IL-Gladiator league

[Hewex]

How many of you IL folks play in the Gladiator singles league?

[dParis]

^^^
Hmm, not too many.

Just saw something about this. Thinking about joining, but I'd love to hear some feedback.

[tlm]

I do during the outdoor schedule, last year was my first season and i really enjoyed it.

[dParis]

I ended up playing summer and fall and playoffs. I never played competitively before. I thought it was great. I had a blast. Looks to be better than ever this year with the new website. Planning on playing all three outdoor sessions this year.

[dParis]

Signed up for the spring season. I'm ready to roll (or get rolled). Just a couple of weeks until play starts and only a few days left to sign up.

Curious to see how the new website operates. Any other Chicagoland Gladiators out there?

[tlm]

I signed up for the spring season in the 4.5 level. I enjoy this much more than the winter indoor leagues. I am not even going to play indoor league tennis anymore, i like the flexible time schedule and no match time limits plus no more team politics.

[Phunky_Phorehand]

Standings have just been posted. The format takes a little getting used to. This is my first season and the players seem to be a lot less flakier than the USTA flexleague players that caused me to abandon this type of league before.

[tlm]

Originally Posted by Phunky_Phorehand

Standings have just been posted. The format takes a little getting used to. This is my first season and the players seem to be a lot less flakier than the USTA flexleague players that caused me to abandon this type of league before.

What do you mean by the usta players were flakier? The problem i had with the usta flex league was getting my opponents to play the matches. They would put you off a lot of times so i would just give up, there is no enforcement as far as having to play your matches.

The gladiator is set up much better were you get 1 rain check per season but after that it is a forfeit. Plus there are standings posted to let you know were you stand compared to the other players. And there are points that enable you to make a playoff at the end of the season if you earn enough so it makes the players want to get their matches in.

[Phunky_Phorehand]

[quote=tlm;6509231]What do you mean by the usta players were flakier? The problem i had with the usta flex league was getting my opponents to play the matches. They would put you off a lot of times so i would just give up, there is no enforcement as far as having to play your matches.

That would be my definition of "flakey". You pay your money for this thing and then you don't respond to emails or calls to schedule matches? What's the point? You are right the enforcement is really lighting a fire under the players to get matches in.

[dParis]

I'm sure they are still tweaking the website but there are still a few things missing. The Wild Card Points Race standings haven't been posted (probably not a big deal at this point of the season) and we don't have the ability to see the schedule of other players in different divisions, also not a big deal but it was information we had under the old site.

I'm sure the website will continue to improve and the real-time updates is a great new feature.

The flexibility of the schedule, within the built-in deadlines, is the way to go. I've played every match in 2+ seasons. I don't know what other scheduling system could be more practical and effective.

[KFwinds]

Just caught this thread; I play Gladiator as well. I've never played the USTA Flex Leagues, but I have encountered some of the problems that PP was referring to (ie not returning emails/calls promptly, etc.). In addition, it seems like I always have to initiate contact with people to get my matches played. I'm almost to the end of my second season and not one other player so far has reached out to me in a timely manner. But I'll do it since I paid and want to get my matches played.

The other slight peave that I've had is when I contact someone with 3 or 4 (or more) available evening times during the week, yet they come back to me wanting to play at 6-8am on a Sat or Sun. I know this league is for people with busy schedules, but if that's the ONLY time you have available you are really too busy for any kind of league play. Just my $.02, and feel free to let me know if I'm wrong for seeing it that way

Having said all that, most of the people I've met have been pretty nice and I feel the level of sportsmanship is much higher than USTA. You do face a broad range of playing styles which I think is good for anyone's game. Finally, I think a large local league system like this is much more cost effective - you get more bang for your buck - than USTA leagues or tournaments. I will probably continue to do it for a while since I've been getting a little burned out with the USTA stuff.

[tlm]

Originally Posted by KFwinds

Just caught this thread; I play Gladiator as well. I've never played the USTA Flex Leagues, but I have encountered some of the problems that PP was referring to (ie not returning emails/calls promptly, etc.). In addition, it seems like I always have to initiate contact with people to get my matches played. I'm almost to the end of my second season and not one other player so far has reached out to me in a timely manner. But I'll do it since I paid and want to get my matches played.

The other slight peave that I've had is when I contact someone with 3 or 4 (or more) available evening times during the week, yet they come back to me wanting to play at 6-8am on a Sat or Sun. I know this league is for people with busy schedules, but if that's the ONLY time you have available you are really too busy for any kind of league play. Just my $.02, and feel free to let me know if I'm wrong for seeing it that way

Having said all that, most of the people I've met have been pretty nice and I feel the level of sportsmanship is much higher than USTA. You do face a broad range of playing styles which I think is good for anyone's game. Finally, I think a large local league system like this is much more cost effective - you get more bang for your buck - than USTA leagues or tournaments. I will probably continue to do it for a while since I've been getting a little burned out with the USTA stuff.

I agree this is a very good description of what my experience has been like in this league. I have really enjoyed it and most of the opponents have been very fair. But like you said there are some that are to busy and should not be in the league.