Ladder Season 2015

The Vermont Tennis Ladder officially begins this Monday, May 25, 2015. Before we get underway, an overdue congrats to last year's A and B champions, Coleman Gay, and Josh Cohen. Runners up Teal Scott and Matt Segel pushed them to the brink. The competitive championship matches capped off the ladder's busiest season yet, with over 77 matches played by 32 active players. The original goal was to create a free, casual, centralized way to call up and hit with a wide variety of players at or around the same level. Hopefully that will be your experience this year. If you would like to join, e-mail me at vttennisladder@gmail.com. Have fun, play hard.

Note: As in prior seasons, a player's number in the ladder standings does not always correlate with ability. New players start at the bottom and inactive players at the end of the season last year move down so there is often a mix of levels early on. It will take a few weeks for these rankings to settle out.

Format: 2015

1. Anyone new to the ladder or didn't make the A or B playoffs last season has "One Free Challenge Match" (OCFM) This means you can challenge up as high as you want in the ladder in your first match. If you win, you take that person's spot and they move down one spot. If you lose you remain at your prior spot. 

2. If you challenge a player and they do not get back to you within four (4) days, cancel within twelve (12) hours of the scheduled match time, or reschedule more than two (2) times (for any reason) you will take their spot as if you have won the match. The result will be recorded as a default win. 

3. Matches can be played at any time or place. Bring a can of balls.

4. Matches must be best 2/3 sets with full third or 2/3 sets with a 10 pt match breaker. It is better to decide about a full third or match breaker before the match begins, but not a rule.

5. Each player must play a minimum of one (1) match every two week session. If you don't play a match at the end of that two week period you will be moved down four (4) spots unless it's a planned absence (travel, injury, etc...) or you have made an effort to challenge three (3) different players and were unsuccessful in the two week period. If you don't play over a four (4) week period you will be moved to the bottom of the ladder.

6. Match scores need to be reported to vttennisladder@gmail.com before you play your next match so the ladder can be adjusted accordingly.

7. Everyone can challenge up to four (4) places in front of themselves. If the #1 player isn't challenged over the course of a two week period and doesn't play they do not move out of #1.

8. If you win a match you will move into your opponents spot, or maintain your position.  If you lose a match you will move down to your opponents position.

9. The ladder ends Sunday, August 2nd. Playoffs will be split into A and B brackets. The top 8 players make the A playoff. Players number 9-16 are in the B playoff. This way we will have an A and B champ, and maximize the number of matches played. The championship matches will attempt to find a common time and place to play the final matches the week after the semi-final round so that fans can attend if interested.

10. You are welcome to play anyone on the ladder anytime, matches won't count that are outside these rules.