Hi Ladies,

Another great outdoor tennis season has ended. Our final event of the year was Saturday, Oct. 7th and it provided fun tennis and social time. Thanks to all who participated.

At the business meeting, we voted on the changes proposed and described in the last newsletter. There was much discussion on changing the number of positions ahead you can challenge on the ladder. To summarize the results of the voting, it was decided to keep the current number of positions at 5. One change that was adopted was to allow you to skip over those names you cannot challenge because they will be turned over within the week. That should provide more opportunities to challenge ahead and move up the ladder.  The other changes that were approved were related to the clarification of line calls and forfeits. Following are the rules which had changes:

MAKING CHALLENGES

1.  On June 1, the ladders will be established.  You may challenge any of the five names above your own.  You may skip over any players turned over when counting five positions.  Challenges may not be made to a player/team who has less than 7 days before they are turned over.  However, you may not skip over these players as they are counted in the five positions ahead.  If you win the match, your name goes in your opponent’s place and they move down the ladder one position.  The winner will report match results within 24 hours.  Updated ladders will be posted on the website.

2. The top 4 positions on the ladder are eligible to challenge onto the next highest ladder, up to a maximum of 5 positions above their own. For example, if you are in the top position on the B ladder, you may challenge as high as the 5th position on the bottom of the A ladder. The top 5 positions on the A ladder are eligible to challenge up or down; this gives them equal opportunity to play and earn MIGS points. You must count both up and down to determine your 5 eligible positions to challenge. For example, if you are the 3rd position on the A ladder, you may challenge the 1st and 2^nd positions above or 4th, 5th and 6th positions below.

5. Challenges may be made via e-mail, text or phone. If no response is received in 24 hours, challenge again using an alternative means. If no response is received in the second 24 hour period, a forfeit will be given. Play the match within 7 days of the time it was accepted. If challenged, the person challenged must give the challenger at least 3 different reasonable days and times to play the match, including at least one evening or weekend time. Reasonable starting times are between 8am and 8pm. Otherwise, the challenged player must offer a forfeit. the match is forfeited. Similarly, the challenger must respond back to the challenged player within 24 hours to say which date and times are best to schedule the match. Otherwise, the challenged player may move on and make or accept another challenge. You can turn down a challenge only if you have already accepted a challenge from behind. If you have a challenge from behind in singles you still need to accept a doubles challenge and vice versa.

PLAYING MATCHES

4. Official tennis regulations should be observed in all matches, with the exception of foot faults, which may be pointed out but not called. If you are not sure whether a ball

was clearly out, you must call it good. The side of the net the ball is on declares in or out.  If doubles partners disagree on a call, the point is awarded to the opponents. Don’t replay the point.

FORFEITS

3. Challenges may be made via email, text or phone. If no response is received in 24 hours, challenge again using an alternative means. If no response is received in the second 24 hour period, a forfeit will be given. Play the match within 7 days of the time it was accepted. If challenged, the person challenged must give the challenger at least 3 different reasonable days and times to play the match, including at least one evening or weekend time. Reasonable starting times are between 8am and 8pm. Otherwise, the challenged player must offer a forfeit match is forfeited.

4. Once a match is officially scheduled with a mutually agreed upon date and time, if either team finds out later that they cannot play, then that team must offer a forfeit the

match is forfeited. Points will be awarded to the non-defaulting team, and ladder changes will be made if necessary.

The following officers were elected to the board for next year:

President - Tori Jepsen

Vice President - Ellyn Ryan

Treasurer - Sherri Wolff

Secretary - Wendy Varygiannes

Membership Coordinator - Lisa Fitzgibbon

Park District Liaison - Kathy Streit

Website Coordinator - Ann Iremedio

Janet Joyce will serve as Ex-Officio

Congratulations to the winners of the Highest MIGs Points awards.  Wendy Varygiannes won as a veteran member with 41 points. Our new member winner is Linda DeNardis with 16 points. Great job!

Our organization is successful because of the wonderful group of volunteers who make it run so well. Thanks to all of you who have chaired events. We couldn’t do it without you. If you would like to get more involved by volunteering next year please contact Ellyn Ryan. We are always happy to have new people help out.

Thanks to all of our members who participated and helped to create congenial, enjoyable experiences for everyone. We hope to see you all back next year. Bring a friend too. Have a great winter. Stay warm and safe. Look for your membership newsletter early next year.

PRWTA Board