Charging the injured player for court time?

[Cindysphinx]

Played doubles today. I reserved the court and prepaid (nonrefundable). $38 an hour x 2 hours/4 players = $19 each.

We all arrived and started playing. After 45 minutes, one player fell to the ground, having twisted her ankle badly. We got her ice and helped her sit on the bench. She watched while the three of us played Canadian with the remaining hour or so.

When it came time to collect, she started paying me. And I honestly didn't know what was proper. I didn't want to waive her $19 and therefore pay $38 (especially since I spent most of the time playing Canadian, not doubles), nor did I feel I could volunteer the other two ladies to pay extra.

What was the right thing to do when someone gets injured during a social match? Was it callous to keep playing? Was it heartless to make her pay? Should she have paid only for the first hour?

Cindy -- who detests playing Canadian

 

[A.Davidson]

Toughie, Cindy - she definitely seemed ready to pay, so I don't think you were wrong to take it. However, maybe you could pay half of her fee?

Although it certainly shouldn't all fall on you...

In this situation, I think the simplest and easiest thing for everyone involved is to simply let her pay her quarter of the fee. In the future, some sort of system could be worked out, but for now that should be fine...

 

[nocab]

I would have felt bad having her pay. But it wouldn't have been a problem if you lived in Austin, courts here are $3.50 per person for 2h.

 

[tennisee]

Hi Cindy - Certainly not callous to keep playing. I would have said to her, "Just pay half; you only played half the time," and payed the extra myself. If the others noticed and offered to chip in I would accept, but not ask them for extra.
I think it's tough when you organise these things, as you sort of take on responsibility as event organiser. If it's regular hit I'd build in some extra to cover such contingencies.
I used to organise and pay court hire for a regular weekly hit with four guys, and I'd say "10 bucks each, I'll buy the balls, and if there's anything left I'll spend it on beer." This would work out OK as sometimes we would have three or occasionally only two play. I'd keep an eye on it and see that things were about right, adjust if needed. In these groups there always seems to be one person who habitually forgets to bring money and scrapes around looking for change, or is happy to drink other people's beer and not ever bring any, while others say, "Are you sure I've given you enough?"

BTW - over here we call playing with three American doubles; looks like no one wants to own it!

 

[10sfreak]

BTW - over here we call playing with three American doubles; looks like no one wants to own it! - tennisee

LOL! Down here in Georgia, we call it "Australian" doubles!

 

[_mats_]

Ive known that as "cut throat" doubles

 

[mauricem]

LOL! Down here in Georgia, we call it "Australian" doubles!

and in Australia we call it "American Doubles" or "cut throat":twisted:

 

[tzinc]

Canadian Doubles RULES!!!

 

[spot]

10sfreak- not sure what part of Georgia you are from, at least in my circle of people here in Atlanta we call it Canadian.

 

[Loco4Tennis]

we here is da hood call it "one-man-short" doubles haha just kidding i call it hawaiian doubles, you know because hawaii is the odd man out also just kidding about that last man out part, just made it up, but it does make sense to me in a way

 

[Nellie]

If she starts - I would charge her full freight (if she offered to pay).

If she did not make it to the court -injured on the way, then I would not charge her and try to find a replacement.

Perhaps a little callous, but also fairbecause I think you assume some risk when you step on the court.

 

[cak]

I don't have any answer for you but wow! $38 an hour for a court!!! I guess I'll happily live with the occasional rainout here.

 

[Hal]

With the guys that I play with, the injured player would certainly pay for the court time. In fact, we might make the person pay double for making us play Canadian doubles.

 

[Cindysphinx]

CAK, that rate is for the county indoor courts. You go to a private club and you'll pay more plus the dues.

The injured player wrote me today to say that her ankle is feeling much better. I replied and told her to let me know when it was ready for a test drive and we'd play an hour of singles, my treat.

That feels just about right. Thanks, everyone!!

Cindy

 

[shintan17]

She should pay without hesitation. That's what I would do anyway.

 

[Loco4Tennis]

With the guys that I play with, the injured player would certainly pay for the court time. In fact, we might make the person pay double for making us play Canadian doubles.

thats funny, i can see it happen too if you all know each other well enough

 

[kevhen]

Around here you pay for court ahead of time, so everyone would pay. If you get injured you still pay unless the others decide to cover. You could have given her $5 of your own money if you felt guilty.

 

[spot]

Cindy- I think this is a pretty easy call. THink of it this way, lets say the situation were changed and you guys paid the money before you took the court like would happen most of the time. DO you really think that anyone should feel obligated to refund the injured player some money? Of course not- she should pay what everyone else does.

 

[OrangeOne]

Cindy- I think this is a pretty easy call. THink of it this way, lets say the situation were changed and you guys paid the money before you took the court like would happen most of the time. DO you really think that anyone should feel obligated to refund the injured player some money? Of course not- she should pay what everyone else does.

Good perspective, I like it....

 

[10sfreak]

10sfreak- not sure what part of Georgia you are from, at least in my circle of people here in Atlanta we call it Canadian.

Really? I play up here in Rome...I've never even heard of "Canadian doubles" before...I think it's funny how the same game is called different things, even within a state/region.

 

[AndrewD]

Cindy -- who detests playing Canadian

but doesn't mind going Dutch. LOL


*Sorry Cindy, just thought that was funny.

 

[FedererISBetter]

Where I am from, we usually pay before getting on the court. It's just easier in my opinion. Having someone paying money relative to how much he/her contribute/participate in the game court is sorta... too much trouble. If I was injured and unable to play, I definately would pay full all the way.