League Play V. Tournament Play

[JavierLW]

Originally Posted by Carlito

Leagues are different. The really competative teams will stack their teams as heavily as they can get away with.

Also I don't like doubles that much. Most of the league season is dedicated to doubles.

Yes you may be right about the competitive teams, but you dont face a "competitive team" every week necessarily. (and like I said if you do the effect is somewhat less of a disaster if you lose)

You are right about the doubles. 6 out of 8 people have to play doubles and unless you're the greatest singles player in the league you pretty much have to assume that being a part of these teams is really about playing doubles.

That's why I always say if someone mainly wants to play singles they should just play in tournaments. (hopefully enough people sign up though that it's worth their while)

Or you can sometimes find a captain that will let you play singles, but you cant always guarantee that.

That's also why I think a league team is a lot more fun for some people when they buy into the whole team concept, and not as just some tool to get their weekly tennis in. If someone is really into the idea of being on a team it's a lot of fun. (if it's run right)

But if someone doesn't really care about that and they just want the pure tennis "me against the world" deal, then they are better off in tournaments. (or maybe some sort of club league or singles challenge ladder or something that isnt a "team" sport)

(I like a little of both)

[jmnk]

yah, what's the story with doubles? is it so the court time ends up being cheaper per player? I've played leagues in the past but because i couldn't play singles every time i just stopped.

[JavierLW]

Originally Posted by jmnk

yah, what's the story with doubles? is it so the court time ends up being cheaper per player? I've played leagues in the past but because i couldn't play singles every time i just stopped.

A lot of people like doubles.

And if you're going to get more people involved you can do it easier by making doubles matches. You already need 5 courts to play, and if you need more that could make it a little hard to find courts in some spots.

I think the deal with the leagues is there is a whole contingent of adults who mainly started as adults and they play tons of doubles.

And the advent of the indoor club player means that most players are playing doubles anyway for the exact reasons you mention, it's cheaper per player.
was playing singles in the first place. We only had 2 or 3 people playing singles (and they were decent at it), so they are really dissing a small subset of people which isnt really fair.

[naplesfltennis]

Originally Posted by ssgator80

Only play tournaments. I dont have the time or inclination for all the BS that leagues seem to produce.

Totally agree!!!