NORTH SHORE LEAGUE WOMEN'S TEAM RULES
Last Revised August 2008

I. ORGANIZATION
The league consists of 5 divisions:
A. Divisions A and B1 each consists of 4 doubles teams.
B. A1 divisions consist of 8 doubles teams.
C. Working Women's consist of 3 doubles teams

Teams must be aligned according to strength. (revised 8/97)

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II. ELIGIBILITY
A. Men are not eligible to play in the women's league.

B. Players must be 19 years of age or graduated from high school and members or contract players of the club they represent.

C. Players may play for one club during the weekday during any one league season. Once a player has played once for a club, she is a permanent player at that club. A player may, however, play for different clubs outside of the weekday divisions. For example, a player may participate in the Women's A division at one club, Working Women's at a different club, and Mixed Doubles at yet another club.

D. Any player that has played for a team 4 times is considered a permanent member of that team and is not permitted to sub in a lower division or a division of the same level.
E. Substitutes are to be drawn from a sub list and not from a team of greater strength or from the same level. (S) must be circled on scoresheet to indicate a substitute is playing in that position. revised 6/24/04

F. Any player, including teaching pros with a 5.0 or higher rating cannot play in a team below A Upper. Players whose level is challenged may have to get a rating. A teaching pro is one who derives their main source of income from teaching tennis. (revised 6/22/2K)
1 DBH1 players may play or sub in A Upper division. DBH1A may play or sub in A Upper or A Lower Serena.
2 DBH2 players may play or sub in A Upper, A Lower (Serena or Venus), or A1 Upper. (clarified 8/18/05)
3 DBH3 players may play or sub in Division A Upper, A Lower (Serena or Venus), A1 Upper or A1 Lower.(clarified 8/18/05)
4 DBH4 players may play or sub in any Division.
G. A letter of exemption from rules II. F. 1-4 may be submitted for review to women's coordinators PRIOR to match play. (added 8/18/05)
H. Written request must precede a switch from one club to another. Only one switch per year will be allowed. The League Chairperson will consult with both clubs involved in the move and then render a decision. Players must wait for the decision from the League Chairperson before playing for the new club. revised 6/24/04
I. 1 If a player is banned from playing in the NSL for any reason, then it is the responsibility of that player's club to enforce the banned status. new rule 11/04/05
2 Penalities for a banned player particiapting in a a North Shore league match while still under suspension are as follows: new rule 3/10/06
a. All match postitions shall be defaulted. (new rule 3/10/06)
b. Ban shall be extended by 1 full year. (new rule 3/10/06)
c. $500 fine assessed to the club allowing banned player to represent them. (new rule 3/10/06)

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III. MATCH DAYS AND TIMES

A. Matches will be played on regularly scheduled days:
1 Division B1 on Wednesday
2 Division A on Thursday
3 Division A1 on Friday
4 Working Women on Saturday

B. 1 a Women's A, A1, and B1 matches will begin no earlier than 9:00 a.m. and conclude no later than 1:30 p.m. If two teams start their match late as a result of an earlier match that runs late, the two teams shall play only to the scheduled time allotment and not over.

b Working Women's matches will begin no earlier than 9:00 a.m. and conclude no later than 2:00 p.m. but any future changes of times must first be approved by the league. revised 8/24/2K
2 Clubs are responsible for making their exceptions known to the League Chairperson to allow the scheduling to be done accurately.

3 Whenever there are split start times for team matches, the higher position teams will always play first. Any deviations of start times must be approved by the North Shore League.

C. The one and one-half hour time limit must be enforced. In a regular match, play will be continuous, until time expires.
EXCEPTION: Act of God Clause, if for instance the lighting fails during the match, that match will not be counted unless one set has been completed.
D. A game in progress when time expires must be completed.

E. There will be no changing of sides by either team during a set while playing indoors with a time limit. Under extreme circumstances, such as wet courts, the third set, if needed, will be played with teams changing sides on odd games.

F. Extra time will not be allowed for a match with a late start when an earlier match runs over due to a tie-breaker.
All teams should proceed with their warm-up on time despite the fact that an earlier match might still be involved in a tie-breaker.

G. A new game begins when the ball is contacted by the server's racquet on the first serve. (clarified 3/11/99)

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IV. MATCH FORMAT AND SCORING

A. Prior to starting a match, the players should determine how it is to be made known that their time has expired. Players will go by the buzzer. If no buzzer exists, then the players will go by the nearest clock that is within sight.

B. Initial warm-up, including serves, IS NOT TO EXCEED 10 MINUTES. Start of match begins at warm-up. There is no movement of positions after the start of the match. Serves are always to be practiced prior to the start of the match. It is requested that coaches and captains please enforce and remind players to abide by this rule. (clarified 8/2007)

C. The matches will consist of 2 ourt of 3 sets, no-ad, with a 9-point tie-breaker at 6-6.

IV. D. Regarding individual matches, at the expiration of time, if match is incomplete, total games will determine the winner. All non-completed two-set matches should be determined by the total game won. If total games are tied, a 9-point tie-breaker will be played, but that game will not be used to complete a set, but will be considered a game for all other purposes. Score example: 7-6, 5-6, 1-0(5-1). (clarified 5/20/99)

E. During a tie-breaker, players do not change sides and the serving rotation will remain the same as it was throughout the match. (clarified 6/22/2K)

F. Regarding team wins, at the expiration of time, if matches are split 2-2 or 4-4, total completed sets will determine the winner. If total sets are tied, total games will determine the winner. If total games are tied, both teams split the extra point.

G. Depending on the Division, each match earns a single point for that team with a total of 4 or 8 points awarded. An additional point is awarded for a team win (except for Working Women's). Example: In Division A1, team X wins 5 matches, team Y wins 3 matches. The final score will be recorded as 6-3, an extra point being awarded to the X for the victory.

H. Linespersons will not be provided for any North Shore League tennis match. (added 6/5/96)
I. All team line-ups must be turned in simultaneously, prior to the start of the match. (added 6/5/96)

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V. SCORE SHEETS

A. Score sheets are to have both first and last names of players, no initials.

B. A copy of the score sheet will be given to the visiting team captain, a copy is sent to the Official League Scorekeeper, a copy is sent to the Division Coordinator and a copy is kept at the home team club. It is the responsibility of the home club to see that score sheets are postmarked within 7 days of the match or a $25.00 fine will be levied. (revised 6/98)

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VI. DEFAULTS
A. Any teams more than 15 minutes late, but less than 30 minutes late for a league match will get a five-minute warm-up but will default the first four games of the set. The team that is on time will have their choice whether to serve or receive. If more than 30 minutes late, the team will lose the entire match by default and pay the entire court cost. If defaulted match is played, the court fee is waived.

B. If a team defaults prior to the start of a match, all teams move up one position. Should a default occur on the day of the match in a match involving split start times, then the default has to take place within the orginally scheduled starting time. Teams playing at later starting times cannot be forced to change their starting time if the default occurs on the day of the match. Example: Positions 1 and 2 play a Division A match starting at 9:00 a.m. and positions 3 and 4 start at 10:30 a.m. If position 2 defaults on the day of the match, position 3 cannot be forced to move up and play their match at 9:00 a.m. The default would be recorded in position 2 in the example. However, if position 1 defaults on day of match, position 2 will be forced to move up and play their match at 9:00 a.m. (added 8/98)

C. If the default occurs during the warm-up, there will be no movement of positions. (clarified 11/9/2001)

D. If play stops for more than 5 minutes due to an injury during either match play or warm-up, the team with the injury must default.
VI. E. Teams must be aligned according to strength. All teams below a determined illegal team in the line-up will lose by default.

F. Default slips must be completed and postmarked within 7 days of the default. (added 6/98)

G. If a default occurs during a match, the completed game and set scores stand. When the default occurs the set in progress will be awarded to the non-defaulting team. If sets are split, the third set will be awarded to the non-defaulting team. Example: If team X wins the first set 6-4 and has to default in the second set at 2-2, team Y wins the match 4-6, 6-2, 6-0. A default in which no play occurs will be scored 6-0, 6-0. In a case where both teams default, no score will be recorded. If, as a result, the matches are tied, the tie will be broked by counting sets and the total games. If games are equal, the point will be split.

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VII. PROTESTS

A. Any team protesting a match must:

1 Notify the captain of the opposing team within 72 hours of the match.
2 Submit a letter of protest, postmarked within 72 hours of the match, to the Women's League Chairperson.
3 Protests must be signed by author AND a manager, coach or tennis director of club in order for protest to be considered. (added 5/14/03)
B. The opposing club has 72 hours to respond to the protest in writing to the Women's League Chairperson.

C. A decision regarding the protest will be made within two weeks.

D. A protest may be considered if new information has arisen after the expiration of the 72 hour time period.

E. Any team protesting a match must still complete the match. (added 9/17/98)

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VIII. SNOW DAYS

A. Matches will not be played if school is canceled or delayed in either town.

VIII. B. On weekends, during inclement weather where the school cancellation rule does not apply, if either club does not want to play the match, the match will be postponed and made up.

C. In all cases, the club that is cancelling must notify the other club immediately.

IX. MAKE-UP MATCHES

A. Make-up matches will be scheduled with individual arrangements on the designated day or another day agreed upon by both teams. Home team has to contact league chairperson with 3 possible make-up match dates. The league chairperson will notify the other club of the dates and when the positions are playing. If there is no other alternative, make-up matches must be scheduled using the first available vacation week form the date of the postponed match, including Christmas, February and April school vacation weeks. (revised 5/10/2001)

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X. PLAY OFFS

A. League rules will apply to all play-off matches.

B. The top 4 teams in each Division qualify for the play-offs.

C. Players must play in a minimum of 6 matches during the season for one team to qualify for the play-offs for the team.

D. Playoff matches are at their regularly scheduled times with a two hour allowance for matches to be played. If a conflict at the home club exists because of more than one team at the home club being in the playoffs, the home club must notify the visiting club of the time change at least five days in advance of the match. The time change must be within league time parameters, which are a starting time no earlier than 9:00 a.m. and an ending no later than 3:30 p.m. Any situation which cannot be addressed by these provisions may be played outside the 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. parameters only with the League Chairperson's approval. As teams finish their match, the next team to play must be the next number in order. (3 follows 2, 4 follows 3, 6 follows 5 etc.) The second grouping scheduled to play must arrive a minimum of 1 hour after the start of the first groupings match. For example: If match starts at 9:00 a.m., the second grouping must arrive by 10:00 a.m. Failure to do so could result in a default. revised 8/98

E. Schedule of Play:

1 1st place team plays 4th place team; 2nd place team plays 3rd place team.
2 Home team in all play-off matches will be the team that placed highest during regular season play.
3 At the end of the regular season, if teams are tied, play-off positions 1 through 4 will be determined by the following:
a. When total points of individual matches are tied, the total of team match wins will be the next criteria. Example: If team X has won 25 matches and lost 1, them X wins over team Y who won 24 matches and lost 2 in the 26 week season.
b. When "a" above fails to separate the teams, a head-to-head comparison will be made of the regular season matches between team X and team Y. The team who won more matches, sets or games will be the winner.
c. In the case of teams being in 4th and 5th positions and still tied for a play-off position, there would be a play-off match for 4th position.
3 d. If a team defaults from a play-off position (1, 2, 3, or 4), them the 5th place team will be allowed to come in and play the 4th position.
e. Free practice time prior to match play is not permitted.
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F. Play-off Match Format

1 All matches will be played at the regularly scheduled time. Any play-off match time changes have to be made 3 days in advance by notifying opposing club and the division and league coordinators. See XII for current division and league coordinators.
2 Matches will consist of 2 out of 3 sets, no-ad scoring.
3 All matches are to be completed. There is no time limit during play-offs.
4 Each club having a play-off match should reserve two hours for these matches to be played.
X. F. 5 If the two clubs are tied at the end of match play, sets are counted to determine the winner. If sets are tied, games are counted. If games are tied, all teams will go back onto the courts and play a 9-point tie-breaker to determine the winner. If the outcome of the 9-point tie-breakers are tied again, the process will be repeated until a winner is determined. (Individual points in the tiebreakers are not counted.) If a team leaves prior to the tie-breaker play, that team automatically defaults. (clarified 6/22/2K)

6 When a team has been off the court for one and one half hours and has to go back onto the court to play a tie-breaker, a five minute warm-up will be allowed.

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G. Play-off Roster and Line-up Requirements

1 ROSTER: A list of all eligible players and subs for playoffs and the dates of at least 6 matches they played during the regular season. definition added (5/10/01)

a Names must be typed or printed clearly and spelled correctly.
b Rosters are due to the league Scorekeeper, Pat Fox, 10 days prior to the playoff match. (revised 5/10/01)

2 A fine of $50.00 will be levied against any club which does not adhere to items a and b above. The fine will be issued and applied through the Treasurer/Escrow Account. (fine amt increased 5/10/01)

3 LINE-UP: The list of eligible players, listed by position for the playoff match, starting with the first position. definition (added 5/10/01)

a Names must be typed or printed clearly and spelled correctly.
b Line-ups are due to the league Scorekeeper, Pat Fox, 5 days prior to the semi-final match and again 5 days prior to the final match. (revised 5/10/01)
c Any last minute line-up changes must be phoned or faxed to the league chairperson or a defaulted match may result. (added 5/10/01)

4 A fine of $50.00 will be levied against any club which does not adhere to items a, b, and c above. The fine will be issued and applied through the Treasurer/Escrow Account. (fine amt increased 5/10/01)
5 The line-up from the first play-off match to the second may change as long as all players are still aligned in order of strength, and all are eligible for play-off competition.

6 Each play-off team will receive a copy (or a call) of the line-up prior to the scheduled match.

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XI MISCELLANEOUS

A. USTA Code of Conduct will be applied to any situation not covered in the North Shore League rules.

B. Any physical contact between players involved in a North Shore League match, including racquet throwing, will result in the player or players involved being immediately suspended from all North Shore League play for an indefinite period of time.

C. No player shall leave the court or interrupt play during a match unless approved by the opponents.

D. Light refreshments MAY be offered after women's league matches.

E. Women's B1 Lower and A Lower matches may be scheduled to a full 26 matches or more, regardless of playing opposing teams an uneven number of times, to eliminate the byes in the schedule. Revised 6/2005

F. The North Shore League is a NON-COACHING league. This means no hand signals, conversation with coaches or other players during match play. Any violation could result in a default.

G. The Women's A division will be split into three separate divisions. Regular season play will be scheduled over an approximatley 26-week season. Based upon final standings the following will occur, pending league approval.
1 A Upper last place team moves down. revised 6/22/96
A Lower Serena first place team moves up.
A Lower Serena last place moves down to A Lower Venus
A Lower Venus first place moves up to A Lower Serena

2 A1 Upper last place team moves down to A1 Lower.
A1 Lower first place team moves up to A1 Upper.

3 B1 Upper last place team moves down to B1 Lower.
B1 Lower first place team moves up to B1 Upper.

4 Working Women's Upper last place team moves down to WW Lower.
Working Women's Lower first place team moves up to WW Upper.
H. 1 a Use of mobile phones during match play is prohibited. added 6/7/02
b Phones that go off once match has started, which is considered the start of warm-ups, will be a first offense and a loss of point for that team. added 5/14/03
c Second offense will result in a default for that doubles team and be scored as 6-0, 6-0. added 5/14/03

XII. CLUB ASSIGNMENTS FOR WOMEN'S TEAMS
League Chairperson: Kelly Ouellet, Newburyport
Women's Scorekeeper: Pat Fox, fax #978-475-0785

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