Hi All,

Just a quick question to find out how other states do this. In AR a non-AR resident is allowed to compete in our state doubles if partnered by an in-state resident. Do other states follow this ruling?

What's your take?

Thanks,

Tim

I think Washington State allows this but I'm not sure how they make sure of a players skill level

To play in the Indiana State Doubles tourney you have to be a resident of Indiana.. Period. We have looked at changing this without success a couple of times to allow out of State players to play if they play X amount of other events in our State during the previous year. Allow people that support other tournament in your State to play.

Kentucky allows out of State players to play if you have played in 2 other events in their state during the previous 12 months prior to the Sate tourney (singles or Doubles).

kyles

To play in the Indiana State Doubles tourney you have to be a resident of Indiana.. Period. We have looked at changing this without success a couple of times to allow out of State players to play if they play X amount of other events in our State during the previous year. Allow people that support other tournament in your State to play.

Kyle, just curious, but what is the reasoning behind this? I'm not disagreeing with it, but just want to know.

The reasoning behind not allowing people to play who are not state residents or to allow people to play if they are an out of State resident but who support other tournaments?

The idea behind only allowing "Indiana" residents to play in our State Doubles is that its the "Indiana State Doubles" tourney. If you allow non-residents to play you..

1) often times Tournament Directors dont know out of State players and their rankings which makes sandbagging occur more frequently.
2) If its all Indiana players it means that the winners are the Best from Indiana in that particular skill\division which is the point of "State singles or Doubles". Who is the best of the best.
3) Some players feel that if its State doubles that they shouldnt have to play people from other States just those from Indiana. Allowing people from out of state could keep those players from participating.


The idea behind changing the rule has to do with increasing participation at the tournaments. Back in the hay day of Racquetball your State tournaments would be 2-400+ participants. Now with drastically fewer (60-80) opening up the tournament to more people would mean more competition and better play for many (Women, Open, & Lower levels). Setting a rule that said only out of State players who participate in say 2 other tournaments would keep people from other states who do not support racquetball in your State from just coming in and playing State to win that.

Both ideas have merit and I personally am in favor of opening up the competition for those that support other tournaments.

Thanks everybody for your input. It seems that each state dictates their own terms, and that these terms are dictates by geographical location and numbers.

I remember when there were tournaments that were club only. I suppose LA Fitness still has these, but not for a single club but just as a member. I think if you could limit it to only in-state and have a successful tournament, then do it. Otherwise, I'd be opening it up as there just aren't that many good tournaments to play anymore. I also remember there being a tournament every single weekend for months at a time. Not anymore :P

Thanks for the explanation Kyle. I definitely see both sides of the coin. It seems to be especially frustrating for the women in Indiana. What did we have at Terre Haute in April, 6 women total and they were all of different skill levels?