Wednesday, December 2, 2009

End of Year Ratings

OK. No more posts in the 4.0 playoff thread about End-of-Year Ratings or my Captaining Philosophies.

The USTA dramatically changed the landscape of USTA leagues going into the spring season by moving up a large percentage of 3.5 and 4.0 players. Who does this help? Who does it hurt?

Who are the top 10 4.0s that didn't get moved up? Top ten 3.5s? What players got moved up that shouldn't have (seems like a long list)?

Also, how do players get moved down a level without playing a single match (i.e. Matt McCord)?

Start the discussion. BTW, I fully expect the first post to be about 4.0 playoffs.

155 comments:

  1. As fas as top players in 4.0 for this year you can look at guys liek Vijay Singh, Trae Bowman, Leonard Hutchinson, Mitchell Fix,Jason Fraser,Darryl Windland,Zack Courtney, Brent Obannon, and others. Also some of the top 3.5s from last Spring will be near the top such as Palacioz, Bennett, Jones, Yaramenko, Varner, Arcadia, Wylie, Clark,Chen, Morrison from 4.5, and others.

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  2. In response to one of Corey's earlier question, Sean Brinkman was 4.0 at mid season got bumped to 4.5 end of year and results were
    0-3 at 4.0 in fall,
    0-1 at 4.5 in fall,
    and 0-2 at 4.0 sectionals.

    I'm thinking a few things: One, dynamic rating percentage was changed for bumpumps; and/or two, Win/losses don't matter, it's the scores that you have when you play.

    I'm leaning towards the scores being the difference overall (not win/loss), because I see it in other players that don't have great records.

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  3. Brent O'Bannon was moved up. So that means you can lose the match and your rating can move up based on a close score. I guess that makes sense, sort of.

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  4. They were making a broad push up. Keeping teams together as well, so that 100s of people would not be scrambling to find new teams. 4.0 is the old 3.5.

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  5. I think your one guy was moved down because he was barely moved up, but then did not play, so they either took that as he was not happy with his rating, or maybe some of the people that he played, their rating changed.

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  6. "1. I want my team to advance to Sectionals. But I want to do that as a team, not as a conglomeration of individuals who have no prior connection or team concept outside of Sunday afternoons."

    I think you're mistaken in how "superteams" act. With such a strong team of players, everyone is more likely to play/interact outside of Sunday afternoon.

    As to prior connection - who cares? Nothing wrong w/ new friends. You act like it is a bunch of hired guns that show up Sunday, win as quickly as possible, and tear out of the parking lot for home.

    As the great Jimmy Johnson said, "winning creates good chemistry".

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  7. It is definitely done by margin of victory, not win vs loss. For example say a person lost a match 6-7,6-1,0-1. The way the USTA looks at it, the losing player won more games, so they would be deemed the "better player". Not that that makes any sense, but that is how they do it. So guys can technically manage ratings without losing, by keeping the matches as close as possible.

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  8. 4.0 is basically the old 3.5 but stronger. There are still some 4.0s left, a group of strong 3.5s who were bumped mid season, and a group of average to below average 3.5s who were recently bumped. It is 3.5 of last Spring with the main difference being that decent 4.0s are replacing the very poor 3.5s.

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  9. I know I'm being a bit overdramatic about the superteam. It's just an ethical gray area for me. Recruiting the top players from the level is one thing, but recruiting players who are out of level is another. I just have a problem with the concept. How exciting would the league be if one superteam dominates the whole season?

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  10. I'm so tired of trying to sum things up but I will try again.

    I guess my feeling is this: I would rather win with my guys who I have battled and worked hard with for many seasons then bring in 8 guys who are 4.5+ and win the league. Maybe it's not possible to win with my current guys, but we will die trying. As it stands now I plan to keep my same philosophy of adding two or three players each season and hope that the existing guys (myself included) keep improving.

    I guarantee that my team will be one of the top 3 teams in the spring, assuming Rusty doesn't get all my players :)

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  11. There is drama with a super team as players egos get involved. players think they should be playing over other players, etc. if you get a group of 12 players (all near the top) and give equal playing time you can avoid that, but that typiclly is not how it goes. You usually have a very good player who only plays a few matches and is not happy and starts to bitch.

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  12. Just got the email from the USTA explaining why so many people got moved up to the next level. Included is a chart (discussed in an earlier blog) showing the number of people at each level and how many were moved up or down. I have a confession. The one person in the nation that got moved pr from 5.5 to 6.0 was me. Sorry for kicking too much arse around here. Now what do I do with the dreaded bump to 6.0? 6.0 teams just don't make.

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  13. Drama over playing time is legit.

    Recruiting players from out of level is not - most "superteams" don't have self-rates.

    Understand the desire to keep playing w/ same group of guys though.

    But, the better the team, the better each individual will get, IMO. Just a product of practicing w/ the best players.

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  14. Add Blake Sinclair to the list of top 4.0's for the spring - he is the #3 singles player at the Lakes (the first 2 were bumped to 4.5) and won all his singles matches except the tiebreaker loss to Kurt Pilgrim, who was also bumped to 4.5

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  15. I can agree with that, but that's assuming that team actually practices together.

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  16. The Lakes seems to be getting more serious at all levels for team tennis. Are they getting more players out there or is the facility growing or what? I don't even remember the Lakes having any teams two or three years ago.

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  17. Anybody that mentions Fraser and Morrison as top 4.0 players is either high, homosexual, or flat out sucking up. Those guys will not have the solid partners anymore to succeed. I got an idea, lets pair them up and have them play a decent team and I will guarantee an ass whooping as long as they don't creat too many distractions (ie. making out or nut high shorts).

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  18. If your statement was accurate, you're comparing them to the previous 4.0 competition. That competition isn't there anymore. I expect them to be solid, together or separate.

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  19. was about to type nearly the exact same thing Coredawg. Good point.

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  20. Thanks. I'm good for one a month or so.

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  21. Palacioz, aren't you supposed to be teaching right now. Stop neglecting the children and get your ass to work. And quit chasing the fat student teachers around the halls. Is that how you stay in shape during the off season? I guess that's cheaper than a treadmill.

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  22. Hmmmm. I was 50% at 4.5 in the Fall until my last match. I was moved back down to 4.0 and almost every player I know at 4.0 was moved to 4.5.

    Even though I was apparently nothing more than a tree ornament on the tennis court according to you, I think I will do pretty well this year.

    In fact, why don't you pick the decent team for us to play? (and you need to ask them) - Mitch Ho and Stephen Bennett? That would be easy to arrange.

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  23. I knew you couldn't resist.

    1. Why don't you name the partners you won with the couple times at 4.5.

    2. Bennett and Ho would kick your asses.

    3. You didn't address the part about no making out, if you agree not to (even if you get lucky and win), I will set it up for you.

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  24. Fraser/Morrison versus Bennett/Ho?

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  25. "Even though I was apparently nothing more than a tree ornament on the tennis court"

    Nice. I might have to use that line sometime.

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  26. So is RO gonna combine with Feldman in 4.5's. Or is it Branch and RO or all 3 teams combining??I'm confused??

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  27. Well, 2 years of barely playing and losing 90% of my matches and I still dont get bumped back down to 4.0. I am quitting. I am not going to play for a few years and come back and self rate at 3.5 to guarentee me some control over this crap. Yeah, I am 4.5 and I plaan to self rate at 3.5 in 2-3 years. Its bogus. But it is the only way. I just want to play 4.0 and hit once a week. That is it. Hit on a Wed and play 75% of the majors in doubles only. That is it. To play 4.5 I need to practice 3-4 times a week and train. I dont have time for that. I did play college in my younger days but I am not that guy anymore. That was 14 years ago. Things change. Many 4.0 guys have beaten this ex-college player so what is the point. Anyone see any other way other then intentially playing matches and losing 0-0 everytime? I guess that would be faster but that seems hard core. Thoghts?

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  28. Alright Arcaria, set it up then. I can play on Sunday.

    I am not denying I had strong players next to me, but at 4.5, you had better be something more than a tree ornament.

    Sorry, there will be no making out. That will still have to be contained to your wet dreams.

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  29. I doubt any of those three will combine, especially if RO or Feldman win the fall. I'm sure it will be the Branch nucleus with 5 or 6 strong players from other teams/areas added in.

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  30. Hey Toby. You can compete in 4.5. Keep in mind that if the USTA keeps doing what they say 4.5 will be progressively weaker the next couple of years. 3.5 would be a total waste of time for you. 4.0 might be too this season.

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  31. Can we have a poll on Fraser/Morrison vs. Bennett/Ho. Those first two will not have anyone to rely on but themselves, should be fun to watch.

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  32. That's Mr. Arcadia to you sir.

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  33. How did I get involved in this? I agree with an above poster and think you and Fraser will be top 4.0s hence our phone call yesterday. Please do not think it is me posting that stuff which I am assuming since you stated my name. It would be a good match though and I would be happy to set it up, but I was not the one dogging you BMo.

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  34. Wednesday is test day.
    I haven't tried to chase the fat teachers for an off season work out. I don't think it would be a good idea. They probably can't move fast enough or last very long.

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  35. So CoreDawg, you wouldn't recruit Branch's players if you had the chance. Don't you want to get to Sectionals for the 1st time??

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  36. I have this rating thing figured out. If I beat you, you are a 4.0. if you beat me, you are a 5.0. I am the only true 4.5.

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  37. Well I think recruiting players from another team is an ethical issue too but if they approached me that's different. There are only four or five from that team I would take though based on level and personality issues.

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  38. Thanks for the FB message to clarify Shawn. My bad.

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  39. CoreDawg, although you are a good guy and I respect the way you take all the criticism, the reason I got frustrated with this blog is when people just throw out people's names and say this or that with no research. It just takes a couple clicks to get the facts and then you can say something about someone. I know you said you didn't know whether I played 5.0 so at least you did that but throwing out Walt and my names in the "why can't they win in 5.0" discussion is a little irresponsible if you are not willing to look it up. At least just bag on me because I post here and leave Walt out of it. Walt played two matches according to tennis link and lost both. I'm throwing the first one out because he played against Ron Morrison another Branch bump up so whoever lost someone would have accused a Branch player of tanking. (score was 6-4, 7-5). His other match he and Feldman lost to another 5.0/4.5combo but if he was tanking he did a poor job of it losing only 6-3, 6-3. And if you were really trying to get down to 4.5, you would have played and lost more matches don't you think. For the record, no I didn't play any 5.0 matches in the fall, so my bump down didn't come from that.
    As far as you wanting to win with a bunch of guys you have played with before, I think you should follow the Branch model again. Over the last four years, Branch keeps about 65%-70% of his team together year to year. That's pretty consistent considering people getting bumped up and those who want to go to another team because they would get more playing time. It also appears that is a slightly better percentage than what you have kept over the last three year to year. I don't mean to sound like a jerk but I'm not sure all your assumptions are backed up by fact. I had a great time playing with Branch last year and made a group of new tennis friends. My point is that you can do both, put together a VERY competitive team and have a lot of fun as a team. When is the last time Dallas went to Nats at 4.5? Maybe joining forces like the best players in other cities do would make a difference. If you look at Austin, SA and Houston usually they have two very good teams and a bunch of others who are competitive locally but probably not at Sectionals.
    To those who talk about gaming the system and winning but keeping scores close. Yes, there are people who game the system and there always will be but I really think it is hard to accuse Branch's team this year of doing that. Go and check the scores. Not only did they lose only a few matches, they also delivered several lopsided loses so they weren't throwing games either.
    OK, so do I win longest, most useless post of the year?

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  40. All-star teams are just going to be more prevalent if each city is only going to get one spot in Sectionals.

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  41. Its not just a few clicks to get better information. Its research. Plus this is a blog, so you don't have to look up all ur facts. AND FINALLY... yes, too long

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  42. Morrison Fraser whip Bennet / Ho. No question. Fraser is way better since surgery. You can't get balls past him.

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  43. That's why I wanted to hear from you before I made any accusations. You two are not the players I've heard that have tanked at 5.0, and maybe nobody has. However I don't think anybody can argue that Walt is a 4.5 player.

    If we want to go strictly based on facts, Rusty was 20-6 in 4.5 league play in 08-09. Most of those losses were playoffs. In 5.0, 1-6. You can't deny that sounds suspicious. I'm not saying he tanked; I'm only talking about perception. It's a pointless argument because it can't be proven either way.

    Then look at Wesley James. 18-4 in 4.5 in 09-10 (nearly the same record as Rusty). 3-3 in 5.0.

    Paul Kiron. 14-4 in 4.5 in 09. 3-1 in 5.0 in 09 then all of the sudden 1-6 in 5.0 this fall, right before spring season.

    Bill Braswell. 22-4 in 4.5 in 08. 0-3 in 5.0.

    I don't know anybody on this list very well. I've met each of them and they seem like very nice guys. I'm only saying you will not see records like that from other players who dominate one level and move up to the next (i.e. Doug Fair as I said before, Keith, Steven, Defeo, Flora, Courtney,etc.)

    The numbers above are facts, what we extrapolate from them is only speculation but I don't think anybody can say accusations against Branch are completely groundless. I personally think it would be difficult for anybody to step on the court without trying to win, and I would hope that these guys fall into the same category.

    I have no problem with you or Walt or any of the Branch guys (in fact I was e-mailing back and forth with Walt today on another subject). I look at the blog as an opportunity to clear up these misconceptions.

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  44. It is an ethical issue to recruit players on other teams - WTF??? Is it also unethical for a player to leave one team and go play on another team? Once again, you just offended another segment of the tennis population.

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  45. Corey, YOU are the person throwing accusations out there. YOU are the person implying others are cheating. YOU are the person saying anyone who plays on a superteam is selling their soul to the devil and that they have no pride/loyalty. YOU are the person saying captains who recruit other players are acting in unethical manner.

    Stop acting like there are misconceptions and that you are being misunderstood.

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  46. It's funny hearing Kern complain about people accusing others of playing out of level.

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  47. I have no problem with people recruited players from other teams. We are all free agents. If someone is strictly trophy hunting they should play for the best team they can find. If someone steals your best player then that player didn't care about your team anyway.

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  48. I am only repeating what people have been saying for years about Branch's teams. I think this is an opportunity for one of their team members to set the record straight if he wants to.

    As far as the superteam and recruiting goes, everybody has their own ethics. For me, it is unethical to actively recruit somebody who is already committed to another team. Maybe I'm in the minority with my views, but I'm fine with that. I don't have a problem, ethical or otherwise, with somebody playing on a superteam. What I have a problem with is people playing below their level and that usually coincides with the super team.

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  49. A player can still care about their old team, yet still want to win.

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  51. I am not claiming to be misunderstood. How can I be? Myself, Keith, and Jason are the only ones putting our names on what we're saying for this issue, so we are the least misunderstood.

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  52. I'm off to actually play tennis and stop talking about it. I will be back in a couple of hours to defend myself again.

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  53. Corey, the difference is you didn't leave Bob's team for a better team. I moved from your team to Hai's because practices are closer to my house. There are lots of reasons to change teams. People only get mad when you change to a better team.

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  54. Corey for a guy who says he has nothing against my team you sure do accuse us alot. Why don't you jump over to the Houston blog, see Red Benzon, you don't like us, you'd hate having to play against Red's teams. His team has made Nationals 3 out of the last 4 years, now how do you suppose he does that? Red is a great guy, but he also knows how to put teams together, and get the right guys at the right time. When we've lost to his teams we don't whine and complain he had guys that shouldn't be 4.5's. As long as he put his team together within the rules I have no problem with it. So please stop with the whole ethics, moral majority crap, until you get too and play in sectionals you really have no idea what you are talking about.

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  55. Corey, You don't have to answer every single question on this blog. Take a rest from it would ya?

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  56. You're right Keith, I moved to get more playing time. I didn't have a problem with you playing with Hai's team either.

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  57. Am I the only one praying for sunny weather so CoreGirl can stop posting so damn much, and bullshit at that.

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  58. Cory is complaining about all of this, yet his boy Sisk is as guilty as anybody in regards to this stuff and all Cory does is defend Sisk. Hypocritical if you ask me. Props for standing behind your view though by posting under your name.

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  59. Don't confuse tanking w/ guys just not playing as much tennis.

    Lots of guys put everything they have into the spring. By fall, they have taken several weeks off and may only be playing once a week. Results suffer, people get accused of tanking.

    This not to mention the fact that 5.0 players are really good.

    By the way, where did I miss Corey's post accusing Branch & Co of tanking?

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  60. Nancy was the first one to try to defend Sisk by lying about the skills of his Sisk's new ringers. Nancy will lie to try to cover up for his friends and then wants to talk about ethics (unethical to recruit someone off another team?)Nancy is an ass and not worth listening to.

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  61. The real injustice here is that after 12 years as a4.5 I get the heave-ho to 5.0. Just made the 5.0 rating that much weaker when my sorry ass gets classified, but at least I can say I am better than Corey, Todd, and Donnie ;)
    and right on par with Molina, Branch and others. I feel so special. I love you guys.

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  62. To me right now everyone is a free agent unless you have verbally committed to playing with someone. If you have and someone calls you simply say sorry I've already agreed to play with _____ . So Corey if you have verbal commitments from everyone on your team it shouldn't be a big deal. If they keep trying after that then you have a point.

    Me, I'm holding out for someone to offer me a signing bonus, so until then I'm a free agent. Keith, what you got to offer for that #6 position? Big Mac AND fries? Don't worry you won't have to compete with CoreDawg because that would be unethical ;)

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  63. Jason, I am prepared to offer you some usta socks from 2006, and a tunafish sandwich.

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  64. Funny stuff. Cory making a stance on ethics when he defends Sisk all the time.

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  65. I haven't defended John since Spring 2008. I have a little better understanding of league tennis now with more experience as captain. Plus, I was mainly defending him against personal attacks, not his ethics.

    I'm glad to see this thread take a more light-hearted turn though. After 20 posts today from me, it has become less hostile.

    I agree with your first statement Jason, although I hardly think negotiations would stop at that. If I told another captain I was planning on playing for somebody, I'm sure most would still try to convince me.

    As I'm typing this, I will probably have some player come out of the woodwork saying I recruited them from another team.

    I'm going to draw up some contracts for my players tomorrow and have them notarized.

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  66. Wow, Nancy is changing history here. Nancy defended Sisk claiming guys like Glen Flora were NOT out of level. While others saw Flora as a 4.5 player playing down at 3.5. Well, the rest is history. Flora was DQed after Sectionals and is now a 4.5 player. Nancy is lying again when he claims to have only defended Sisk from personal attacks.

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  67. Ah...it's been a while. Anons are back, but for some reason the rhetoric is a bit more polished and meaningful. Nice for a change. And, yes, Walt and Dustin(as I posted last Fall) are 5.0.

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  69. I said mainly, not only. You guys were attacking John's character and attacking him personally for recruiting Glen and Jerry. I really would rather not have to go through the archives to find what I was saying in my defense of John. You guys were claiming Glen, Zack, and Jerry were 4.5+ superstars and almost two years later they still aren't. I probably shouldn't have said that because now this will start up again but oh well. I'm bored.

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  70. Corey, is Sisk an unethical captain? Is Branch?

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  71. Corey, what do you think your chances are of making it to Sectionals this year is? You should recruit through the blog.

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  72. OH, PLEASE . . .
    Of course Branch's players manage their scores and tank a few matches now and then. NEWS FLASH: Most the top players at all levels manage their scores at least somewhat. And there is nothing wrong with that. That's how the system works. Everyone has an equal chance to manage their rating. If you don't you are a fool. But either way it makes no sense to whine about it.

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  73. with 3.5 totally wiped out _ the best 3.5 team in the spring will be lifetime

    kirk hardwick & nick walton for singles. maybe the 2 best sgl players remaining at 3.5
    in dbl bill kaiser, andrew weinstein, dave megert, paul montalvo, joe cuff, brent yarbrough, & keith seibold.

    they have the best bunch of returning 3.5 players by far

    and kenny is bumped to 4.0 so no more bitching about bigbird

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  74. I just look forward to the playoffs for all levels, so we can divide out the current and ex 3.5 cry babies and the rest of us.

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  75. Except for Nancy, who has been blogging like a 3.5 crybaby all week. Corey, reach down there and remind urself u got a pair. anon - "All levels tank". Spoken like a true 3.5

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  76. c'mon corey. the only reason i'm not a 4.5+ superstar yet is because i only play once every few months. geez, get your facts straight.

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  77. Wow if you don't tune in to the blog for a day, the thing might go wild. It appears I got a lot of ink yesterday (Noel you definitely won though). One guy says I'm the best in 4.0, one says you'd be sucking up or a homo if you said I was decent (who are they sucking up to? Morrison / myself?? I don't get that one), and one tells me my knee is better and so is my play. Seems like a lot of anonymous people know me pretty well...funny. I've already played Morrison and Bennett but never the third guy. Sounds like fun after the playoffs. Give me a couple of weeks then let's do it if you all want to. Bennett I'll reach out to you (if you're not already on this blog...you're smart if you're not)

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  78. BMO -

    What's the deal with the ever changing icons? One day your a beatle, the next captain jack, and now a camel toe?? Is the camel toe trying to tell us something about you being back at 4.0 ??!! Why not just change to Arnold Schwarzenneger and play up at 4.5 !
    C'mon girly man!

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  79. oh, i am going to play 4.5, but i am very pissed i got bumped down... i am going to play just a couple of times, then playoffs. My goal, realistic or unrealistic, is to beat everyone I play 6-0 6-0 at 4.0

    I change my picture just because I get bored of it I guess. Here is a rather humorous picture of Arnold in his youth for ya though.

    Arnold - back when his only goal was to be a really good weight lifter in the 70's and smoking a joint after a hard work out in the gym was a pretty normal thing in California.

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  80. -BMO

    Pretty lofty goals to beat everyone 0&0. Be careful, because you might actually lose a match.

    It looks like the Eddie humility is rubbing off on you.

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  81. That is funny BMO, 0 and 0. I do think your record could have warranted a move up but I think you have to remember you were rated 3.5 not that long ago so your numbers had further to go than others. Also I think your singles play in tourneys might have dragged you down, Pauley T and Anwar had lopsided victories over you and they are not 4.5 players. I am pretty sure tourney stats didn't get computed until the EOY.

    The darkside still needs a waterboy if you have two free Sunday afternoons.

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  82. Bmo
    4.5 Doubles player
    3.5 Singles player

    This phenomenon is quite common but most donut eating doubles players would never expose themselves on the singles court in a tournament.

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  83. Oh, I know. An otherwise un-realistic goal for sure, but I am allowed to be pissed, right? That is still going to be my goal - Not just to win, but to win badly. Your are correct, my singles does suck, so maybe its an opportunity to work on that aspect of my game I guess.

    Carey, only Sisk could ever be the true Darkside. :)

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  84. So true, no offense John. :)

    Maybe the oversight committe was at sectionals and actually watched you play.

    That might explain the Weymer bump as well.

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  85. all of this talk about morrison being a top 4.0 is ludicris. this guy never should have been bumped in the first place and if he had never been bumped to 4.5 and was playing 4.0 the entire time i do not think anybody would be stating he is the best 4.0. just because he was a bump down does not mean he is the best 4.0 and that he thinks he will beat 4.0s 6-0 6-0 is a joke.

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  86. Bmo,

    You going to play in the cotton bowl (singles) I am going to do my best to play, maybe if Fraser plays singles too we can decide who the best 4.0 in town is, as far as overrated doubles players go anyways.

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  87. I can guarantee it is not you Cory!

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  88. alright, lets change the subject, I have said my piece. I am bored of all this talk about BMo. how about that picture of Arnold? Who woulda thunk? When are 4.0/4.5/3.5 Playoffs?

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  89. Yes, I will play in the Cotton Bowl classic - in singles only though, unless I can do a mix 4.0 singles/4.5 doubles. Footnote; all beating people badly statements do not apply to single's play.

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  90. B-mo good luck beating everyone in doubles 0-0.

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  91. BMO,
    I know that you are pissed you got bumped down but what did the usta say when you called them to complain (which I heard you did)?

    Also are you going to play 4.0 on LTF again or are you going to pull a Klamecki and shop your skills to whoever is in first place late in the season? This will let us all know what kind of guy you are... loyal to your roots or whoreing youself out...

    I have my prediction but dont want to taint your thought proccess.

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  92. LMAO,
    If that were true I would have joined Huff-Whines who should be getting the band back together in 4.0 now that Grandpa got bumped up.

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  93. LOL!!! I am not a complainer.

    1. It would be pointless to call the USTA and cry about it.

    2. Whore. So far, I have been offered a 2007 USTA net measurer, a half eaten tunafish sandwich, and beer with the expiration date scratched out.

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  94. I was happy to see that I got all the way to the bottom without seeing my name then someone takes a shot at me through BMo. Anyway.

    Corey. I agree with you on wanting to win, but wanting to do it with yourself and most of the guys you have. I am all about winning, but want to keep my core team playing and add a couple of stronger players. We will never have more than 13-14 guys on our team for that reason.

    Don't like Superteams either. I hate when we play a team and I ask one of the players about a guy on there team and they say, never seen him before, none of us really know each other. I am very proud to say that I know all of our guys very well and consider them all friends. I know many of them hang out together as well. I am just old school about TEAM. Someone once told Micheal Jordan that "there is no I in TEAM". He responded that "There's and I in WIN." I guess that is the superteam philosophy. I am not interested in that. Not to mention I would be riding the pine. Hell I may end up doing that at 4.5 anyhow???

    BMo - Beating a 3.5 player 0 & 0 will be tough for you. I love you man, but that's not really your game. You find a way to win more than you dominate people. Just don't want you disappointed when you beat 4.0's 3 & 3.

    Eddie

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  95. BM0,

    There is an appeal up feature. I hear it is a very overused feature. You might get it. I will take your challenge to see if you can beat this little old 4.0 bumpup 0&0.

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  96. alright, alright. i stepped in a pile of shit that i made myself. For the record, I did write UNREALISTIC not once, but twice.

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  97. Eddie,

    Being a former Pac 10 athlete, do you pick USC or the Horns for tonight's game?

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  98. Eddie,

    Being a former Pac 10 athlete, do you pick USC or the Horns for tonight's game?

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  99. Hey BMO, did anyone tell you that you've been bumped down yet? I mean, all this bitching about people getting bumped up and you are one of the only few idiots that got bumped down, how down right embarrasing. But in your case, at least the system got it right. Just stop being psst off and accept the fact that you are a solid 3.5 and possibly a low level 4.0 with a decent partner. 6-0 6-0cough cough, get your head out of Obamas ass long enough to see the real world would ya. When you get beat by some mediocres, I want to be there to see the tears, which I'm sure you'll be wiping off on Fraser's shorts.

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  100. This blog is humorous. I cannot believe people care so much about 3.5 and 4.0 tennis so much as to resort to name calling and "saber rattling." I mean, really?

    I am actually sorry I visited this site. I guess there are some that post factual and reasonable comments. But man, some of the other junk I have read.....

    Anyway, carry on.

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  101. No doubt. The Austin blog posts meaningful comments and the houston league (not tourney) blog posts pretty good stuff as well.
    This blog has really taken a turn for the worse except for 10-20% of posts.

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  102. Klamecki, Where in the hell have you been, the blog is a better place with your comments on here!

    Will you please post the obituary from yesterdays Dallas Morning News about the service tomorrow for Norm Goheen and the place where people can donate to his memorial fund.

    Thanks,

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  103. You have no idea what you are talking about anon 7:27am. The Houston blog is as bad as it gets, why don't you try reading it before making an ignorant comment like that. They are looking into having everyone sign on because the anon attacks have been so bad.

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  104. anon 7:32, the houston tourney blog is the one that posts stupid comments majority of the time. The Houston league blog has gotten much better, have YOU read it lately? It's fine.

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  105. The Austin Blog admin also removes ANY post that he deems as attacking or name calling, etc

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  106. that would keep the blog admin pretty busy here.

    The thing is, this thread is actually on a very important topic. The USTA just totally jacked up the ratings for some 100,000 avid tennis players. They really screwed this up and it has a profound impact on the adult game of tennis for at least a year.

    And what do we get in response to this. A bunch of drivel about eddie's basketball, or corey's dress, or that bmo sucks. I wish the guys would not respond as it continually sidetracks the discussion from what really matters. Or maybe that is all this sorry blog has to offer either way. If so, count me out.

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  107. The following people should 'MAN' up and move up to 5.0s next year and let some of us lesser players have a chance at being competitive at the level we are REQUIRED to play:

    - Guillermo Martin Del Campo
    - Alejandro Sanchez
    - Jochen Moser
    - David Luedtke
    - Ben Hawkins
    - Philip Griggs
    - Scott Sevin
    - Odion Dibua
    - Charlie Rivera
    - Adam Cherry
    - Wayne Morgan

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  108. The main problem is that the USTA failed to move up enough players to 5.0. I've seen the all of the top 4.5 guys who did not get bumped and they would easily beat any of the new 4.5 bump ups. There is a huge difference in 4.5 now from top to bottom, which is a huge problem.

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  109. A big problem is that many of these bumpups will have a hard time finding a team to play on. They will need to form their own teams which is difficult to do and many will be left out with no team to play on. Many of these new bumpups do not belong at their new level and existing teams are sure not going to add many of them.

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  110. They are supposed to be on the same team they were on before, because their full team should have been bumped up.

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  111. 1) Show up
    2) Play
    3) Shut the fuck up

    If you can't get on a team go play some tournaments.
    USTA league tennis is not a God given right. If you can't play on your team any more go find a new one. Happens all the time.

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  112. I'm not sure which is more ludicrous. Brian Morrison playing at any level higher than 3.5 or Eddie seriously thinking he can be competitive at 4.5 Singles.

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  113. "1) Show up
    2) Play
    3) Shut the fuck up

    If you can't get on a team go play some tournaments.
    USTA league tennis is not a God given right. If you can't play on your team any more go find a new one. Happens all the time."

    Real nice. USTA league tennis is not a God given right. Well okay. So is the goal of USTA to discourage tennis among its adult population? Because I thought their mission was to promote tennis and increase its enjoyment. This new rating scam does neither to anyone in the 4.0 and 4.5 communities. Maybe the USTA should change their mission statement to "who gives a damn. go screw yourself. Tennis is not a God given right."

    That really inspires. Well, at least it would be more accurate.

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  114. Who are the ones voting for the it's about time option in the poll? What is your logic? Only thing I can figure is you must be a bunch of 3.5'ers.

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  115. Clearly, the most ludicrous are Fraser's shorts.

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  116. Do you guys want to GROW tennis? Absorb the new crop of 4.0's that had no say in the matter, and help them improve for crying out loud. For God's sake, man up and spread the knowledge.

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  117. Instead of bitching about getting moved up how practicing or taking some lessons.

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  118. I think it is about time the USTA did this, they just weren't consistent in their application of this new policy. They dramatically increased the number of players at the 4.5 level, and still left the 5.0 division in peril. The only reason people don't want to play 5.0 is because there are no players and they play a 3-line format. If they played 5 lines, I would probably sign up to get my butt kicked. If they moved up all the 4.5s they should have, many players wouldn't have a choice.

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  119. anon 11:08. Just think about this for a minute.
    Bob's team was dominate for the most part in 4.0 in the Dallas area (at least their top 8 guys.) They had a few competitive matches in sectionals, but won. They lost once in their round robin at Nats but made it to the semis and came out 3rd.
    With a team that solid in the Dallas area AND having to struggle against SA (a little) and Houston in Sectionals, then a little in Nats, wouldn't you think the entire movement of all these players across the country is valid and IS..ABOUT TIME!
    All 4.0s were compared against these guys whether you won, lost, or just played against someone whom they played.

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  120. Anon 9:21 - I might agree that quite a few on that list should have been bumped to 5.0, but why should guys play ABOVE the level USTA tells them they should play?

    By the way, you have some odd names on that list. Griggs, Sevin. Really? You might as well have put Corey on that list :)

    Top league players > top tournament players

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  121. I don't think people should play above their rating. That would make the 5.0 guys complain about non-competitive matches. There are many on that list that should have been bumped to 5.0 though. Win/loss record is a lot more meaningful than ranking though, especially at 4.5 because there aren't that many guys that play the circuit. I was top 20 and only played 4 or 5 tournaments I think.

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  122. I'd enjoy watching a singles match where both guys are tanking

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  123. I play at 4.0 and have for years. What you guys are NOT considering is the massive GAP between what IS at say 4.0 and the NTRP descriptions. Many many 4.0's have forcing serves, have mastered spins and can handle pace. NTRP descriptions say that should not be the case.

    NTRP is a half level off in it's descriptions of players levels. 10 years ago - the 4.5's I watched at tournaments were clearly no better than good 4.0's today.

    10 years ago, 3.5 was severe hacker playing.

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  124. It's severe Hacking today as well.

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  125. I am really tired of hearing all the bitching about the USTA and DTA.

    You guys have no idea how good you have it.

    I spent my first 25 years in South Africa and to my knowledge there are more dedicated indoor tennis courts at Brookhaven than there are in the whole of South Africa!
    There are a few facilities there where you can play tennis indoors but you have to schedule court time against basketball, badmington volleyball etc (ie not dedicated courts). And if you think you have wind and rain in Dallas I guarantee you that it is way, way worse in Cape Town!

    To have leagues and tournaments organized so professionally by the USTA in so many cities in this country (even the smaller markets like Amarillo etc) is a pipe dream in almost every other country in the world let alone to have it co-ordinated on websites with play-offs and computer ratings.

    You guys are spoilt brats!

    And those guys that are bitching about these new ratings are probably the same assholes that thought the fall was for managing ratings and I'm sure you all got bumped up anyway. Good!

    The usta got it mostly right. I agree with Corey, the only thing they they could have done better was continuing the move by bumping the top 4.5s to 5.0 and developing 5.0 leagues and allowing the lower level 4.5s a fighting chance.

    Something had to be done because the self-rates and tankers had screwed-up the ratings and there were too many ringers at the lower levels.

    I like Craig Weymer, he's a nice guy and the same with Bob Somabut but they are perfect examples of why the system needed correction.
    They knew how to work the system and they did. Congrats.... but now the usta figured it out and made the necessary corrections (well most of them) to slow them down a little and level the playing field for a time. But they'll have to do it again in few years time unless they use some kind of quota system each year.

    You guys need to suck it up and realize this is amateur tennis that we play for fun and the usta is attempting to cater for the large majority of average players and to try to improve the experience for the average player at every level.

    They should not be concerned with catering to cheats and spoilt brats, who I really do believe are in the minority but seem to mouth off more than the unspoken majority on this blog.

    For those of you that don't know about it, Klamecki has set-up a Facebook blog where people that have the balls and decency to post their name behind their words and have reasonable conversations can share their thoughts, opinions & ideas without being insulted by spineless Anons.

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  126. eloquently stated, if not a little verbose.

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  127. man I am an idiot. I had to look up verbose. well said Rossouw

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  128. I think you touched a nerve, Markie Marc.

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  129. That's too bad about Andy Murray.

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  130. To Anon: "So I never really knew what kind of guy you ..."

    I don't see how you could say that he is being a dickhead at all. He says they knew how to work the system, and they did, but clearly they were out of level.

    i think USTA got it mostly right, but not perfect either. I think if some of the guys moved up now to play 5.0 on their own, that are the high end 4.5s now, this would resolve the problem.

    These guys should have been moved up anyway, so to say that the 5.0 will complain about unbalanced matches, well, that is just part of tennis when people get bumped up a level and have to play stronger players. 5.0 is just too elite already. You would then have 5 lines instead of 3, and ideally the 3rd lines are playing against the other 3rd line doubles.

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  131. Anon 3:05pm seems to have a reading disability and unable to follow simple, clearly stated logic.....

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  132. To get back on topic, here are my honorable mentions for the best of whose left and I think a lot of you guys are looking at this from the wrong angle. If you didn't get bumped then your stock just went up immensely. If you did get bumped up take it as an accomplishment and I believe a good portion of those bumped will find that they will be able to compete at their new level.

    We here at the Lakes only lost three players but three critical players. Our top two singles players and our team captain! (Not cool! What kind of program takes out one's team captain?) So, we are now a land without a king. Sorry, I digress. I will be politically correct but sincere in saying our remaining nine players are all solid players and should be mentioned. Outside of them here's who I like for next season. Recruiters pay attention:

    Top two players:
    Justin Lutes and Michael Reiman.

    Honorable mentions:
    Caleb Pingelton
    Andrew Frick
    Himantha Bode
    Walter Moore
    Jeff Lyons
    Randy McDonald
    Trae Bowman
    David Layden
    Paul Burton

    If I didn't mention your name don't take it personally.

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  133. I don't understand Weymer getting bumped from 4.0 to 5.0. Almost all of his matches were competitive. There are some 4.5's who had several lopsided wins last year, and they didn't get bumped. Weymer is a good player. but gimme a break. It was probably all the protests Rossouw filed. He is such a crybaby. I notice he couldn't wait to snatch up players from Bob's team once they had to split up.

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  134. "i think USTA got it mostly right, but not perfect either. I think if some of the guys moved up now to play 5.0 on their own, that are the high end 4.5s now, this would resolve the problem."

    That's great logic. Using that logic the USTA should not have changed anything. Then all the high end 4.0's could have played 4.5 on their own. I'm sure you would not have a problem with that, would you? It's the exact same thing. Maybe then it's just your pot being pissed in.

    Easy to sit back and say all is good because I'm sure the high end 4.5's will jsut play up a level. Yeah right.

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  135. Well said Marc. I can't disagree with anything you said.

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  136. There were 37 mens 4.0 teams this fall, and only three captians got bumped up, Roussow from Greenhill, and Weatherby and Jobe from Lakes. Sounds like the Lakes captains missed Sandbagging 101 somwhere along the line, at the expense of there teams.

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  137. Weymer was the best player (and I don't think anyone on our team would argue this) on our Nationals team. He deserved to be bumped up a full level (he could have been a good high level 4.5); then the USTA moved the levels down about a half level as well. He effectively got moved up 1.5 levels in my opinion and will now have a real challenge on the courts. He's a great guy and I wish him the best of luck.

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  138. This system will be manipulated, like any system.////NEWS FLASH///////// How can a player get bumped up with a losing record?? Nice!!! If Somabut had 8 Weymer's and loses in the final? Are you going to cry or recruit?

    If you win, you're an "out of level cheat" If you lose, you suck!!

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  139. Weymer had the sexiets tattoo right above his but

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  140. roussouw is just whinning because his spring team got beat a few times. must have been others cheating. and he is obnoxious, no question about that. lets see how the crybaby handles 4.5

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  141. Doesn't anyone play tennis for the 'tennis' anymore? For the challenge?!

    Why don't the top 4.5's play up this season for better tennis and quit whining about the spread that now exists?

    I am sre this will get nothing but snide remarks, but in Fort Worth, a lot of skilled 4.0's played up and even formed a new 4.5 team for nothing more than a chance to improve their games and 'try' to grow their skills.

    With the 4.0's that played on that new Lifetime Team, they could have made a 4.0 team that would have dominated at the 4.0 level.

    What are most of you trying to get out of tennis anways?

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  142. anon 6:37 am
    u are so ignorant it is amazing u r alive.

    most people dont need the usta to get up a tennis match or to have a challenge. i play people better than me every week. the ONLY thing that is special about usta leagues is sectionals & nats. if it was not for sectional & nats i would not play usta leagues.

    so when i do play league i want to be on a team that has a chance to make at least sectionals. and that means playing for one of our top captains. sure it means managing scores & tanking once in a while. but thats OK if we make sectionals.

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  143. That Lifetime FW 4.5 team sucked. They weren't skilled 4.0s. They wouldn't be a 4.0 playoff team in Dallas. FW fall tennis is just a joke

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  144. LMAO at Dallas 4.0 being skilled. Looks like the USTA took all those sandbagging 4.0's and moved them where they should have been.

    Now you 'top' 4.5's with a pair of balls play up so your skilled 4.0 players don't get their feelings hurt in the Spring.

    ALL DFW tennis sucks.

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  145. The "top 4.5's" that are whining about the 4.0 getting moved up aren't as good as they though they were. JMO.

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  146. i have no such tramp stamp thank you.....why the hate for getting bumped up i havent said a word in months and i get this nice guys well played ya bunch of hackers see ya in a few years when you can compete at a real level

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  147. Who is Branch? Is that Rusty Branch?

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  148. No. It's the White Rock Creek Branch. They play out of Fair Oaks I think.

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  149. Withg the huge shift in players up the NTRP scale, it will be interesting to see how the new bump-ups make out at the higher levels.

    Can the 4.0 bump-ups be a factor at 4.5?
    Can the 3.5 bump-ups take charge at 4.0?
    Can the 3.0 bump-ups win at level 3.5?

    Since talent has been diluted esp at 3.5 and 4.0 this might mean a chance to shine for the new bump-ups.

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  150. WTF anon 7.13am
    "sure it means managing scores & tanking once in a while. but thats OK if we make sectionals."
    WTF is that?
    i'm sick of tired of all this CHEATING!!! if you really can't handle 4.5 then GET BETTER!!!! or don't play league tennis. what satisfaction do you get by beating up on a 3.5 or 4.0 just to make secs or nats. Does that make you a better tennis player...person? I say give it you best 100% and see where you go. if you get bumped up or down, at least you gave your best...rather than managing you matches.

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  151. Almost all the top players at a given level manage their scores. It's just how the system works. Welcome to the real work asshole. If you don't like it quit.

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  152. if you insist on mud-wrestling then you are going to get dirty.

    league tennis is what it is. and that includes score management and tanking. get over it and move on. play or don't play _ but quit crying

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