Kansas City Athletic Club

OP Rules

• There are six matches per team - The scoring matches each week are 3 singles and 3 doubles. There will be an extra "pool" of open play matches for players who want to play but were not included on their teams starting roster that week. If you were not included, but would like to play, let your captain know and they will add you to the pool for that week. If you are still not getting any playing time, let one of the commissioners know and we will see to it your captain plays you.
• Scoring - To keep the matches balanced and competitive, the scoring has been changed from last year. The number 1 doubles and the number 1 singles matches are now worth two points towards the team for a victory. All other matches are worth 1 point. There are two rounds of league play, then the doubles playoffs, then the singles playoffs. How the overall scoring will break down in the playoffs is still to be decided.
• Balls will be provided - New Ecktelon balls will be provided by the league and will be included in your league dues. Your captain will have your game ball in the cafe when you arrive.
• Matches will be scheduled ahead of time - The captains work together with their players to get all of their matches lined up before Thursday. So make sure you have access to your email address, they will be updating you every week regarding scheduling and matchups.
• Scheduling - All league matches are to be played at the OP club on Thursday nights. Our attendance there and our beer tabs are what helps the OP survive. We need to give back to the club that gives us a great place to play handball for a reasonable price. However, if there is an emergency or a last minute change in your plan, you can work with your opponent on trying to reschedule your match as long as it's ok with the opposing captain. Please do not abuse this privilege.
• Playing early Thursday - Sometimes matches will be arranged and played early on Thursday before 5pm. If you do this, please be respectful towards the rest of the league and complete the match before 5pm. In the past these matches were started at 4 or 4:30 and played well beyond 5, pushing back all scheduled league matches. If a league match is playing at 5 and they are not scheduled for that court, they will be asked to postpone their match until another court that is not scheduled opens up. If they refuse, the team leading in points at that point will be awarded the win regardless of the outcome and the offending players will be benched for a week by the league.
• Admission for non-members is still $5 per entry - This price is more than fair, and the reason you have to pay for each visit instead of an upfront fee is to help out other handball players who cannot be there every week. It would not be fair for them to have to pay $50 and only appear 3-4 times. For the amenities that are provided to us this is a very good value, respect it so we can continue to have it. Also, the front desk receives a list of the non-members who are going to attend that night. Once they arrive and pay, those players are checked off. The next day OP sends us the names of anyone who did not pay. So it is pointless to try to sneak in. You won't be invited back.
• Players will only play within their rating - To guarantee a competitive match, all players will play only against opponents that are in their rating class (For more info, click here). This will eliminate lopsided matches and encourage all players to improve their game. If a mismatch is scheduled the player or captain can request that the commissioner handicaps the match to level the playing field. For more information on handicapping, ask your captain about the rules.