Who's silly idea ? Too many age divisions - Page 2

OrangePower · 08-14-2012, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuckyR

Of course one can argue (successfully) that since we are talking about NTRP divisions, this should already be compensated for and that the only reason for age divisions is to compensate for physical issues (which the old system did better since there are plenty of fit 41 year olds).

Or, one might argue that the age divisions are motivated by USTA's desire to provide more playing opportunities for the segment of the population that has demand. Older people generally have more time for tennis than younger folks who are busy establishing a career and raising a family.

The cynics amongst us might also argue that this is driven not so much by USTA's desire to serve, than by the realization of an opportunity for more revenue.

Either way, presumably there was demand from the 40-50 crowd for more playing opportunities, and this drove the reorganization of the age brackets.

LuckyR · 08-14-2012, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrangePower

Or, one might argue that the age divisions are motivated by USTA's desire to provide more playing opportunities for the segment of the population that has demand. Older people generally have more time for tennis than younger folks who are busy establishing a career and raising a family.

The cynics amongst us might also argue that this is driven not so much by USTA's desire to serve, than by the realization of an opportunity for more revenue.

Either way, presumably there was demand from the 40-50 crowd for more playing opportunities, and this drove the reorganization of the age brackets.

Possible, though from the vantage point of 51, I can say that when I was 49 (under the old system, of course) our 18+ USTA team was mostly made up of 40 - 60 year olds, even though we could have had a bunch of 20 year olds, I suppose.

hcb0804 · 08-14-2012, 01:39 PM

I like it. I can play in all leagues except the over 65.

OrangePower · 08-14-2012, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuckyR

Possible, though from the vantage point of 51, I can say that when I was 49 (under the old system, of course) our 18+ USTA team was mostly made up of 40 - 60 year olds, even though we could have had a bunch of 20 year olds, I suppose.

That's exactly my point... as you say, your 18+ team was mostly 40-60 yo. Under the old system, only some of those players (those 50+) would have been eligible to play a second league in addition to 18+ league. Under the new system, all those 40-60 folks can now play a second additional league.

More playing oppportunities, and more team registration fees for USTA.

LuckyR · 08-14-2012, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrangePower

That's exactly my point... as you say, your 18+ team was mostly 40-60 yo. Under the old system, only some of those players (those 50+) would have been eligible to play a second league in addition to 18+ league. Under the new system, all those 40-60 folks can now play a second additional league.

More playing oppportunities, and more team registration fees for USTA.

You are correct, of course, though from my way of looking at it (51), I felt that they were raising the Senior cutoff from 50 to 55, so I was only eligible for Seniors for one year before it was taken away.

I didn't look at it as lowering it from 50 to 40, since I play with 40 year olds already, as I mentioned before.

OrangePower · 08-14-2012, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuckyR

I didn't look at it as lowering it from 50 to 40, since I play with 40 year olds already, as I mentioned before.

Hehe, so now you get to play with 40 year olds twice in two different leagues - in 18+ and also in 40+.

BTW my experience is the same as yours. My 18+ team is probably 75% over 40. So we're going to field pretty much the same team in the 40+ league as we do in the 18+ league. Just means that as a team we get an extra season.

floridatennisdude · 08-15-2012, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack the Hack

What would be different for you in 2013 compared to the past 10 years of USTA League?

Moving the senior league minimum age down from 50 to 40 should have no effect on the regular 18+ adult league. In every section I've looked at so far, the 18+ and 40+ leagues are played at different times of the year. So what's the big deal?

I can't find Florida's championship schedule yet. I can't imagine a null effect. Our Adult league locally is about 80-90% 40+ folks currently. I will never be convinced that all 40+ folks will play in both leagues. Regardless to concurrency or not.

Cindysphinx · 08-15-2012, 08:41 AM

The change in age brackets is unimportant.

The big change is offering an additional opportunity for people to play singles. Now singles can be played in two leagues (18+ and 40+) instead of one.

As I said in another thread, this is the part of the 2013 change that bothers me most.

Maui19 · 08-15-2012, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cindysphinx

The change in age brackets is unimportant.

Well perhaps to you. For me, I am going to get the opportunity to play better quality tennis at my level without having being pummeled by 20 somethings. It is a huge change for me personally.

Cindysphinx · 08-15-2012, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maui19

Well perhaps to you. For me, I am going to get the opportunity to play better quality tennis at my level without having being pummeled by 20 somethings. It is a huge change for me personally.

I don't understand. I mean, I guess I understand if you play singles, as age can be a big advantage for the younger player.

In doubles, I do not believe age matters much. I don't tend to lose to 20-somethings. If they are on the doubles court with me, their advantages in speed/fitness are often offset by issues of control.

Besides, there simply aren't many women aged 20-35 in the league. They have young kids, limited time, limited money. And the ones who played in college don't wind up at 3.5/4.0.

Maui19 · 08-15-2012, 12:16 PM

^^^It may be different for you. I can tell you without a doubt that in my area the adult 4.0s are MUCH better than the senior 4.0s.

Cindysphinx · 08-15-2012, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maui19

^^^It may be different for you. I can tell you without a doubt that in my area the adult 4.0s are MUCH better than the senior 4.0s.

Are you male or female?

This year, I played 4.0 seniors and 4.0 adult. It the first year I played both.

I didn't see much difference in the level of play between the two. The older ladies may be slower,but they make up for that with consistency, touch and net play.

Maui19 · 08-15-2012, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cindysphinx

Are you male or female?

This year, I played 4.0 seniors and 4.0 adult. It the first year I played both.

I didn't see much difference in the level of play between the two. The older ladies may be slower,but they make up for that with consistency, touch and net play.

I'm a dude. Big difference on the men's side in my area IMO. Adult 4.0 is much more athletic and fast paced. Senior 4.0, not so much.

Cindysphinx · 08-15-2012, 05:30 PM

Yeah, that explains it.

I do much better against older 4.0 guys in mixed than the younger 4.0. The BHs of the younger guys are sometimes a weakness, but I can't get the ball to their BH so it doesn't matter.

mikeler · 08-16-2012, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maui19

I'm a dude. Big difference on the men's side in my area IMO. Adult 4.0 is much more athletic and fast paced. Senior 4.0, not so much.

I know what you mean. There are some older guys at our club that I can play in doubles and the match is competitive. If I played them in singles, I'd crush them. It is probably a 0.5 drop in NTRP going from doubles to singles for them.

goober · 08-16-2012, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maui19

I'm a dude. Big difference on the men's side in my area IMO. Adult 4.0 is much more athletic and fast paced. Senior 4.0, not so much.

In doubles I would say there is not that much of a difference. A lot of the best dubs players were 40+ in the prior system. In singles there is a big drop off from adult to 40+.

tennis tom · 08-16-2012, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

i can sign up for over 40 and over 18 division but can't sign up for 4 leagues. who has time to play that much tennis. lol

I know a mid-age chick who was proud of the fact that she played on six teams as we were sitting in the hot-tub--her nursing an injured wrist. But, about the toughest thing she has to do all day is her nails.

(I'm still amazed that anyone with the internet name of NOSTRADAMUS has to ask any questions???)--maybe they're rhetorical.

08-14-2012, 01:39 PM	#23
hcb0804 Hall Of Fame Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,797	I like it. I can play in all leagues except the over 65. __________________ 3 BLX Six.one PS 100's, Asics Gel Resolution 4 Noosa, Vapor 9 Flame pack, GHOATs: Black, White, Black/lime, Photo blue, Nano gray, Charcoal.

08-15-2012, 08:41 AM	#28
Cindysphinx G.O.A.T. Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 14,087	The change in age brackets is unimportant. The big change is offering an additional opportunity for people to play singles. Now singles can be played in two leagues (18+ and 40+) instead of one. As I said in another thread, this is the part of the 2013 change that bothers me most. __________________ -- Random Error Generator, Version 4.0 -- Master Moonballer

08-15-2012, 05:30 PM	#34
Cindysphinx G.O.A.T. Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 14,087	Yeah, that explains it. I do much better against older 4.0 guys in mixed than the younger 4.0. The BHs of the younger guys are sometimes a weakness, but I can't get the ball to their BH so it doesn't matter. __________________ -- Random Error Generator, Version 4.0 -- Master Moonballer

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