Setting Up Your Match
Match Scheduling
Players have one scheduled match per week. A week of play begins Monday and Ends on Sunday. Players must complete their assigned matches by the Score Reporting Deadline.
Both players are responsible for contacting each other by the Friday night before their assigned week of play
If a player does not respond to his opponent's phone calls or is unavailable for any reason to schedule the match by the Friday before their assigned week of play they can be defaulted. - See "Defaults" below.
Gladiator Tennis is using a flexible match scheduling format that allows you to schedule matches when it's convenient. However, because the majority of the players work, players must follow the nights and weekend playing times outlined below.
Matches can be scheduled outside of the Nights and Weekend time periods only if it is mutually agreeable to both players.
Schedule your matches using the following 4 step system below.
- Step 1. Suggest to your opponent what days and times would be most convenient for you to play. If you find a mutually agreeable day and time, then schedule the match.
- Step 2. If you can't find an obvious mutually agreeable time to play, each person must then offer 3 different days to play. Start times for matches must be offered during the following reasonable and customary time periods:
Monday - Friday 5:00pm - 8:00pm
Saturday - Sunday 9:00am - 7:00pm - Step 3. If an agreement cannot be reached the player who is most available during the assigned week has 3 options:
Option #1. Reporting a default win and receiving 10 points
Option #2. Recruiting a sub to play against (See “Subs” section)
Option #3. Taking a Rain Check (See “Rain Check” section)
The less available player has 2 options:
Option #1.Recruiting a sub to play in his place (See “Subs” section)
Option #2.Taking a Rain Check (See “Rain Check” section)
Matches may always be played ahead of schedule!
This is encouraged if you know in advance you will be unable to play certain weeks. Example: A week #5 match can be played in weeks #1-4.
Matches may not be played beyond the Score Reporting Deadline or they will be counted as a zero. The only exceptions to this rule are sub matches against "Withdrawn players" (see “Withdrawn Players” section), and using the Rain Check (See “Rain Check” section).
Why Scoring Deadlines?
The Gladiator Tennis League match format is intended to provide a balance between flexibility and structure that works well for most people's schedules. Time limits are an absolute necessity for the league to function properly and keep players on track. Without due dates, even as few as two players delaying matches until the end of the season would lead to massive defaults paralyzing entire divisions and creating widespread frustration. With the advent of time limits, non-responsive players can be replaced early in the season preserving play for our active members. Gladiator Tennis has the reputation of a "player's league", where members are responsive and uphold their commitment to complete their matches. Please note: if hard deadlines were not absolutely necessary for the league, they would not be required. Thank you for your understanding and your commitment.
Home Court Location
Your home court location, not your street address, will be used to determine which division you will be placed in.
The ideal is for all Gladiator Tennis members to drive no more than 20 minutes to their away matches. This will not be possible for some of you who live in the outlying areas of the suburbs. If you live outside of the area of our court locations, you will be required to choose a home court location that is listed on the website. All home court locations will be approved by the league coordinator.
From season to season, players should expect to be playing out of the same general area but not necessarily in the same exact division or with the same players. Players may be moved up or down to another skill level, depending on their performance. As the league grows, new divisions are forming, which will also cause players to switch divisions.
Each player will play 3 or 4 of the 7 matches for the season at his/her home court. “Home” matches are shaded in gold on the schedule.
Division Size
The number of players in each division can range from 4-12 players. By varying the division sizes we can keep people who are from the same part of town together and dramatically reduce the driving time for our members. Because all players must play the same number of matches each season, in smaller divisions there may be some players you play twice. In larger divisions there will be some players you don't play. You may have a slightly harder or easier schedule than someone else in your division. Keep in mind this same slight variation occurs in every league due to simple geography. If stronger players sign up from your area this season, you will have a tougher schedule than if you had played in a neighboring division. The next season, the opposite could occur. Thus the slight variations in strength of schedules are a natural occurrence. However, the overwhelming advantages flexible division sizes offer are very real. They provide the opportunity for both a greater variety of players in each division and dramatically reduced drive times.
Can't Contact Opponent
If you can’t contact your opponent, it’s possible that there has been an update to your division. If there are any updates to your division, you will immediately be sent an email with a new schedule and/or Contact Info List. Updates may include new phone numbers, email address, withdrawn players, sub players, and new replacement players.
If you have attempted to contact your opponent at least twice at all listed numbers, and received no reply by Friday before your assigned week of play, you may choose from one of the following options:
- Option #1. Playing a match against a sub you recruit. (See "Sub Players" section).
- Option #2. Reporting a default win and receiving 10 points.
- Option #3. Using the Rain Check (“See Rain Check” section) so that the match can be made up after the score reporting deadline.
- Option #4. Continuing to attempt to contact your opponent, up to the Score Reporting Deadline.
Please DO NOT call/email the league coordinator to ask what to do. Choose an option and move on to scheduling your next match.
Subplayers
If you will be unable to compete certain weeks, it is your responsibility to call a sub to play in your place.
You will receive points based on the substitute player's results, "win or lose", just as if you played the match.
If your opponent has to find the sub for you, you will receive zero points for the match.
A "sub" can be any Gladiator Tennis player at your skill level. Even regular players from other divisions that are not listed as a sub may be contacted and used as subs. You can also refer to the “sub list”, located on the members’ page, which lists all the sub players at every skill level.
If you have a substitute player play a match for you, it is your responsibility to find out the results and report the score by the Score Reporting Deadline.
Note:
All matches against subs count towards your point standings and Wildcard Points Race but do not count toward your rating. This means for rating purposes only you are being graded on 6 instead of 7 matches. The reason sub matches are not counted towards a players rating is:
- 1. Players can choose their own subs.
- 2. Substitute players may not be motivated to play as hard as if the match counted towards their point total.
Withdrawn Players
If your opponent has withdrawn from your division, you must select one of the following options:
- Option #1.
Playing a sub (You have the entire season to play a sub or the replacement player, if one has
been added.) - Option #2. Reporting a default win and receiving 10 points.
Defaults wins must be reported before the last day of the season. The League Coordinator will record “sub postponed” on the schedule until the match has been played and reported.
The League Coordinator will try to replace the withdrawn player as soon as possible.
If you know of a friend that is at the same level and might like to fill in the open position (at no charge), please contact the league coordinator ASAP.
If a withdrawn player is replaced with a new player, you have the option of replaying this match anytime during the regular season. (See “Replacement Players” section).
Please DO NOT call or email the League Coordinator and ask what to do when your opponent has withdrawn due to injury or other reason. This is a normal occurrence in any league. Choose option #1 or #2 above and move on to scheduling your next match.
Replacement Players
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Replacement Players may enter your division after the season has begun. All Replacement Player information will be found on a new schedule and Contact Info List, emailed out to all players in the division by the League Coordinator.
- 1. Play at least 4 matches,
- 2. They earn enough points in the Wildcard Points Race for a wildcard spot.
To help Replacement Players make up matches behind schedule, current players have the following option. Current players who agree to replay a match that they have already completed, can keep the score from the match yielding the most points. Replacement Players must first contact the current members to see if they have time to replay the match. If the current member does not want to replay the match, the Replacement Player may recruit a sub to play against to complete the match. These matches behind schedule can be played anytime before the end of the season.
Replacement players may qualify for the playoffs if they meet the 2 criteria below: