Delcastle Tennis Ladder
SINGLES LADDER RULES

1.     The Ladder is open to the public.

2.     There will be a ladder tournament at the end of the outdoor season (if it can be arranged). If there is a tournament, it will be held in September.  The specific dates will be decided when logistics are worked out. Generally it's the 3rd weekend of September. The ladder tournament will be open to all players.

3.     For the first challenge match only, a free challenge may be issued to anyone on the ladder. If successful, the challenger moves up the ladder directly above the player challenged. If unsuccessful, the challenger retains their standing on the ladder. A player must work himself up the ladder following the rules below.

4.     The top 30 players may only challenge 10 positions up; players 31—60 may challenge 20 positions up; and players 61 and down may challenge 30 positions up; all after the first free challenge. Whether a challenger is successful or unsuccessful, he may continue to challenge during the season. This rule is at the discretion of the higher ranked player to invoke.

5.     Each individual play period for the ladder is 1 week long. The first challenger must offer the defender up to 3 suggested times to play. If the defender is unable to play at any of the offered times, the defender may then offer up to 3 times to play. If no time is agreeable between both players, the challenge will be withdrawn. A refusal to play results in a default for the defender and a win for the challenger. Notify Bob Davis for all refusals and any problems, including any player who is consistently unable to play at offered times. Bob Davis will resolve all problems; his decision is final. Fortunately, the members of the ladder show good sportsmanship, so it's not anticipated this will be needed.

6.     A two week period must pass before a defeated challenger may challenge the same player, or before a successful challenger may be challenged by the player he has defeated, unless both are in agreement to play.

7.     Players #1 & #2 on the ladder should accept one challenge per week, if possible. All other players need only accept one challenge every two weeks. In declining a later challenge, give the name of the previous challenger and scheduled date of the match to the newest challenger. A player may accept other challenges if he desires.

8.     Bob Davis will attempt to update the ladder standings by Tuesday of each week at www.delcastleladder.com. This will not happen when Bob is on vacation. Each week of play begins on Saturday and ends on Saturday.  Results must emailed to Bob Davis at radavis@msn.com by 9:00pm Sunday each week. That means if you play a match on Sunday, be sure to email it in by 9:00pm that evening. Failure to get your match recorded by this deadline will result in a default by the winner. The winner is responsible for communicating the result, but the loser is welcome to do so if they want. When you email the result, please give the date of the match, the time of the match and the score and the names of the participants.

9.   Rearrangement of the ladder will be done in the order the matches are played. If the challenge is successful, the challenger moves up the ladder above the defender. If unsuccessful, he retains his original position. Penalties for refusals will be imposed prior to making adjustments for matches played.

10.   The challenger is to make arrangements for an agreed upon court time and location. Matches should be played in New Castle County unless other arrangements are agreed upon.

11.   If one player does not show up within 15 minutes of the scheduled time, a default results in favor of the player who does show. Any changes involving a scheduled match that are not made 24 hours prior to the match will also result in a default unless agreed to by both parties.

12.   The challenger supplies a new can of USTA approved balls. Balls are to remain with the challenger after the match.

13.   If the match cannot be completed due to weather conditions, darkness, or loss of court time, the match should be rescheduled at another time. The match can be replayed from the start if both parties agree, if not, then the match will continue were it was left off.

14.   All matches will be the best two out of three sets, with a 7-point tiebreaker (first player to 7 points, but must win by 2) played at 6-All in each set.

15. If both players agree, the third set can be played as a 10-point tiebreaker instead of a normal 3rd set. This is the same as a 7-point tiebreaker, except the game (which will count as the third set) is played until the first player gets to 10 points, but must win by 2. This approach is useful when darkness or bad weather is approaching or if both players time is restricted. If this cannot be agreed upon by both players, then a full 3rd set must be played.

16.   Each season’s initial ladder rankings are based on the previous year’s final ladder standings. New entrants will be added onto the Ladder in alphabetical order. Late entrants will be added onto the Ladder in the order in which they sign up.

17. The ladders success has come from people playing with good sportsmanship. As a result, the need for rulings and dealing with issues has rarely occurred. The intent of the ladder is to serve the public and for people to enjoy the game. Please respect the other players and have a great time.

If you have any further questions about the rules, please contact Bob Davis at mailto:radavis@msn.com or call at 610-274-0517.