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Ladder Play 2018

 

The objective of a doubles team ladder is to provide a high level of fun in a competitive environment for SCPA members of all skill levels. There is no cost to play beyond regular drop-in fees by the players’ chosen venue.

 

Participants

 

This will be our 3rd year of organizing ladder play. Last year we organized a gender-neutral ladder with teams of men, women, and mixed. We did this to accommodate as many players as possible. You do not have to register with a partner of similar rating. In fact, we encourage mixing it up to add another element of fun with less predictability on the outcome. Over the course of last year’s competition, first place on the ladder changed constantly, with 4 different teams finding the top rung at one time or another. At the end of the season, a team composed of a 4.0 and 3.25 reached the top rung – the ladder attesting itself as a superb opportunity for lower rated players to substantially improve. 

 

Where and When to Play

 

Participants may play their weekly ladder match at the venue chosen by the challenged team. They may choose the Sechelt Arena, the Barn or any outdoor court. Arena games can be played on Saturday (10:30-2:30) or Monday and Wednesday (3:00-6:00). Barn play can occur any time other than Tuesday and Thursday from 12:00-3:30 and Sunday from 9:00-Noon.

 

We plan to start the ladder w/o July 15th and conclude w/o August 27th.

 

Registration

 

If you wish to participate please notify John Bell no later than July 10th. John will require your name and that of your partner, telephone numbers, and email addresses. You and your partner will receive the initial ladder ranking of teams by July 13th, and after that, all communication of scores must be delivered by the winning team to John within 24 hours of the result. This will allow for a timely weekly update. John Bell H: 604-885-2014. C: 604-363-8220.  ceoafterlife@gmail.com

 

How the Ladder Works

  1. Those keen to participate must find a partner who is eager to play one ladder match per week. SCPA’s ladder is open to players of every skill level and partners do not have to be at the same skill level. For example, a 3.75 player can partner with a 3.0 player.

  2. Teams may play a maximum 1 ladder match per week.

  3. The initial rank on the ladder will be determined by John Bell - after that, the rungs on the ladder will change every week according to wins and losses.

  4. Teams challenge higher-rung teams and move up the ladder when they win.

  5. The challengers arrange the match with their opponents.
     

Basic Rules

  1. In a league with 14 or more teams, a team may challenge up to 3 ladder rungs above their place in the ladder. In a league with under 14 teams, the challenge may be up to a maximum of 2 rungs in the ladder.

  2. If the lower ranked team wins, they will take the place of the losing (higher ranked) team, and the losing team would move down 1 rung in the ladder.

  3. Either as the challenger, or as the team challenged, every team should play one match a week (best of 3 games). Over the 7-week schedule, each team will be granted 2 byes, meaning their place on the ladder would not change if they cannot not play. After the second bye, a default would be recorded with the defaulting team moving down 1 rung on the ladder, having been replaced by the challenger.

  4. Each match will be the best of 3 games, first to 11. The winner is responsible for informing the ladder coordinator (John Bell) of the outcome within 24 hours of the match.

  5. All challengers must contact their opponent and have their match pre-arranged and the time of play determined BEFORE coming to the court.

  6. The ladder will be updated on Monday of the following week and distributed to all teams by email.

  7. New teams can be added to the ladder at any time, but they will start at the bottom rung of the ladder.

  8. If a team fails to arrive within fifteen (15) minutes of the scheduled start time, the match is defaulted.
     

Please be aware that the key determinant for success in ladders is the cooperation and communication of the players. We ask that you keep this in mind when deciding whether or not to participate.  

Happy pickling,

John Bell

SCPA Director of Player Development

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