League Bylaws

Statement from Commissioner:  This is a no bias, no hate, anti-racist league.  Racism, sexism, xenophobia, are absolutely not welcome here. We proudly have ( or have had) around 15  or so countries of origin and 12 or more languages represented (apart from the US and English) amongst our players over the years.

Covid-19 Precautions for 2022
Please get your vaccinations and boosters if you haven’t yet.

GOLDEN BALL BYLAWS 

League Fee
There will be a $35 entry fee, to be paid to Tom Townsend – Venmo and CashApp preferred. This fee covers entire season including doubles (if applicable), with exception of Mini-Tournament ($5 additional per player).

Match Format

  • OFFICIAL MATCH: best of 3 sets, playing out deuce games, with Super Tiebreak to 10 points for last set.
  • If both players agree, it’s okay to play best of 3 sets with a regular 3rd set.
  • If both players agree, a mini match can be played: best of 3 sets, first to 4 games, with a Super Tiebreak for last set.

USTA Rules
USTA rules are to be used for all matches:

  • This includes calling all lines, even against yourself.  Remember that if you are 30 feet from a ball with a bad angle, call it against yourself please.
  • If a match is completed, the result is final.
  • If injured during a match, you default the match.  Your opponent can reschedule with you if they want, but by rule, if you can’t finish a match that you start, it’s a forfeit.

Reporting Scores
It’s the winner’s responsibility to report the result immediately following a match. Please email Tom Townsend directly using subject line “Match Score” within 12 hours from the end of the match. Results will then be posted to the website.

League Format

  • Dates for all matches will be placed on the website by May 15 (Regular Season), August 6(Playoffs)
  • General dates (subject to change): Qualifying Tournament, Aug 6-12.   Championship Tournament August 13–31. (September 15 is hard stop for Championship Tournament.)
  • League will consist of one group, no divisions this year.
  • Regular season will consist of 7 matches and at least 1 challenge matches, for a total of 8 matches.
  • Top 6 players will automatically qualify for Golden Ball Championship Tournament based on Victory Points; the remaining players will have the option to compete in the Qualifying Tournament, with the top 2 advancing to the Golden Ball Championship Tournament.

Match Locations
Home court player chooses court.

Tennis Balls
The home court player is to provide a new can of heavy duty felt PENN, WILSON, or DUNLOP tennis balls.

Standings

  • Victory Points, will determine standings.
  • 3 points for winning the match
  • 1 point for winning one set (but losing the match)
  • .5 points for 8 or more total games won in a losing effort (no sets won)
  • 0 points for losing in straight sets (with 7 or fewer total games won in the match)
  • 1 BONUS POINT will be awarded at the end of the season for all players who beat an opponent that has a winning record (above .500).

Playoffs

Players MUST play 8 matches to qualify for any playoffs – no exceptions with only exception is that Arun, our swing player, will compete in the Qualies.

Championship Tournament 

  • 6 players will qualify for Championship tournament based on Victory Points; the remaining 2 players that make it through the Qualifying Tournament will be seeded based on victory points (7 or 8).
  • Players will be seeded 1-8 by total Victory Points. Division winner with highest points will be #1 seed.   Other  2 division winners will be lowest as 4th seed and will host first round playoff match.
  • Quarterfinals: 1 vs 8, etc. Higher seed has home court advantage through championship and 3rd place matches.
  • Single elimination tournament.
  • USTA tournament rules: if an injury occurs, a player forfeits. If a winning player is injured and cannot play in the next round, he has to forfeit (3 day grace period).
  • Championship Tournament ends September 15 – hard stop.
  • There will be no “fill-in players” once a tournaments starts due to injury. One exception is if a player withdraws BEFORE the tournament starts, then the highest ranked loser (advanced furthest in qualies and has highest victory points) from the Qualifying Tournament will be placed into the draw.  Higher regular season victory points of two qualifiers will be the 7th seed, other is 8th seed.

Qualifying Tournament

Players not in the top 6 of Victory points will be placed into two draws. Winner of each of the two draws will be the 2 Qualifiers and 7th or 8th seed in the Championship Tournament.

Cancellations/Availability for Playoffs

  • Lower Seeded player for playoffs will suggest 3 different times/dates  by the date  (with Tom attached to email) between 8 am and 7 pm.
  • Higher seed picks the court to play AND one of the 3 times (home court can be swapped for day/time if one person is only available at night for example).
  • If one of the players are not available to play during that week, they will forfeit.
  • A maximum of 3 days grace period will be given to get a match in before a forfeit will occur.

Tiebreakers for Playoffs
Victory points will determine your position in the division (pool) and placement in the Championship Tournament or Qualifying Tournament.  In the event of a tiebreaker of victory points, the following methods will be used (in the order they appear) to see which player advances or has higher position:

  1. Head-to-head matchup (higher percentage of games won if 2 matches played and split)
  2. Higher number of matches completed
  3. Better division record if in same division
  4. Overall W-L Record
  5. Percent of sets won
  6. Percent of games won
  7. Coin toss

Sportsmanship
Excellent sportsmanship is expected. Please email Tom or Boyd (if Tom is a jerk) if you encounter any problems. Two complaints about a player from two different players can result in a penalty.

Challenge Matches—You can play any  person up to 2x.  You must play 1 challenge match or a total of 8 matches to qualify for playoffs.  Match 9 and 10 (optional) are a regular challenge matches with usual scoring.  Matches 11-14 (optional) for player with +10 matches will be scored as follows with victory points to balance the loophole of point stacking to move up in rankings. There are no additional “bonus” points for winning matches 11-14, i.e., it is one of four options when you play match 11-14:

MATCHES 11-14

  • W over a +.500 player at time of match= +1.0
  • L  against a +500 player = -.5
  • W over a .500 or below = +.5
  • L against a .500 or below = -1.0

Rules Interpretation/ Disputes
A. In Season Dispute – Rules Committee only will interpret existing rules. Rules committee will abstain from voting if match results in favorable result for them or if it involves them. (Ex. If player B beating Player A results in Tom getting into playoffs, Tom would not vote)

B. EMERGENCY RULES – 2020 and 2021 and 2022 will be played under “Emergency Rules” due to the pandemic. This means that: 1) during the season 5 players can come together to petition (ask in writing) the Rules Committee to solve an issue or change an existing rule through a League Wide Vote. The Rules Committee will then agree to have a vote or not. 2) Rules Committee can move dates around for tournaments, etc. 3) Rules Committee may not by themselves change a rule.

C. LEAGUE VOTE (out of Season October 1 – May 14) – Players with 3 years of experience in Golden Ball Tennis can call for a rule change if a total of 5 other existing players think there should be a vote on something. RULES COMMITTEE/ COMMISSIONER CAN SUGGEST A VOTE ALSO.   

D. Commissioner Tom Townsend will declare if we play a season under “Emergency Rules“.

Rules Committee: Tom, Boyd, Varun are Rules Committee 2022
Player Contact Information
A copy of all player contact information will be sent via email. This will be vital in helping you schedule your matches.

Injuries/Withdrawals/Forfeits (Tournament)

  • Injuries will result in forfeit. If the injury doesn’t allow the player to continue, all of his remaining matches in a season will be considered forfeits for his opponents.
  • “Lucky Loser” rule. If a player is injured or can’t play the season ending tournaments, the next highest finishing player will be placed in the draw. We will NOT re-seed.
  • We will attempt to allow a few days of rest for minor injuries to promote playing tennis, but not if it slows whole tournament.
  • Refusing to play, unavailability to play a match (within reason) can result in forfeit of match and/or disqualification for rest of season.
  • A regular season injury will result in forfeit for that match. The commissioner will create different matches for players affected to encourage play. Example: if Tom is injured in match 1 of regular season, he loses that match. His 5 other opponents will receive makeup matches.

League Bylaws (for 2021 and 2022 seasons)

Current players will vote on the bylaws every 2 years starting in 2021. 80% YES will result in those rules being played for those 2 seasons. Rules Committee will make proposed rules.