MCTA League Rules

Local League Rules

• 2010 MCTA Unified League Rules - (PDF)  (also read below)
• Appendix to 2010 MCTA Unified League rules

District/Section/National League Rules

•   2010 National League Regulations
•  National Rules Interpretations
• 2010 Mid-Atlantic Section League Rules (rev. 3/2/10)
• 2010 Maryland District League Rules

USTA LEAGUE TENNIS
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND
2010 UNIFIED LOCAL LEAGUE RULES

The Montgomery County Tennis Association administers various USTA League Tennis Programs so that tennis players have multiple, year-round opportunities to compete against other players of the same playing ability. Although competition is spirited, it is expected that each participant in league play exhibit good sportsmanship at all times. To this end, MCTA Leagues have a zero tolerance policy with regard to any physical altercations that occur at any match. Each league participant is expected to know, and is bound by, these Local League Rules, the USTA League Tennis Regulations, the USTA Mid-Atlantic Section League Rules, the USTA Maryland District League Rules, the Rules of Tennis, and The Code: The Players’ Guide for Unofficiated Matches (printed in Friend at Court, published annually by USTA). To the extent that the plain meaning of any Local League Rule may be unclear, it will be construed in a manner to foster good sportsmanship and fair play. 

Primary Rules/Regulations. Except as otherwise delineated or supplemented below, all questions will be resolved in accordance with the current "USTA League Tennis Regulations" and rules of the Mid-Atlantic Section and the Maryland District. Where no written local, District, or Section rule is authorized, approved and explicitly applies, the national USTA League Regulations control. 

Local League Rules. The following shall apply in all MCTA League Tennis programs: 

(A) Team Captains. Every team must have a team captain, who is the person whose name appears as (or in conjunction with) the Team Name as displayed in TennisLink and who is the person that league administration shall communicate with regarding all matters affecting that team. A person seeking to captain an MCTA league team must first file a signed copy of the 2010 MCTA Captain’s Commitment Form with the relevant level coordinator. Further, a person may perform the duties of captain for one team ONLY at any given NTRP level league. In addition, within any one NTRP level league, a person may not captain one team while playing on another. 

Captains are responsible for ensuring that a complete team is fielded for each match of the league season. A player who is scheduled to play a match has a responsibility to show up for that match. Each team shows up to each match expecting to play an opponent. It is a major disappointment to show up to a match only to find out that you have received a default. Even towards the end of a season, if a team is out of contention for the league title, fairness dictates that you show up for your matches since defaults may affect the final league Standings. Finally, it is the Captain’s responsibility to ensure that his/her players know the rules that govern league tennis matches. 

In addition, teams are encouraged to appoint one or more “co-captains” to assist with internal team functions (collection/payment of fees, coordinating practices or player availability, etc.) any ONE of whom also may be listed in the TennisLink Team Captain Report. 

(B) Team Rosters. Official team rosters are maintained on TennisLink. Only those persons who are registered on a team roster are eligible to play in league matches. See Appendix for any roster size limitations that may apply. Players who do not have a computer rating on file in Tennis Link shall self-rate themselves when registering for a team using the on-line procedures embedded in TennisLink. Allowing a captain or other player to register a player on TennisLink does not alleviate the affected player of responsibility for truthful, complete and accurate completion of the self-rating protocol. 

(C) Roster Additions/Deletions. After the deadline for filing initial rosters with the minimum number of players: 

(1) Additional team members may be added at any time during the local season up to and through the date established by Maryland District, but not during local flight playoffs (if any), by registering on TennisLink before the player competes in a match. To avoid disputes, players who seek to play their first match on the same day that they register on that team in TennisLink are strongly encouraged to print an on-line TennisLink receipt and bring it with them to that day’s match. 

(2) Players who have not participated in a match may be deleted from a roster on TennisLink at any time by the Maryland Leagues Administrator upon a request from the MCTA Adult Leagues Administrator, provided the approved Player Deletion Form has been completed in full and submitted by the Team Captain. Players who have played in one or more matches must remain on the TennisLink roster, but may be declared inactive for purposes of compliance with established roster size guidelines by likewise filing a completed Player Deletion Form. Player Deletion Forms are available on the MCTA website (www.mctatennis.org). Completed Player Deletion Forms are accepted by including same as an e-mail attachment sent to: playerdeletions@mctatennis.org. Deleting a player does not alleviate the Team Captain from financial responsibility for all Administrative Fees owed in connection with placement of a player on a team roster. A deleted player is entitled to a reimbursement only if the player has not played in any matches. In this case, the MCTA League Programs Administrator will authorize reimbursement of all fees for which the player is entitled to refund and MCTA is subrogated to the player’s right to recover from USTA Maryland District for that portion of the fees attributable to the District. The TennisLink convenience fee is never reimbursable.  

(3) In no event may a player change rosters within a level league after he/she has played in his/her first league match in that level league. 

(D) Fees. Fees consist of the following: 

(1)    Initial Deposit. Team captains are required to place a refundable deposit with MCTA in an amount equal to the court cost of one team match in order to receive a Team Code for registering players. See Appendix for applicable amounts.

(2)    Administrative Fees: When an individual registers on TennisLink to play in a Leagues program s/he is charged a series of  administrative fees. See Appendix for amount and description. All players must maintain current USTA membership in order to participate.

(3)   Individual Costs: Each captain agrees to be responsible for his/her team’s court costs associated with participation in the USTA League Tennis program. By participating in a team match, a player agrees to reimburse his/her captain for all costs associated with membership on that team as determined by that team captain. Upon notice to the League Administration by a team captain, an individual's failure to pay such costs will result in suspension of eligibility to compete in any MCTA-sponsored League program until such time as all outstanding debts are satisfied. 

(E) Scheduling. Input from captains is welcome regarding the length (# of matches) and structure (e.g., flights, playoffs) of each local level league season. However, MCTA reserves the right to organize each level league as it deems appropriate, including the kind and structure of any local playoffs.  

A copy of the final, binding schedule of play for the local league season shall be maintained on the USTA’s TennisLink site. Each team match shall be played at the time and site designated on the schedule. Re-scheduling of matches is permitted only by the League Administrator or his/her designee (i) in response to a facility-related closure or condition, or (ii) where a Captain advises the Administration of a conflict between a scheduled local league match and a Mid-Atlantic Section or USTA Maryland District league championship event involving 30% or more players on his/her team, any such conflicts being identified to the League Administrator within 10 days of when the captain knows or should have known of the conflict. In no event may a team match remain uncompleted for more than 7 days after the scheduled date or the deadline for completing local league play, whichever occurs first. In the event that the match is not completed, a double default will be entered in TennisLink, unless the MCTA Leagues Administrator determines that the deadline should be extended no more than one additional week. 

(F) Inclement Weather/Hazardous Playing Conditions. 

1.     Outdoor Courts. If an outdoor match is cancelled, or interrupted during play, due to rain or other hazardous condition (e.g., lightning), players shall remain on site for at least 30 minutes (longer if both captains agree) to see if the rain/hazard abates and the courts become playable. If so, the match may resume and be extended, if possible, the length of time of the delay, subject only to court availability. In the event the rain/hazardous condition prevents resumption of play, the following rules shall apply:

a)     The Team Captains shall promptly notify the MCTA Leagues Administration that the match was interrupted or cancelled and the reason therefore, and request a rescheduled match date identifying up to 3 dates agreeable to both teams.

b)     MCTA will reschedule the match indoors on a date the two captains have agreed to, provided courts are available at one of the facilities normally used for league matches; and if not, then as a last resort on Sunday, June 21, or on Sunday-Monday July 5-6; and will revise the TennisLink published match schedule accordingly. No additional fees for this rescheduled match will be charged.

c)     Captains are free to agree to hold the make-up match in an alternate location(s) and/or on an alternate date(s) acceptable to both teams. Teams that select this option are responsible for making all arrangements for courts and for all costs associated with the re-scheduled match(es).

d)     In no event may a team match remain unfinished for more than seven days beyond its scheduled date, nor beyond the deadline for completion of match play for the season as determined by USTA/Maryland District rules and stated in TennisLink “league set-up” screens.

e)     If an outdoor match is cancelled due to inclement weather after line-ups are exchanged but before players complete warm-up or commence play (first service attempt), then captains are free to utilize the same or different line-up at the rescheduled “make-up” match. For any individual matches that have commenced play before the match is interrupted/ rescheduled, those same players must complete their suspended matches, whether played separately or all at the same time, on or before the assigned reschedule date. [See, National USTA’s Questions and Answers (Interpretations) for 2009 League year (updated 021609), page 11].

2.     Indoor Courts. MCTA abides by Montgomery County’s Community Use of Public Facilities (CUPF) determinations whether to remain open during adverse weather conditions (e.g., snow, sleet, extreme heat or humidity, etc.).

a)     If CUPF announces public facilities are closed for evening activities due to inclement weather, then MCTA matches are cancelled, regardless of a facility’s decision to remain open. Captains and players can register on-line with CUPF to receive such notifications directly, or may telephone 240-777-2706 for CUPF recorded announcements.

b)     If CUPF makes no activity closing decision, captains are responsible for contacting the facility to determine whether it is open for play. If open, captains are responsible for ensuring that their teams play, MCTA having already paid for the courts.

c)     For Ladies Day League matches, if public schools announce a “delayed opening,” then matches scheduled at 10:00am will not play, but matches scheduled at 12:00 noon will. If public schools are closed for the day, no LDL matches will play. 

(G) Match structure.

1. Team Match. A team match in each level league shall consist of the approved number of individual singles and doubles matches as stated in the Appendix.

2. Individual Match. Each individual match shall be a fixed timed match, and shall be best of 2 sets with regular scoring and a set tiebreak (first to 7 by a margin of 2) at 6-all in each set. In the event of split sets, a match tiebreak (first to 10, by a margin of 2) shall be played to decide the match. A point in play at the end of the time limit will be completed even if it will affect the outcome of the match. All tiebreaks shall use the Coman Tiebreak procedure. If desired, any level league may elect by a unanimous vote of the affected captains prior to the start of match play to use no-ad scoring for its entire league season.

3. NTRP Ratings. Players may not have an NTRP rating that exceeds the stated level of a straight-level league. In combined rating leagues, the combined NTRP ratings of the players paired in an individual match may not exceed the stated level of that league, nor by national rule may such players have a rating differential between them of more than one point (e.g., a 5.0 player and a 3.0 player cannot play together in an 8.0 league).  

(H) Warm-up Courts. Warm-up courts may be purchased as spot time at a facility where allowed, the same as any other patron. Otherwise, players are not authorized or entitled to early access to courts except with the explicit permission of the facility. 

(I) Match Administration. 

(1)    Balls and Court Assignments. The Home Team Captain shall pick up at the front desk of the facility/club a sufficient number of cans of new, yellow, Type 2 (medium-heavy duty felt) USTA-approved tennis balls to provide one can per individual match actually to be played (balls have been paid for by the league), and makes court assignments for individual matches from among the courts pre-determined and provided by the facility/club. In no instance shall a home team seek the use of other, unassigned courts for a match. If no specific courts have been assigned for a match, the home team can then make a choice from among those deemed available by the facility/club. 

(2)   Exchanging Lineups. Captains or their designated representatives are required to make themselves available at the facility front desk at least 5 minutes prior to the designated start time of the match in order to exchange valid written lineups. Captains should download lineup forms from TennisLink (instructions can be found on MCTA’s website). The form will contain the system-generated, unique Match Code for the match. A valid line-up shall include only those individuals who are listed on the official team roster located on TennisLink and are not ineligible to compete at the assigned facility. A scorecard shall be posted in the facility lobby throughout the match. Each captain is responsible for keeping a complete match scorecard for future reference when entering (or validating) the results on TennisLink, and to facilitate resolution of any data entry disputes.  

If a captain does not exchange lineups on time, the following penalties apply:

·          Both captains equally late = No penalty

·          One Captain late, or both captains late but ready at different times = the penalty accrues when the first captain is ready to exchange written line-ups. The second captain’s team is penalized by loss of toss and 1 game for each individual match. If the written line-up has not been submitted to the other captain by the scheduled time for the start of the match (after considering any delay attributable to Rule I.5.g below), the penalty is default of all matches. 

(3)    Individual Match Forfeits and Defaults.

a.     After lineups are exchanged neither team shall make any substitutions in the scorecard except for injury to, illness of, or disqualification of a player prior to the start of the match. See, USTA League Tennis Regulation 3.01H(4). Forfeits are to be determined in accordance with USTA League Tennis Regulation 3.03 (J-L). A forfeited match will be recorded as 6-0, 6-0 and a notation made on the scorecard that it is a forfeit.  

b.     If a team must forfeit an individual match, it must be the lowest numbered position (whether in singles or doubles) consistent with USTA League Regulation 3.03L. Where one or both players that constitute the #1 or #2 doubles team in the match fail to show up by the end of the 15-minute default period, the remaining doubles teams listed on the scorecard must move up and play in the vacated position(s), with no revision of playing partners allowed. Similarly, if the #1 singles player has not arrived by the end of the default period, then the #2 singles player on the line-up must move up to play the #1 position, and #2 singles is forfeited.  

NOTE: The captain of the team that is the recipient of a forfeit is responsible for ensuring that the forfeit procedure detailed above is followed. If not followed, the match is considered to have been played in good faith. Unless the 2 team captains have agreed on forfeitures in advance, the team seeking to claim a forfeit must have its players present in order to claim the individual match in question. Once a default is proffered, it cannot be withdrawn without the consent of the opposing captain. 

c.     Where both teams have a full complement of players at a team match, court costs are divided equally between the 2 teams. Whenever one or more individual matches is defaulted, the team that defaults pays 100% of the costs of those courts (calculated as that team’s pre-paid, per-player cost for each specific kind of defaulted court, plus their opponents’ per-player cost for those same courts, the latter of which is debited against the defaulting team’s deposit account and credited to the receiving team’s deposit account). The defaulting team captain retains the right to use the vacant court(s) per Local Rule I.5 below. Only Captains (or acting captains) may enter into agreements to share costs of defaulted courts between the two teams. Any such agreement must be reported to MCTA by both captains within 24 hours of the completion of the match. 

(4)   Team Match Defaults.  

a.     A team match may not start unless both teams have a mathematical chance of winning the match point. If the exchanged line-ups do not reflect this possibility, or if one team does not produce sufficient players to have a mathematical chance of winning (even though sufficient names may be listed on the scorecard), that team must forfeit the entire team match.  

b.     In the absence of a binding USTA MAS or USTA MD rule regarding Team Defaults, for purposes of MCTA local league play, USTA League Regulation 3.03M (regarding consequences of a team match default) does not apply with respect to determining a defaulting team’s eligibility to advance to championship play, but the National Regulation does apply in so far as a team match default affects any other team’s eligibility to advance. 

c.     Where an entire team match is defaulted, the defaulting team bears 100% of the costs of all courts reserved for the match, regardless of the presence of one or more team members ready to play. Where a defaulting team incurs court charges, that captain retains the right to use the vacant court(s) per Local Rule I.5 below.  

(5)   Time Management. 

a.     Official Match Time Piece and Who Calls “Time:” Where a facility uses a horn, bell or similar device to announce time, it shall be relied upon as the official timepiece for all matches. Where no such device is operable, then the Home Team Captain shall determine the official timepiece to be used for the match and the Visiting Team Captain shall determine the person responsible for calling “Time” using said timepiece. No other means of time notification to players on court is permitted. Whatever conditions regarding management of time captains agree to for a match (i.e., timepiece to be used and name of designee to call Time”) should be recorded on each copy of the scorecard before match play begins and should be initialed by each captain. Note that where captains disregard these procedures, the local Grievance Committee is unlikely to be able to fairly determine what relief (if any) is appropriate. 

b.     Match Warm-up: Match warm-ups are strictly limited to no more than 15 minutes. No match shall begin later than 15 minutes after the official start time for the match, except that late-arriving players are always entitled to 5 minutes warm-up, and in this instance the start of any affected individual match may be delayed to accommodate such a request. The Visiting Team Captain or designee is responsible for announcing when the warm-up period has expired and it is time to “Begin Play.” By that time, any adjustments in position due to lateness (i.e., defaults) must be made and match play begins promptly thereafter. 

c.     Lateness. Whenever at least one player (or one member of a doubles team) is late (i.e., not on the assigned court), the players shall be penalized in the following manner:

·    Opposing players equally late = No penalty. Double default if neither player arrives by end of the 15-minute warm-up period.
·    Opposing players late but arrive at different times = The penalty accrues upon the arrival of the first player (or doubles team):
          ·    0-5:00 minutes late, opponent loses toss + 1 game.
          ·    5:01-10:00 minutes late, opponent loses toss + 2 games.
          ·    10:01-15:00 minutes late, opponent loses toss + 3 games.
          ·    At 15:01 minutes, opponent defaults the match. 

Except, that a captain or team member who is in the lineup for a particular match and is also acting as captain for that match shall incur no penalty for lateness until 5 minutes has elapsed. Note: a doubles team has not arrived until both players of the team have arrived and are on the assigned court. Thus, if only 1 of the 4 players for a doubles match has arrived, no lateness penalty begins to accrue until both players on a doubles team have arrived.  

d.     Continuous Play Rule: The continuous play rule shall be observed. This means that no more than 20 seconds may elapse between points within a game or between games not involving a change in ends, and no more than 90 seconds may elapse between games where a change of ends is involved (with the exception of the change of sides that occurs after the first game in any set, in which case play is continuous). (Note: the above time intervals are measured from the instant the point is completed to the time when the next server begins his/her service motion.) 

e.     Time Between Sets: As desired by any player, a 2-minute rest period between sets is allowed. 

f.      Bathroom Breaks: Bathroom breaks are limited to a reasonable amount of time not to exceed 5 minutes and are authorized only if truly necessary. An established pattern of requesting Bathroom breaks during the last 15 minutes of the time allotted for a match constitutes unsportsmanlike behavior and may subject a team to Grievance Complaint and penalty. To minimize the potential for gamesmanship, it is advisable for opponents to accompany the team that takes a bathroom break. Teams are encouraged to use the 2-minute set break, and if necessary, the 90-second changeover time, to take whatever bathroom breaks are needed. Plan ahead. 

g.     Interruption of Play. In the case where a match is delayed by the facility due to court unavailability or is interrupted due to an act of nature such as a power failure, the following rules shall apply for all tennis facilities. If the match is delayed/interrupted for 20 minutes or less, play will resume and continue for the full allotted time - i.e., play will continue for the exact amount of time of the delay/interruption past the time when the match would have ended. The starting time of any match scheduled to use the courts following a delayed/ interrupted match shall be delayed by the amount of time of the preceding delay/interruption, not to exceed 20 minutes. If the delay/interruption is longer than 20 minutes (i) a match that was in progress may resume; but (ii) a match that had not yet begun shall be rescheduled if there is another league match scheduled to follow it at the same site; otherwise it may commence if both captains agree and the facility allows. Where both captains agree to resume play, a 5-minute warm-up is permitted. If the match is rescheduled, it must be completed within 7 days and the exact same line-up for both teams must be used in accordance with National League rules (see para. (E) above for provision of an additional week under certain circumstances). Upon completion of all individual matches, the results are reported on TennisLink (see (J) below). 

(6)   Court decorum. All players must abide by the rules, customs and procedures contained in The Code at all times. Spectators are permitted on the court only if both sides agree. In any event, spectators are permitted on adjacent courts if the matches are finished, provided that such spectators come no closer than the centerline of the court they occupy in relation to the court they are observing (in other words, maintain one-half court width distance from any match still in play). Good sportsmanship must be maintained. No spectator, teammate, or team captain, may intervene, offer an opinion, or become involved in any way, in any match that has not yet been completed, except for the calling of “Time” by the Visiting Team Captain or designee, either to begin or end match play on all courts. No coaching is allowed at any time during the match. Having paid for a court(s), that captain may practice on the vacant court(s) provided that players occupy the court continuously; that proper tennis etiquette is followed at all times; and that no disruption or interference to any ongoing match is tolerated.  

(J) Scoring. After the entire match is completed both captains or their designees shall sign both match scorecards, indicating their agreement to the player names and scores recorded thereon. It is recommended that as they finish, the participants of each individual match initial the scorecard to indicate their agreement to their specific match scores recorded thereon. Each captain shall retain one of the signed scorecards for the remainder of the season. Failure to retain a signed scorecard may result in waiver of the right to dispute the results of the match. 

For each team match played, whether or not played to natural conclusion, it is recommended that the Captain of the winning team enter the scores on TennisLink (although either Captain has the right to do so), and per Mid-Atlantic Section rule, scores must be reported within 72 hours after the match is completed. The team that does not enter the scores must confirm/dispute the scores as entered within 48 hours thereafter or it waives any right of challenge regarding score accuracy. In reporting matches on TennisLink, the winner’s score is always reported first. Failure to input the scores in TennisLink as just indicated shall result in the match being scored as a Double Default. Where match results as entered in TennisLink are disputed, the League Administrator shall rule within 7 days after the disputed match has been completed on any challenge, relying primarily upon the signed scorecards retained by the two captains, and promptly thereafter will order any necessary adjustments to the scores reported on TennisLink. As stated in paragraph I.2 above, failure to retain a signed match scorecard may result in a waiver of the right to dispute the results of the match.   

Where individual matches are not played to natural conclusion, the captains shall report scores in TennisLink exactly as they stood on court when play stopped: 

1.     If due to forfeit or default, enter 6-0, 6-0 and use the “Default” code.

2.     If due to injury or physical condition that makes it impossible for a player to continue a match that has begun play, mark the match using the “Retired” code.

3.     If due to expiration of time, mark the match using the "Timed Match" code.   

4.     No individual or team match may end in a tie – the winner will be determined and reported on TennisLink according to the following:  

If in the first set when time expires, the winner of the most games in that set shall be awarded the set and match point. If tied, then the winner of the most games in the entire team match, including any default matches, shall be declared the winner of the match and awarded the match point. 

If in the second set when time expires, and neither team is ahead by two or more games, the winner of the first set shall be declared the winner of the match and awarded the match point. If a team is ahead by two or more games, it shall be awarded that set; and if it also won the first set, then also declared the winner and awarded the match point. If instead, this creates a tie match (“split sets”), then the winner of the most total games in that match shall be declared the winner and awarded the match point. If still tied, then the team that has won the most games in the entire team match, including any default matches, shall be designated the winner and awarded the match point. 

If in a tiebreak in any set or in the deciding match tiebreak when time expires, a team is awarded the set if and only if six or more points have been played and one team is ahead by two or more points. Otherwise, the tiebreak does not count and the match winner is determined by the first of the following to do so: (i) the winner of the most games in that individual match; or (ii) the winner of the most games in all individual matches played.  

If all of the above fail to break a tie, then

v if courts are immediately available, the specific players in any unfinished match(es) should play a new 10-point Match tiebreak to determine the outcome.
v If courts are not immediately available, then report this fact to the League Administrator or his/her designee, who shall promptly assign a date, time and place for the two teams to play a 10-point Match tiebreak to determine the outcome. Any player listed on the team roster may be selected to play the alternate date “super match tiebreak.” Where the undecided individual match is a singles match, the super match tiebreak shall be a singles tiebreak, and where the undecided individual match is a doubles match, the super match tiebreak shall be a doubles tiebreak. Players are entitled to a 10-minute warm-up prior to playing a super match tiebreak. 

(K) Calculation of League Standings.  The winner of each NTRP level league shall be that team that accumulates the greatest number of team match points over the course of the league season (unless a local playoff system is announced for that level in advance of regular season play), subject to any adjustment required as a result of Rule I.4.b regarding Team Match defaults. One "team match point" is awarded to the team winning a majority of the individual matches played in any scheduled team match. In the event of a season-end team match point tie, a level winner will be determined using the rules, steps and procedures described in USTA League Regulation 3.03I. Where more than one team is eligible to advance to championship competition, teams shall qualify in descending Standings order for such advancement.  

(L) Grievances/Appeals. 

(1) Local League Grievance Committee

As required by Mid-Atlantic Section and Maryland District rules, and pursuant to USTA League Regulations Rule 2.01A(1), a Local League Grievance Committee (LLGC) is hereby established to receive and adjudicate Grievances arising out of all MCTA-sponsored USTA League Tennis programs. Such Grievance Complaints shall be governed by USTA League Tennis Regulation 2.02A. Local League Grievance Complaints and/or Appeals must utilize the approved form available on the MCTA website, and are submitted electronically to: leaguegrievances@mctatennis.org 

In conducting its business, the LLGC shall use the procedures described in Rule 2.02C and Rule 2.02E without exception. As more fully described in Rule 2.02E(2), the LLGC has broad authority to correct any rules violations it may find by "reasonable means, including the suspension of an individual or team." This authority extends to possible sanctions against players or teams against whom Grievance Complaints are filed in which allegations of poor sportsmanship (which may include but is not limited to repeated line call challenges; accusatory language; inappropriate, threatening, unacceptable behavior on the court and toward partners and opponents; screaming; cursing, etc.) are made. Depending on the facts and the committee’s ability to corroborate them, one Complaint may be sufficient to warrant penalties. The Committee retains all Complaints filed. Even where the facts are disputed, the filing of 2 or more Complaints by separate Captains against the same team or individual player within any 12-month period, whether within the same league division or not, suggests a pattern of unacceptable behavior that will trigger a Committee investigation and can result in disciplinary action.

Any appeal of a LLGC decision must be filed in writing or by e-mail with the person identified by, and within the time period established by, the LLGC in its written decision.

The LLGC shall consist of 6 members nominated by the Montgomery County League Administrator based on an interest in serving, an appreciation and clear understanding of rules and procedures, demonstrated skills in mediation and negotiation, and availability. LLGC members shall serve for a 1-year period and may succeed themselves without limitation. The Administrator will nominate one person to serve as Chairman of the Committee. No less than 3 of the 6 members of the LLGC will decide each and every grievance. If for any reason a conflict of interest may be perceived if an LLGC member were to participate in a particular grievance decision, s/he shall recuse him/herself. In nominating persons to serve on the LLGC, the Montgomery County League Administrator shall take care that all nominees are active participants in one or more of the MCTA-sponsored USTA League Tennis programs. The Sectional League Coordinator, as required by USTA League Regulation 2.01A(1), shall approve each nominee. In the event that 1 or more nominees to the LLGC are not approved by the Section, the Montgomery County League Administrator shall submit additional candidates for approval until 6 such persons have been qualified and approved to serve.  

(2) Local League Grievance Appeals Committee

Pursuant to Maryland District rules, the Local League Grievance Appeals Committee (LLGAC) is established to consider and rule on all appeals of LLGC decisions. The committee shall consist of 5 persons including a person who shall be nominated by the MCTA League Administrator to serve as the Chairman. The members of the committee are subject to the approval of the Section League Coordinator. No member of the LLGC may be a member of the LLGAC. LLGAC members shall serve for a 1-year period and may succeed themselves without limitation.The LLGAC shall operate according to the procedures and authorities detailed in USTA League Regulation 2.03B, and shall have the power to affirm, modify or reject a decision of the LLGC. If the LLGC has imposed a penalty, the LLGAC may not impose a harsher penalty. The decision of the LLGAC is final and binding on all parties.The LLGAC shall send a copy of its written decision to the grievant and other interested parties and to the Maryland District League Administrator. 

(3) 2010 Committee Members. The names of all persons serving on the Local League Grievance Committee and the Local League Grievance Appeals Committee shall be posted on the MCTA website upon their approval by the Sectional League Coordinator. 

(M) NTRP Complaints. Complaints alleging NTRP violations must be filed with the Mid-Atlantic Section Leagues Coordinator. Original complaints are limited to a request for “Player Review” to confirm whether a player has met the requirements for disqualification under the Dynamic NTRP methodology. Appeals of any player disqualifications are governed by USTA League Tennis Regulations Rules 3.04. 

(N) “Self-Rate Eligibility” Grievance. To protect against potential abuses of the NTRP self-rating system, the National USTA League Tennis Committee has issued “Fair Play Guidelines” which provide a remedy for flagrant cases of mis-rating. Flagrant mis-rating is defined as a player who self-rates at one NTRP level when the player’s actual skill level is at the top of the next NTRP level or higher. The National Leagues Committee considers such acts to be a violation of the standards of good conduct, fair play and good sportsmanship, to which all League players are bound per Regulation 2.02. As a result, such acts are subject to grievance complaint. A complaint may be filed by a captain, coordinator, or member of a championship tournament committee against the player and/or captain who enters or condones entering the Leagues program at one NTRP level when the player's actual skill level is at the top of the next NTRP level or higher. The timeliness requirements of Rule 2.02C(3) also apply.