November 2009
Dear Paddle Enthusiasts:
The leaves are nearly down, the temperature is dropping and it's starting to feel more like paddle weather. With Thanksgiving and the Holiday Season nearing, we can also look forward to the inaugural Family Paddle Night on Nov 6th, several ladies inter-club round-robins, and the club's premiere mixed doubles tournament played for the Frances H. Parsons Memorial Cup on Nov 21 & 22. A Christmas Party is also being planned for December.
We have a number of new and returning paddle players this season, so please reach out and include them in a game or two. Mixed doubles is always a lot of fun too. The junior paddle program is blossoming for our younger/novice and older/experienced kids. The 6-week ladies league format is running smoothly, despite some inclement weather at the outset. Group and individual clinics and instruction are popular. The video analysis is a nice addition for the visual learners among us. The club has purchased a selection of the new season's Viking paddles and they available for demo purposes.

THE COURTS
The paddle courts are scheduled in 1-1/2 hour intervals beginning at 9:00 am (9, 10:30, 12, 1:30, 3, 4:30, 6, 7:30). No play is allowed and lights must be out after 9:00 pm. Sneakers must be worn at all times. Court 1 is closest to the Hut. Snow removal by club personnel only. Use court heaters to remove ice or light snow only. No chemicals of any kind on courts. Respect the courts; spin paddles in your hand and avoid excess bouncing off screens. When leaving close the Court gates and place used balls in the red bin at courtside. Sign in all guests. Maximum two plays per month for same guest. Guest fees - $10/day per person. Please drive slowly and abide by all posted speed and traffic signs coming and going from the courts. The posted speed limit in the Shoreby Hill neighborhood is 15 mph. No men's or women's Saturday a.m. paddle during Club tournaments or special events.
HOUSE RULES
Cell phone use is prohibited on the tennis and platform courts and in the tennis hut. Cell phone use is only permitted in the parking lot. No dogs are allowed on any Club premises (except when being escorted on a leash by a member to and from a boat).
PADDLE EQUIPMENT & ACCESSORIES
Balls, mittens and gloves are available at the hut. The Club has purchased a selection of this season's Viking paddles for demo purposes. For help with selection and/or ordering contact Steve Heath ripaddleguy@cox.net or 401-439-0160.
Clothing, including jackets, vests, hats and bags etc. (with or without Club burgee) are available for direct ordering http://ces.landsend.com/Conanicut (Note: "www" is not needed; a capital "C" is required on Conanicut or page won't load) or use link on the Club website.

IMPORTANT DATES

• Parsons Cup -- November 20-21, 2010
• CYC Mixed Doubles Tournament -- December 4-5, 2010
• CYC Men's Tournament -- January 29-30, 2011
• CYC Women's Tournament -- February 5-6, 2011.
• Women's "Island B" Tournament (with Newport Country Club) -- March 19, 2011
• Men's "Island B" Tournament (with Newport Country Club) -- March 20, 2011

• Note: During Club tournaments and other special events their will be no regularly scheduled groups on Saturday mornings.

PLATFORM TENNIS INSTRUCTION / CLINICS
Lessons and Instruction. Steve Heath is offering clinics in a series - it takes more than one lesson to make consistent improvement. Pair up with three other players, this could include your regular group, and take a series of three lessons. Lessons include stroke development, strategy, drills, and a video critique. Individual lessons and clinics are also available.

Rates
o Three clinics, inc. 90-minutes on-court and post clinic video critique. 4 players@$75/person
o Single clinic (90-mins), with video critique, $120 /number of players
o Single clinic (90-mins), no video, $90 / number of players
o One-on-one workouts, $50 / hr

All arrangements must be made directly with the instructor. Contact: Steve Heath 401-439-0160 ripaddleguy@cox.net

JUNIOR PADDLE
The Platform Tennis Committee is developing a junior paddle program for kids in middle school.

We will kick off the season with a Family Paddle Night on Friday, November 6th, 6:00-9:00pm. All kids in grades 5-8 are invited to come for dinner, paddle and board games, and meet other kids in this age group who want to play paddle. $5 per person. To RSVP or for more information about the junior paddle program, contact Amy Smith at asmith@duffyshanley.com or 423-3372.

Also, please let Amy know if your child is interested in being part of a regular junior paddle program, as we are starting to plan for a series of lessons, weekly play and intra and interclub tournaments.

WOMEN'S IN-HOUSE LEAGUE
We have started a NEW Women's In-House League for the 2009-10 season. Benefits: no need to travel, play with different players, develop your game. The league is played in six-week cycles.

When: Thursday at 6:00pm, and Saturday at 3:00pm.

Start Date: The week of Oct 11. Tentative Next Start Date: The week of Nov 29. Tentative Next Start Date: The week of Jan 17.
How the Teams are Formed: Based on a team of 12 players we will develop four 3-person teams. Teams are formed by ranking the players (1-12). Team #1 would be comprised of players ranked 1-7-12, team #2 players 2-6-11, team #3 players 3-5-10, and team #4 players ranked 4-8-9.

Format: The league is played in six-week cycles. Each team will play the other team twice. Two of the three players on each team play weekly. Each player should play 4 of the 6 weeks, but this may not always happen. This allows players flexibility.

Weather: If there is inclement weather - the teams should reschedule and play prior to the following week's match.

Balls and Calls: The BALLS and CALLS team (or Team Captain) should be responsible for coordinating the rescheduling (if necessary), including reserving the court. If you must reschedule, then the Balls & Calls person (or Team Captain) should cancel the booked court.

Scoring: Matches consist of a total of sets (or what you can play in 1 ½ hrs, but no more than 3 sets), with regular scoring, 12-point tiebreaker at 6-all. Scoring is based on the number of sets won, so every score counts. Each players' results are kept individually. Players are responsible for recording and verifying their score. Example, Team #1 vs Team #2 results are as follows -- 6/2, 1/6, 6/4. Each of the players on Team #1 receive 2 points, and each of the players on Team #2 receive 1 point. If a sub is used, see below.

What If I need a Sub? Yes, substitutes are available, but please use the players on the Sub List and not a non-scheduled player from another team in your league (from another league is OK too). Teams are designed to be balanced and to encourage participation.

Scoring: REVISED 10/26/09: There is no penalty for using a sub. Play is to be encouraged. There are no points awarded to the sub, or to the person who they are subbing for. An exception is if there is a "permanent" sub(s), due to an injury, illness, changing circumstances, etc.

What's Next? At the end of the six-week session the Teams will change based on players' individual scores and new players joining. Your court time/day may change, so we are asking everyone to be remain flexible. A sign-up sheet for the next session will be posted at the Hut. Have fun. Lob High!

Contact: Mary Hutchinson mhutch@mappingplanning.com 423-3841

PADDLE RESERVATION INSTRUCTIONS

Attention: Do NOT enter the Admin area - this is for the paddle website coordinator only.

To reserve a court:
1. Click on the time, date and court you would like to reserve. You can only reserve a court one week in advance and up until three hours before you are scheduled to play.
2. Type your name in the space "Your Name"
3. Type "platform" under "Enter Password" (no quotes needed)
4. Click "Update Reservation"

To cancel a reservation:
1. Go to the day and time where you want to cancel a reservation
2. Click on the blue X next to the name
3. Type the name in the space "Your Name" exactly as it was spelled (upper/lower case and spaces, etc)
4. Type "platform" under "Enter Password" (no quotes needed)
5. Click "Just Cancel the Reservation"
6. Check that your reservation has been cancelled.

You can also cancel regularly scheduled or "Booked" time for a particular week. This will not affect subsequent booked time in the Scheduler. This court time will now be available for general use until the following week's schedule appears.