Eastern Tennis Umpires Association

3 Minute Rest Period Procedures

2012-01-18T11:21:00.000-08:00

Procedures for 3-Minute Rest Period before Match Tiebreak in Junior Matches

When a 3-minute rest period is taken in a junior match before a Match Tiebreak, the procedures below shall be followed.

1. The official starts the clock on the 3-minute rest period after explaining the rest period and giving any explanation required because of a request for a toilet/change of attire break. There are three possible situations.
· No player requests an immediate toilet/change of attire break. The official simply starts the clock at the end of the explanation.
· At least one player requests an immediate toilet/change of attire break. The official starts the clock at the end of the explanation in order to time the rest period and the toilet/change of attire break. (The toilet/change of attire break must be timed so that the official has at least some objective information on which to determine whether a player has exceeded the reasonable time allowed for the toilet/change of attire break.)
· One or more player requests a toilet/change of attire break after the 3-minute rest period.
o The official starts the clock at the end of the explanation.
o The official starts the clock again at the end of the 3-minute rest period so that the official has at least some objective information on which to determine whether a player has exceeded the reasonable time allowed for the toilet/change of attire break.

2. Players must remain on court or in an area adjacent to the court designated by an official.

3. The official shall monitor the entire 3-minute rest period to ensure that players do not leave the court or the designated area. The official must continue to monitor the court until play resumes, even if the official’s assistance is needed or requested on another court.

4. Coaching is permitted during the 3-minute rest period and must take place on court or in an area adjacent to the court designated by an official. Coaching may take place using a cell phone or other communication device. The device must be turned off and stowed at the conclusion of the 3-minute rest period.

5. A player who is not ready to play at the end of the 3-minute rest period may receive a time violation, just as the player would for being late after a changeover or 2-minute Set Break. Should an additional 20 seconds pass without the player being ready, a code violation for delay of game may be issued.

6. If both players or teams are not ready to play, assess the time violation penalty against the last player or team who is ready to play.

7. A player may choose to take a toilet/change of attire break during the 3-minute rest period, but in doing so, the player waives the right to further coaching and coaching is not permitted during the toilet/change of attire break. Reasonable time is given for this break. The break must be timed so that the official has at least some objective information on which to determine whether a player has exceeded the reasonable time allowed for the toilet/change of attire break. Coaching for any player not taking a toilet/change of attire break ends at the conclusion of the 3-minute rest period.

8. Preferably any toilet/change of attire break is taken at the conclusion of the 3-minute rest period. Reasonable time is given for this break. Coaching is not permitted for a player who is taking a toilet/change of attire break or for any player waiting for another player to return from a toilet/change of attire break.

Instruction to Players Before Start of 3-Minute Rest Period

1. Instruct the players immediately before beginning to time the rest period.
· The 3-minute rest period will begin at the conclusion of this explanation.
· Coaching is allowed during the rest period.
· Coaching must occur on court or in the area that the Referee has designated that is next to the court.
· “Time” will be called at 2 and ½ minutes and players must be ready to play in 30 seconds thereafter;
· Failure to be ready to play will result in a time violation.
· Further delay will result in code violations.

2. If a player requests a toilet/change of attire break:
· Explain that the toilet/change of attire break may be taken after the 3-minute rest period and that the player has reasonable time to complete the break. No player may receive coaching during a toilet/change of attire break.
· If a player insists on the need to take the break now, explain that the player loses the right to receive coaching and has reasonable time to complete the break.

3. Assuming that at least one player takes advantage of the rest period, the official calls "Time" at 2 ½ minutes and advises the players that within 30 seconds all coaching must cease and they must be ready to play.

4. If a player is not ready to play, the official assesses a time violation. The penalty will be either a warning or a point penalty depending on whether the player or team has received a previous time violation.

5. If the player is not ready to play in an additional 20 seconds, the official assesses a code violation. The penalty is a point penalty, game penalty, or default depending on whether the player or team has received a previous code violation. Note that if the penalty is a game, the match is over.

6. If the player is not ready to play in an additional 20 seconds, the official assesses a code violation resulting in the match being over.

Reasonable Time for Toilet/Change of Attire Break

1. The rules allow players reasonable time for a toilet/change of attire break. Penalties for lateness after a toilet/change of attire break should be assessed in only the most blatant case of delay. The players must be given the benefit of the doubt.

2. When the courts are arranged for easy access to toilet facilities, the Referee may give guidance to the players and officials as to how long it should take for a round trip to the toilet. But even then, it is impossible for the Referee to fix a specific time as being reasonable because of variables including:
· The possibility of there being a line to use the facilities.
· The difference in the reasonable amount of time needed to use the toilet or locker room depending on the specific reason for the trip.

3. A blatant case that justifies assessment of a penalty for lateness requires the official to be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that a player has abused the right to a toilet/change of attire break. The official may assess a time violation (warning or point penalty depending on whether the player or team has previously received a time violation). If play has not begun within 20 seconds of issuing the time violation, a code violation (point, game, or default) may be assessed.

4. Remember that the bigger issue with toilet/change of attire breaks is with a player receiving unauthorized coaching. The penalty for receiving unauthorized coaching is a code violation.

2012 Training Schools

2011-12-30T13:04:00.000-08:00

Eastern’s 2012 training school schedule is listed in NUCULA, please register for the correct school based on your years of experience as indicated below:

Saturday, February 4th – location NTC – this school is for all officials with more than 3 years experience. There will be a sectional school, ita school and referee school taught by a national t/e.

Sunday, February 5th – location NTC – this school is for all officials with less than 3 years experience. There will be a sectional school; taught by a national t/e; followed by an ita school; taught by a sectional t/e. If you are a seasoned official and cannot attend the Saturday school you can sign up for this school.

Syracuse School January 14/15 – location TBD – please contact Ferne Nelkin for details.

Rochester Sectional School, taught by Bill George - January 22 @ Mid-Town Athletic Club - Start time: 9:30AM. It will consist of the USTA, ITA and Referee classses.

If you cannot attend a school in Eastern you can sign up for a school in another section, however, you must do so via NUCULA.

The 2012 tests are available online at the USTA website, THESE TESTS MUST BE COMPLETED ONLINE. When you attend the school you MUST bring the first page of the email you will receive indicating your test score. If you are not attending the ita or referee school you do not have to complete those tests.

Everyone attending a school must take the 2012 USTA Officials Test, if you plan to attend the ita and/or referee schools you must take those tests as well. ALL REFERENCES ARE BASED ON THE 2011 FAC.

NOTE: Some of you have not submitted your work records for re-certification, if you do not submit it you will not be certified going into 2012.

Work Records due for 2012 Certification

2011-11-03T20:28:00.000-07:00

As many of you are aware it's time to prepare your work records for submission for your 2012 certification. Work records are due by November 11th. Since all National and Professional certifications need to be approved by National it is imperative you get your work records in on time.

After logging onto Nucula go to "MY Account" and click on "Settings" Click on the "CERTS" tab. You will see your 2011 certifications scroll down to the 2012 Pending Certifications; at the bottom of that section is the "Recertification Request" button. When you click on that button it will disappear and send your work record into an inbox letting me know it is ready for review.

You can add tournaments to your work record up to and including December 31, 2011. From time to time I will check the work records to see if the work added will effect one's certification. If it does I will update your certification accordingly.

If you have not submitted your eye exam form to the USTA office please do so ASAP.

If you do not submit a work record, did not attend a 2011 training school (if required to do so) or do not submit an eye exam form you will not be certified as of 1/1/12.

As in the past, late work record submissions will result in a certification of "PV".

Thanks,
Barbara

Eastern Officials Get Involved

2011-09-20T09:44:00.000-07:00

ETUA was asked to participate in the 2011 Wall Street Challenge. This event was to benefit the National Ovarian Cancer Early Detection Program at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. The event was held September 15th at the Town Tennis Club in Manhattan. The night consisted of a silent auction as well as a live auction with John McEnroe. The highest bidder for John's live auction was an hour of playing time with him at Randalls Island.

The club is rather unique as the tennis courts are on the roof of a NYC apartment building. Two matches were played, a short match with several local club pros, and the Wall Street Challenge final. The matches were played on a clay court, therefore, the rain that was encountered did not hinder play.

The officials who gave of their time were: Roberta Kaylie (chair), Lura Mountford, Joe Brattoli, Gayle Galle, Pasquale Barone, Vivian Simons and Barbara Petito.

The event chair, Marjorie Pastel thanked ETUA for being a part of this event which supports a worthy cause.

Photo credits: Patrick MacLeod

Eastern Official receives Nicholas E. Powel Award at 2011 US Open

2011-09-20T09:18:00.000-07:00

The first Nicholas E. Powel award was established in 1990 to recognize outstanding work done by an official at the grass roots level. As we all know, these officials are the back bone of officiating.

Each year the Sectional Chairs (there are 17 sections) have an opportunity to nominate an official for this esteemed award. A nomination form is submitted outlining the work and activies performed by the official during the last year and their outstanding qualities. A committee reviews the nominations and selects a winner.

This award is given during the Official's Awards Meeting at the US Open, this year's receipient was Eileen Leonard.

ETUA thanks Eileen for her continued dedication to grass roots officiating.

2011 Annual Meeting - March 5, 2011

2011-04-29T07:43:00.000-07:00

The ETUA Annual Meeting was held Saturday, March 5, 2011 at the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills.

2011 Board Members
President - Barbara Petito
Vice Presidents - Bill Burgess & Vincent Pierre, Jr.
Treasurer - Eileen Leonard
Secretary - Shelly Reznick
Directors at Large - Jose Loren, Eric Richburg, Vivian Simons, Claudette Townsend & Bill Zangle
Past President - Ray Fitzmartin

2011 Trainer/Evaluators:
Eileen Leonard - Chairman of Training
Ray Fitzmartin
Bill George
Barbara Petito
Eric Richburg
Claudette Townsend
Bill Zangle

District Directors:
NYC/Bronx - Gina Dadan
Queens/Brooklyn/Staten Island - Claudette Townsend
Long Island - Eileen Leonard
New Jersey - Vivian Simons & Lura Mountford
Westchester/Orange/Sullivan/Ulster - Ed Greene & Bill Zangle
Westchester - Ed Wechsler (also dedicated district director to Solaris Sport & Racquet Club)
Albany/Capital/Poughkeepsie - Theresa Cary
Syracuse - Fern Nelkin
Rochester - Bill George
Buffalo - David Filipski

The following awards were presented at the meeting:
Kae Jones - Vanessa Lockhart
Jack Stahr - Rose Marie Kulp
Percy Hart Memorial - Roberta Kaylie

At our training school in January 2011 Claudette Townsend was the recipient of the 2010 Grass Roots Award.

An election was held at the meeting for the Election Commissioner and Nominating Committee, the results are:

Election Commissioner: Ed Greene
Nominating Committee: Shirley Damiano, Rose Marie Kulp, Lura Mountford, Barry Washington & Andrew Weiss (Committee Chair)

2011 ETUA Annual Meeting

2011-02-10T19:06:00.000-08:00

The 2011 ETUA Annual Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, March 5, 2011 at The West Side Tennis Club at 9:30AM. This is an ETUA business meeting and is for dues paying members only.

If you come by car you may park 1. in the parking lot in the back of the club, off Burns Street or 2. on NY City streets where you must observe parking regulations.

YOU MUST NOT PARK ON FOREST HILLS GARDENS STREETS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES! YOU WILL GET BOOTED.

Annual Dues: Are payable at or before the Annual Meeting...if any member's dues remain unpaid on the 30th day of March his/her membership shall be automatically suspended.

Dues: $35.00 for both Full Member and Provisional Member

2011 Eastern Training Schools

2011-01-10T12:02:00.000-08:00

Eastern’s 2011 training school schedule (Queens and Syracuse only) is listed in NUCULA, please register for the correct school based on your years of certification as indicated below:

Saturday, January 22nd – location NTC – this school is for all officials with more than 3 years experience. There will be a sectional school, ita school and referee school taught by a national t/e.

Sunday, January 23rd – location NTC – this school is for all officials with less than 3 years experience. There will be a sectional school; taught by a national t/e; followed by an ita school; taught by a sectional t/e.

Saturday, January 29th – Syracuse – location TBD – this school is for all officials with more than 3 years experience. There will be a sectional school, ita school and referee school taught by a national t/e.

Sunday, January 30th – Syracuse – location TBD – this school if for all officials with less than 3 years experience. This will be a sectional school taught by a national t/e.

Saturday, February 19th a school will be held in Rochester, taught by sectional t/e Bill George. Start time: 8:30AM - 5PM, there will be a sectional school, ita and referee school. Location: Midtown Athletic Club, Rochester, NY.

The 2011 tests are available online at the USTA website THESE TESTS MUST BE COMPLETED ONLINE.

Everyone attending a school must take the 2011 USTA Officials Test, if you plan to attend the ita and/or referee schools you must take those tests as well. ALL REFERENCES ARE BASED ON THE 2010 FAC.

2011 Certification Process and Background Check

2010-11-04T20:15:00.000-07:00

I hope by now everyone has started inputting their work record on line at Nucula.

Work records are due no later than November 12th. When you go into your account scroll to the right click on the tab "Certs" you will see your 2010 certification under that is the 2011 certification you need to click on the "Recertification Request" at the bottom. Once you click on "Recertification Request" your work record is now ready for review.

Work records received after December 12th will only receive a PV certification.

NOTE: In addition to submitting your work record you will also need to fill out the Background Check form. This information can be found on the Nucula home page. Without the background check you can not be certified.

If you do not submit a work record or did not attend a 2010 training school you will not be certified as of January 1, 2011.

Please note: Those of you who recently passed the provisional test do not have to worry about the school requirement at this time. You will be required to attend a formal treaining school in 2011. However, please sign up for your Nucula account to get into the system, I provided you with the website address recently. You can always go on the usta website under officials and enter through the Nucula portal.

If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact me.

Barbara

Chair School at West Side Tennis Club

2010-11-04T19:55:00.000-07:00

A special chair school was spearheaded by Rich Kaufman for the Eastern officials at the West Side Tennis Club on June 22nd, June 23rd and June 24th during a Junior Clay Court Tournament.

The first afternoon was an in class review of chair techniques given by Rich Kaufman and Gail Vandeventor. Fifteen officials were in attendance, their chair experience was diversified, from no or very little chair experience to having 2 or more years experience.

On the second and third day each official was given a match in which they had to call all lines. Normally at these types of tournaments the players call their own lines and the chair will over rule, if necessary. This was a new experience for everyone and some found it more challenging than others.

Gail Vandeventor critiqued the performance of each official while in the chair, providing necessary feedback in order for them to develop further as chair umpires. This was a great experience for all.

Eastern Tennis Umpires Association thanks Rich and Gail for taking the time from their busy schedules to work with our officials.

2010 Board Meetings

2010-03-24T13:31:00.000-07:00

Board meetings are open to ETUA members only.

Board meeting dates will be posted approximately 2 weeks prior to the meeting. If you wish to attend please contact the ETUA Secretary, via email. She will check to make sure you are a dues paying member. Since the meeting room is rather small we need to limit the number of attendees, therefore, once your membership has been verified the secretary will contact you advising if there is room to attend.

April - April 12th @ 6:30PM @ West Side Tennis Club, Forest Hills
June - June 14th @ 6:30PM @ West Side Tennis Club, Forest Hills
October - October 25th @ 6:30 @ West Side Tennis Club, Forest Hills
December - December 9th @ West Side Tennis Club, Forest Hills

2010 Annual Meeting

2010-03-24T13:19:00.000-07:00

The ETUA Annual Meeting was held Saturday, March 6, 2010, at the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills.

2010 Board Members:
President - Barbara Petito
Vice Presidents - Bill Burgess & Vincent Pierre, Jr.
Treasurer - Eileen Leonard
Secretary - Shelly Reznick
Directors-at-Large: Jose Loren, Eric Richburg, Vivian Simons, Claudette Townsend & Bill Zangle
Past President - Ray Fitzmartin

2010 Trainer/Evaluators:
Eileen Leonard - Chairman of Training
Ray Fitzmartin
Bill George
Barbara Petito

District Directors:
Manhattan/Bronx - Gina DaDan
Queens/Brooklyn/Staten Island - Claudette Townsend
Long Island - Eileen Leonard
New Jersey - Vivian Simons & Lura Mountford
Westchester/Orange/Sullivan/Ulster - Ed Greene & Bill Zangle
Albany/Capital/Poughkeepsie - Theresa Cary
Syracuse - Fern Nelkin
Rochester - Bill George
Buffalo - David Filipski & Turhan Wilbon

The following awards were presented at the meeting:
Kae Jones - awarded to James Sullivan & Michael Phipps
Jack Stahr - awarded to Barry Washington

Ray Fitzmartin received the 2009 Grass roots award at our January training school.

An election was held for a new Election Commissioner and Nominating Committee, the results are:

Election Commissioner: Ed Greene
Nominating Committee: Shirley Damiano, Helen Howey, Lura Mountford, Barry Washington, & Andrew Weiss

Board Meeting dates will be posted on this web site, when they become available, normally two weeks prior to the meeting. They are open to ETUA members only, if you would like to attend a Board Meeting please submit an email to the Secretary, you will receive a confirmation as to the availability. Since the meeting facility is rather small we need to limit the number of attendees.

ETUA 2010 Annual Meeting

2010-01-28T18:16:00.000-08:00

The 2010 Annual Meeting will be held at the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, NY on Saturday, March 6th, from 9:30AM to 12 Noon.

THIS IS AN ETUA BUSINESS MEETING AND IS FOR MEMBERS ONLY.

If you are driving you may park in the back lot of the club off Burns Street. If you park on the street please observe the parking regulations. DO NOT PARK ON THE FOREST HILLS GARDENS STREETS, YOUR CAR WILL GET BOOTED.

Please advise Eileen Leonard by March 1 if you will be attending the meeting.
The 2010 dues are as follows:
Full Member - $35.00
Non-Resident - $35.00
Provisional - $35.00
Make checks payable to ETUA and submit to Eileen Leonard. If any member's dues remain unpaid by the 30th day of March, his/her membership shall be automatically suspended.

2010 ITA Rule Updates

2010-01-10T19:35:00.000-08:00

ITA Rule updates discussed during the ITA Convention meetings held in Naples, FL in December 2009. The following have been adopted/clarified and may not appear in the published edition of 2010 Friend at Court: New wording in bold

ITA Rule I. E.9. (page 245) Player outbursts may be penalized. An official (strike through the words: following an appeal,) who hears a verbal outburst or grunting that is loud enough to disrupt play on a neighboring court, shall caution the player that subsequent outbursts shall be penalized under the ITA Point Penalty System. If a loud outburst is in a language that the official does not understand, the official shall caution the player that further foreign language outbursts that are not understood by the official will be penalized as unsportsmanlike conduct under the ITA Point Penalty System.

ITA Rule I.P.(page 250). Eligibility for Collegiate Competition. Only players who are considered eligible for intercollegiate competition at the time of entry: by their school; their conference (if any); AND by their national governing body (e.g. NCAA or NAIA) shall be eligible to participate in ITA sanctioned events and regional and national collegiate championships. (Strike through the sentence: This rule applies equally to players who are playing "unattached".)

ITA Rule II.B. 7. (page 252) Home coach is responsible for spectator conduct. The home coach shall make sure that the behavior of the spectators remains fair and non-abusive. (Strike through the following sentence: Under no circumstances may alcoholic beverages be permitted at the site of a collegiate tennis match.) Failure of the coach to insure proper behavior shall result in the application of the ITA Point Penalty System against the home team and in extreme cases, forfeiture of the match.

ITA Rule II.D.1. (page 254) Practice Courts. Practice the day before or the morning before the match. Upon request, the host school, at its expense, shall make a minimum of 2 practice courts available to the visiting team. The practice courts shall be the same courts that will be used in the match or if not possible due to extenuating circumstances, courts of similar quality and surface shall be secured. Practice courts must be made available:
- for a minimum of two hours the day before the scheduled match; and
- for a minimum of one hour on the morning of the match.
The visiting coach must request these arrangements in writing at least one week before his team’s arrival. The only exception is if circumstances governing varsity court usage renders compliance impossible. This must be confirmed in writing by the Director of Athletics of the host school. If the visiting school requests to practice 2 days prior to the match date, the expense will be the responsibility of the visiting team.

ITA Rule IV.A. (page 262)Withdrawal from ITA National Intercollegiate Event.
A. Withdrawal from ITA National Intercollegiate Event
1. Once a player accepts an invitation, he/she cannot withdraw within 7 days prior to the start of the event except in extreme academic circumstances attested to by the Dean’s office (in this case the ITA office shall be notified in writing by the Dean’s office immediately).
2. Any withdrawal due to physical injury or sickness shall be made with written documentation from physician and athletic department, which shall be provided to the ITA office within 24 hours of injury.
3. A player shall not accept entry if injured and not sure if he can play except with the written approval of the ITA office. In this case, if approval is granted, the coach must notify the ITA office by phone and fax no later than eight days before the start of the main draw event, if the player is still injured and not fully recovered at that point.
4. (Strike through the following sentence: Failure to follow these rules will result in two losses in the ITA Rankings and the suspension of the player from the participation in the next ITA national event.)
4. Failure to follow these rules will result in:
- a letter of reprimand to the Head Coach with a copy sent to the school’s Athletic Director; and
- a fine to the Head Coach in the amount of $500.

ITA Rule IV.C. (page 262) ITA National Small College Championships (Men and Women). When making the draw for each Division, 4 singles players and 4 doubles teams shall be seeded. (See ITA Regulation III.A.4. “The Draw” for additional draw making criteria.)

2010 Eastern Training Schools

2009-12-26T21:57:00.000-08:00

The training schools scheduled for EASTERN are as follows:

SYRACUSE - January 16 & 17 - location Fayetteville, NY, start time 9AM - contact - Fern Nelkin

DOWNSTATE - January 23 & 24 - location - USTA BJK National Tennis Center - contact Eileen Leonard

JANUARY 23 is for officials with 3 or more years of experience 8AM-4PM.
The following sessions will be held: USTA Officials, ITA & Referee

JANUARY 24 is for those with less than 3 years of experience 8AM-2PM.
The following sessions will be held: USTA Officials & ITA

ROCHESTER - Sunday, January 31 - location - MidTown Athletic Club, 200 East Highland Drive, Rochester, NY (585-461-2300). Time: 9AM-5PM - contact: Bill George

All tests are open book and can be found on the USTA website and are based on the 2009 Friend at Court. If you plan to attend the ITA school and/or Referee school you must also take those tests in addition to the USTA Officials test. You must bring the completed answer sheet(s) to the training school, no one will be permitted to take any tests at the school.

For those officials attending the Sunday training school please take the USTA Officials test. You already took the provisional test, therefore, there is no need for you to take it again.

If you are unable to attend a school in the Eastern Section you can check on Nucula or the USTA website to see where the other schools are being held throughout the country. You can also check with the various Sectional Chairs to see if they are planning any sectional schools which are not listed on the USTA website.

REMINDER - You must contact the coordinator for any school you wish to attend prior to attending the class.

Eastern Umpires Donate Their Time for a Cure

2009-12-13T09:27:00.000-08:00

The following article was taken off the USTA Eastern web site:

Eastern Umpires Donate Their Time for a Cure

The match between James Blake and Sam Querrey on Dec. 1 may not have counted, but it still mattered to nine umpires and ten ball boys and girls from Eastern who donated their time at the event.

The umpires, led by Eileen Leonard, were among the many people who came to Pier 94 in Manhattan, to enjoy tennis, fine food and live music, -- and support cancer research at the BackOffice Associates Serve for a Cure event. All proceeds from the event went to the Thomas Blake Sr. Cancer Research Fund, which Blake established last year at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital in memory of his father.

Several of the officials had relatives who were treated for cancer at Memorial-Sloan Kettering, Leonard said. She said she enjoyed the support people showed at the event for the important cause.

“I was impressed,” Leonard said. “The crowd was so enthusiastic.”

After Blake and Querrey’s played, the two joined together to take on Bob and Mike Bryan in a double’s match. Participants also enjoyed a food tasting from some of New York’s finest chefs, a fashion show from Blake’s new Fila line, as well as a performance from Grammy-award winning artist Wyclef Jean.

Eastern Umpires Who Officiated at Event
Chief Umpire: Eileen Leonard
Chair Umpire: Roberta Kaylie
Line umpires: Joe Brattoli, Jerold Lewis, Luis Mera, Linda Mitchell, Barbara Petito, Mayra Rawlins, and Vivian Simons.

NUCULA

2009-11-25T21:42:00.000-08:00

Recently you received an email from the USTA office advising you to sign up for your NUCULA account. In 2010 there will be no paper data cards, it will be on the NUCULA system. You will also need to use this system to apply for challenger events. Therefore, please sign up for your account as soon as possible. The directions for doing so are as follows:

To register for an account, please go to this address:
https://tumps.usta.com/nucula

We suggest you bookmark this link in your browser for easy navigation. Along with accepting your account request the Officials Department must insert your current certifications. Please allow us a several days to input these in. We expect a large influx of account requests which is why we require your patience.

Here are the steps to request an account
1. Click on the Request Account link on the initial Nucula web page and complete and submit the web form. Note that it is critical that you enter a valid email address on the web form as Nucula related information will be sent to that address.
2. An administrator will receive a notification that you have requested an account and will either accept or decline your request (this may take one or two days).
3. You will receive an email indicating the acceptance or decline. You might need to check your SPAM filter for the response email.
4. Assuming your account request was accepted, you will be able to login to the system using the PIC and password provided in the email.

If you have requested an account and do not receive an email message contact: Echavarria@usta.com

Make sure that you check your SPAM messages filter before contacting us.

2009 Certification Requirements to Advance

2009-11-02T08:42:00.001-08:00

Requirements for each certification are outlined in the 2009 Friend at Court (FAC) pages 217 throught 220.

In addition to the work requirments evaluations are necessary in order to advance to the next level. In the current evaluation system, the following are starting points:

Provisional 1.4
Sectional 2.4
USTA 3.4
National 4.4
Professional 5.4

Grades below the starting point are indications that an official needs to improve accuracy, techniques or both.

The evaluation requirements to advance are as follows:

To move from SE to USTA Line or SC to USTA Chair - Evaluation Requirements: At least 1 evaluation above 2.8 and should have an overall average above 2.7.

To move from USTA Line to National Line - Evaluation Requirements: Must have 2 national evaluations of 3.8 or higher on both long lines and base lines from at least 2 different National T-Es. An overall average of at least 3.6 and have not more than 10% of grades below a 3.4.

To move from UC to NC - Evaluation Requirements: Must have at least 2 evaluations of 3.8 or higher from 2 different National T-Es and not have more than one evaluation of 3.2 or lower.

To move from NL to PL - Evaluation Requirements: Must have a minimum of 2 evaluations of 4.8 or higher on both long line and base line from 2 different National T-Es, an overall average of 4.6 or higher, not have more than 10% of grades below 4.4, and have at least one service line evaluation of 4.4 or higher.

To move from NC to PC - Evaluation Requirements: Must have 2 evaluations of 4.8 or higher from 2 different National T-Es, have no more than 1 evaluation lower than 4.4.

NOTE: All certifications at the National or Professional level also require the approval of the National Chair of Officials.

ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT INFORMATION
ITA - many of us work dual meets, and as the only official on site we are both referee and rover, and have indicated such on our data cards. Working a dual meet in this capacity does not qualify for referee certification. Working a dual meet as a referee/rover only counts towards your ITA certification, this information was verified with the National Chair of Officials.

NOTE: Receiving multiple evaluations below your certification level can result in a lower certification.

When you receive your certification card please review it. If you have any questions concerning your certification please contact your sectional chairman (not the National Office). An outline for appealing your certification level can be found in the 2009 FAC page 220.

The deadline for appeals is March 1, 2010.

2009 US Open Milestones

2009-11-02T08:25:00.000-08:00

For three Eastern officials, the 2009 US Open was their 25th US Open as a line official; congratulations to Shirley Damiano, Lura Mountford and Claudette Townsend for reaching this milestone. Barbara presented each official with a framed certificate of appreciation during the US Open.

Despite working the US Open for 25 years as well as other professional events, these three ladies continue to support grass roots tennis. These officials have set a good example for both experienced and new officials.

Again, congratulations Shirley, Lura and Claudette on a job well done!!!!!!

2009 Data Card Notice

2009-09-05T19:23:00.000-07:00

Data cards are due October 15, 2009.

Complete the front of the data card, be sure to include your USTA # and expiration date (MANDATORY). If your USTA membership has expired your card cannot be processed. You can renew on line at www.usta.com and follow the membership link. Check the "new information" box if there have been changes (highlight those changes) since last year. Be sure to sign the card where indicated. Please note an eye doctor's signature is required during 2009 for 2010 certification. The doctor is to sign the bottom of the data card. Unsigned cards and those without a doctor's signature will be returned which will delay the processing of your card.

On the inside of the card indicate your work record include the date of the event, tournament name, type, prize money (if any) and position held (line, chair, rover, chief umpire, referee). Indicate the number of days worked as a line umpire, chair umpire or rover in the appropriate box. The chief of umpires or referee must sign the data card at the events you officiated. NOTE: The requirements for each certification level can be found in the 2009 FAC (pages 215 through 221).

In the section "2009 School Record" indicate the location of the school attended (if required to attend), the name of the Trainer-Evaluator and the date. All officials (including national and professional) who want a Referee or ITA certification are required to attend a Saturday school and the required Referee/ITA Sunday school and passed all exams to be certified as Referee or ITA.

DO NOT WRITE ANYTHING ON THE BACK OF THE DATA CARD

SEND THE ORIGINAL CARD (PLUS ONE COPY). KEEP A COPY FOR YOUR RECORDS. If your card gets lost and you do not have a copy, you will have to reconstruct the entire work record.

Failure to submit your data card will result in the following:
You will not receive a copy of the 2010 Friend at Court
You will not be included in the on-line officials address book
You will not be in the USTA computer
You risk de-certification (late cards will result in a certification as a provisional umpire [there are no exceptions])

REMEMBER THE DEADLINE IS OCTOBER 15, 2009

2009 Kennedy Funding Invitational

2009-07-21T21:22:00.000-07:00

Once again ETUA was honored to be a part of The Kennedy Funding Invitational. Those of you who worked this event know how wonderful the Tournament Directors treat the officials and what a great venue the Dellwood Country Club is to hold a professional tennis tournament.

I want to thank everyone for your resiliency in having to deal with the almost daily changes in match times and the need to do a sit and stay when the Tournament Director decided to have two matches go on simultaneously. Because of your professionalism we were able to have a full crew on both courts.

Hopefully, many of you will be able to join us again next year at this exciting event.

Barbara

Interested in Becoming a Board Member?

2009-06-03T08:36:00.000-07:00

Per the ETUA Constitution:

Article V - Section B - Eligibility: Nominees for any position of Officer or Director-at-Large shall be full members who have fulfilled voting requirements, and who shall have been members in good standing for not less than three consecutive years which shall include the Provisional year.

If interested in becoming a board member you should contact the nominating committee (names listed below) directly. You can also get your name on the slate by petition, per the ETUA By-Laws, item 3d Nominations by Petition: A nomination for any position of Officer or Director-at-Large may be made by a petition signed by at least 25 full members in good standing. Such petition must be submitted to the Elections Commissioner not later than the fifth mail day after January 1st.

You can start a petition at any time; if your name is on the slate submitted by the nominating committee you will not need the petition, however, if you name is not on the slate you can then submit your petition as per the By-Laws.

The petition should simply state you are interested in becoming an ETUA board member and would like your name added to the slate by petition.

Election Commissioner: Andrew Weiss

Nominating Committee:
Deborah-Rose Andrews
Joe Brattoli
Devin Chu
Shirley Damiano
Mayra Rawlins

Board Meetings

2009-04-06T08:23:00.000-07:00

Board meetings are open to ETUA members only.

Dates will be posted approximately 1-2 weeks before the meeting.

If interested in attending please send an email to our Secretary, Shelly Reznick, who will verify you are a dues paying member, you will then receive a confirmation. The meeting room is rather small, therefore, only a limited number of members can attend.

Meeting Dates:
April - Monday, April 20th @ 6:30PM @ The West Side Tennis Club
June - Tuesday, June 9th @ 6:30PM @ WSTC
October - Monday, October 26th @ 6:30PM @ WSTC
December - Thursday, December 10th @ 5:30PM @ WSTC

2009 Annual Meeting - March 7, 2009

2009-03-10T00:26:00.000-07:00

The ETUA Annual Meeting was held Saturday, March 7, 2009, at the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills.

2009 Board Members:
President - Barbara Petito
Vice Presidents - Bill Burgess & Vincent Pierre, Jr.
Treasurer - Eileen Leonard
Secretary - Shelly Reznick
Directors-at-Large: Eric Richburg, Vivian Simons, Gary Spitz, Claudette Townsend & Bill Zangle
Past President - Ray Fitzmartin

2009 Trainer/Evaluators:
Eileen Leonard - Chairman of Training
Ray Fitzmartin
Bill George
Barbara Petito
Vincent Pierre, Jr.
Eric Richburg
Claudette Townsend
Bill Zangle

District Directors:
NYC - Gina DaDan
Bronx - Dudley Gayle
Queens/Brooklyn/Staten Island - Claudette Townsend
Nassau - Eileen Leonard
Suffolk - Barbara Petito
New Jersey - Vivian Simons & Lura Mountford
Westchester/Orange/Sullivan/Ulster - Ed Greene & Bill Zangle
Albany/Capital/Poughkeepsie - Theresa Cary
Syracuse - Fern Nelkin
Rochester - Bill George
Buffalo - David Filipski & Turhan Wilbon

The following awards were presented at the meeting:
Kae Jones - awarded to Charlie Zhang
Jack Stahr - awarded to Ed Wechsler
Percy Hart Memorial - awarded to Barbara Petito

Other awards given in 2009:
Bill George received the 2008 Grass roots award at the January 24th training school
Cam Bundy was announced as the Umpire of the Year at the ETA Dinner held in WP January 31.

An election was held for a new Election Commissioner and Nominating Committee, the results are:

Election Commissioner: Andrew Weiss
Nominating Committee: Deborah Rose-Andrews, Joe Brattoli, Devin Chu, Shirley Damiano & Mayra Rawlins

The two changes to the constitution that ETUA members were asked to vote on were approved by an overwhelming majority.

Board Meeting dates will be posted on this web site, when they become available, normally two weeks prior to the meeting. They are open to ETUA members only, if you would like to attend a Board Meeting please submit an email to our Secretary and President and you will receive a confirmation as to the availability. Since the meeting facility is rather small we need to limit the number of attendees.

2009 ETUA Annual Meeting

2009-02-14T21:29:00.000-08:00

The 2009 ETUA Annual Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, March 7, 2009 at the West Side Tennis Club, Forest Hills, New York commencing at 9:30AM to 12 noon.

This is an ETUA business meeting and is for MEMBERS ONLY.

If you come by car, you may park:
1. in the back parking lot of the club, off Burns Street
2. on NY City streets where you must observe parking regulations

You must NOT park on Forest Hills Gardens streets under any circumstances.

Annual Dues:
Please remember, according to the ETUA Constitution, Article VIII: "The Annual dues shall be payable at or before the Annual Meeting each year...If any member's dues remain unpaid on the 30th day of March, his/her membership shall be automatically suspended." (This means that, as of April 1, you will no longer be on the mailing list to receive notices, and you will not be made aware of tournaments and other events. Promptness in paying your dues will save time and additional costs.)

Remit dues to: Eileen Leonard
Full member..................$35.00
Provisional member........$35.00
Non-resident member.....$35.00

2009 ITA Changes

2009-02-12T12:46:00.000-08:00

2009 Rules Updates (from http://www.itatennis.com/)

ITA Rule updates discussed during the ITA Convention meetings held in Naples, FL in December 2008. The following have been adopted/clarified and may not appear in the published edition of 2009 Friend at Court: New wordking in bold

ITA Rule I.H.1 Medical Time-Out. The USTA medical time-out regulation, USTA Regulation III.E and USTA Table 10, applies with the following exceptions:

a. In NCAA Division 1, a player may have 1 Medical Time Out per match. Should the player need an additional Medical Time Out, the player will be retired. Exceptions are the Bleeding Time Out (which follows USTA Rules) and the Medical Time Out taken for a bathroom visit at an unauthorized time.

b. All other Divisions: NCAA Division II & III, NAIA and Junior/Community College will default to the USTA Medical Time Out rule.

c. In all Divisions, a player may have one Medical Time-Out during the warm-up and another Medical Time-Out during the match for the same condition, following USTA rules.
c. (all current exceptions will shift down)

ITA Rule I.I.1 No rest periods between second and third set. There shall be no rest period between the second and third sets. Extreme Heat: If the temperature is 90 degrees at the start of the match, the players shall be offered a 10 minute rest period between the second and third sets. Extreme heat situations (strike throught words do not) apply to team competition (dual meets).

ITA Rule I.J.3&4 Who May Coach: Coaching is permitted by the head coach and two designated coaches, who may be an assistant coach and/or a registered volunteer coach and/or player. All assistant coaches and volunteer coaches must be on the institutional coaching list and registered with their respective school. Two coaches may coach on the same court at one time.

ITA Rule I.L.Ia Ball Usage: In NCAA Division 1 singles: one can of balls (3 balls) per set must be used, and in doubles: four (4) balls per doubles pro-set must be used. In all other Divisions, a minimum of three new yellow tennis balls, ITA-approved, shall be provided for each match. The balls shall be changed at the end of the second set. In doubles, four (4) balls per doubles pro-set must be used.

ITA Rule II.A.9 (page 251) Men's Division III (3-6). The format in Men's Division III is 3-6 with nine team points.

Add new rule after ITA Rule II.B.13.b (page 252-253) Inclement weather.
Rule II.B.13c. Matches played indoors. If a match is moved indoors due to inclement weather, the indoor facility or covered courts must meet the playable outdoor weather conditions stated in Rule II.B.13.a (Rule II.B.13.c will now become II.B.13.d)

ITA Rule II.H.3.a Carry-over of code violations after a match is over in team competitions. The following carry over rules apply in team competitions:

a. Code violation after the completion of a match.

i. Team matches where doubles is played first, followed by singles: If a player commits a code violation after his/her doubles match is complete, the penalty shall be assessed to the highest remaining doubles team still in progress at the start of the next game or immediately in a tie breaker. (For 7-point team format: the penalty is assessed provided the doubles point has not yet been decided. If the doubles point has been decided, the carry over penalty shall be assessed at the start of that player's singles match). If that player is not playing in the singles, the carry over penalty shall be assessed to the no. 1 singles player from that team. If a player commits a code violation after his/her singles match is complete, the penalty shall be assessed to the highest remaining singles player still on the court at the start of the next game or immediately in a tie breaker.

There are five separate time segments when a player can commit a code violation:

1. During his/her first match (doubles) of the dual meet;
2. After his/her first match (doubles) of the dual meet but befoe the doubles point has been decided.
3. After his/her first match (doubles) of the dual meet but after the doubles point has been decided. (Applies only to 7-point team format).
4 During his/her second match (singles) of the dual meet;
5. After his/her second match (singles) of the dual meet.

ii In team matches where singles is played first, followed by doubles. If a player commits a code violation after his/her singles match is complete, the penalty shall be assessed to the highest remaining singles player still on the court at the start of the next game or immediately in a tie breaker. If the singles matches have been completed, the carry over penalty shall be assessed at the start of that player's next match. If that player is not playing in doubles, the penalty shall be assessed to the no. 1 doubles team. If a player commits a code violation after his/her doubles match is complete, the penalty shall be assessed to the highest remaining doubles team still in progress at the start of the next game or immediately in a tie breaker.

There are four separate time segments when a player can commit a code violation:

1. During his/her first match (singles) of the dual meet;
2. After his/her first match of the dual meet but where singles matches remain in progress;
3. During his/her second match (doubles) of the dual meet;
4. After his/her second match (doubles) of the dual meet but where doubles matches remain in progress.

iii. For the purpose of imposing Carry-over penalties after a doubles match, the two doubles players remain a team until one or both of them have left the court.

ITA Rule II.H.3.b,c,d Removed

ITA Rule II.I.2 Team penalty for being late. If a team is not ready to begin its team match at the specified starting time, each player on the starting lineup in singles shall begin one game down and shall be deemed to have lost the toll. If there has been no direct communication with the team arriving late, the following shall be applied: A team not ready to begin the match within 15 minutes of the specified starting time will lose the doubles point(s). A team not ready to begin within 1 hour of the specified start time forfeit the remaining singles matches. Under extenuating circumstances, both coaches may agree to start the match at a later time.

Add new rule ITA Rule II.K.4 Line-up changes once a match has begun. In a team match, the official start of the doubles play of the match is marked when the on court warm-up begins between any of the three doubles teams and in singles, when the warm up between any of the six singles matches. In NCAA Division I and II, once the warm up begins in any match (on any number of courts), substitutions are not permitted. In all other Divisions: if playing on less than 6 courts, the players not on the court may be substituted before the start of their warm up. (e.g. if playing on 4 courts and the #5 player gets sick/injured while the #1-#4 are warming up, you may move your #6 up to #5 and slide the remaining players up.) Matches must be started in accordance to ITA Rule II.B.9.

2009 Eastern Training Schools

2009-01-01T14:40:00.000-08:00

The training schools scheduled for ETUA are as follows:

Syracuse - January 17 & 18 - location TBD - contact: Fern Nelkin

Downstate - January 24 & 25 - USTA BJK National Tennis Center - contact: Eileen Leonard

January 24 is for officials with 3 or more years experience-time: 7:30AM - 4PM
January 25 is for officials with less than 3 years experience-time: 7:30AM - 1PM

Rochester - February 22 - Mid-Town Athletic Club (8:30AM-5PM) - contact: Bill George

All tests are open book and can be found on the USTA website. Remember you must bring the completed answer sheet to the training school, no one will be permitted to take any tests at the school.

For those of you who are fairly new officials and will be attending the Sunday training school please take the USTA/Sectional test. You already took the provisional test, therefore, there is no need for you to take it again.

Evaluation Requirements to Move Up in Certification

2008-11-18T08:49:00.000-08:00

Evaluation Requirements to Move Up in Certification

Requirements for each certification are outlined in the Friend at Court (FAC) in addition the following evaluation requirements are necessary to advance.

To move from SE to USTA Line or SC to USTA Chair
Evaluation Requirements: At least 1 evaluation above 2.8 and should have an overall average above 2.7

To move from USTA Line to National Line
Evaluation Requirements: Must have 2 national evaluations of 3.8 or higher on both long lines and base lines from at least 2 different National T-Es. An overall average of at least 3.6 and have not more than 10% of grades below a 3.4

To move from UC to NC
Evaluation Requirements: Must have at least 2 evaluations of 3.8 or higher from 2 different National T-Es and not have more than one evaluation of 3.2 or lower

To move from NL to PL
Evaluation Requirements: Must have a minimum of 2 evaluations of 4.8 or higher on both long line and base line from 2 different National T-Es, an overall average of 4.6 or higher, not have more than 10% of grades below 4.4, and have at least one service line evaluation of 4.4 or higher

To move from NC to PC
Evaluation Requirements: Must have 2 evaluations of 4.8 or higher from 2 different National T-Es, have no more than 1 evaluation lower than 4.4.

NOTE: All certifications at the National or Professional level also require the approval of the National Chair of Officials.

ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT INFORMATION

ITA - many of us work dual meets, and as the only official on site we are both referee and rover, and have indicated such on our data cards. Working a dual meet in this capacity does not qualify for referee certification. Working a dual meet as a referee/rover only counts towards your ITA certification, this information was verified with the National Chair of Officials.

NOTE: Receiving multiple evaluations below your certification level can result in a lower certification.

When you receive your certification card please review it. If you have any questions concerning your certification please contact me (not the National Office). An outline for appealing your certification level can be found in the FAC. The deadline for appeals is March 1, 2009.

Former Offical Featured in Local Newspaper

2008-11-18T08:22:00.000-08:00

The following article appeared on page 12 of the New York Daily News on September 6, 2008.

Margaret Stancin is queen of the court at U.S. Open

BY CHRISTINA BOYLE, DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

As U.S. Open legends go, Margaret Stancin is up there with the best of them.

She has been involved in some of the greatest matches in the sport's history and has taken on stars like Jimmy Connors and Billie Jean King.

Yet the 87-year-old has never hit a ball in Arthur Ashe Stadium or heard the roar of the crowd after hitting an ace.

Stancin is the Open's longest-standing seasonal employee and began working as an umpire at the world-famous tournament in 1973.

"I love tennis, I love the atmosphere and I feel so happy here," said Stancin who has now retired from umpiring and works in guest services, greeting VIPs.

"The tennis and the people at the U.S. Open are what's kept me going this long."
Stancin, who was born in Scotland and raised on Manhattan's upper West Side, started hitting tennis balls in Central Park.

She competed in junior tournaments but after realizing she would never hit the big time, became an umpire instead.

While holding down a full-time administrative assistant's job, Stancin would take two weeks off every year to sit in the umpire's chair at the U.S. Open and oversee matches with greats like Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert and Virginia Wade.

When she began, Richard Nixon was President and the tournament was held at the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, Queens.

Her love for the sport, and the tournament, never diminished, and despite retiring from umpiring in the late '80s and moving to Las Vegas, she kept coming back to Queens for more.

"I'm not here to make any money. I'm not in the chair anymore, but I feel like I am," she said.

"I love the sport so much, I felt like I was playing the match myself and was hitting every ball with them.

"I just feel like it's so wonderful being here. It makes me happy, it keeps me going for a whole year."

2008 Data Cards Due October 15, 2008

2008-09-09T08:50:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone had a great year officiating. As always, data cards are due no later than October 15, 2008. The data card should be written in ink as pencil smudges, making it difficult to read the information on the card.

Complete the front of the data card, be sure to include your USTA # and expiration date (MANDATORY). If your membership has expired or expires prior to November 1, 2008 please renew before submitting, your card cannot be processed with an expired date. Check the "new information" box if there have been changes since last year (highlight the changes). Be sure to sign and date the card where indicated. Unsigned cards will be returned delaying the processing of your card.

On the inside of the card indicate your work record; include date of the event, tournament name, type, prize money (if any) and position held (line, chair, rover, chief umpire, referee). Indicate the number of days worked as a line umpire or rover. If you worked as a chair umpire indicate the number of chairs worked. The chief umpire or referee must sign the data card at the events you officiated. If you are confirmed to work a tournament scheduled after October 15th, you can include this information on the data card.

NOTE: The Friend at Court outlines the requirements necessary to move to the next level.

In the section "2008 School Record" indicate the location of the school attended (if you were required to attend a school), the name of the t/e and the date.

DO NOT WRITE ANYTHING ON THE BACK OF THE DATA CARD.

PLEASE SEND THE ORIGINAL CARD (PLUS ONE COPY). KEEP A COPY FOR YOUR RECORDS. If your card gets lost and you do not have a copy, you will have to reconstruct the entire work record. I will send a confirmation upon receipt of your data card.

Failure to submit your data card will result in the following:

you will not receive a copy of the 2009 Friend at Court
you will not receive a 2009 certification card
you will not receive a 2009 data card
you will not be included in the on-line officials address book
you will not be in the USTA computer
you risk de-certification
late cards will receive a Provisional (PV) certification (there are no exceptions) and you will not be on the automatic distribution to receive a copy of the Friend at Court.

REMEMBER THE DEADLINE IS OCTOBER 15, 2008.

Thank you,
Barbara Petito - Sectional Chairman

Two Eastern Milestones at 2008 US Open

2008-09-09T08:36:00.001-07:00

Two Eastern Officials achieved a milestone at the 2008 US Open.
(photo credit: Barbara Petito)

This was Joe Brattol's 35th US Open as a line official. On Sunday, August 31st in the presence of his fellow Eastern Officials, Barbara presented Joe with a framed certificate acknowledging this outstanding achievement. At the USTA awards ceremony the next day, Rich Kaufman also paid recognition to Joe for his many years of service.

Since the inception (1990) of the Nicholas E. Powel award, which is presented to a sectional official in recognition of the importance of officiating at the local level, Eastern has never won this award until now. Donna Bailey, chairman of the Nicholas E. Powel committee presented this award to Charlotte Dlugolenski, of Fayetteville, NY.

Congratulations to Joe and Charlotte for their dedication to officiating.

2008 - Officials Recruiting Video

2008-04-04T14:30:00.000-07:00

The Officials Recruiting Video that has been shown at the US Open and on television during the Davis and Fed Cup is now on You Tube!

Visit the site today, and tell a friend. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAOXQEyCFSI

A big thank you goes to the Professional Tennis Marketing Group for making this possible!

2008 ETUA Annual Meeting

2008-04-04T13:46:00.000-07:00

The ETUA annual meeting was held March 8, 2008 at the West Side Tennis Club. After serving as President of ETUA for 11 years, Ray Fitzmartin would be stepping down from that position at the conclusion of the meeting. The meeting commenced at 9:30AM and Ray went over many business items.

Ray mentioned Bill Zangle received the 2007 Umpire of the Year Award at the ETA annual dinner. Ray also mentioned Vivian Simons who received the 2007 Grass Roots Award during our training school in January.

Ray presented the following awards:
Percy Hart – Ed Greene (not in attendance)
Jack Stahr – Jose Loren (not in attendance)
Kae Jones – Barry Washington

Ray announced the new board:
President – Barbara Petito
Vice Presidents – Bill Burgess and Vincent Pierre, Jr.
Treasurer – Eileen Leonard
Secretary – Ed Greene
Directors – Claudette Townsend, John Cuttino, Vivian Simons, Gary Spitz, Bill Zangle

Ray handed the floor to incoming President, Barbara Petito

Barbara asked that everyone acknowledge Ray for his years of service as President, at which time Ray received a standing ovation. Barbara then presented Ray with a plaque that read “Presented to Ray Fitzmartin in recognition of your dedication to tennis officiating and years of service as President of ETUA. March, 8, 2008”

Barbara mentioned Ray is a wealth of information and she is sure she will have to pick his brain from time to time. Barbara thanked Tom Jenkins (not in attendance) who was instrumental in her becoming an official

Barbara addressed the following topics:
1. Goals for ETUA, supporting ETUA and making it the best it can be.
2. The need for communication – which is essential for the success of any organization.
3. Recruitment of new officials and their retention.
4. The USTA National Mentor Program and the need for us all to help mentor other officials.
5. The ETUA web site
6. The USTA web site
7. She welcomed Vivian Simons to the board
8. She thanked Eric Richburg (not in attendance) for his service to the board for many years.

Barbara concluded by telling the membership she looks forward to working closely with everyone over the next 2 years.

2008 ETUA Annual Meeting Notice

2008-02-27T08:44:00.000-08:00

The 2008 Annual Meeting will be held Saturday, March 8th, at the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills. This meeting is for ETUA members only and will commence at 9:30 AM.

If you come by car, you may park in the parking lot in the back of the Club, off Burns Street or on NY City streets where you must observe parking regulations. YOU MUST NOT PARK ON FOREST HILLS GARDENS STREETS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!!

Annual Dues:
Please remember, according to the ETUA Constitution, Article VIII: "The annual dues shall be payable at or before the Annual Meeting each year...if any member's dues remain unpaid on the 30th day of March, his/her membership shall be automatically suspended."

Please remit dues to Eileen Leonard
Full member: $35.00
Provisional member: $35.00
Non-resident member: $35.00

Grass Roots Award Presented at ETUA's January 2008 Training School

2008-02-12T09:34:00.000-08:00

With her peers in attendance Vivian Simons was presented with the 2007 Grass Roots Award during the January 26th training school held in White Plains.

The USTA, a few years back, decided to recognize those officials who support grass roots tennis, the back bone of tennis.

Vivian has held the position of District Director for many years and has spent countless hours recruiting officials to work tournaments in her area. She also spends many hours on court working these same grass roots events.

Congratulations Vivian, job well done!!!

2008 ITA Changes

2008-01-11T13:10:00.000-08:00

The following were adopted/clarified but will not appear in published edition of 2008 Friend at Court:
New wording in bold

ITA Rule I.J.3&4 – Who may coach in men's tennis / Who may coach in women's tennis. BOTH rules will now read as follows. Coaching is permitted by the head coach and two designated coaches, who may be an assistant coach and/or a registered volunteer coach and/or player. Two coaches may coach on the same court at one time. Note: Division I Rule only for 3 men's coaches (non Division I men's tennis remains 2 coaches)
[Discussed during December ITA Convention. D1 coaching rules now consistent for men and women. 3 coach change on D1 men’s side due in part to policy at NCAA Championships in Tulsa this May]

ITA Rule I.J.5 Where a coach may coach . "The coach may sit or stand near the net post and must stay within the area where the players chairs or benches are or should be provided. The coaches movement should be limited so that he/she does not distract the players….”

ITA Rule I.L.1 a….The ball change in Division I men's and women's tennis in singles is a can of balls for each set (3 balls per set), and four balls (4) must be used in doubles pro-sets.

ITA Rule II.I.2 "Team penalty for being late" Team penalty for being late. If a team is not ready to begin its team match at the specified starting time, each player on the starting lineup in singles shall begin one game down and shall be deemed to have lost the toss. If a team is not ready to begin the match within 15 minutes of the specified starting time it will lose the doubles point(s). If a team is not ready to begin within 1 hour of the specified start time it will forfeit the remaining singles matches.

ITA Rule II.K.5 Removing players from the team line-up: Before the start of the dual-meet match, the coach must submit the three doubles and eight/ (or all) singles players available to play and they must be listed in order of strength. For Doubles see rule K.6. If a singles player is not listed or (in the top eight ), he or she may not be inserted into the singles lineup at anytime. The coach may remove a singles player/players from their initial list after the doubles has been completed, and each player listed below the removed player must move up the appropriate amount of spots.

The following were adopted/clarified and will appear in 2008 edition of FAC:

ITA Rule I.C.3 "Feinting…." 3. Feinting, changing position, and intentional distraction . A player may feint with the body while the ball is in play. A player may change position at any time, including while the server is tossing the ball. Any movement or sound that is made solely to distract an opponent, including, but not limited to, waving the arms or racket or stamping the feet, is not allowed. The receiver's partner shall not stand in the receiver's service box before or during the serve. If a player does so, he shall be warned that if he does so he is subjected to being penalized under the ITA Point Penalty System.

ITA Rule I.G.3 "Match starts with warm-up" Match starts with warm-up. The official start of a match is marked when the on court warm-up begins between the two opponents (for two doubles teams). It is mandatory to warm-up with the opponent/opposing doubles team.

ITA Rule II.K.4 "Line-up changes in back-to-back dual matches" (p. 255) In back-to-back dual meet matches (two consecutive dual meet matches played regardless of time between matches), the team line-up (as played) may be changed. A player may move up or down one position in this situation. The lineup must still stay in order of ability. .
The following is crossed out:
(Prior to the start of the match and during the line-up exchange, it is the responsibility of the opposing coach to appeal any player being moved two or more positions in the line-up (from the previous match)"

2008 Tests and Training - updated 4/4/08

2007-12-30T18:09:00.000-08:00

The 2008 tests are on the USTA web site. All tests reference the 2007 FAC, except the Provisional test which is based on the 2008 FAC. You are required to bring your completed answer sheet to the training session. If you do not bring your completed answer sheet you will be required to attend another training session. No one will be allowed to take the test while the training session is in progress. If you have any problems downloading the tests please let me know.

The 2008 ETUA Schools are as follows:

White Plains, January 26 and 27 - The Renaissance Center Hotel
Rochester, February 16 - site TBD (new and seasoned officials will attend the same day)
(NEW) Flushing, April 12 - at the USTA BJK National Tennis Center
Syracuse, May 3 and 4, site TBD

NOTE: The Saturday sessions are for officials with 5 or more years experience.
The Sunday session is for officials with less than 5 years experience.

Check the USTA web site frequently for training school updates. You can attend any training school in the country. Be sure to contact the coordinator for the school you which to attend as prior registration is required.

2008 Certification Information

2007-12-30T18:03:00.000-08:00

All data cards received were processed and submitted to the USTA National Office. Your 2008 certification card will be issued shortly. You will also receive a letter from the National Office which contains valuable information, please read this letter carefully. You will want to reference this letter from time to time, therefore, keep it in a secure place.

If you did not submit a data card your certification will end December 31, 2007; you will not receive a 2008 certification card, a data card or a FAC (Friend At Court). Data cards received late will not be on the automatic distribution list for a copy of the FAC, also, they received a “PV” certification; there were no exceptions to this rule.

In order to determine one’s certification the following items were reviewed:

School attendance (if required)
Test Results (you must have a passing grade for your certification level)
Work Record (requirements for each certification, as outlined in the FAC)
Evaluations

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
ITA - many of us work dual meets, and as the only official on site we are both referee and rover, and have indicated such on our data cards. However, working a dual meet as a referee/rover only counts towards your ITA certification, this information was verified with the National Chairperson of Officials.

CHAIR - In order to advance from “SC” to “UC” you need evaluations. If you did not receive satisfactory evaluations or did not receive any evaluations you cannot move up. Anyone with a “UC” certification should be evaluated each year in order to retain that certification. If you want to be evaluated in 2008 contact your sectional trainer/evaluators.

LINE - A higher line certification is not based solely on the number of days worked, there are evaluation criteria which must be met in order to advance. Refer to the FAC and the USTA web site.

EVALUATIONS – Receiving multiple evaluations below your certification level can result in a lower certification.

When you receive your data card please review it. If you have any questions concerning your certification level please contact me (not the National Office). An outline for appealing your certification level can be found in the FAC. The deadline for appeals is March 1, 2008.

Lastly, those of you who either have a line certification and no chair certification or vice versa will notice an “SE” certification has been added to your certification card. This is in the event you work one of the disciplines for which you are not certified and are evaluated; this will enable the evaluation to be put into the system.

Thank you,
Barbara Petito – Sectional Chairperson

2008 US Open Application Information

2007-12-30T17:56:00.000-08:00

The following information was taken off the USTA web site regarding the 2008 US Open Application. Applications will not be mailed to officials it is available on line.
Thanks, Barbara

Grand Slam Application Information. The 2008 US Open application form can be accessed by the link available below. Hard copy application forms will not be mailed out for the 2008 US Open.

USTA certified officials who held a USTA Line Umpire, USTA Chair Umpire or higher certification level in 2007 are eligible to apply directly for 2008 US Open. All other USTA certified officials must receive a written or typed recommendation from either their Sectional Chairperson or a National Trainer/Evaluator. The recommendation must be submitted with the application form so the application can be considered for 2008.

If you worked the 2007 US Open, but you still maintain a certification level below USTA Line Umpire or USTA Chair Umpire you are permitted to submit your 2008 US Open application "without" a recommendation letter from a Sectional Chairperson or a National Trainer/Evaluator.

All certified international officials can obtain a 2008 US Open application form by accessing the link below or can obtain an application from the ITF Officials web page at www.tennisofficial.com.

If you have any questions about this application form or submission deadline, please contact Ryan Orner at orner@usta.com. The date to submit this application form to the USTA Officials Department is:

2008 US Open- February 1, 2008
2008 Roland Garros- Deadline passed (was November 19, 2007)
2008 Wimbledon- Deadline passed (was November 19, 2007)
2009 Australian Open

2008 US Open application form: Rich Kaufman on page 4 in the December 2002 issue of The Official Word (Available in “Archives – Official Word”) laid out the criteria for consideration as a US OPEN official. This selection process is information available to all officials. Anyone interested in working professional tennis events, including the US OPEN, has a well-marked path that can be followed. Each year the National Committee makes available to new officials a number of Line Clinics around the country where new line umpires may receive training and display their talents as line umpires. Some line umpires from these clinics may be invited to work as a paid official at that very event, or events held later in the year in their section. The Trainer/Evaluators will speak to all participants and those officials needing more initial training will be encouraged to attend a future Line Clinic. Some officials, depending upon their level of ability and availability, may be given current opportunities to work at USTA Circuit events, as well as WTA and ATP Tournaments. Those officials demonstrating excellent skills as a line umpire and receiving high evaluations from National T/Es, USTA Circuit Supervisors, ITF certified Chief Umpires/Chair Umpires, as well as recommendations from the section and professional work record, are then considered candidates for the US Open.

WELCOME

2007-09-12T09:54:00.000-07:00

Welcome ETUA members to our website. This website will not replace the emails you have been receiving, instead, it will serve as a centralized location for important information. This website will also contain information which is applicable to our Section. We hope you will find it user friendly and informative.

During the year should you have any questions or concerns do not hesitate to contact me either by email or telephone. The lines of communication between us are always open. I wish all of you a great year of officiating and I look forward to seeing many of you on court during the coming months.

Barbara Petito - Sectional Chairperson

Data Cards Due October 15, 2007

2007-09-12T09:48:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone:

I hope everyone has had a great year officiating. As always, the data cards are due no later than October 15, 2007.

Complete the front of the data card, be sure to include your USTA # and expiration date (MANDATORY). If your membership has expired your card cannot be processed. Check the "new information" box if there have been changes (highlight those changes) since last year. Be sure to sign the card where indicated. Please note an eye doctor's signature is required during 2007 for 2008 certification. The doctor is to sign the bottom of the data card. Unsigned cards and those without a doctor's signature will be returned which will delay the processing of your card.

On the inside of the card indicate your work record, include date of the event, tournament name, type, prize money (if any) and position held (line, chair, rover, chief umpire, referee). Indicate the number of days worked as a line umpire or rover. Chair umpire indicate the number of chairs worked. The chief of umpires or referee must sign the data card at the events you officiated. If you are confirmed to work any tournaments scheduled after October 15th, you can include this information on the data card.

In the section "2007 School Record" indicate the location of the school attended, the name of the t/e and the date.

DO NOT WRITE ANYTHING ON THE BACK OF THE DATA CARD.

PLEASE SEND ME THE ORIGINAL CARD (PLUS ONE COPY). KEEP A COPY FOR YOUR RECORDS. If your card gets lost and you do not have a copy, you will have to reconstruct the entire work record.

Failure to submit your data card will result in the following:

*you will not receive a copy of the 2008 Friend at Court
*you will not receive a 2008 certification card
*you will not receive a 2008 data card
*you will not be included in the on-line officials address book
*you will not be in the USTA computer
*you risk de-certification (late cards will result in demotion to provisional umpire status [there are no exceptions])

REMEMBER THE DEADLINE IS OCTOBER 15, 2007

The Kennedy Funding Invitational

2007-09-12T09:43:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone:

I hope everyone enjoyed working The Kennedy Funding Invitational. The venue is great and they treat the officials very well. Don't get use to it, The Bronx is coming up and there is no comparision.

I would like to thank everyone for the excellent job you did. You had several adverse challenges which you handled in a professional manner. For example, on Wednesday (7/11) due to inclement weather, the event was moved up 2 1/2 hours, those working that day were able to adjust their schedules and meet the requirement of the tournament director.

On Friday, everyone worked as a fine tuned unit to fill in for those officials who were not there. Many of you gave up your break in order to ensure we had a chair and 7 at all times. On Saturday you had to split up and do a sit and stay in order to get the Men's final out on time.

FYI - the tournament raised over half a million dollars for the two hospitals.

Again, I thank you for your support; you showed your professionalism through out the entire event. If ETUA is invited back next year you are all welcome to work again.

Regards,
Barbara - Referee - The Kennedy Funding Invitational

World Team Tennis - Thank you to all

2007-05-04T16:02:00.000-07:00

Thank you for supporting World Team Tennis, in Mamaroneck and Schenectady; in fact several of you worked both venues, which was greatly appreciated.

Mamaroneck had hawk eye which added another element to the event, making it exciting for the fans and players.

Although NY Sportimes did not make the playoffs, NY Buzz made it to the final, losing to Sacramento 24-20.

Again, thank you for your support and I hope to see many of you on court during the coming weeks.

Regards,
Barbara - Chief Umpire - WTT Mamaroneck and Schenectady

CUNY Men's Division III

2007-03-01T08:53:00.000-08:00

I would like to thank the officials who worked the CUNY Men's Division III dual meets this Spring. As you know we had several days where matches had to be rescheduled due to poor weather conditions. As a result some dual meets were played back to back in cold and windy conditions. I commend you for your professionalism during this hectic schedule. The Athletic Directors and Coaches for the schools were also pleased with our services.

For your information, the finals were played at the USTA Billy Jean King National Tennis Center. The result was Baruch over Brooklyn by a score of 5-4. As a result, the victory gives Baruch their first bid to the NCAA Men's Tennis Championships.

Barbara

Grass Roots and Umpire of the Year Award Recipients

2007-03-01T08:49:00.000-08:00

Two of our dedicated officials were honored in January they are:

Charlotte Dlugolenski from Fayetteville, NY. Charlotte was the recipient of the 2006 Grass Roots Award.

Ed Greene from Mount Vernon, NY was named Umpire of the Year for 2006.

Annual Meeting / Dues - Eileen Leonard

2007-03-01T08:41:00.000-08:00

The ETUA Annual Meeting; which is for members only; will be held Saturday, March 10, 2007 at the West Side Tennis Club, Forest Hills, New York from 9:30 AM to 12 Noon.

If you come by car, you may park in the back parking lot of the club, off Burns Street, or on NY City streets where you must observe parking regulations. YOU MUST NOT PARK ON FOREST HILLS GARDENS STREETS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!

Annual Dues:
Please remember, according to the ETUA Constitution, Article VIII: "The Annual dues shall be payable at or before the Annual Meeting each year. If any member's dues remain unpaid on the 30th day of March, his/her membership shall be automatically suspended." (This means that, as of April 1, you will no longer be on the mailing list to receive notices, and you will not be made aware of tournaments and other events. Promptness in paying your dues will save time and additional costs.)

Remit dues to Eileen Leonard.
Full member: $35.00
Provisional member: $35.00
Non-resident member: $35.00

ITA Rules Changes for 2007 - from Jane Goodman

2007-03-01T08:23:00.000-08:00

Adopted by the Rules Committee at its December Meeting at the ITA Annual Coaches Convention. (New wording is indicated in BOLD).

Rule Change #1:
ITA Rule II.K.5 (p255-256). Before the start of the dual-meet match, the coach must submit the lineup, including their top 6 players who are available to play and in order of ability. Once the match has begun and a coach removes a player from the singles lineup, all players then must move up one spot and the No. 7 player must be inserted into the No. 6 position unless this move violates the order of ability rule (ITA Rule II.K.3) in which case the player will be inserted into their appropriate lineup position based on ability.

Rule Change #2:
ITA Rule II.K.6 (p256). A coach may remove any player from the doubles lineup by making a direct line substitution. The doubles lineup must still be played in order of ability. Players removed from the doubles lineup may play in singles. Once the match has officially begun, two players may be substituted for any doubles team (only if the match begins with singles). The lineup must remain in order of ability.

Rule Change #3:
ITA Rule II.V.B (p260). For all ITA Division 1 National Tournaments, in singles, a can of balls must be used for each set (3 balls per set), and four balls (4) must be used in doubles pro-sets. Note: The current ITA policy for dual matches will remain in effect through this spring season: to use a new can for the third set, unless conference rules mandate otherwise. This rule will be reviewed by the Rules Committee and Operating Committee at the meetings during the NCAA Championships this May.

New Rule:
ITA Rule I.E.12 (p233). A player or coach ejected from a match must leave the tennis venue for the duration of the team match.

Rule Clarification:
A Roving Umpire, in direct observation of the court, may call a hindrance without being appealed to by one of the players on the court. A roving umpire may also call a "let" if a player is endangered by a stray ball on the court.

Rule Modification:
ITA Rule I.B.11 Touches, invasion of opponent's court, reaching over the net, and doubles bounces, which states, "Calls involving a player touching his opponent's court, hitting an opponent's return before it has passed the net, and a double bounce must be called by the player committing the infraction. If there is a solo chair umpire, he also may make these calls. A roving umpire may make the call if he directly observed the incident or if he is appealed to."

Training Information

2007-03-01T08:14:00.000-08:00

There is a new format for the training schools. You are required to take the test(s) prior to attending class, no tests will be given at the training session. Bring your completed test sheet(s) to the school. All tests are on line at the USTA website: www.USTA.com. The Saturday session has been designed for those officials with 5 years or more experience. The Referee and ITA schools will be taught following the USTA school on Saturday. New (less than 5 years) and inexperienced officials will attend the Sunday session.

Schools dates for our section are as follows:

January 20 & 21 in White Plains, contact: Eileen Leonard / Ray Fitzmartin
This school will be taught by a National T/E: Lynda Hinshaw

February 3 & 4 in Rochester, contact: Bill George
Sectional T/E Bill George will give the class

May 5 & 6 in Syracuse, contact: Cam Bundy
This school will be taught by a National T/E: Bill Barber

If you have problems downloading the tests or have questions concerning the schools call the school contact or the Sectional Chairperson.

Data Cards

2007-03-01T08:05:00.000-08:00

The data cards are to be submitted to the Sectional Chairperson by October 15, 2007. You will notice this date is at the top of your Data Card and can be found on page 217 of the 2007 Friend at Court. IMPORTANT NOTE: An eye doctor's signature is required for your 2008 certification. There is a line at the bottom of the data card for the doctor's signature.

In order to safe guard your personal information it would be prudent to put your name and very limited information on the card until it needs to be submitted; this is in the event it is lost. On the inside of the card please have the chief umpire or referee sign your card. Also, if you work multiple days at a tournament indicate the information on one line, there is no need to fill out a line for each day worked.

Certification Information

2007-03-01T07:58:00.000-08:00

The Friend at Court (FAC) provides General Certification Requirements (Page 216 - 2007 FAC) and Specific Certification Requirements for each certification level (Page 217). In order to move up in certification you must meet the requirements as stated.

Umpire Clothing

2007-03-01T07:54:00.000-08:00

The distributor for the officials clothing is Honig Whistle Stop, you can order from their website: www.honigs.com/usta or by phone: 1-888-468-3284 (toll free). The new uniforms have the new USTA logo and you can purchase patches to cover up the old logos on your jackets or sweaters.