Promotion Evaluation Q&A                            OCT 2023

Why does CTPA have an evaluation process?  

A rating is used solely to allow players of similar skill and ability, without regard for age or gender, to be grouped together for more enjoyable play. The evaluation process we use is in place to achieve this standard for the club. The evaluation helps not only a Prospect be placed in the appropriate rating level based on their skill and ability, but also maintains the standard of play for the level the Prospect is being evaluated for. Based on that our evaluation is performance based rather than a skill-based process.

How will evaluations be conducted?

Evaluation events will be conducted to allow the prospect to participate in a Promotion Evaluation to determine if they satisfy the criteria for promotion to a higher CTPA club rating.  During these events the prospect will participate in six round robin games with and against selected ‘controls’ from the level in which they are being evaluated.   These games will be with/against two teams of three controls. All games will be to 7 points, win by one point.   At the conclusion of these six games, the game in which the prospect scored the fewest points will be discarded. The prospect will achieve promotion if they have scored a total of 27 points or more.  If they score fewer than 27 points the prospect will remain at their current CTPA club rating. (For new members who self-assess, see exception discussed below.)

Is there a fee for an outdoor evaluation?

Yes.   A $40 fee applies to all outdoor evaluations and is required to be paid prior to the scheduling of the session.  If unsuccessful, the fee will increase to $60 for a second attempt and to $80 for all subsequent attempts this year AND future years.   There will be no yearly reset.  

Indoor evaluations in the dome will have a $40 charge plus a court rental cost on top of that.   For the 2023/24 winter season the total cost including court cost was $59.

If I am evaluated and not successful, when can I re-evaluate?

   A member who is unsuccessful in their first evaluation cannot sign up on Court Reserve to be reevaluated until eight weeks after their unsuccessful attempt. This means that you must wait 8 weeks and then sign up (or wait list) on Court Reserve any future evaluation. Example, you took the test on May 1, and 8 weeks later is June 26. If you signed up on May 30 to take an evaluation on June 30, then you did not wait 8 weeks and your evaluation reservation will be canceled.   Starting June 26, you can then reschedule (sign up on Court Reserve) for your next evaluation based on what is available at that time.*

 If a member is unsuccessful on the second attempt, they can sign up to be reevaluated after waiting twelve weeks after the second attempt.    For every additional unsuccessful attempt, the member must wait sixteen weeks before they can sign up again. A fee will apply to any additional evaluation.

*The coordinator at each level has the discretion to decrease the wait time depending on the points achieved in the prospect’s last evaluation. This provision will only be used to complete the schedule when all available evaluation spots have not been filled by prospects who are not subject to wait time restrictions.

FOR NEW MEMBERS ONLY -- What will my club rating be while I’m waiting for an evaluation?

Based on your skills, you may ‘self-assess’ to determine the appropriate level at which to be evaluated.  You would temporarily be given a club rating ½ point lower than the level at which you want to evaluate.  This provision applies to members who are new to the club, and they must contact the brucemazzoni@zoominternet.net  within 30 days of joining the club.  This provides you with opportunities to participate in events at that level prior to your evaluation. 

For those new members testing for 4.0 & 4.5 ONLY:   If you do not achieve at least 24 points during your evaluation, your club rating would revert to the default 2.5.  If you score at least 27 points, your club rating will permanently change to the level you evaluated at.  If you score between 24 and 26 points, your temporary club rating will be permanent, but you will be marked as failing the evaluation requiring you to wait a certain time and to pay an extra fee to do another evaluation   as described in this document.

Example:

• New member self-assesses at 4.0 and requests an evaluation.
• Member’s temporary club rating would be 3.5 until evaluation occurs.  This would enable them to participate in all 3.5 events and any 3.5/4.0 ‘blended’ events.
• If a member completes a successful evaluation, permanent club rating becomes 4.0.
• If a member is unsuccessful and scores less than 24 points, their club rating becomes 2.5 and they can now evaluate for 3.0.  The member will pay the full cost for the next evaluation and the appropriate wait time to get back in the queue will apply.
• If a member is unsuccessful but scores between 24 and 26 points, temporary club rating remains at 3.5 club rating permanently.  

For those testing for 3.5 ONLY:   You will have a temporary 3.0 for 45 days.   If you do not achieve at least 27 points during your evaluation, your club rating would revert to the default 2.5.  If you score at least 27 points, your club rating will permanently change to a 3.5 club rating.  If you score between 20 and 26 points, your temporary club rating will be permanent at 3.0 , but you will be marked as failing the evaluation requiring you to wait a certain time and to pay an extra fee to do another evaluation   as describe in this document.

New Members who want to test for 3.0 can follow the instructions below.

New members who want to test for 3.5, 4.0, 4.5  must contact Bruce Mazzoni directly at brucemazzoni@zoominternet.net to set your temporary club rating.   A temporary rating will expire within 45 days no matter where you are in the process.  We will not extend your temporary rating for any reasons.   Consider it may take 1-3 weeks to get evaluated once you sign up, so factor that within your timing.     If you did sign up for the evaluation and your 45 days expired, you will still be able to test at that level, but your temporary rating goes away and you will be listed at a 2.5 club rating.  If you pass your evaluation we will then adjust it to the new level.    If you did not sign up for an evaluation within 45 days, you will be consider a 2.5 club rating and must sign up for a 3.0 evaluation and work your way up to the level you think you are.

Where will the evaluations be conducted?

All evaluation events will be conducted at the Graham Park courts.   Under very limited and unusual circumstances, evaluations may be conducted at a different location. 

Will CTPA use any other methods to determine club ranking?

CTPA will also accept USA Pickleball UTPR or WPTR for new members and to increase the club ratings of existing members provided: (1) the member has played in three or more tournaments in the three years prior to the request and (2) the last tournament was a sanctioned tournament which occurred within the previous six months.  Only doubles or mixed doubles (not singles) will be considered for this provision to apply. (3) the member must have an active, non-expired USA Pickleball membership.  Regardless of which of the UTPR or WPTR ratings you use, the above criteria for the number of tournaments needed and one in the past six months needs to be for the UTPR or WPTR you’re using. Therefore, if you’re going to use your mixed UTPR or WPTR, you must’ve played in three mixed events at tournaments in the past three years with one being a sanctioned tournament in the last six months.

Will I have any input into the ‘controls’ at my Promotion Evaluation session?

No.   The controls have been carefully chosen to fairly represent the level you are being evaluated for.  They are trained in how to conduct the evaluation session and, depending on their availability, they will be randomly selected to participate in your session.  

I’m a female and am concerned that I will be paired with 3 male controls.

We have specifically addressed this concern by assuring that 2 of the 3 controls will be of the same gender as the prospect.  In other words, a female prospect will have 2 female controls and 1 male control.  A male prospect will have 2 male controls and one female control.

I sometimes don’t play well with certain partners.  I’m concerned that this may happen to me during my evaluation.

This is why we allow the prospect to discard the lowest of their six scores.   This procedure minimizes the impact of one bad game.

Is stacking permitted during an Evaluation?

Opposite handed partners, whether they’re prospects or controls, will be permitted to stack only while serving if they choose to, but not while receiving.

If I do really well during my Promotion Evaluation, am I able to increase my rating more than ½ point?

No, but you could immediately submit for an evaluation at the next higher level.   The evaluation fee would apply.

Can I direct the control who is my partner to hit to the weaker player?   

            No.   The controls who are your partner are instructed to play the game in a specific way that makes best sense for the evaluation process and pickleball.   The goal is for YOU to be the key in winning (or losing) the points.   

NEW procedure to sign up and pay for Evaluations:  As of Nov 1, 2023

We are eliminating the direct sign up of the day and time for evaluation used in 2023.    As of Nov  1, 2023 you will need to proceed as following to register to be evaluated.

1. On the last day of the month will be four sign up on Court Reserve at 9:30 PM.    This is only the area where you sign up and pay.   There will be one for 3.0 level, another for 3.5 level, 4.0 & 4.5 level.    There will also be an E-20 & E-40.   You will need to sign up and pay the evaluation fee.
2. When you sign up and pay you should receive an email from Court Reserve confirming you registered and paid.   You are now in the queue to evaluated. 
3. Your name will not be in public view.
4. If you did have an evaluation at the same level  before in 2023 or 2024 you will need to also sign up for the E-20 which will charge $20 for taking the evaluation a second time.    Or if this is your third or more attempt, then you will need to sign up for the E-40 which will charge $40
5. The level coordinator will contact you when they have a potential spot available for you.  This may be as soon as one week, but may take many weeks depending on length of waitlist.   If you are a new member you will be given a priority to test as soon as possible but if your 45 days limit expired, you will go to a 2.5 rating until can pass the evaluation.

If you have questions, you can contact these level coordinators directly.

RULES for Evaluations?   Do you want to put any rules in about last minute cancellations, no shows, etc.   

3.0 Level:  Michael Moraca  ctpaprospectcoordinator3.0@gmail.com

3.5 Level:  Mark Ruston ruston@zoominternet.net 

4.0 Level    Sam Kirsch  samkirsch3@msn.com 

4.5 Level:   Barry Watkiss bwatkiss@zoominternet.net

How do I pay for an  Evaluation Fee?

When you sign up for an evaluation and  pay the fee at that time on Court Reserve to get on the  list. You only need to sign up and pay once.

At what time should I be at the courts for my evaluation?

            Your level coordinator will give you the day & time of your evaluations,

What if I must cancel? 

If you need to cancel please contact the coordinator for the level you’re signed up for.

3.0 Level:  Michael Moraca  ctpaprospectcoordinator3.0@gmail.com 

3.5 Level:  Mark Ruston ruston@zoominternet.net 

4.0 Level    Sam Kirsch  samkirsch3@msn.com 

4.5 Level:   Barry Watkiss bwatkiss@zoominternet.net

Are there any additional fees?

If you are retaking an evaluation after an unsuccessful attempt, there will be an additional $20, or $40 auto-charge made to your account.  It will appear as an E-20 or E-40 sign up and you will get an email confirming this purchased.   These are nonrefundable.

Questions for evaluations?   Contact Gary Tipton gtipton@zbzoom.net or 724-272-5048