Is there some secret to scheduling matches in a flex league that I'm not aware of?

[darkhorse]

I recently joined a local flex league (not USTA affiliated) where the idea is to schedule matches with people who are (at least meant to be) around your skill level. There's no set opponent at any time, you're just given a list of names/emails/phone numbers and people indicate their preferred courts.

This league started in the beginning of July, and I've been able to schedule a grand total of 1 match (which was actually a really fun and competitive match). I've sent out emails to pretty much every active player, out of just under 30 players in the pool, about 5 haven't played any matches, but gotten almost no responses.

I was able to finally get another match scheduled, but they guy rescheduled about 3 times before I could pin him down a time and location. Is this type of league just not suitable for somewhat busy people? Do I have to agree to play at courts that are convenient to my opponent but not for me? It's been a frustrating experience thus far.

 

[schmke]

I have not played in a Flex league, but we have a One Doubles league (think of it as 1/3 of Tri-level) where the teams identify where they will play their home matches and then the LC puts teams into flights and identifies which matches are home/away and then the captains coordinate scheduling the matches. So it is similar to what you are describing.

Some captains try to get all their matches scheduled right away and spread the matches out, others procrastinate and are playing two or three matches in the last week of the season to cram them in. You'd think a singles league would be easier with just one person to schedule and not two for doubles.

Did players have to pay to sign-up for the league? If folks have to pay they are more likely to be serious about it and engage. And are you supposed to play a certain number or schedule of players or is it more like a ladder where you just get the list of players and can play whomever you like and can get a match scheduled with?

 

[rchjr2091]

I have done some flex leagues myself. Yes sometimes it was a nightmare trying to get a match and other times it was a breeze. Just depends on the players in that flight. Don't give up on it just yet. It changes a lot depending on the group your in. Sometimes players are begging to find a match and other times you can't pay someone to play . A lot of guys will do flex as a back up... (I have ) If they are already in a usta league getting matches in then flex matches doesn't mean as much especially since they don't count in a year end rating but if they aren't playing much tennis then scheduling a flex match becomes important.One thing about flex league is it can be a wide range of player ability . (I guess the same could be said about regular league also.)
I actually met some really good players through flex that I have had some practice matches with outside of flex . It is a good stepping stone to get some match play and find a solid team to be on.
Sadly I probably will have to go back to some flex leagues soon if my working schedule doesn't improve as it's not fair to my league team to constantly have to say "no not available".

 

[darkhorse]

I have not played in a Flex league, but we have a One Doubles league (think of it as 1/3 of Tri-level) where the teams identify where they will play their home matches and then the LC puts teams into flights and identifies which matches are home/away and then the captains coordinate scheduling the matches. So it is similar to what you are describing.

Some captains try to get all their matches scheduled right away and spread the matches out, others procrastinate and are playing two or three matches in the last week of the season to cram them in. You'd think a singles league would be easier with just one person to schedule and not two for doubles.

Did players have to pay to sign-up for the league? If folks have to pay they are more likely to be serious about it and engage. And are you supposed to play a certain number or schedule of players or is it more like a ladder where you just get the list of players and can play whomever you like and can get a match scheduled with?

There's a small fee, it's somewhere between $20 and $25 depending on when you sign up. It called Tennis League Network, they have leagues in several cities around the US. The basic format is if you play at least 4 matches and get at least three wins, you qualify for the playoffs which means you then play a "tournament" in which you're given a set opponent but still have to schedule it on your own. And I should point it's not that nobody in the league is playing, several are qualified for the playoffs, I just haven't had much luck personally getting matches scheduled. Though since I've posted this thread I've had a few more people contact me for matches, so it may be that more people schedule matches near the beginning and end of the season.

 

[beernutz]

A few years ago I signed up for USTA flex 4.0 league which ended up with 8 participants. Instead of the 7 matches I was supposed to get I was only able to get 3 played. The other 4 guys played maybe 1 or 2 matches and then refused to schedule any others. My experience may have been an aberration but it was my first and last time playing flex league.

 

[JOSHL]

There's a small fee, it's somewhere between $20 and $25 depending on when you sign up. It called Tennis League Network, they have leagues in several cities around the US. The basic format is if you play at least 4 matches and get at least three wins, you qualify for the playoffs which means you then play a "tournament" in which you're given a set opponent but still have to schedule it on your own. And I should point it's not that nobody in the league is playing, several are qualified for the playoffs, I just haven't had much luck personally getting matches scheduled. Though since I've posted this thread I've had a few more people contact me for matches, so it may be that more people schedule matches near the beginning and end of the season.

I am in this League in Los Angeles. Just signed up last week and sent a mass email to play on the weekend and I had 5 or 6 people reach out to me. I think it just depends the people, I know summer is tough because a lot of people go on vacation and stuff, why they still pay though I have no clue.

 

[Max G.]

Yeah, it really varies. I've played ultimate tennis a few times, they give you a set opponent each week but you're supposed to schedule it on your own. It always took a bunch of emails back and forth to get anything set up.

 

[JOSHL]

I would recommend if you use the mass email make sure to put your cell phone number in the body of the email, it helps.

 

[Devil_dog]

I've played in a few flex leagues and have had mixed results in scheduling matches. My leagues were different in that all the matches were scheduled and we had two weeks from the time the matches were to be played to be completed. So that put some emphasis on getting matches played. About 90% of the time, I initiated the emails or calls and made sure to do so well ahead of deadline so that they had time to schedule. If I got no response, I'd send out another query a week out and then one last time if necessary a few days before. I typically played all but one or two matches on average.

 

[Deleted member 23235]

my $0.02 about flex leagues:
* most folks are flakes... arrive late, tough to coordinate, etc...
* most folks lie about their level
* some folks will never be avail during my times (ie. early birds vs. after work, vs. very late after work)
i've tried it for 2 seasons, then gave up.... just collected the names/numbers of folks i liked, and quit.

ways they could make it better:
* charge $$
* force folks to give 3 date/times and locations... sorta a way to negotiate
* allow a way to rate your opponent (with one chance to reply). it will quickly become evident who to avoid
* allow a way to note preferences (ie. i won't try to schedule with an early bird if i can only play evenings or weekends)
* figure out a way to verify playing levels... could be UTR, NTRP, etc... i've played too many "i'm a 5.0 (but really a 3.0)" either because they didn't know, or they lied. self raters need to provide a description of their playing history... (ie. "i'm a 4.5 but, I just bat the ball around 3x a week with my buddies, vs. i played 20 matches in usta 4.5 league last season)

 

[LGQ7]

I run a tennis Meetup. Everyone is on the Elo Rating System.

 

[Deleted member 23235]

I run a tennis Meetup. Everyone is on the Elo Rating System.

interesting... might have to try that