Divisions
Selection
Schedule
Rotation
Scoring
Winning the Session
Similar to a school year, a CATS year begins September 1 and runs through August 31 of the following year, with three separate sessions. The Fall Session runs from September through mid-January; the Winter/Spring Session runs from late January through May; the Summer Session runs June through August.
CATS memberships run from September 1 through August 31 of the following year. A League Player membership is required to play on a team. Members may take part in all three sessions, or just one or two, depending on their availability.
Divisions
CATS’ members are divided into four groups by skill levels to accommodate different abilities. Each level has a coordinator who organizes that division’s draft, handles any problems, and represents its players on the Board of Directors.
To determine which level fits you best, consider your skill level in light of the following broad guidelines. Keep in mind that we can’t factor in every player’s size, strength, speed, aggressiveness, use of slice and spin. For more help in determining where you would fit best, talk with one of the coordinators.
Members may move between divisions over time as their skill levels change.
Flight 3: This is our entry level, perfect for players building confidence in match play. If you’ve been taking lessons and want to start actually playing more, Flight 3 is probably the right fit. Also a great choice if you are relatively new to tennis, you’re getting back into the game, or don’t want the pressure of fast, aggressive play. At a minimum, you should be able to rally with ground strokes and volleys, and serve most points into play. Doubles experience is helpful, but not required, if you’re willing to learn how to play with a partner.
Flight 2: If you’re already comfortable with match play and ready for livelier exchanges this is a good fit. You should be able to keep points going with ground strokes and volleys, and place your serve in play with purpose. Consistency may come and go, but you’re able to rally at a quicker pace and look for chances to finish points. Doubles knowledge is expected, and you should be able to move with your partner to cover the court effectively.
Flight 1.5: Best for players who play regularly and have the skills to compete in longer, more tactical matches. You should be able to rally with control and pace, serve with reliability, and adjust your game to different opponents. Players at this level are comfortable finishing points at the net and can place shots with intention. Doubles strategy, movement, and teamwork are important, as points will demand smart decisions and steady execution.
Flight 1: This division is designed for our top-level competitors who bring consistency, strategy, and athleticism to every match. Expect to see strong serves, heavy ground strokes, quick volleys, and a variety of spins and placements. Players here can sustain long rallies, adjust tactics mid-match, and thrive in fast, competitive play. If you’re looking for the highest level of challenge in our league, this is the place.
Teams
All flights are comprised of four teams. Usually, each team has six players, including the captain.
Selection
Each division holds a separate draft night to organize the players into teams for the upcoming session. The division coordinator compiles a list of current players who want to play in the next session and adds any new members to the list. At the draft, the captains take turns selecting players from the list.
Schedule
After the draft, each captain contacts his or her team members to ask for any dates they know they will be unavailable for play in order to plan the schedule for the session. Three team members are scheduled to play each night. Players will be scheduled to play approximately half the nights during a session; each team member will be given an equal number of nights to play.
Rotation
Players warm up from 9–9:15 PM. In Flights 1 and 2, all four starting players may take a maximum of six practice serves simultaneously at 9:15. In Flight 3, players generally play the first serve in, instead of practicing serves. However, if both captains agree, all players may take practice serves.
Racquet spin will be done at 9:10. The winner of the spin decides to receive or to serve. The other team may select the side of their choice. The serving team must select their two starting players first for the first and second rotations. Players rotate after every four games.
Scoring
The winning team is decided by the total number of games won in two hours. No sets are played. Scoring used is the “No-Ad(vantage) system in which the first team to four points wins the game. At 40-40, if the server is a man, he serves to the man on the receiving team; if the server is a woman, she serves to the woman on the receiving team. If the two receiving players are the same gender, they decide which of them will receive the serve. At 11 PM, play stops once the game is progress is completed.
A team may win a match by one regular game (for example, 20-19) or by a tie-breaker. If teams are tied anytime between 10:55 and 11 PM, a 12-point tie-breaker must be played. The first team to seven points by a minimum of two points wins the match.
Winning the Session
Standings within each division are kept week by week. At the end of a session, the first place team in each division wins, and each member of the winning team may select a prize from the list. If two teams are tied, then either the head-to-head record or the percentage of games won will be the determining factor.
Updated January 2022
