Good Sportsmanship

BY CHEQUETTA ALLEN, FIRST VICE PRESIDENT

ALTA takes great pride in the longstanding tradition of good sportsmanship during all aspects of league play, and it has remained a top priority among the ALTA volunteers for decades. We love hearing the stories from our members who take the time to share a great experience of an opponent going the extra mile on and off the court. ALTA rewards these acts of kindness and sportsmanship with the ALTA Sportsmanship Award. Here are a few of the stories from previous ALTA seasons.

Dellinger Park

Senior Mixed A5

Captain: Lawanna Wilson

Nominated by Alice Billups, captain at Sugar Creek

Our teams had some competitive matches at Sugar Creek during playoffs. I would like to recognize Dellinger Park for their wonderful sportsmanship, from the players to the fans. Everyone was complimentary and giving props to each other. The weather was beautiful, and the overall attitudes of the players and fans was as well. At the end of the matches, everyone shook hands, and some even shared hugs. The folks from Dellinger wished us well in our next playoff round. I can honestly say, it was a great day, and everyone left with a smile.

Academy Park

Senior Mixed B3

Captain: Scott Harrison

Nominated by Kate Olsson, captain at Hamilton Commons

It was late on a Friday afternoon, and one of my players called to say she was sick and unable to play the next morning. The only available player I had could be on the court only if the match began at 9 a.m. (an hour earlier than the normal match start time.) The weather forecast was for 32°. I texted the opposing captain about starting the women’s doubles at 9 a.m. and 15 minutes later, he had already checked with his players, and they said they could do it! Also, when we played, his entire team was extremely nice, and it was a wonderful day of tennis. The weather even cooperated.

Rivermist

Mixed Doubles B6

Player: Pete Fox

Nominated by Beth Stewart, player at Woods of Parkview

After a cold match, I was emptying the trash. Our trash can did not have a trash bag in it. It was filled with garbage and rainwater. I dumped it out, got a trash bag, and Pete volunteered to pick up the wet, moldy trash. I was so thankful. I had just finished playing line 5, and my husband and I were locking up the facility and making sure all of the trash was empty. It was starting to rain. Pete certainly did not have any responsibility to help, but he did. I would like to nominate him as a super sportsman!

Georgetown Senior Mixed C1

Captain: Martin Chen

Nominated by Darlene Caldwell, captain at Saddle Ridge Lake

When it was necessary to reschedule a Saturday Senior Mixed League match this past winter due to the funeral services of a former teammate, we were fortunate to find our opponent more than willing to work with us. Contacting Martin Chen, Georgetown’s captain, a week in advance, I received an immediate response that he and his team would do anything possible to play the lines early. Martin stayed in constant contact until all four lines were scheduled to play. He and his entire team were beyond understanding of our issue, and each player sincerely expressed condolences for the loss of our tennis friend. Georgetown’s willingness and graciousness (even playing lines on a holiday) displayed an example of sportsmanship that ALTA should recognize. Our team was greatly touched, humbled, and honored by their cooperation.

Player Not On Roster

I tried to enter the scorecard, but one of my opponents’ players wasn’t listed in the drop-down menu options. I chose “Player Not On Roster.” What’s the deal?

Gina Clance, Senior Leagues VP

Occasionally, if a player isn’t listed on the team roster, it means that person has not been added to the roster and thus, is an illegal player. More often, this means the captain used a different name on the scorecard than is listed in the ALTA database. People get married or go by nicknames, and when scorecards are handwritten or printed from a program other than the ALTA Lineup Checker, the player’s name is different. Printing your scorecards from the ALTA system will avoid the confusion of a player having a different name. Every player should make sure the ALTA database has his/her correct name entered and should check his/ her contact information to make sure it contains a current email address and phone number.

Line Call Disputes

We had multiple line call disputes during our match. Can the captains stand in as line judges?

Greg McAfee, Men’s League Leagues VP No. While it would be great if every court had Hawkeye electronic line calling, it is up to the players on court to make the calls. According to the Adult Rules, under Section IV.H, “COACHING IS ILLEGAL. Spectators (including teammates, coaches and fans) may not volunteer advice on line calls, scoring or conduct of a match. They may not offer advice or instruction that is audible, visible or by electronic device to the players on the court.” Furthermore, as stated in the Captain’s Handbook under “During a Dual Meet,” the players may request a copy of the rules, but no one may intervene or assist in any way. Additionally, the USTA Code states, “A player should always give the opponent the benefit of the doubt when making calls.”

SERVICE WINNER?

I played a doubles match, and my partner was receiving. A hard serve hit me in the knee and our opponents claimed the point. Is this correct, as obviously, the serve was nowhere near the correct service box? Why is it their point?

Karen Sullivan, Thursday Women’s League VP Rule 24, Case 7 from USTA’s Friend at Court states in the instance where, “a ball that has just been served hits the receiver, or in doubles the receiver’s partner, before it touches the ground, the server wins the point, unless it is a service let.”

Illegal Touch

Standing at the net, a ball is hit at me chest high. As I hit the volley, the ball strikes my backhand, and crosses over the net. Is that an illegal touch, or is the backhand considered an extension of the racket handle?

Chequetta Allen, First VP Rule 24i from USTA’s Friend at Court advises, “The point is lost if the ball in play touches the player or anything that the player is wearing or carrying, except the racket.”

DID YOU EVER WONDER ABOUT … ?

If you’ve ever had a situation occur in a match where no one on the court knew the rule that applied, send your inquiry to Good Question. ALTA officials answer questions in each issue of Net News and yours could be chosen next. Submit your question, along with your name, league, team name and level to altaeditor@ altatennis.org.

Luke Jensen