Some sections (Southerns) will allow players who appeal to play down a level if a team does not exist at their level in their area. I know this sounds absurd but I came across this two summers ago. The player in question was a 5.0 and allowed to play down. The sections decision to allow this essentially cost us the state championship and a trip to sectionals. Although I don't entirely agree with this I understand the sections decision to allow for this provision. if you can't find a tournament or a team to play on if you have this option try it. As far as I am concerned the most important thing is that tennis players get an opportunity to play organized competition.
The big problem with ringers at mostly the 5.0, 4.5 and 4.0 level is because the USTA has failed or neglected to market to and cater to this group. 6.0 though 4.5 is a very small minority of the USTA's membership and traditionally the ones who supported open and age group tennis tournaments. As Team Tennis increased in popularity tournaments, tournament participation declined. This has caused advanced players who want to play to gravitate to league play. With self-verification and the convenience of league play available sandbagging occurs. The USTA although they could do something to address the problem does not. Thus, here we are stuck with the system they give us. For all the flaws overall it's better than nothing.
The USTA is still lazy IMO not addressing the problem with any solutions or even an attempt to provide a solution. Their last attemp to fix the system was Self-Verification and dynamic rating computer system. We all know what a flop that has been.
I disagree slightly. The DNTRP system is MUCH better than what we had before. And self-rating isnt perfect but they are making some progress every year. Just because you hear some people heaming and hawing about it doesnt mean it was a total disaster.
I believe that most of the players who are out of level will get rated up due to these systems (although they may debate that they dont deserve to get rated up, or it's unjust). Then they can go on to "have fun" and play tennis at their new level which shouldnt be an issue as long as that level exists and they arent in it solely for winning championships.
What is wrong that I see is:
1) We have a stupid appeal system that let's you just click a button and you magically undo, what the computer has already done.
2) Sections such as yours who bend the rules, thinking they are being "player friendly" to a few players, even though it's not fair to the majority of their own players.
3) Certain Sections seem to have taken a personal stake in seeing their teams succeed, thus they encourage appeals, give our medical appeals like it's nobody's business, and generally look the other way when the system is abused unless a player files a grievence.
The National USTA League Committee is conflicted from what Ive heard.
Many of them hate appeals and if it was up to them they wouldnt grant any, including medical. They think the system will work itself out eventually. (does anyone else remember the mantra when this system came out of "The computer will take care of everything eventually.....".
But others are afraid it will rate too many people up. Which is why they constantly make systems that conflict with each other.
(like the fact that you can get rated up, but NO WAIT, if you are only .05 or under you should magically get to appeal. Unfortuanlly 80% of everyone who is rated up is under .05, it's not as small as they are advertising)
