Opposing team has 7 players. (USTA)

[justinmadison]

We played a match last week where the opposing team only had 7 players.

We had one of those weeks where most of out guys were not able to play. The result of this was our 8th guy was significantly less skilled than the other 7. Our #2 singles player is also a top 4 doubles player for us.

We did not know if the other team was forfeiting line 2 singles or line 3 doubles. We ended up sitting our #2 singles player when the gave us the lineup and forfeited line 2 singles.

We lost 2-3.

 

[DBH]

The opposing captain should have told you which line they were forfeiting before the lineup cards were exchanged, so that you could have the chance to adjust your lineup if you desired based on the forfeit information.

In my local league it is a rule that captains must reveal defaults ahead of the lineup exchange. I'm not sure whether this is a universal USTA rule.

 

[OrangePower]

The opposing captain should have told you which line they were forfeiting before the lineup cards were exchanged, so that you could have the chance to adjust your lineup if you desired based on the forfeit information.

In my local league it is a rule that captains must reveal defaults ahead of the lineup exchange. I'm not sure whether this is a universal USTA rule.

My section has no such rule, so I don't think it's a universal USTA rule.

Having said that, all the captains in my local area know one another, and as a courtesy, we will let the opposing captain know if we are defaulting a line and whether singles or dubs. People have lives, and we don't want players showing up only to find out that they are not playing due to a default. And what goes around comes around.

 

[brettatk]

As a captain I always let the other team know far in advance as I can that I'll be forfeiting a line. Some captains play the waiting game hoping that you'll possibly forfeit before they do. I don't believe my section has that rule either. I've been at a match where Line 3 Doubles had been there the entire time. Once it was their turn to play they were walking on the court when someone on the other team said "I think we are forfeiting line 3 Doubles." That really ticked me off. They tried to say I thought so and so told you. Complete BS and I let the other captain know it. Of course I understand that sometimes emergencies come up last minute, but usually the other team knows at least a day in advance.

 

[chrisingrassia]

We played a match last week where the opposing team only had 7 players.

We had one of those weeks where most of out guys were not able to play. The result of this was our 8th guy was significantly less skilled than the other 7. Our #2 singles player is also a top 4 doubles player for us.

We did not know if the other team was forfeiting line 2 singles or line 3 doubles. We ended up sitting our #2 singles player when the gave us the lineup and forfeited line 2 singles.

We lost 2-3.

So out of 4 matches played, you won one?

 

[justinmadison]

So out of 4 matches played, you won one?

Yes. Their line 1 singles guy is just better than any of us. We won line 1 dubs. Our line 2 dubs team had to retire when one of our player's pacemaker/ defibrillator fired and knocked him down. Our line 3 dubs never really had a chance.

If we had known about the default our line 2 singles guy would have played dubs moving the pacemaker guy to line 3. We most likely would have won line 2 dubs.

I don't think we have any league rules about defaults or about telling the opposing team which line you are defaulting. They used this as a strategy and it worked.

 

[kevrol]

Know it's Monday morning quarterbacking but if they showed up with 7 guys isn't it reasonable to assume they were likely going to default the singles court instead of the doubles court?

 

[JLyon]

We played a match last week where the opposing team only had 7 players.

We had one of those weeks where most of out guys were not able to play. The result of this was our 8th guy was significantly less skilled than the other 7. Our #2 singles player is also a top 4 doubles player for us.

We did not know if the other team was forfeiting line 2 singles or line 3 doubles. We ended up sitting our #2 singles player when the gave us the lineup and forfeited line 2 singles.

We lost 2-3.

agree with @kevrol, if they had 7 guys why would they default Line 3D versus 2S?

 

[chrisingrassia]

Our line 2 dubs team had to retire when one of our player's pacemaker/ defibrillator fired and knocked him down. Our line 3 dubs never really had a chance. If we had known about the default our line 2 singles guy would have played dubs moving the pacemaker guy to line 3. We most likely would have won line 2 dubs.

Shoulda, woulda, coulda, right?

This whole scenario seems like it should play out like NFL substitution rules: if the offense gets to sub, they have to give a chance for the defense to sub. Simple sportsmanship rules. If the opposing captain is going to default a line and re-evaluate his lineup, then you get to do the same.

 

[brettatk]

The whole timeline of events is a little confusing. If you exchanged lineup cards before any match had started, you had every right to change around your lineup once you found out they were forfeiting line 2 singles. If that was the case, why didn't you do so?

eta: yes, I realize I was mistaken. After cards are exchanged you cannot adjust. If the captain verbally tells you before exchanging then you have the right to switch it around.

 

[Startzel]

Shoulda, woulda, coulda, right?

This whole scenario seems like it should play out like NFL substitution rules: if the offense gets to sub, they have to give a chance for the defense to sub. Simple sportsmanship rules. If the opposing captain is going to default a line and re-evaluate his lineup, then you get to do the same.

So the defaulting team should concede a point and allow the opponent to strengthen their lineup?

That's the issue I would have with any rule that requires a captain to notify ahead of the lineup exchange about a default. I understand it's an inconvenience for someone to come to a match and not get to play. But it really is an unfair advantage to get a free point and be allowed to apply the default to your weakest player/pairing.

 

[justinmadison]

The whole timeline of events is a little confusing. If you exchanged lineup cards before any match had started, you had every right to change around your lineup once you found out they were forfeiting line 2 singles. If that was the case, why didn't you do so?

You cannot change the lineup after exchanging cards. In our league you do not have the right to change around your lineup once we found out they were forfeiting line 2 singles.

After the match I asked our captain why he did not move our weakest guy to #2 singles anticipating they would forfeit that line. He said the opposing captain is a cagy guy and thought he might anticipate our anticipation and forfeit line 3 dubs instead.

 

[Startzel]

The whole timeline of events is a little confusing. If you exchanged lineup cards before any match had started, you had every right to change around your lineup once you found out they were forfeiting line 2 singles. If that was the case, why didn't you do so?

No you don't. Once the lineups are exchanged your lineup is set. You can only make a change if you have a sub available and someone is injured.

 

[brettatk]

I was wrong, I realized my mistake after I read what I wrote. Around here the other captain will 9 times out of ten say they are forfeiting a spot before lineup cards are exchanged. At that point it's legal to switch around your lineup if you want. Dick move by their captain not saying anything and exchanging cards. I never try to pi$$ off another captain. You never know when you might need his cooperation to accommodate a future match.

 

[OrangePower]

So the defaulting team should concede a point and allow the opponent to strengthen their lineup?

Yes

That's the issue I would have with any rule that requires a captain to notify ahead of the lineup exchange about a default. I understand it's an inconvenience for someone to come to a match and not get to play. But it really is an unfair advantage to get a free point and be allowed to apply the default to your weakest player/pairing.

Well, you can punish the innocent team's players by making them come to a match that they are not going to play in, or...
You can punish the offending defaulting team by giving their opponents that additional advantage of adjusting their lineup based on the default.

Which seems fairer to you?

Of course the situation could have been made moot if the defaulting team had designated a backup player to come to the match, in case someone drops out last minute. Oh, but wait, that would mean a player there that likely does not get to play, and who wants to do that? But it's ok to put the other team in that situation?

 

[chrisingrassia]

Aren't we all still really debating what simple sportsmanship is? When did we lose sight of the importance of playing tennis, exercising, sweating, getting fresh air, meeting new people, having some fun and laughs, and replace it all with deception and an incessant need to win at all costs?

Damn, are ya'll vying for college scholarships or something? Jeez.

I guess the one sticking point that becomes tricky in all this is what keeps a captain from saying at the very last minute, "well, John was supposed to be here to play L2 singles, but I don't know where he is, we'll have to default that line I guess." He could have possibly known this in advance.....but who's to say or prove that?

 

[Startzel]

Yes


Well, you can punish the innocent team's players by making them come to a match that they are not going to play in, or...
You can punish the offending defaulting team by giving their opponents that additional advantage of adjusting their lineup based on the default.

Which seems fairer to you?

Of course the situation could have been made moot if the defaulting team had designated a backup player to come to the match, in case someone drops out last minute. Oh, but wait, that would mean a player there that likely does not get to play, and who wants to do that? But it's ok to put the other team in that situation?

Not getting to play isn't a punishment. Your team still gets the point. It's a bush league move to want the team that has to default to be punished twice.

 

[Startzel]

Aren't we all still really debating what simple sportsmanship is? When did we lose sight of the importance of playing tennis, exercising, sweating, getting fresh air, meeting new people, having some fun and laughs, and replace it all with deception and an incessant need to win at all costs?

Damn, are ya'll vying for college scholarships or something? Jeez.

I guess the one sticking point that becomes tricky in all this is what keeps a captain from saying at the very last minute, "well, John was supposed to be here to play L2 singles, but I don't know where he is, we'll have to default that line I guess." He could have possibly known this in advance.....but who's to say or prove that?

Yeah I live in an area where we don't force our opponents to default. We just reschedule the point.

 

[OrangePower]

Not getting to play isn't a punishment.

Isn't getting to play the whole point of rec tennis?

Just so we understand each other, in your mind it's no punishment to someone to ask them to take a chunk of time out of their day and spend gas money going somewhere and back for absolutely no reason?

The intent of an 'advance notification of default' rule is not to further punish the defaulting team (although that is a side effect). The primary purpose is to prevent people from needlessly having to go to a match that they are not going to play in.

 

[OrangePower]

I guess the one sticking point that becomes tricky in all this is what keeps a captain from saying at the very last minute, "well, John was supposed to be here to play L2 singles, but I don't know where he is, we'll have to default that line I guess." He could have possibly known this in advance.....but who's to say or prove that?

One would hope basic decency would prevent that, but you're right, that is sometimes lacking.
So, the next best thing is removing any incentive the defaulting captain might have to wait until the last possible moment. If the non-defaulting captain gets to revise his lineup after the default is announced, it removes some of that incentive, because the defaulting team is no worse off notifying their opponents in advance.

 

[Startzel]

Isn't getting to play the whole point of rec tennis?

No. Otherwise we wouldn't keep score or decide a winner of the overall match. Or have district, sectional or national championships.

Just so we understand each other, in your mind it's no punishment to someone to ask them to take a chunk of time out of their day and spend gas money going somewhere and back for absolutely no reason?

The intent of an 'advance notification of default' rule is not to further punish the defaulting team (although that is a side effect). The primary purpose is to prevent people from needlessly having to go to a match that they are not going to play in.

No it isn't punishment. It's inconvenient but a side effect of playing league tennis. It would be a punishment if your team didn't get a free point.

Im glad the guys on my team aren't selfish like the argument you're presenting. They're dedicated to the team.

 

[OrangePower]

No. Otherwise we wouldn't keep score or decide a winner of the overall match. Or have district, sectional or national championships.
No it isn't punishment. It's inconvenient but a side effect of playing league tennis. It would be a punishment if your team didn't get a free point.

Then we just fundamentally disagree.
I am far more interested in getting to play some good matches than I am in making it to nationals or whatever. You seem to view playing matches as just something that needs to get done in order to win the team match, get to nationals, etc.
That's fine, you're entitled to your perspective.

 

[J_R_B]

Oh look, Startzel is trolling again. LOL.

 

[OrangePower]

Oh look, Startzel is trolling again. LOL.

Na, I think he genuinely feels that getting the win, making nationals, etc, is more important than playing tennis. I would imagine he'd be happy showing up for a match and getting a win by default, if that secures the team win, since a win is a win. And I do know people like that so he's not alone.
What's ironic is that it's people with that mindset (who value the win more than the actual playing of tennis) who end up resorting to things like sandbagging, which he doth protest so much against. Not accusing him of anything, just pointing out the dangers inherent in that kind of mindset.

 

[Startzel]

Then we just fundamentally disagree.
I am far more interested in getting to play some good matches than I am in making it to nationals or whatever. You seem to view playing matches as just something that needs to get done in order to win the team match, get to nationals, etc.
That's fine, you're entitled to your perspective.

If playing the match is the most important part why do you feel like you deserve be right to change your lineup to make it stronger? Why wouldn't you just play the guys you were planning to play anyway?

We don't fundamentally disagree. You're just failing to acknowledge your actual intentions.

 

[Startzel]

Na, I think he genuinely feels that getting the win, making nationals, etc, is more important than playing tennis. I would imagine he'd be happy showing up for a match and getting a win by default, if that secures the team win, since a win is a win. And I do know people like that so he's not alone.
What's ironic is that it's people with that mindset (who value the win more than the actual playing of tennis) who end up resorting to things like sandbagging, which he doth protest so much against. Not accusing him of anything, just pointing out the dangers inherent in that kind of mindset.

lol nice attempt to accuse the guy arguing the match should be played fairly of cheating. I love nice fallacies to deflect from the fact you want an unfair advantage.

 

[OrangePower]

If playing the match is the most important part why do you feel like you deserve be right to change your lineup to make it stronger? Why wouldn't you just play the guys you were planning to play anyway?

We don't fundamentally disagree. You're just failing to acknowledge your actual intentions.

I want there to be as much incentive as possible for captains to either field a full lineup, or else at the very least let opponents know of a default in advance so as not drag an opponent needlessly to a match they won't be playing.

You on the other hand don't want any such additional incentive. Furthermore, you specifically say that you evaluate loss of a "free point" as a worse outcome than making a player come to a match but not playing. You value the free point more than a ready-and-able person being denied a match.

Own what you say. You are taking the side of the defaulting captain (who caused the situation where a match is not being played) over that of the captain whose players are all willing and able to play (and who had no control over the situation).

It's clear what your priorities are.

 

[GatorTennis]

Unless your section has a rule requiring you to announce a default, you don't have to. Depending on who the captain is, you may want to give them the courtesy. There are many reasons why you may not want to be courteous to a fellow captain. I have seen captains not announce a default and end up winning because the opposing captain flipped and their best player got a default court. I've also seen double defaulted courts because captains didn't announce.

Allowing someone to change their lineup after they've seen yours is ludicrous. One of the dumbest things I've heard on here.

 

[OrangePower]

Allowing someone to change their lineup after they've seen yours is ludicrous. One of the dumbest things I've heard on here.

I don't think anyone is suggesting that. What is being suggested is that defaults would need to be made known to the other captain in advance of exchanging lineups. That makes it more likely that defaulting captains will do the right thing and prevent unneeded players from having to come to the courts.

 

[GrassCourtFan]

Unless your section has a rule requiring you to announce a default, you don't have to. Depending on who the captain is, you may want to give them the courtesy. There are many reasons why you may not want to be courteous to a fellow captain. I have seen captains not announce a default and end up winning because the opposing captain flipped and their best player got a default court. I've also seen double defaulted courts because captains didn't announce.

I'd say it's not a courtesy to the opposing *captain*, it's a courtesy to the *players* on the opposing team. Specifically, the players who would drive to the match just to find they're not playing.

The opposing captain isn't the one inconvenienced by not knowing of a default, they're not the ones playing.

 

[Startzel]

I want there to be as much incentive as possible for captains to either field a full lineup, or else at the very least let opponents know of a default in advance so as not drag an opponent needlessly to a match they won't be playing.

You on the other hand don't want any such additional incentive. Furthermore, you specifically say that you evaluate loss of a "free point" as a worse outcome than making a player come to a match but not playing. You value the free point more than a ready-and-able person being denied a match.

Own what you say. You are taking the side of the defaulting captain (who caused the situation where a match is not being played) over that of the captain whose players are all willing and able to play (and who had no control over the situation).

It's clear what your priorities are.

lol "own what you say." Another lame attempt to deflect from your true intentions.

You claim you just want your guys to play a match. Yet, anytime you get a default you want to be able to bench your weakest player/players.

its clear where your priorities are.

 

[Startzel]

I'd say it's not a courtesy to the opposing *captain*, it's a courtesy to the *players* on the opposing team. Specifically, the players who would drive to the match just to find they're not playing.

The opposing captain isn't the one inconvenienced by not knowing of a default, they're not the ones playing.

The problem really is with the way we exchange lineups. The usta should implement something where you submit your lineup online the day prior or require you to submit them to the LLC.

That way you could default a lineup and only be punished once. The opposing team would then be alerted early enough to notify those unneeded players not to come.

It's a shame players like OrangePower want the extra advantage of knowing and changing their lineup. If there weren't captains like that a captain wouldn't have to keep his default secret.

 

[OrangePower]

lol "own what you say." Another lame attempt to deflect from your true intentions.

You claim you just want your guys to play a match. Yet, anytime you get a default you want to be able to bench your weakest player/players.

its clear where your priorities are.

I don't want to bench anyone. I just don't want players showing up for nothing. Anything that provides incentive against this happening is good in my book.

 

[OrangePower]

The problem really is with the way we exchange lineups. The usta should implement something where you submit your lineup online the day prior or require you to submit them to the LLC.

That way you could default a lineup and only be punished once. The opposing team would then be alerted early enough to notify those unneeded players not to come.

It's a shame players like OrangePower want the extra advantage of knowing and changing their lineup. If there weren't captains like that a captain wouldn't have to keep his default secret.

That's actually a good idea and one that I would support.
Until that day though, the defaulting captain should do the right thing and let the other team know of defaults ahead of time.
This is so clearly the right thing to do, that all your arguments to the contrary just reveal your true nature.

 

[OrangePower]

I'd say it's not a courtesy to the opposing *captain*, it's a courtesy to the *players* on the opposing team. Specifically, the players who would drive to the match just to find they're not playing.

The opposing captain isn't the one inconvenienced by not knowing of a default, they're not the ones playing.

Exactly right. Of course sometimes the opposing captain is also one of the players in the lineup. But yeah, if a defaulting captain does not inform the other team of the default ahead of time, it is a jerk thing to do to the players who are going to get there only to find they are not playing.
I can't believe how many people think this is an ok thing to do.

 

[Startzel]

That's actually a good idea and one that I would support.
Until that day though, the defaulting captain should do the right thing and let the other team know of defaults ahead of time.
This is so clearly the right thing to do, that all your arguments to the contrary just reveal your true nature.

lol my true nature? Again with the insults to try to deflect from your intentions.

I've already stated that when my opponent has to default I just reschedule that point to be played at a later date so everyone still gets to play.

But I'm the one trying to cheat, not the guy who wants to sub out his weakest players and takes the free point ;-)

 

[brettatk]

lol my true nature? Again with the insults to try to deflect from your intentions.

I've already stated that when my opponent has to default I just reschedule that point to be played at a later date so everyone still gets to play.

But I'm the one trying to cheat, not the guy who wants to sub out his weakest players and takes the free point ;-)

But what about this USTA rule?

Team matches shall not be played after the scheduled day for the league involved.

The only way our league will allow this is if we get rained out. Although I'm not sure whether this is a Section rule or not. I just know we've been told that we could not do it in the past.

 

[Startzel]

But what about this USTA rule?



The only way our league will allow this is if we get rained out. Although I'm not sure whether this is a Section rule or not. I just know we've been told that we could not do it in the past.

Sometimes you gotta break the rules to go the fair thing.

 

[OrangePower]

lol my true nature? Again with the insults to try to deflect from your intentions.

I've already stated that when my opponent has to default I just reschedule that point to be played at a later date so everyone still gets to play.

But I'm the one trying to cheat, not the guy who wants to sub out his weakest players and takes the free point ;-)

That's very reasonable. But how do you know that your opponent has to default?
Since you are so opposed in principle to requiring advance notice of default, you would only know right before the match when lineups are exchanged, at which point all your players are already there. Don't you value their time at all?
Wouldn't it be better if the opposing team let you know the day before that they were going to default?

 

[GatorTennis]

People should just be thankful that I'm not a Capt. I like rules, and I don't trust people. About 1/3 or more of the captains are sketchy. The rules are pretty clear that you must have your team there to claim a default. If you want to be courteous, nothing wrong with that, but it's not required.

 

[brettatk]

That's very reasonable. But how do you know that your opponent has to default?
Since you are so opposed in principle to requiring advance notice of default, you would only know right before the match when lineups are exchanged, at which point all your players are already there. Don't you value their time at all?
Wouldn't it be better if the opposing team let you know the day before that they were going to default?

Agreed. We've contacted the other team before and asked whether they would like to play a match early which is legal. Not all captains will consider it but a lot of the time they have scheduling issues as well and it helps them out. Since it's against the rules to play a match after the match date it doesn't get done around these parts.

 

[OrangePower]

People should just be thankful that I'm not a Capt. I like rules, and I don't trust people. About 1/3 or more of the captains are sketchy. The rules are pretty clear that you must have your team there to claim a default. If you want to be courteous, nothing wrong with that, but it's not required.

Sure, it's not required. But treating others with respect by valuing their time should be something we do even if not required.
It's true that occasionally some jerk captain will take advantage of your courtesy. But they get a reputation - we all know who they are.

Not a perfect analogy, but... you are not required to tip your waiter, but it's a pretty jerk thing to stiff him other than in exceptional circumstances. Because that would be in effect robbing him of the time and effort spent waiting on you. Similarly if a player shows up to a match but does not get to play, he is being robbed of that time. We all value our free/rec time.

 

[Startzel]

That's very reasonable. But how do you know that your opponent has to default?
Since you are so opposed in principle to requiring advance notice of default, you would only know right before the match when lineups are exchanged, at which point all your players are already there. Don't you value their time at all?
Wouldn't it be better if the opposing team let you know the day before that they were going to default?

We had this exact scenario happen on Tuesday night. Match was scheduled for 7:30 and the other team notified us at 6:58. The two players inconvenienced just played each other in single and are coming back tonight to play the point.

 

[Startzel]

People should just be thankful that I'm not a Capt. I like rules, and I don't trust people. About 1/3 or more of the captains are sketchy. The rules are pretty clear that you must have your team there to claim a default. If you want to be courteous, nothing wrong with that, but it's not required.

It's pretty obvious orangepower just wants to be able to strengthen his lineup and take the free point. He doesn't genuinely care about his players fee time.

 

[OrangePower]

It's pretty obvious orangepower just wants to be able to strengthen his lineup and take the free point. He doesn't genuinely care about his players fee time.

LOL

 

[justinmadison]

It's pretty obvious orangepower just wants to be able to strengthen his lineup and take the free point. He doesn't genuinely care about his players fee time.

At this point I can only hope Startzel is trolling. Orangepower's position benefits the team who fields 8 players. Rules apply to both teams.

In my specific example we were playing away (an hour drive), on a rainy Friday night, at 7:00. The guy who did not get to play carpooled with another player and essentially gave up a Friday night with his family because the opposing captain had an incentive to not tell us they were defaulting a line. If we had a rule that required a captain, who was not fielding a complete team, to tell the opposing captain which line was being defaulted before the lineups were exchanged it would have eliminated that advantage. With this rule in place there is less incentive to wait until match time to revel you are defaulting a line. Obliviously, (at least to most people), this rule applies to everyone and does not disproportionally help or hurt any individual or team. What it does do is make the USTA team experience more enjoyable for everyone.

 

[winchestervatennis]

At this point I can only hope Startzel is trolling. Orangepower's position benefits the team who fields 8 players. Rules apply to both teams.

In my specific example we were playing away (an hour drive), on a rainy Friday night, at 7:00. The guy who did not get to play carpooled with another player and essentially gave up a Friday night with his family because the opposing captain had an incentive to not tell us they were defaulting a line. If we had a rule that required a captain, who was not fielding a complete team, to tell the opposing captain which line was being defaulted before the lineups were exchanged it would have eliminated that advantage. With this rule in place there is less incentive to wait until match time to revel you are defaulting a line. Obliviously, (at least to most people), this rule applies to everyone and does not disproportionally help or hurt any individual or team. What it does do is make the USTA team experience more enjoyable for everyone.

Letting the other captain know your team is defaulting a line is the decent thing to do, even if it puts your own team at a disadvantage. I agree that people's free time is valuable and making someone show up when you know ahead of time you're defaulting a court is simply disrespectful whether its within the rules or not.

We're living in a society...

 

[Startzel]

At this point I can only hope Startzel is trolling. Orangepower's position benefits the team who fields 8 players. Rules apply to both teams.

In my specific example we were playing away (an hour drive), on a rainy Friday night, at 7:00. The guy who did not get to play carpooled with another player and essentially gave up a Friday night with his family because the opposing captain had an incentive to not tell us they were defaulting a line. If we had a rule that required a captain, who was not fielding a complete team, to tell the opposing captain which line was being defaulted before the lineups were exchanged it would have eliminated that advantage. With this rule in place there is less incentive to wait until match time to revel you are defaulting a line. Obliviously, (at least to most people), this rule applies to everyone and does not disproportionally help or hurt any individual or team. What it does do is make the USTA team experience more enjoyable for everyone.

If you aren't able to see how it punishes the defaulting team twice, you shouldn't participate in this conversation.

 

[Startzel]

Letting the other captain know your team is defaulting a line is the decent thing to do, even if it puts your own team at a disadvantage. I agree that people's free time is valuable and making someone show up when you know ahead of time you're defaulting a court is simply disrespectful whether its within the rules or not.

We're living in a society...

I think it's sad you guys are missing out on the camaraderie that comes with being on a team.

I had a match tonight and two guys who weren't playing came out and watched the rest of us play. The best part of league tennis is the bonding you have with your teammates and matches that count for something.

It sounds like you guys are missing out on that.

 

[OrangePower]

Letting the other captain know your team is defaulting a line is the decent thing to do, even if it puts your own team at a disadvantage. I agree that people's free time is valuable and making someone show up when you know ahead of time you're defaulting a court is simply disrespectful whether its within the rules or not.

I think it's sad you guys are missing out on the camaraderie that comes with being on a team.

I had a match tonight and two guys who weren't playing came out and watched the rest of us play. The best part of league tennis is the bonding you have with your teammates and matches that count for something.

It sounds like you guys are missing out on that.

Startzel buddy, you are being quite a hypocrite.
Here you are arguing against doing the decent thing and letting the other team know in advance if you are defaulting a line.
And yet, in another thread...

I agree. It wouldn't bother me if the guy retired once his team won the match. Obviously, the singles point didn't matter to the winning team.

As for the poster who complain about "opponents driving to the match"... would your attitude be different if they walked 1 block to the tennis center?

Nope. They still came to play. Jerk move.

Exactly the opposite position!
So, which is it?

Granted, that was from about a year ago, so it's possible you've lost your moral compass since then. But don't worry, we're here to help you regain it.