8 matches).
   5. The Boards 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. Request to move down a division must be sent in writing to the WTL President.
      
2. Requirements to move up for Existing Teams.
   
   1. Only a team that has won their division may apply to the Executive Board to move up to the next division. The Board will evaluate whether a team can move up by considering the following guidelines and other pertinent information, as well as what would be in the best interest of the entire League and each division. The President will notify the teams of the level at which they may play in a timely manner.
   2. Some of the guidelines are whether the winning team:
      
      1. Won their division two consecutive years.
      2. Has a minimum of four players with 80% or higher overall percentage.
      3. Has a winning percentage of at least 20 percentage points higher than the second place team.
         
   3. The Board has the discretion to move the last place team down if there is no room in a level and to move an existing team up a level based on the proposed roster, level of play and diversity of clubs at the level.
      
3. Requirements for New or Reconfigured teams. The level at which a new or reconfigured team play will be determined by the Board, based on the proposed roster, level of play, diversity and number of clubs at that level.
   
   Note: A reconfigured team is defined as two existing teams combining players to form one team or an existing team splitting into two with the addition of new players.

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."

1. Grievances and questions regarding interpretations of rules should be referred to the Advisory/Grievance Committee Chairperson.
   
2. All players should make every attempt to resolve any conflict in a courteous manner.
   
   1. Players should be able to amicably resolve any question 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, but if not, a team may file a grievance after the match using the WTL website.
   3. Every attempt should be made to resolve any conflict in a courteous manner and complete the match. Failure to complete the match will result in a forfeit by one or both teams as determined by the AGC.
   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. 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.
      
3. Sportsmanship.
   If an individual, team or club receives one written grievances regarding sportsmanship, the Advisory Grievance Committee Chairperson will discuss the grievance with their 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 penalties. Should the Committee find valid cause, it 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.
4. Irregularities found after finish of play.
   If an irregularity occurs that was not known prior to the start of play, the irregularity should be brought to the attention of the opposing captain prior to contacting the Advisory Chairperson. If the irregularity is a violation of the League rules, the Chairperson may call a default after the finish of play or refer it to the AGC to decide whether to issue a penalty.
   
5. If the Board or a WTL volunteer is treated abusively by a team member or team through correspondence or in person, the Board has the authority to file a grievance to the AGC.

VII. Cancelled and Interrupted Games

1. Cancelled matches are those that never commenced.
   
   1. In case of inclement weather or other causes outside the control of both teams, the match will be cancelled and rescheduled as soon as possible. Captains must communicate with each other to confirm the cancellation and then notify their team. Captains are responsible to reschedule the rematch as soon as possible.
   2. The same players do not have to play. Any forfeits that would have occurred on the cancelled day do not carry over to the rescheduled date.
   3. All lines should play on the same day and the rematch date is considered as binding as a regularly scheduled match and cannot be changed even with notice.
      
2. Interrupted matches are those that must be stopped after they have begun because of causes beyond the control of both teams.
   
   1. Each individual from the original match must play in the rematch. The scoring and everything else must start at the same point that the original match left off.
   2. All lines do not have to play at the same time. Each line may schedule their own rematch and they must convey all information regarding their rematch to their Captain.
   3. If for any reason, a rescheduled line cannot be played at the time agreed upon, the line that cannot play must forfeit.
   4. When a match is interrupted and cannot be completed, the forfeit should be shown on the actual line where the match cannot be completed.
      
3. Rescheduling matches due to inclement weather.
   To reschedule canceled or interrupted matches, the home team captain will provide three alternative dates and the visiting captain must pick one of these dates. This rematch date is considered as binding as a regularly scheduled match. The three alternatives dates must be offered on the usual day the division plays, but teams can choose to play another day if it is mutually agreeable to both teams.
4. Damp courts (due to rain or heavy mist only).
   
   1. Both teams must wait until 9:45 if there is any possibility that any of the courts will dry. A longer wait is acceptable provided BOTH teams agree to wait.
   2. If any courts are playable, the teams should play on the playable courts and reschedule any matches that could not be played. The matches should be played from the higher lines down unless otherwise agreed by both captains.
   3. If If there are insufficient playable courts, matches that need to be rescheduled may use different players. Any forfeits that would have occurred will carry over to the rescheduled date.
   4. The matches that could not be played should be rescheduled on the same day and the rematch date will be considered as binding as a regularly scheduled match and cannot be change even with notice.
   5. If some of the matches begin, it is considered as a cancelled match and should thereby follow the rules of a cancelled match.

VIII. Winners

A winning team is the team with the highest cumulative scoring during the season. In case of a tie, the scores only from the two matches played between the tying teams are compared. The team with the most points (a maximum of 6) wins. If there is still a tie, the winner shall be the team with the fewest sets lost from the two matches played between the tying teams. Forfeits are counted as a two set win/loss. In case of a tie at that point, the tied teams shall share the win.

Final Count of Matches When An Ineligible Player Has Been Used: In the event that there is a tie at the end of the season, only the head to head round between the two teams in which the ineligible player was not used will be counted.