Sure Is A Lot of Quacking Going On

Someone once said that when there is a lot of discussion about anything it eventually ends up sounding like a bunch of ducks quacking--and that sure seems to be the case with the discussion about the USTA and Texas Section "Recovery Rule."

In order not to further quack, here are the things we know (and don't know):

* The first issuance of the rule was fairly generic and somewhat specific.

* Then an email was sent out from the Texas Section office saying this rule was for juniors only and that the proper tennis committees were working on the rule for adults and seniors.

* Then word was out that the rule for adults and seniors contained no heat rule provision and that all matches would be 2 out of 3 sets. Of course, the word "Recovery Rule" lends itself to a different interpretation.

* In a personal phone conversation with committee chairman, Jerry Thomas, on 3-30-12, he assured me that no vote had been taken on the new rule and that the vote should take place sometime in the next couple of days. He then assured me that he would email me a copy of the new rule as it applies in Texas.

* Then there is the email from the Texas Section office in the previous post (on the same day) which details everything about the "Recovery Rule" in Texas. My question is that if the new rule has not been voted on then how in the world do they have all these details?

Sounds like a whole lot of quacking is going on these days...

New Recovery Rule For Adults & Seniors

Since there seems to be an ongoing issue with the new Recovery Rule in Texas, I am printing this information that was sent out by the Texas Section:

Adult, Senior, &/or Super Senior Sanctioned Tournament Directors & Referees -

I'm sure most of you have heard about the new USTA National singles Recovery Rule that is effective immediately.

This rule does NOT change the USTA Texas Heat &/or Rain rules currently in effect, about shortening matches in those weather related times, in Ad/Sr/SS sanctioned tournaments. The rule below is about scheduling matches, although Ad/Sr/SS sanctioned tournaments that have heat or rain issues will still be able to shorten matches, per current rules.

The Texas rule below, talks about the unlikely instance that the draw is so large that 3 singles matches may have to be scheduled in one day to finish the tournament in the sanctioned time period.

This “3 singles matches in one day” would result only when there is:

a 32 or more draw for a 2-day tournament; or

a 128 or more draw for a 3-day tournament; or

a draw larger than 256 for a 4-day tournament.

The following will be added to all Ad/Sr/SS tournament homepage (for sanctioned tournaments):

Singles Recovery Rule - Effective Immediately

USTA has mandated that: "In all singles matches for Juniors, Adults, Seniors, NTRP and Wheelchair divisions in which the match format is two out of three standard sets or more, a rest period of two hours shall be offered by the Referee before the player’s next singles match. This Rule does not apply to short set and matches that play a tiebreak in lieu of a final third set nor to any match played indoors where the duration of the match is less than 120 minutes."

In the USTA TX Adult, Senior or Super Senior divisions, the regular format of full two of three sets will be used unless there are any singles draws large enough to require 3 singles matches on one day. Those 3 singles matches should be scheduled on the first day of play with the Round 1 in singles scheduled as a 10 point match tie-breaker in lieu of a final third set (which does not require a two hour rest period to be offered before the next singles match). All other Ad/Sr/SS matches will be the full two out of three sets, with a two hour rest period offered for any consecutive singles matches. If both players agree, the 2 hour rest period can be shortened. Doubles matches are not under this 2 hour recovery requirement, and if a doubles match is played between any 2 singles matches, the 2 hour rest period is not required to be offered.

New Recovery Rule

New rule for rest between matches.

Printed below is the new rule just adopted by the USTA and effective immediately:

Recovery Rule - Effective Immediately

USTA has mandated that all full two out of three set singles matches shall offer a minimum rest period of two hours. A minimum rest period of two hours is not required for matches using shortened formats, matches using a 10-point match tiebreaker in lieu of a third set, and all 10 & Under tennis formats.

Super Champ Major Zone "B" Draws (Main Draw) and Champ Major Zones (Main Draw) will use a 10-point match tiebreak in lieu of a third set through the quarterfinal round. Semifinals and finals will play a full two out of three set matches.

Junior Others: Depending on draw size the Tournament Director and/or Referee will determine the appropriate match format.

NOTE: Someone just added a comment that they had checked with the USTA and this is a rule for juniors only.

How's It Working Out For You?

Gas prices continue on their upward climb.

For those who are adamantly opposed to even discussing a pay rate increase or a fuel surcharge on our invoices, my only question would be, "How's that working out for you?"

Gas prices are close to $5/gallon in California and nearly $4/gallon in DFW.

Might be an issue worth re-visiting...

Keeping A Sharp Eye In Austin

FEATURED OFFICIAL OF THE WEEK

Rick Gabel

(featured in his Ohio State regalia)

An exciting week was had by all in the ITA world as we heard of numerous great matches! Congratulations to everyone and keep up the good work. Here are some of the week's events:

A SHARP EYE IN AUSTIN

Our featured match this past week was between the University of Texas and the Tulsa University men. Our sharp-eyed official Rick Gabel (featured above) was on the court in the #3 doubles match and had four overrules on the Tulsa players. Rick gave two of the overrules and one by side-linesman, Glen Whitaker, and the other by the infamous official from College Station on the other sideline. Way to go--keep those eyes sharp...

ADMONITION FOR FAIR PLAY

During a singles match between SMU and Columbia, the SMU coach complained to the official that the Columbia players were harassing his player through the fence. The official then said to the players, "You boys need to root for both sides. We need to go by the rules."

Enough said about that one...

MISSED TOUCH ON MATCH POINT

During the TCU vs Tulsa deciding men's doubles match, on match point the TCU player hit a winning overhead--but also hit the net on his follow through. No official (there were three on the court) saw it and the only players who knew about it were the one who did it and the two Tulsa players but they said nothing.

Definitely enough said about that one...

NO MORE SCORE CARDS

Seems that one of our more experienced and definitely most popular officials (who will remain unnamed in this post), has progressed to the point that they do not use the score card in their matches any longer. The official only uses the scoring device so I tend to wonder what happens when that goes on the blink or when the coach asks how many doubles faults his player has had.

Oh well, to the victor goes the spoils...

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU GET RAINED OUT

Seems that the UT-Tulsa men's match yesterday was full of surprises. Following the doubles point which was won by UT, the men began their singles matches--but after a short beginning the rains began to fall. With the prospect of continued rain throughout the afternoon and Tulsa having to catch a flight, the match was suspended for the day.

Then the officials were scurrying to find out the proper ruling on a match like this.

What would you have ruled???

BOYS NOT TO BE OUTDONE BY THE GIRLS

Everyone has grown accustomed to the women ITA players changing their shirts on the court--but now the boys are getting into the act. In the UTA-Sacramento State men's match, the Sacramento State player finished his 3 minute warm-up and when time was called he calmly walked to the bench, took off his shorts, toweled off, put on another pair of shorts, and then went out on the court. Thank goodness he had on some dark and extensive underwear...

PERHAPS THERE IS A NEED FOR MORE TRAINING

Just when we think our experienced ITA officials have arrived and do not need to attend a school every year we discover that this isn't always true...

During the TCU-Tulsa men's match, Referee Myron Krueger instructed two of his officials to go to the deciding doubles match and do the near and far sideline. He also instructed them to do the center service line. Little did he know that neither of them knew what he was talking about or how to do it...

It was a great tennis spectacle to watch Myron on the sideline trying to get his two officials in the right place at the right time...

These officials will remain unnamed so noone will tease them and sign them up for additional training.

Was The Official Right?

In an ITA men's dual match this past weekend, player A asked for a medical timeout. Since it was taking quite a while for the trainer to get to the court and with fairly cool temperatures, the coach of player B asked if his player could hit practice serves during the medical timeout for player A.

The official on the court told the coach that his player could not do this.

Was the official correct in their ruling?

A Couple of Interesting Scenarios

Singles sticks or no singles sticks--that is the question.

During this busy ITA season we continually encounter amusing, perplexing, confusing, and plain scenarios. Some of which are clearly explained in the FAC and some that aren't. Here are a couple from recent weeks:

COACH GIVING HIS OWN PLAYER A CODE VIOLATION

In a men's ITA match, player A made a valiant effort to get to a shot but fell short. In going for the ball, he launched it over the fence. The chair official felt that there was no codeable offense but player A's coach immediately came to the court and instructed the chair official to give his player a game penalty (since he had previously received a point penalty).

What would you have done and what do you need to remember in this situation?

DISCOVERING THAT THE SINGLES STICKS WERE NOT UP

In a men's ITA match during the start of the second game, Player A's coach pointed out to the official that the singles sticks has not been put up before the singles match began. He then asked that his player be permitted to serve his game without sticks since Player B had served without them.

The official granted his request.

Was this the right decision? Was this a fair decision?

What We Do In A Rain Delay

Some of our newer officials always ask what we do during a rain delay in an ITA dual match. Well, we experienced one yesterday at UT in their match with the University of San Diego.

Since there were 7 of us we had plenty of time to find things to do. In the picture above, Myron Krueger is practicing putting up and taking down his umbrella.

In the picture below he is seen sorting balls so we will be prepared when play resumes.

Of course, all of it was to no avail since it never stopped raining and the match was moved to today.

Such is the weather in Texas...

Praying For One Of Our Own

Remember to pray specifically for Cathy Megee.

CATHY MEGEE

Our tennis officiating world is basically one big family--and families come together during times of crisis or sickness. Cathy Megee of St. Louis was recently diagnosed with leukemia and is now undergoing chemotherapy and transplants.

We are asking our entire tennis officiating family to remember Cathy in their thoughts and prayers during these coming days. We will do our best to keep you updated on her condition and progress.

Cathy in action at the US Open

DIEGO BENITEZ: A Coach Who Knows How To Win And Relax

Diego Benitez, head coach at UTA, is one of the most successful and popular ITA coaches in Texas. I went by the UTA courts today and caught Diego in one of his lighter moments as he was moving from court to court--on his skateboard!

Sometimes we aren't privileged to see coaches as they relax but Diego is from Venezuela and they know how to do it down there!

Coach Benitez moving from court to court during his team's practice.

Coaches sometimes have to be able to do everything as evidenced by Diego's changing a tire on a recent tennis trip.

Congratulations to Diego Benitez for showing all of us officials that coaches are human too...

New Honig's ITA Shirts Now Available

For all ITA officials other than those live and work in Texas, the new Honig's ITA shirt is now available. Cost is $36.95 plus shipping so it should run about $43 per shirt. You can order these shirts by clicking on ITA apparel on the top right side of the blog. They are available in navy and white.

For those who live and work in Texas--we have stockpiled some black ITA equipment for your convenience. If you would like to order some of these, check out the blog post below.

Stockpiled Black ITA Apparel Still Available

Some black ITA apparel still available.

We were able to stockpile some black ITA apparel before the USTA decision and wanted to make them available to anyone who needs them. The black apparel is required to do ITA events in Texas so be sure to replenish your stock if you need something.

If you are interested, you would need to contact Randy McDonald at rmtennis@yahoo.com or 214 796 7402.

Here is a list of the available items:

Black ITA shirt-- $24. Available in all men's sizes with a $1 charge for 2XL. No women's sizes.

Black ITA windbreakers--$35. Available in all men's sizes with a $1 charge for 2XL. No women's sizes.

Black ITA jacket--$55. Available in all men's sizes with a $1 charge for 2XL. No women's sizes.

Khaki ITA cap--$11.

* Shipping is usually $5 for a small order. Contact Randy for the exact charges for your order.

These items are only available on a limited basis and are only available to ITA officials.

TCU vs Arizona--An ITA Event To Remember

Myron Krueger & TCU player, Millie Nichols

When it comes to putting on an "evening to remember in ITA tennis" noone can match the TCU Horned Frogs! At tonight's match against Arizona, there was literally something for everyone. The evening began with singing and eating and concluding with a TCU victory over the Arizona team.

The evening was highlighted by a singer who sang and played during the matches.

Former TCU players also put in their appearance. Jack Seider (left) and Chris.

TCU Media Relations Expert, Jaime Handy

The evening also featured massages by Kurt Ray of Deeper Dynamics in Ft. Worth

There were plenty of give-aways for the fans.

The purple balloons made the evening complete.

The Baylor Sand Pit

When one doesn't fulfill his responsibilities at an elite program school such as Baylor, they may face the fate of being relegated to the "Sand Pit."

Pictured above is one of our most experienced officials (David Fleuriet) faithfully working as a ballboy in the Sand Pit.

NOTE: The Sand Pit is the sandy pit at the end of the Baylor courts in which they are going to erect their new electronic scoreboard. The Sand Pit will soon be a thing of the past but it is a source of enjoyment for many of our officials.