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Pick a USTA league, any USTA league

By NANCY MORGAN
Published February 7, 2007

Players could use a GPS prototype to keep track of the plethora of tennis leagues available.

Starting in the early 1980s, the only USTA-sponsored league was a men's and women's adult league. Today, there are USTA adult, senior 50-plus, super senior (60-plus) and super 70 leagues, as well as adult and senior mixed. Three years ago, adult and senior combo leagues began.

Currently competing are 11 senior mixed teams challenging in two divisions for local league titles, 15 in adult mixed, 21 senior women's teams and 23 men's, two super senior women's and 11 men's and two women's super 70 and four super 70 men.

Clubs offer intraclub play, women's leagues fill the weekday schedule and Ultimate Tennis and other flex leagues allow flexible scheduling for their matches.

Wouldn't it be just as easy to organize one's own matches?

Not according to several players who participate in multiple leagues.

"There are definitely lots of opportunities to play with all the leagues and you don't have to arrange it," said Suzanne Earle, member at the Racquet Club of St. Petersburg. "If you're not a captain, you can just show up and play. The beauty is in knowing there is a schedule and the matches are competitive.

"You could arrange your own matches, but I think you play more aggressively and use different shots when you're playing competitively in a league."

Earle, captain of the Racquet Club's senior 8.0 mixed team, also plays in the Tuesday Suncoast Ladies Doubles League and occasionally substitutes in the Friday Suncoast Singles League.

John Green is participating in four USTA leagues and is captain of one at the St. Petersburg Tennis Center. Last month, he competed on the SPTC senior 7.5 combo team that won a state championship.

"There are all different types of leagues and they allow you to play at your level," Green said. "As you improve, then you can move up. The leagues are a good way to introduce people to tennis, whether they're new to the area or new to tennis. Leagues give you a schedule to play by and the team part builds camaraderie."

Green's senior 8.0 mixed team raised its record to 3-0 Sunday with a 2-1 win over Royal Racquet Club in the six-team league.

Pat Bitonti, a member of the SPTC senior 7.5 combo state championship squad with Green, is captain of the Treasure Bay senior 7.0 mixed team.

"The best thing about team play in leagues is getting together when the match is over," Bitonti said. "There's nothing like going out together, plus you get to meet so many more people in leagues. Our group has been together the last five years and have become close."

NET SHOTS: Adam Ambrozy defended his top seeding in the boys 10-and-under designated singles tournament staged in the Orlando area last weekend.

No. 4 Alex Saltiel finished fourth in the boys 12, as did Lindsay Dvorak in the girls 18.

- Local finishes in last weekend's Adult Winter NTRP at East Lake Woodlands included Melody Raetz in the women's 3.5, top seed Matt Fox in the men's 4.5 and Matthew Pfeiffer in the 3.0 round robin. Cindy Swartz was second in the women's 4.0.

Collecting doubles wins were Mark Marconi and Robert Martin in the men's 4.0 and Dolores Claesson and Deborah Owens in women's 3.5.

COMING UP: The West Coast Super Seniors Grand Prix is at the St. Petersburg Tennis Center Feb. 19-25. Singles and doubles for men in 55-90 age divisions are offered. Call the center, 823-2225.

News for this column may be faxed to Nancy Morgan, 445-4119; e-mailed to namorgan@tampabay.rr.com or sent to 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. Please include phone number.

[Last modified February 6, 2007, 21:21:18]