2007 Adult Handbook

As a grand "thank you" for all the hard work and dedication shown by those selfless, fearless people who serve as team captains, we are holding an 'only-in-NorCal' prize drawing for everyone who steps up and captains a league team for the 2007 championship year. We are awarding a four-day, three-night trip for two to the 2007 US Open during Labor Day weekend. The prize includes airfare, hotel and tennis tickets. There is no entry form to fill out, all you do is register as a team captain for Senior, Super Senior 60 and 65, Mixed, Fifty Mixed and Adult leagues. The winner will be chosen in May 2007.

In addition, all first-time captains will receive a 2007 US Open towel as a special "thank you."

For more information, please contact Bob Manalo.

The Captain's first job is registering the team.

You need courts, players, basic email competence, and inner strength.

Courts: You need a home facility. Some of our teams come from private clubs, others arrange to play at public parks. Either is fine. You need the ability to reserve courts for each of your home matches, for the number of individual matches and for the length of time it will take you to play a full match. Most team matches consist of three individual matches. Team matches in the Adult league at all levels except 2.5, 5.0, 5.5 and OPEN, have five individual matches.

It is reasonable to allow 75 minutes for each individual match. You can schedule your matches in different ways:

All five teams can start at one time. You should have a reservation for 75 minutes on all five courts.

You can split your start time:

Adult League 3.0-4.5: playing 3 teams and then 2 teams or 2 teams and then 3, or 4 teams and then 1, or 1 team and then 4.

All other leagues, 2 teams and then 1 team, or 1 team and then 2 teams.

Most teams find that a three hour reservation block comfortably covers two individual matches played sequentially.

You may NOT register your team at a facility with the intention of playing all your matches as the away team. The facility you designate must have reservable courts for your use for your home matches.

You may NOT register a team at a facility in one area with the intention of playing your home matches in another area.

Q:	What if I register a team at one site, and then want or need to relocate my team?
A:	If this is during the registration period, just let us know and we'll change your registration. If this is after the registration period closes, you may move to another facility, but only to a facility in your original area. Again, just let us know and we'll change your name.
Q:	What if something happens during the season to the courts I am using, like unexpected damage necessitating resurfacing, or the Park Department cancels my reservation?
A:	Not a problem. For unforeseen circumstances you may either arrange to play that match at a nearby site, or you may ask your opponent if you may be the away team for that match.
Q:	How do I contact NorCal?
A:	Call (510) 748-7373, ask for Leagues or email: leagues@norcal.usta.com.

Players: You need enough players to field a team for each match, to get through the season. Do not register a team unless you have enough committed players! If you register a team and then your plans change, or you lose some of your players, let us know right away. As long as you tell us to drop your team before the end of the Team Registration period, there is no problem. When we close registration and begin the scheduling process, we assume that all the registered teams are good to go. There are severe sanctions for pulling a team out after the registration period closes, so if you have any doubts about your team coming together, do not register it until you are absolutely sure!

USTA regulations require a minimum of 8 players on an Adult League team, six on all other league teams. The minimum is not enough! While you are allowed to default two out of five, or one out of three individual matches, that is not much fun. You have no room to wiggle and must win everything to take the match. This is called pressure. Your opponent may be delighted to have such an advantage, but more often the other team is disappointed because they had a full line-up of players who wanted to play.

So, what number of players is just right? There is no one correct answer, but consider these things:

What is your team philosophy? If you are a group of players eager to enjoy tennis, meet new players and move through the League season without the pressure of trying to be the best in your division, a large team on which everyone gets to play a couple times might be just fine. If you are a group of gung-ho players hoping to do really well and advance to post-season play, your plan may be to field the best team possible for every match, in which case a smaller team might work better.

If you have fewer than 12 players, you had better pray for no injuries, no vacation plans, and no kid emergencies. You will need players who have no families because they will be so busy playing they will not have time for families. You need players who make Roger and Serena look like wimps. You will need players who have no interest in anything except tennis, since they will be doing nothing else. And your role will be that of a slave master who makes threatening telephone calls to get your players to show up for another match. Get the picture?

Final consideration: Players may and do join more than one team. It is important that you understand how this impacts your team:

East Bay Joe with a 3.5 rating may join a 3.5 team, and a 4.0 and 4.5 and 5.0 team if he wants! No limit on how many different-level teams in his area, as long as they are teams at or above his rating level. (and good luck finding a 5.0 team that wants him...) Joe may also join another 3.5 team (or 4.0, or 4.5 etc.) but only if it is in a different area.

While players have enjoyed the opportunity to play on more than one team, captains have reported problems to us that have to do with what they described as their players' "loyalty" or "commitment." There will be weekends when you have been counting on Joe for a critical match, and it turns out that his other captain got him first. Be sure you discuss with your multi-team players just what your expectations are, and what their definition of commitment is. This could save you misunderstandings down the line.

Inner Strength: Being captain is hard work. You should have good organizational skills, basic computer skills, a devoted co-captain and an understanding spouse. Being captain takes time and energy: to organize and register the team, complete a roster, schedule matches, do line-ups, preside over matches, re-schedule matches, enter and verify scorecards. You will be dealing not only with your players but with opposing captains as well. While most matches will run very smoothly, there may be some problems-prickly opponents, late arriving players, rule misunderstandings, weather snafus. Some captains come back to us year after year so we know that there are rewards: satisfaction with a good season, appreciative players, the respect you win from other captains, and your personal sense of accomplishment.