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club rules + bylaws

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LPTA club rules and policies are designed to ensure members, guests and staff benefit from everything LPTA has to offer. Treating fellow members and staff with respect, as well as helping to care for the courts, grounds and property enhances everyone’s experience. It’s the people that make LPTA the best place to play tennis! 


Please consider getting involved by volunteering at one of our club events or by serving on the Board of Directors. Contact us at membership@lptachicago.com for more information.

CLUB RULES | TOURNAMENT + LEAGUE
INSTRUCTION | BYLAWS

CLUB RULES

    1. The desk staff is in charge of the courts. If any issue arises as to court use, the staff’s decision is to be accepted immediately and without protest. Any complaint about a staff member should be addressed only to a Club Manager or LPTA President.  

    2. Following play, all players are responsible for removing towels, cups, tennis balls and other items from the court. Glass containers are not allowed on the courts.  

    3. No player may proceed to a court without signing up for court time with the desk staff, who will assign courts on a first-come, first-served basis for a 50-minute playing period. A specific court (e.g., court #1 – #6, etc) cannot be requested. 

    4. Doubles have priority between the hours of 8:30am and 11:30am on Saturdays and holidays only, whenever there are LPTA members waiting to play. Therefore, between 8:30am and 11:30am on Saturdays and holidays only, doubles will be able to bump singles, even if the singles’ playing period has not expired. At all other times, doubles will not have priority over singles. At all other times, everyone is subject to the 50-minute bumping rule.

    5. With the exception of one-off events (“Wimbledon”, et al.), there shall be no fewer than 3 courts available for open court play at all times.  

    6. When bumping occurs, the players on the court should exit the court immediately upon request. Players requesting the court should wait until a point ends to make that request. 

    7. All players shall leave the courts immediately if directed by Club staff for court maintenance or safety reasons, and their playing period shall be deemed expired. They are eligible to be reassigned to a new court. 

    8. When the makeup of the playing group is changed during the playing period, the period will be terminated 50 minutes after the first player in the group began playing. In other words, playing time does not reset if the players change.

    9. If LPTA members are waiting, a player may not play more than one period without being off the courts for at least 15 minutes before assignment for another playing period. 

    10. If a playing group does not wish to play on an assigned court, it may pass, but the playing group shall be placed at the end of the waitlist. A playing group may, however, choose to decline assignment to a court that would not allow for a full 50 minutes of playing time–they would still retain their place in the waitlist.

    11. No playing group may “bump” another playing group if any court is open. See exception: The last sentence of #8. 

    12. If LPTA members are waiting, players under one family membership shall not occupy more than one court.  

    13. Players shall wear tennis attire, including a shirt and smooth-soled tennis shoes, at all times on the courts. A herringbone sole pattern is preferable. Running shoes and cross-trainers are NOT allowed.

  • This Code of Conduct for members and guests has been developed to promote a safe, friendly and respectful place for members, guests and staff to gather in the spirit of cooperation, relaxation, goodwill, fun, and friendly competition.

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    The Code of Conduct differs from rules in that it addresses acceptable behavior.

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    All members and guests of the Lincoln Park Tennis Association (LPTA or the Club) and the Diversey Tennis Center (DTC) are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that:

    • Creates an environment that reflects the personal integrity and respect one would expect in any public/social environment. This same integrity and respect are expected whether on the courts or anywhere on the Club/DTC grounds.

    • Is free of discrimination or any form of harassing behavior including sexual harassment.

    • Acknowledges LPTA/DTC as a family-friendly environment and therefore refrains from using obscenities or loud and boisterous behavior.

    • Shows respect for the person and dignity of fellow members, guests, and staff.

    • Adheres to all published Club rules and bylaws.

    • Helps maintain the physical appearance of the Club/DTC.

    • Demonstrates an understanding that members and guests have no authority to instruct staff in job performance or duties.

    • Is vigilant in reporting real or perceived safety hazards and/or behavioral issues to staff, or the Club’s General Manager.

    • Understands that suggestions and/or concerns regarding the operation of the Club/DTC for the betterment of the Club/DTC should be made to the Club’s General Manager in writing.

    • Understands that concerns and/or suggestions should be communicated to the Club’s General Manager and/or the LPTA Board, and not through mass emails to the membership.

     

    Any LPTA/DTC member or guest found to be in violation of the Code of Conduct will be subject to a warning, and a suspension or termination of membership or guest privileges at any time as determined by the LPTA Board based on the severity of the violation, and the member or guest will not receive any reimbursement of dues or payments already made.

  • BASIC TENNIS ETIQUETTE 

    1. In addition to the rules of tennis, there are also some important unwritten laws that fall under Tennis Etiquette. Tennis is a social game, a game involving simple politeness and consideration. Everyone will enjoy the game so much more if these standards are maintained. Here are some of the basic rules and etiquette that are most important: 

    2. Talk quietly when standing near tennis courts in use. There should be no calling of lines or coaching by spectators at any time. 

    3. Please use the walkways to get to your court, waiting for a point to finish if the gate to your court is adjacent to a court with players on it. Never walk behind a court or retrieve a ball when a point is still in play. Wait until the point is over and then cross as fast as possible. 

    4. Wear sneakers made for tennis. Other shoes may wear out quickly, hurt your feet, or damage the court. 

    5. When you’re ready to play, put racket covers, ball cans, jackets etc., out of everyone’s way. When finished playing, clean up used cups, towels and trash that has accumulated courtside. 

    6. Ask nicely for your ball on another court after their point has finished. When sending balls back to a neighboring court, roll them on to the back of the court. Never send them back while play is in progress.

    7. Call your own lines and let your opponent hear the call. Balls that land on the line are in! 

    8. Always treat your partners and opponents with respect.

    9. If there is a disagreement, offer a let. In other words, replay the point, even if it was a second service, and move on. 

     
    LPTA-SPECIFIC ETIQUETTE

    1. Please do not interrupt any of our pros during a lesson. 

    2. Please keep the swearing, spitting, and racquet throwing to a minimum! 

    3. Please use our locker room to change – not the clubhouse or lawn area. 

    4. Clean up all cups, plates, towels, and trash on the tables we share – do not leave it for another member to clean up!

    1. For good cause, the LPTA Board of Directors may make exceptions to these rules and policies.  

    2. The Club Manager and the Head Pro are authorized to ask a member or guest to leave the premises if they break the rules, or are rude to staff or other players.  

    3. The primary purpose of the LPTA directory is to help members arrange tennis games. Members’ email addresses and telephone numbers should not be used to promote a charity, solicit business, or be given to an outside entity. We ask members to use proper email etiquette when they wish to respond to topics in emails from LPTA. We would remind members that clicking ‘reply all’ is generally inconsiderate to others. Members’ concerns, suggestions and/or complaints should be communicated to the Club Manager and/or the Board of Directors in writing, and not through mass emails to the membership. 

    4. No smoking is allowed within the LPTA grounds. 

    5. All members, guests, and staff must adhere to the Club’s Code of Conduct.

    1. Parking is available for Members and Guests in the lot west of the Club.  

    2. Members must always display an issued parking pass.  

    3. Guests must display a guest parking pass.

    4. Members and Guests must park in the area reserved for LPTA. Parking outside the LPTA designated area is subject to ticketing and/or towing at the owner’s expense.

    5. DO NOT block other parked cars.  

    6. DO NOT park in front of the double court gates.

    1. All guests are subject to a $20 guest fee. This fee entitles the guest to play for the day.  

    2. It is the member’s responsibility to pay the guest fee prior to play and to bring the guest to the staff desk to register EACH TIME they play at the club. The staff should never have to ask the guest for the fee.  

    3. Guests may play anytime except before noon on Saturdays and Holidays (Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day).

    4. No person may be a guest more than 5 times during the year. Guests must complete the LPTA waiver form on each visit.  

    5. A guest’s host must be present at the Club while the guest is playing. 

    6. Family members who are not included in Club membership are subject to guest rules.  

    7. A member may not host more than three guests per day. 

    8. No more than 2 guests are allowed per court. 

    1. A request by a member to adopt inactive status will generally be considered only when the member has moved out of the Chicago area or has suffered an injury or other medical issue which the member reasonably believes will make it impossible for him/her to play tennis for the remainder of the season, or another extenuating circumstance. All inactive status requests should be sent to the Membership Chairperson and the President for their consideration and approval.

    2. If inactive status is approved, the amount of refund will be prorated based on the date the request is received by the Membership Chairperson and the President and determined by the Treasurer. If a member renews by the renewal deadline and then elects to go inactive prior to the club opening, they will receive a full refund of dues (less the inactive hold fee).

    3. Vacations and/or infrequent use of the Club will not be considered sufficient grounds for a refund or rollover.  

    4. If approved, the amount of refund or rollover will be calculated based on the date the request is received by the Membership Chairperson and the President.  

    5. If an inactive member has not paid the total initiation fee and the fee has increased since the membership went inactive, then the member will need to match the current initiation fee rates upon reactivation of his/her membership.  

    6. Members who opt to go inactive for the season are required to pay a $100 annual hold fee and any remaining initiation fees when due. Members may request to go inactive at any time during the season, and members may be inactive for more than one year by renewing their hold fee for an additional $100 per year. Inactive members are allowed the same privilege as non-members to play as guests. Inactive members may request active membership status during the ongoing season through a full or pro-rated payment of dues as determined by the Treasurer. Whether or not an inactive member can revert to active membership status during the season will depend on whether there is space under the Club’s membership capacity limit (as defined by the Board).

    7. A Former Member (e.g., someone who resigned and does not have inactive status) may re-apply by paying a reinstatement fee of $300 plus any unpaid initiation fees as determined by the Treasurer. Former Members under this section exclude children who were members only as part of family membership.

TOURNAMENT + LEAGUE

    1. 4:45PM:

    2. Arrival and check-in

    3. 5:00 – 5:15PM:

    4. Warm up period

    5. 5:15 – 6:15PM:

    6. Match play

    7. 6:15 – 7:00PM:

    8. Social time with pizza, salad, soft drinks and cash bar in the shady area just outside the public side gate

  • The PRIMARY purpose of L.P.T.A. Team Tennis is social! We want everyone to be able to join together as a community at 6:15 or as close to that time as possible. This is not the venue for a match dragging on at the expense of good company, food and adult beverages! 

    For that reason, the rules are as follows:

    1. Competitive play will consist of one hour of play (5:15 to 6:15) or a pro set (first to eight games by two), whichever comes first.

      1. If at 6:15 a game is still in progress, finish the game.

      2. Play a tiebreaker only if the game score is tied. If a team is up by at least one game, the match is over.

      3. Overall team standings will be based upon total number of games won, NOT total number of matches won. So, if a team is up by one game, the match is over and the games are tallied.

    2. Play out the first deuce. The second deuce is sudden death. At first deuce, play it out. At the second deuce, it’s sudden death.

      1. In a mixed doubles match, if a woman is serving, she serves to the opposing woman. If it’s a man serving, he serves to the opposing man.

      2. If it’s same- sex teams, the returning team decides who will accept the serve. 

    3. Teams switch sides every odd game.

    4. Tiebreaker: At seven all or in the event of a tie at 6:15, a twelve-point tiebreaker will be played to determine the winner (first to seven by two points)

      1. Teams switch ends of the court every six points (for example when the tiebreak score is 3-3).

      2. The first team to win seven points by two (for example, 7-5 or 8-6) wins the tiebreak.

      3. The tiebreak will count in the overall team tally as a game won.

    1. Groups of 8 players on two courts.

    2. Play one mini-set with each of the other 7.

    3. Play against each of the other 7 twice (different pairings).

    4. 4-game “mini-sets”—no-ad scoring.

    5. At 40-all/deuce, the receiving team dictates which partner will receive the serve for the game-deciding point.

    6. Mini-set scores will be 4-0, 3-1, or 2-2.

    7. Tally up the 7 rounds, and the top point totals advance.

    1. A field of 16 gentlemen will compete in the tournament, which will use a standard Round Robin format. Eight (8) men will be assigned to each of two flights playing on adjacent courts. Each player is partnered with each of the other seven men in his flight during the tournament, playing seven rounds for a total of 28 games. Flight composition and court assignments will be provided at the start of the tournament.

    2. Player check-in is at 3:15 PM; play will start at 3:30 PM.

    3. A round will consist of four games on the designated court with each player serving once. Teams will switch ends after TWO games.  Scoring is NO-AD. If a game goes to 40-40 (Deuce), the receiving team will choose whether to receive on the deuce or advantage side of their court. That point will decide the game.

    4. At the end of each round, one player from each foursome will report the score to a tournament official.   

    5. At the end of seven rounds, the two players with the most total points (games won) from each flight will advance to the final four. Ties will be determined by head-to-head results. If there is still a tie, a coin flip will be used.

    6. The final will be played on Thursday, September 7, at a time to be set later. Seeding generally will be determined as follows: Of the four finalists, the player with the highest score in the round robin will be the #1 seed, the next highest the #2 seed and so on. Seeds #1 and #4 will compete against #2 and #3.

    1. The initial and semifinal rounds of the Mixed Doubles Tournament take place over two weekend days, with the championship match scheduled for a later date.​

    2. A maximum of 32 players (16 men/16 women) will participate.​

    3. On the Saturday, three groups of 4 men/4 women will play from 8:30am to 11:00am, and a 4th group will play from 1:00pm to 3:30pm.​

    4. Each man will play 3 rounds of 8 games, playing once against each of the other men in his group. Each woman will do the same vis-a-vis the other women. The first deuce and ad points in each game will be played out. If a second deuce point is reached, a deciding point will be played with a gender-to-gender serve. ​

    5. The top-scoring (most games won) man and woman from each group will move on to the semifinals on Sunday morning, 8/13, 8:30am-11:00am (same format). The top-scoring 2 men and 2 women from the semifinal round will play in the finals on a mutually agreed upon date, preferably a weekend.

    6. In the finals, the top-scoring man will pair with the 2nd place woman, and the top scoring woman will pair with the 2nd place man. They will play a normal best of 3 sets match.

    1. The tournament is played using a standard Round Robin format with eight (8) women in each of three flights playing on two adjacent courts.  Each player is partnered with each of the other seven women in her flight, therefore playing 28 games for the morning. Each player will receive an instruction sheet that morning specifying pairings and court assignments. Play will begin at 8:30 AM, so we plan to check in no later than 8:15.

    2. A round will consist of four games on the designated court with each player serving once. Teams will switch sides after TWO games.  Scoring is no-ad. At 40-all, the receiving team will choose the side.

    3. One player from the foursome will report the score at the end of each round to one of the monitors. If they wish, players can record the number of games won on their individual score sheet for their own records. 

    4. At the end of seven rounds, the two players with the most points (games won) from each flight will advance to the semi-final which will be played on Sunday morning at 8:30 AM.

    5. A total of eight players will advance to the semi-finals. The two players needed to complete the semi-final eight will be chosen by total points (games won) and at the discretion of the event chair.

  • Tournament Details:

    • Entry Fee: $TBD per team, payable by check (made to LPTA) or Zelle (sent to treasurerLPTA@gmail.com). Your entry fee goes towards a Friday night tournament dinner, snacks, and cash prizes for the winning teams. We’ll be using a mix of the public and private courts. 

    • Schedule:

    • Friday – 2 afternoon sessions starting at 1PM and 3:30PM. Teams will only play in one of the two sessions. Refreshments and a Tournament Dinner are provided.

    • Saturday – Morning session starts at 10AM, “Championship” Match immediately following. The top 2 teams from each pod will play in the final “championship” match.  

    • Guest Partner: Please choose someone of roughly your skill level (as a guideline, think +/- .5 of your USTA level). This is not intended to be a “ringer” tournament. Teams can be same gender, mixed gender, whatever you like.

    • Skill Levels: This tournament is intended for players across ALL SKILL LEVELS. You’ll be placed into a group with players of roughly your level, so don’t worry about having to play against players much better or much worse than your level!

    • Matches: All teams will be placed into one of six 6-team “pods” and be guaranteed five 8-game matches (one against each other team in your pod).

    • Registering
      Please only sign up if you believe you can make both the Friday and Saturday sessions.

     

    REGISTRATION WILL BE THRU YOURCOURTS. ONCE LIVE:

    • Add your guest’s name to the “enter an optional comment” area, along with estimated USTA level, if you already know it.

    • If you have a preferred starting time, also enter it in the “optional comment” area.

    • There will be a subsequent request to all participants for their guests names and estimated USTA levels.

    • If you would like to play, but do not anticipate having a guest – we may form a waiting list for member/member teams to compete as well, depending on the sign-up volume.

    • Further details on the tournament structure/scoring system will be sent out to tournament participants soon. 

      Questions? CONTACT RUSH HOWELL.

CLUB BYLAWS

Instruction

    1. The Head Pro may reserve court 6 without any of the usual restrictions that apply to the membership at large, with the exception of the times that are blocked out for open court play on busy weekdays, weekends, and holidays, and during certain special events. At the Head Pro’s discretion, he/she may cede court 6 to an assistant pro. All matters related to the use of private courts by tennis pros are subject to review by the Club Manager or Assistant Manager.  

    2. An LPTA member may arrange, at his/her cost, for lessons with the Head Tennis Pro or another approved LPTA instructor on court 6. The Club Manager and Head Pro are the final authority on all teaching assignments. 

    3. LPTA courts 5 & 6 may be reserved for team practices and the All-Levels Group Tennis Drills when two courts are being used. Lessons, tournament matches, and other club-sponsored events are not allowed on the courts prior to 11:00 am on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Season-long league and ladder matches and other Club sponsored events may be played when there are team matches, drill groups, and team practices in session, but only under the same terms that apply to all other club members, i.e., “first come, first served” and 50-minute playing time when others are waiting. Except for semi-finals and finals, the 50-minute bumping rule applies at all times. 

    4. Only LPTA members may sign up for All-Level Tennis Drills. LPTA members may invite a guest to join if space is available within 24 hours prior to the scheduled session. Anyone who signs up and fails to cancel or gives less than 24-hour notice of cancellation twice in a season (without due cause) will lose group tennis drill privileges.  

    5. Except for LPTA-approved instruction, no LPTA member or guest may provide tennis instruction for compensation on the LPTA private courts. Any guest who violates this rule will be asked to leave and may forfeit his/her right to be a guest for the remainder of the season. LPTA will not refund any guest fee(s). Members should inform their guests of this rule. Any member who violates this rule will be referred to the LPTA Board of Directors for consideration of termination of membership in accordance with the Bylaws.

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