News
Spring 2024 Meeting Minutes
2/23/2024
Ladies Interclub Tennis League
Spring Meeting Minutes
February 19th, 2024
President LaVonda Keel called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM at Another Broken Egg restaurant and asked Betty Austin to give the blessing.
Secretary Tracy Crutchfield then called the roll, and the following clubs were in attendance; Brook Highland RC, Country Club of Birmingham, Gardendale Tennis, Greystone CC, Highland RC, Homewood Park, Hoover CC, Inverness CC, Levite Jewish Community Center, Life Time Fitness, Mountain Brook Club, Old Overton Club, Pelham RC, Riverchase CC, Trussville RC, Wald Park, YMCA Greystone and YMCA Mountain Brook. Tracy then asked for a motion to approve the meeting minutes from the Fall meeting, which are on the website for review, Betty Austin made the motion, Janet Simonetti seconded, and it was approved.
Lavonda then asked Treasurer Betty Austin to give the Treasurer’s report and Betty stated that our previous balance was $15,657.02 and with expenses of $11,005.36 and deposits of $5,930.00, our current balance is $10,581.66. Lavonda then asked for a motion to approve the Treasurer’s report; Tracy Crutchfield made the motion, Tracy Smith seconded it and it was approved.
AnneMarie Wilson then gave a scheduling update and stated we had 52 teams registered for Spring, which is in line with Fall and Spring 2023 as far as numbers. She thanked all who assisted with scheduling, and made us aware of some changes that were made due to court availability at Greystone CC. All schedules are now final and can be released to teams. She also reminded us that if a player is moved down, they will need an officer to add them to a team, so please reach out to her if there are any questions about this. As always, we will have a bye week during Spring Break which will take place the week of March 25th-29th.
LaVonda then asked our Ethics Chair, Tammy Schoel for her report. Tammy stated we had several move-down requests granted and one team was moved up. She also reminded League Coordinators to make note of all players granted move-downs but required to play 1st court and to make sure that Captains were keeping up with that as well.
Tracy Smith then announced our Season Winners and reminded Club Representatives to see her if their teams had won. The prizes for 1st place were insulated tennis cups, and Lululemon cosmetic bags and 2nd place received a small tennis stainless steel tumbler and a small tennis cosmetic bag.
LaVonda then asked for a Susan Briggs Tournament update and Betty announced we will be having the tournament in late August, and that Inverness will again be hosting. She along with Deborah Standifer and AnneMarie Willson will again be heading this up, but much help is needed, and all were encouraged to volunteer for this tournament.
NEW BUSINESS
LaVonda made us aware of a rule change that needs to be addressed, and it is as follows.
Current Rule
g. Registration-Each club representative must submit the LITL registration form (found on the website) and a fee of $70.00 per team ($50.00 for Winter League) in order to be scheduled. Registrations are due February 1st for Spring and August 1st for Fall. (Winter league registrations are due December 2nd) Each team must also have a minimum of six players on the roster by the registration deadline. There is no maximum number of members allowed on a team roster. Failure to include the form and check(s) per team may result in delays of getting your team registered or subject to late fees.
New Rule
g. Registration-Each club representative must submit the LITL registration form (found on the website) and a fee of $70.00 per team ($50.00 for Winter League) in order to be scheduled. Upon receipt of the registration, the team will be listed on the website and the login will be sent to the person indicated on the registration form. It is the club’s responsibility to make sure that the form is received by the VP of Scheduling on the due date (not postmarked on the due date).
Registrations are due February 1st for Spring and August 1st for Fall (Winter League registrations are due by December 2nd). Failure to have the form and the check(s) per team on the due date will result in a $50.00 late fee. If the form (checks) are not received when scheduling commences, that team will sit out that season.
This rule was voted on and approved by the Board and the attending members and will go in effect in Fall 2024.
She also made note that Spring registration is different due to our Winter league play and that our VP of Scheduling must build rosters for registering teams.
Lavonda also reminded us that Move-down requests must be submitted prior to registration deadlines. She also encouraged all to check the website for accuracy and to submit any changes or corrections to AnneMarie Wilson. This includes purging the club rosters of any players that are no longer active.
We then welcomed two new Level Coordinators-Heather Morgan and Mary Frances Haines.
LaVonda then made us aware of a request to possibly change the play format from best out of 3 sets to a 10-point tie breaker. Much discussion ensued, and after a vote was called for, this was not passed. We will continue to keep the same play format.
Janet Simonetti and Heather Morgan then updated us on the PickleBall League and announced that registration for this will open on July 1st for Fall play. The PickleBall league will be accessible through the LITL website for now and they are hoping for at least 6 teams to have a league. The fee will be $70.00, but after some discussion, may change to $50.00 and as of now the matches will mainly be played at Country Club of Birmingham and Gardendale Tennis. The hope is for more clubs to become available as the League grows. The play day will be Mondays at 9:30 and will consist of 3 games to 11. US PickleBall rules will be followed. Janet asked for help in getting the word out to potential players. More information will be forthcoming.
Then on a personal note, Lavonda thanked the Board for making a donation to Healing Hands in honor of her Mother’s passing.
Tracy Smith then gave out the door prizes.
Lavonda then handed the gavel over to our new President Sally McClanahan and she adjourned the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Tracy Crutchfield
LITL Secretary 2024
