2012 USTA/PNW Wild Card Selections
Wild Card teams will be selected as needed to fill out the draw of three, four, six or eight teams and will go to the second place finisher at each level within a particular division (Adult, Senior, Super Senior, Mixed and Sr. Mixed). Please click here to view the 2012 USTA Pacific Northwest Wild Card rotation.
Sanctions to be placed on USTA League total team defaults
Total team match defaults are a violation of good sportsmanship and the Player Agreement that each player agrees to abide by when they register to play in any USTA League. This Player Agreement is an implicit commitment by the player to complete the USTA season in which they are competing and for the team to provide a match for each opponent as scheduled. When a team defaults an entire match it has adverse and sometimes unintended consequences for each and every other team playing in that flight. Players may not be aware that when a team defaults a match, standings may be affected. Teams may be moved up or down in the standings by no fault of their own.
Because of this adverse effect, the USTA Pacific Northwest Section has implemented sanctions to be placed on teams who default entire matches. During local league play, for the first total team default the captain and team will receive a warning. If this team or any other team managed by this same captain defaults an entire match a second time, even if the default occurs in another year or during another season, the captain will be fined $100. This hefty fine is to underscore the severity of defaulting entire matches. The fine increases to $200 if the team default occurs at a USTA League Sectional Championship.
A detailed letter explaining the reason and intent of the newly implemented USTA Pacific Northwest sanctions on USTA League total team defaults was sent to all USTA League Captains. If you have questions or concerns about these new sanctions, please contact your USTA Local League Coordinator.
USTA League Grievance Procedure Information
NTRP Grievance
Any USTA League Coordinator, Captain, or member of a championship committee can file a NTRP Grievance against a player and/or captain. The grievance will claim that the player and/or captain committed or condoned obtaining a Self-Rate lower than the player's true playing ability, or, the player possesses a rating at a lower NTRP level than demonstrated by the player in verifiable match or tournament play. Please continue reading as it is important for you to understand the conditions which are required to be met and the filing deadlines.
Rule, Fair Play and Sportsmanship Grievance
When you register to play USTA League, a condition of your participation is your agreement to abide and be bound by the USTA League Regulations and the standards of good conduct, fair play and good sportsmanship. Team captains shall be held responsible for knowing the USTA League Rules and Regulations as well as the USTA Pacific Northwest Rules and Regulations.
Only the team captain may file a grievance. The grievance process begins by contacting your Local League Coordinator. Refer to section 3.0 of the USTA League National Regulations for more information. Please take time to view a table that details sanctions enforced by the USTA Pacific Northwest.
An important point to remember is to utilize court assistants early. We encourage you to call for assistance on the court early in a dispute as the presence of Court Assistants at the net can often resolve the issue and the need to file a grievance. A request for a court assistant must be made by one of the players participating in the contested match and can be made at any point during that match. A court assistant can be any able and ready person and does not need to be a team member.
All rule and sportsmanship grievance complaints occurring during Local League or Section Championships are referred to the USTA Pacific Northwest Grievance and Appeal Committee. This committee is comprised of 12 persons with representation from each local area. From this committee, three persons are selected to adjudicate a complaint. The committee members are experienced players and captains who are non-biased and live outside the area of which the complaint orginated.
Sportsmanship: Know The Code, read Friend at Court
The Code is essentially a summary of procedures and unwritten rules that custom and tradition dictate all players should follow. No system of rules will cover every specific problem or situation that may arise. If players follow the principles of The Code, 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 principles set forth in The Code shall apply in cases not specifically covered by the ITF Rules of Tennis and USTA Regulations.
In addition to understanding The Code, it is important that players understand the rules of tennis. Friend at Court is the official handbook of tennis rules and regulations, and is a great resource for players to have available to them during a match especially if it is unofficiated. View and/or print Friend at Court and The Code. The Code begins on page 45 of Friend at Court.
USTA Pacific Northwest League Committee
The USTA Pacific Northwest League Committee oversees the rules and regulations for USTA League Tennis in the section. The committee also assists communities with development, training and promotion of USTA League Tennis throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Please click here to learn more about how USTA Pacific Northwest League Committee members are chosen and to learn how you can help enhance the USTA League Tennis experience.