Words matter. A clear definition of a term isn’t just semantics. It is the foundation of effective communication. A common understanding is necessary to avoid confusion and misinterpretation. Last week, a reader comment against “Double Dipping at the USTA Sectional Level” observed that the language in the USTA League National Regulations seemed to preclude players from competing on more than one team in a USTA Local League.
That sent me on a journey of discovery that the term “Local League” isn’t as well defined as I thought. Fortunately, the Glossary of the 2025 USTA League National Regulations includes a definition for that term. In theory, that should clear things up, right?
Local League: A team competition in a specified geographical area that applies specific local league regulations and consists of NTRP level(s) with a minimum of two or more teams per NTRP level. A local league may choose to divide any or all NTRP levels into flights. Where flights are used, a local playoff structure may be established to determine a champion.
2025 USTA League National Regulations, Glossary
Let’s break that definition down into a series of requirements:
- Competition in a specified geographical area.
- Applying specific local league regulations.
- Uses the NTRP system for leveled play.
- Includes at least two teams.
The most straightforward interpretation of that language is that a player may play on only one team in a specific geographic area under a set of defined local league regulations at a specific NTRP level. However, USTA Texas has language in their Sectional Operating Procedures that explicitly takes an alternate interpretation.
Players on Multiple Teams at the Local Level. Local Leagues can determine if players are allowed to play on multiple teams in the same league at the same level.
USTA Texas Operating Procedures
The larger metropolitan areas in Texas have jumped at the opportunity to allow players to play in multiple local leagues under their purview. After all, USTA League Registrations are a key metric used to track “participation.” Additionally, the local league organization benefits by receiving more registration fees.
As a couple of examples from my local area, the following excerpts from the Greater Fort Worth Tennis Coalition (GFWTC) and the Dallas Tennis Association (DTA) USTA league regulations show how the local areas have embraced the authority to allow players in their local leagues to “double dip.”
Players can play on multiple teams at the same level as long as they are on different days.
GFWTC League Regulation 5A.
A player may play on more than one team within a division* at the same NTRP level provided it is in separate local leagues.
DTA League Regulation 4C.
GFWTC doesn’t use the term “local league” but establishes that players may play for multiple teams on separate days. The DTA shows a little more sophistication on the potential nomenclature issue by slyly implying that they are conducting separate local leagues under their purview.
However, there is an argument to be made that these organizations constitute a single local league per the USTA League National Regulations. Specifically, both organizations compete in a defined geographical area, run NTRP-leveled leagues, and include at least two teams. More critically, these organizations conduct play under a common “local league” regulation and administrative organization. To me, a key litmus test is revealed in how grievances and suspensions are handled at the local level. Neither organization takes punitive measures against a player in a league that plays on one day, which doesn’t apply to that player’s involvement on other days. That is a powerful argument that these organizations provide singular local leagues.
Next Wednesday, we will further delve into the complexities of rules and regulations surrounding players competing on multiple teams within the same local leagues from the perspective of “flights.” In the interim, I am curious if other Sections have similarly implemented language that allows for “double dipping” at the local level.
- 2025 USTA League National Regulations, USTA Resource Document, April 14, 2024.
- 2024 USTA League National Regulations & Texas Operating Procedures, USTA Texas Resource Document, version 06.30.23.
- 2024 Texas Operating Procedures, USTA Texas Resource Document, no version marked beyond the effective year in the title.)
- 2024 GFWTC League Regulations: A handbook for captains and players, viewed November 16, 2024.
- USTA Dallas Local League Rules & Regulations, USTA Championship Year 2025, viewed November 16, 2024.
