New-York tribune., 1920-01-31
Scoring Plan
OF U.S.L.N.T.A.
Is Set Aside
Steinkampf, Richie, Merse-
reau and Baggs Chiefly
Responsible for Action
By Fred Hawthorne

Still another set of scoring and foot
fault rules sprang into being at the
meeting of the Metropolitan Tennis
Association held at l03 Park Ave-
nue. on Thursday evening, when
j W. Mersereau, Of the University
Heights Tennis Club. submitted
the proposed changes to the present
system. The scoring applies to the
handicapping rules particularly, while
the latest footfault rule is simply an
amendment to the new rule proposed
by the rules committee of the national
association.
j. H. Steinkampf, Ryal D. Richie.
Mersereau and Ralph l.. Baggs we're
chiefly responsible for the latest varia-
tons, and they did not deny that the
proposed handcapping system, if
adopted, would almost revolutionze
the present game. Here is the way the
new rule would w-r out: The points are
to be scored /, ?. 8. as provided by
the rules commit te of the U. S. N. l..
T. A. At every fifth point the service
changes. The competitors also change
courts after fifth, fifteenth twenty
fifth, thirty fifth and so on points
The player who first counts 80 points
wins the set but to win the set he
has to actually score 30 points, cxclu-
Sv~ o. his hardicap
The opposing player must start the
service in each set. That is, if A needs
only one point to win his set and scores
it then B begins the service in the
follc wing set without regard to the
previous schedule of changing service
after each five points.
The new foot fault rule, as suggest ed
by the Metropolitan Association fol-
lows the exact wording of the rules
committees new plan. except that it
provides that the server must keep
one foot constantly on the ground until
the service is Delivered"
The opinion of those present at the
meeting seemed to be about equally
divided as to the value OF the new rule es
committee. Principal objection to the
present rules for scoring appeared to
center on the word Glove" which it
was felt should be eliminated. Charles
| Chambers and Mersercau, who will rep
resent the local association at the an
nual national meeting will 20 there
unlnstructed as to these points.
th the purpose OF avoiding con-
hlcts in tournament dates during the
coming season, the Mctropolitan AS
sociation viii petition. the national or
/ ganization to allow committee of its
officers to take part in the arranging of
! dates.
The annual team championship again
will be conducted as an elimination
event. with the teams to be Sc ected be
lore each match in the order in which
they will play. The teams viii be linn
tied TO eight men for the six singles
and three doubles A request also will
be made to the L. S. n. l.. T. a. that
these matches be taken into account in
the annua ranking Of players.
The local association vii offer q
permanent championship trophy in the
form Of handsome plaque, with
spaces for engraving the names of the
winners each wear individuals will re-
ceive miniature plaques.
At o'clock this afternoon, on the
lower courts of the Heights Casino,
IS Montague Street, Brooklyn, what
promises to be one of the memorable
battles Of the courts between women
viii start. Mrs. Franklin |. Mallory
four times national champion. ana
MSS L eanor Goss, national doubles
champion with Miss Marion Finder
stein. and ranked at No. last year,
viii be the opposing players.
This Will be the final round match
. for the club championship, and opin-
ion is about evenly divided among fol
lowers OF the game as to who will come
forth the victor. There is no gainsa.-
ing the fact that Mss Goss has i'm
proved immeasurbly in her play since
last season. Her ground strokes have
gained in pace" and control, and her
volleylng and overhead work are bet
ter than at any time last season. She
also seems to think quicker and has
more cOrEdcvco