Team FAQs

Is this a Singles or Doubles League?
The Marin League (ML) is exclusively a weekday morning (no weekends, no evenings) Doubles League. It is a Social League, not USTA sanctioned so it's all for fun! No Singles. We will have Singles in addition to Doubles in USTA Leagues in the Winter (40&Over) and Spring (18&Over) seasons.

What team should I sign up for?
It all depends on your level and experience. The ML is not USTA sanctioned but if you do regularly play in a 4.0, 3.5 or 3.0 USTA team, we have a team for you. If you do not or if you have never played in a team before, we have a team for you too and we can easily figure it out.

Is there an organized Team Practice (TP)?
Yes, there is a weekly TP from 9am to 10:30am on either Monday, Tuesday or Thursday depending on which team.

Do I need to attend every single TP?
Absolutely not as there is only 12 spots per TP and a maximum of 20 players on the roster. The TP lineup is decided one week prior depending on availability, turnover and match lineups. You'll have ample time to enter your availability once you know it. At the end of each season all players will have been attending roughly the same amount of TP's (unless traveling, injury, etc...)

What if I'd like to join a team but am always unavailable on the TP day?
Then, we are unfortunately likely not the right team for you as we give priority to players who can commit to the team and its schedule over players who cannot. We are a Rec Dept (not a Club) team which means we are open to ANYONE who can make the commitment and is at level for any of our teams. We do not turn anybody down but in return we ask for a seasonal commitment as everyone is guaranteed match play and player development. Nobody is just a name at the bottom of a list. If you're part of the team, you'll be asked to contribute your fair share, which is precisely the whole point of signing up for a team:)

When are the matches and can I just do the matches?
The match schedule won't be known until mid-August when the Marin League board sends it. The home team chooses the weekday they want to host a match. It will likely not be the same as ours. And no, you cannot just do the matches, it's a seasonal commitment for practice and matches.

So, I just need to register online and I'm automatically in?
Not exactly but it's a possible scenario. There will be between 4 and 20 spots open and up for grabs. If there are 4 spots available and only 4 players sign up, all 4 are automatically in. If 6 spots and 6 registrations, all 6 are in, etc.. However, If we have more demand than offer (for instance 6 spots but 12 registrations) we run tryouts to determine who will qualify for the team.

Wait....did you say tryouts?! I don't like the sound of that :(
Well, I don't really either but as I just said, we are not a club and we had to figure out a fair way for everyone to be able to join the team if they chose to. I do not choose the players, the court does. Which guarantees all players a fair chance to make the team. Also tryouts are only in case we have more demand than offer. If we do not, everyone who has pre-registered is automatically IN! :)

How do I pre-register?
Online on the Larkspur Recreation Department website. You'd have to pre-register with a friend (as a pair) when the class will be open for registration (likely mid-May with a deadline and you will receive an email from me letting you know). You and your partner would then be entered as a pair and should we need to run tryouts, you'd be competing together in order to make the team.

Does it mean I'll play with my tryouts partner all season long?
Absolutely not! This is just for tryouts. Although it's not to be ruled out either if you're an experienced pair and availability allows for it. It only means you'd both compete together to qualify for the team, so choose the strongest partner (who is not already in the team or committed to another team) you can find! Once the season begins, pairings will depend on availability, turnover, chemistry, complementarity, etc...

What if I do not have a partner to pre-register with?
You can still pre-register as an individual and you will randomly be assigned some other individual in similar position so you can be a pair (provided there is one!). If you are the only individual left, you will still make the team if the demand does not exceed the offer. But you won't if we have more demand than offer as we will give priority to pairs. So as much as possible find someone you'd like to pre-register with.

When will tryouts occur?
Usually as soon as pre-registration closes (sometimes in June). You'll have to self schedule a maximum of 3 mini matches (best out of 3 tie-breakers only) between then and the beginning of the season. More details on that once we know how many players pre-registered. It's a very short process (average of 20' per mini-match, you can even schedule all of them back to back!) designed to have you qualify, not to eliminate you!

What is the cost?
Pre-registration is a flat non-refundable $15 per player. If we do not have to run tryouts, it will be deducted from the Team class fee. Then the team class is $395 per player for the entire season (end of August to end of February) and it is all inclusive (TP, match balls, Rec Dept fee, website fee, court rental, admin work, home match attendance, League fee, etc....).

Do I need to decide now? I don't know what my schedule will be this Fall!
No you do not but there is a deadline for the pre-registration so if you miss out on it and we are full, you'll miss out on the season and all the fun! We usually have a full roster every season just so you know. This is also why you are receiving this email now, so you can prepare for the Fall season. My tip from past season experience is that if you are pretty sure you can make the TP day and make yourself available for most match days, you probably should pre-register so at least you're in for that! At this stage, all I'm trying to figure out is players' interest, not definitive roster.

I have other questions you have not brought up!
Please contact me and let me know, I'm always happy to answer questions!