OHIO HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
SOUTHWESTERN DISTRICT
2009 GIRLS DISTRICT TENNIS RULES AND REGULATIONS

1. With the capabilities of MyOHSAA, the manager may secure the official entry blank and eligibility forms electronically.  If not possible, the coach must bring both forms to a meeting on Sunday, September 27, 2009.   All forms must be in the manager’s possession one week prior to the tournament.

2. Each high school may enter a maximum of three (3) singles players, two (2) doubles teams, and three (3) alternates. No participant is permitted to take part in both singles and doubles competition.

3. Each team must be accompanied by its coach or faculty representative whose name must be listed on the entry form. If failing to have either, team will be ineligible for tournament.

4. Players must appear at the scheduled time for matches unless they have word from the Tournament Manager that the matches have been postponed. Players must be in proper tennis attire.

5. A single contestant or doubles team more than fifteen (15) minutes late will forfeit the match.

6.  Weather Policy.  (Updated 8-10-09).

Monitor Weather Patterns – Be aware of potential thunderstorms by monitoring local weather   forecasts the day before and morning of the competition, and by scanning the sky for signs of potential thunderstorm activity.

National Weather Service – Weather can also be monitored using small, portable weather radios from the NWS.  The NWS uses a system of severe storm watches and warnings watch indicates conditions are favorable for severe weather to develop in an area; a warning indicates severe weather has been reported in an area, and everyone should take proper precautions.  Any thunderstorm poses a risk of injury or death even if it does not meet the criteria for severe weather.  Therefore, anytime thunderstorms are in the forecast (even if it is only a 20 percent chance), event organizers should be at a heightened level of awareness to the potential danger of lightning.

Management.
Evacuation - If lightening is imminent or a thunderstorm is approaching, all personnel, athletes and spectators shall evacuate to available safe structures or shelters.  A list of the closest safe structures should be announced and displayed on placards at all athletic venues.

Thirty-minute rule - Competition or practice shall be suspended once lightning has been recognized or thunder is heard.  It is mandatory to wait at least 30 minutes after the last flash of lightning is witnessed or thunder is heard prior to resuming practice or competition.  Given the average rates of thunderstorm travel, the storm should move 10-12 miles away from the area.  This significantly reduces the risk of local lightning flashes.

Any subsequent lightning or thunder after the beginning of the 30-minute count shall reset the clock, and another count shall begin.

7. Changes in schedules after the drawing will be done at the discretion of the Tournament Manager.

8. There will be no substitutions made by a school after a singles player or doubles team has started play in the tournament. Any substitutions at District level must be made from substitution list.

9. The Manager shall seed four (4) singles and four (4) doubles and coaches shall be notified when this draw is to be made.

10. Qualifications from the Sectional to the District Tournament will be four (4) singles and four (4) doubles in both Division I and II. Qualifiers in Division I to State meet will be four (4) singles and four (4) doubles. Qualifiers in Division II to State meet will be four (4) singles and four (4) doubles.

11. ALL REPORTS MUST BE SUBMITTED TWO WEEKS AFTER TOURNAMENT IS COMPLETED IN TYPED FORM. Mail one (1) copy to Robert Huelsman, P.O. Box 277, Covington, Ohio, 45318.

Updated 8-10-09.