Cross Gates Ladies Tennis Association

Cross Gates Ladies Tennis Association Rules

(Revised September 2006)

1.    Membership:

1.1.  Members must pay $7.00 annually in order to vote, play on the ladder, and hold a line.

1.2. Each CGLTA member has the right to vote on all proposals.  New proposals may only be brought up at meetings. Every CGLTA member will receive a ballot. The secretary will post the proposal(s) within three days.  The ballot box will be available for two weeks.  A simple majority is needed to pass a proposal.  The Rules Chairman, Board, and any interested party, will count the votes on the designated date. Results will be posted on the tennis board. When a proposal is passed during the year (August - May), it will go into effect until May of the following year. At the end of this time period, the subject may be brought up for vote again.  An appeal before this time must be made in writing.  Cross Gates Manager and the Director of Adult Tennis reserve the right to make any changes they deem necessary.

2.    League

2.1. Members not available to travel for matches may not hold a line.

2.2. A player must play 2/3 of her Northlake matches to hold a line the following year. This excludes maternity and serious injury or illness exceeding six weeks.

2.3. Players will choose which league(s) they want to play and shall play according to their position on the ladder.

3.    Substitute Rules

3.1. Subs will be used according to ladder positions except when teams below them have signed to play on that league.

3.2.  Single subs are to be rotated.

3.3. Crescent City League:   "A" and “B” team Lines 1-4 may use a single sub if she has a higher USTA ranking.      If no ranking available, see Club Pro.

3.4. Northlake League:  Use single subs for Lines 1-2 if USTA ranking is higher than ladder positions.

4.      Ladder Rules:

4.1.         The ladder book will be posted on the first of each month at 9:00 a.m.

4.2.        The challenger (team on right) must contact the challengee (team on left) within 48 hours of posting or match will be forfeited.

4.3.        The challengee must give the challenger 4 match days and times within 48 hours of contact or match will be forfeited.  Challenger will choose one day within 48 hours.

4.4.         Ladder matches consist of one challenge match per month for the months of September, October, January, February and March.  There will be one challenge match for the month of April, but it must be played on or before April 23rd.

4.5.         Matches must be scheduled Monday-Saturday before 4:00 p.m.  Only if all dates and times are exhausted, and all four players agree,  can matches be played after 4:00 p.m. or on a Sunday.   Challenge must be completed within 4 weeks.  If players cannot agree on match time, the Director of Adult Tennis will intervene.

4.6.          The challenger will bring new balls and make the court reservations.

4.7.          Winning teams will record scores and circle their names in the Doubles Ladder Book.

4.8.         In case of rain on match day, teams are to try to work out an alternate day and time to play the match.  If that is not possible, a spin of the racquet will determine the winner.

4.9.         Any team that forfeits three consecutive matches will be dropped from the ladder.

4.10.      A team does not have to accept a challenge at a location other than Cross Gates.

4.11.     USTA rules apply to all matches.

4.12.     A 15-minute grace period will be enforced using the Pro Shop clock (USTA rule).

4.13.     Any infraction of the ladder rules will be brought to the attention of the President, Ladder Chairman, or Rules Chairman.

4.14.     A bye will be inserted if a team drops off the ladder during the closed ladder period.

4.15.     If a team wishes to get off the ladder after April 30, it can do so and still hold its line until the end of the season. 

4.16    If a team wishes to get off the ladder at any time, the Ladder Chairperson must be notified.        

4.17.    RULES FOR OPEN CHALLENGES

 Spring Open Challenge Period is April 24 - July 20

 Fall Open Challenge Period is November 1 - 30 

          1.    Before the challenge is issued, the challenger must verify with the Ladder Chairperson that the challengee is              officially on the ladder and has no outstanding challenges in the Doubles Ladder Book.           

2.      Teams currently on the ladder may make open challenges.  However, they must get off the ladder to do so.  If a team is challenged before it gets off the ladder, it must play that challenge first.

3.      Write the challenge and the date in the Doubles Ladder Book. Call the challenged team on the same date.   

4.      The challengee will give three (3) dates.  Match must be played within three (3) weeks. 

5.      Open challenges must be issued no later than June 30 and the match played by July 20 for the Spring Open Challenge Period. For the Fall Challenge Period, the challenge must be issued no later than November 7 and played by November 30. 

6.      All teams wanting to hold a Northlake League line must be on the ladder absolutely no later than two days before the Northlake letter of intent is due.  Anyone getting on the ladder after the aforementioned date will be eligible to sub.

7.       A team can accept only one challenge at a time.  

8.      A team may not get on ladder through forfeit; however, a team may get on the ladder through retirement (injury during match).

9.       Existing teams need only play three (3) challenges during the Spring Open Challenge Period and need only play one (1) challenge for the Fall Open Challenge Period.

10.       Failure to accept and play an open challenge will result in the challenged team dropping one line.

11.  Open challenges may only be refused due to serious injury.  If the injury exceeds six weeks, the team must get off the ladder.

12.  Teams not previously on the ladder and new players to the club may, under extenuating circumstances, petition the Director of Adult Tennis.  All decisions are final.  New teams may sign onto the bottom of the ladder at any time.

5.   Grievances:

A grievance may be filed if a member feels that an injustice has occurred with a CGLTA member or team.  An explanation of the grievance must be submitted in writing to the Director of Adult Tennis and the Board.  All decisions are final.

NOTE:   USTA rules apply.  For a copy of USTA rules, go to www.usta.com or see a club pro.