LEAGUE STRUCTURE:

1. 1. Clubs’ Teams compete in three Divisions (1 to 3). Division 1 is the most competitive.
   2. All Divisions play on Thursday night.
2. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY:
   1. All players must be a member of the Club for which they play. Except that one teaching professional emplyed by a club is eligible to play.
   2. A player belonging to two different Clubs may only play for one Club during the season.
   3. Players that are members of multiple clubs can only play for one of those clubs during a season.
   4. Players that are members of a club that has a paddle team in the league are not eligible to play for other teams (e.g. Rowayton and Wilton YMCA)
   5. Every Team in Divisions 1 & 2 must provide a list of 8 “frozen” players if they have another team below them in the league.   These players are ineligible for play on any other Team in the same or a lower Division.  The players must be listed in rank order of ability starting with the best player first.  Each player on the list must play at least 2 matches per year (penalty is loss of 3 home team matches in the next season).
3. PRE-MEET RESPONSIBILITIES:
   1. The host Captain will contact the visiting Team Captain by the Monday preceeding the meet to confirm the time and location arrangements.
   2. The host Team provides balls and refreshments.
   3. Captains must prepare their line up before the meet, listing match teams in descending order of ability.
   4. Do not cancel a meet prematurely.
   5. If courts are not playable at the host Club, try to switch to the visiting Team's Club.
   6. Rain is not considered a reason for postponement. (Use good judgment though concerning players' safety.)
   7. Postponed matches are only due to inclement weather and must be replayed within 2 weeks of the originally scheduled time. Each individual match not replayed within 2 weeks, will be scored as a loss of 1 point for both teams. This will be strictly enforced!
4. MEET GUIDLEINES:
   1. A meet between two opposing Club Teams consists of four matches.
   2. Captains are expected to field their best teams in descending order of ability.
   3. A meet must be played on the scheduled Thursday. Points will be forfeited by both Teams for not completing the match as scheduled.
   4. A default occurs 15 minutes after the agreed upon starting time. (Typically 7:45 pm)
   5. If an injury or personal matter interrupts play, the team calling for the delay defaults.
   6. A match consists of best of 3 sets.
   7. A.P.T.A. rules of play shall govern all matches.
   8. A 7-point tiebreak shall be played when a set reaches 6-all.
5. SCORE REPORTING:
   1. By noon on the following Monday, the Host Captain must post the scores at www.fcptl.com. (Alternatively, the Visiting Captain can also post scores.)
   2. Game summary must include set scores & player’s names for each of the 4 matches.
   3. Home captains must post scores by the following Monday at noon.  Each failure to post a match score on time can result in the loss of a home court advantage in the following season.
   4. If you have any problems posting scores, send details to:
6. LEAGUE STANDINGS & YEAR END RESULTS:
   1. Each Match won counts one Point for its Club.  At a normal meet, there are a total of 4 points to be won.  If one team cannot field a full squad of 4 doubles teams, they forfeit one (1) point for each pair they are short.  If both teams are short players, then the number of Match Points is reduced.  For example if both teams are short 1 pair, then only 3 points will be awarded for that meet.  If Team A only has 2 pairs, and Team B only has one,  a maximum of 2 points are awarded for that meet.  Team A automatically wins one point on forfeit.  The other point is awarded based on the results of the match that was played.
   2. Based on the end of the season points standings, including the playoffs in the 2009/10 season, the 2 top and 2 bottom clubs in each Division will move up or down. 
   3. Tiebreaker Hierarchy
      1. Head to head total Match Points will be used as the 1st Tiebreaker.
      2. If no score details beyond the Match Points were entered and the teams tied, then a coin flip will decide which team moves up or goes down.
      3. If tied on Points, Total Sets won in head to head match will be the 2nd Tiebreaker.
      4. If tied on Points and Sets, Total Games won in head to head match will be used as the 3rd Tiebreaker.
      5. 4th Tiebreaker is a coin flip.