The season is rapidly coming to a close. Remember, players must appear in two matches (one may be a default) to participate in City Playoffs.
There doesn't appear to be much drama coming down the stretch. The 5.0 Sectionals berth has basically already been decided, with Westside - Church Group having an almost insurmountable lead.
For me, the story in 4.5 the rest of the way is the Chris Lee situation. There's been talk of him being protested. I have no idea whether that will happen or if it will be upheld, so I will proceed under the assumption that he is legal, will continue to play and all matches will stand. If that is the case, it creates some interesting decisions for Phillip Yang. He's got two matches remaining, both against bottom feeders. He can sit out Lee and win without him, or he could play him, maybe at line 3 doubles, and have him "take it easy", thereby lowering his rating and making him more likely to retain eligibility throughout the playoffs.
The two other contenders in that division will clash this week. Again, Chris Lee has got to be a consideration for Captains Warren and Ristau. IF he somehow gets DQ'd, perhaps this match ends up deciding the division title. The Wild Card situation is still a possibility.
The Deucebags and Gooder Guys also have a match with huge implications on the playoff race this week. Have we seen the Deucebags best lineup? Will David Hall be playing singles this week? If my memory is correct, there is only one 4.5 Wild Card this year. Right now, Nottingham Forest looks to be the favorite, but they've still got one match left with the Hurricanes and there are several teams on their heels. A Deucebags win this week would make things quite interesting.
Not too much intrigue in 4.0. The Good Guys play a surprising Acers team this week. A loss would harm their chances at winning the division and/or getting into City Playoffs via the Wild Card.
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The wise move is for Lee to tank. Especially with city playoffs spread out and him maybe getting DQed in that first Thursday match.
ReplyDeleteno need to tank. lee hasnt played the top 4.5 players yet.
ReplyDeleteHe will beat all of them. It's not like theres any real great singles players this year.
ReplyDeleteHow in the hell is Christopher Rossi a 4.0?
ReplyDeleteAnswer: Fall 2012 Team - 'Expendables'
DeleteBiggest cheaters in Houston tennis got together to manipulate rankings. Other teams started telling their players to go out and 'lose back'. It was so bad the last couple games of the season the opponents wouldn't even show up for the matches. Here's some of the cheaters that were tanking matches (results and opponents rankings very far outside of expected bounds based on other results) and the dates:
Robert Rizarri - Doubles matches 9/6, 9/13, Singles matches 9/17, 9/24, 10/1, 10/8 - Opponent was able to purposely lose worse
Eddie Janek - 9/6, 9/27
Christopher Rossi - 9/12, 9/20, 9/27
Daniel Goodwin - 9/6, 9/20
Ronnie Kwan - 9/6, 9/12, 9/13
Robert Dornbos - 9/6, 9/12
Richard Perreras - 9/20
Ryan Reeves - 9/12
Tuyen Nguyen - 9/13
Nicholas Van Bemmelen - 9/12
Personally I think Houston tennis can do without any of these players and their manipulations. I would encourage captains to avoid adding any of these players with such low moral standards to their teams. In the HTA leagues (spring/fall) I would also encourage captains not to field lines against any of these players.
Chris Rossi beats max westen 2,0 don't think that is a 4.0
DeleteThe big thing here is that once a player gets computer rated he is untouchable. Since captains know this they can just manipulated the system. It's ridiculous. A 4.0 beating a highly rated 4.5 2,0 should get automatically bump him to 4.5.
Also notice that all these people are all somehow apart or related to the hurricanes and freeman
DeleteDon't forget the team the Gautamizers. Another Hurricane-related team made just to tank everyone.
DeleteA lot of the time it's the team captaining being shady. Red, Freeman, Dwyer, and Tran.
DeleteGood information and good ideas.
ReplyDeleteThe Expendables won their last three matches by forfeit. Did teams just refuse to play against them any more?
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you didn't mention Kris Knutson. He is the biggest cheater Houston tennis has ever seen. And he is a policeman. Corruption at it's finest.
Yes the other teams refused to field teams. The story I heard was the other teams were getting in trouble for trying to lose back and since the HTA didn't do anything to police this so the rest of the league got together and decided not to field teams at all. This seems to be the only recourse captains have. I think we need to learn from the past and avoid matches that these teams/players are in.
DeleteI didn't include Knutson because his summer record looked just as bad as his fall record, so things didn't appear out of line. I haven't played him and cannot say for certain that he was tanking. If the consensus is that he is a cheater as well, I will certainly add him to my personal blacklist.
great information and certainly the best post in the history of this blog!
ReplyDeleteGood for those captains that refused to play them the final 3 weeks. HTA turning a blind eye as usual to Freeman and his antics.
ReplyDeletedoes freeman just bribe everyone? including HTA?
Deletejason freeman is the single biggest cancer to the houston tennis scene.
Deleteeveryone that is playing in the hta or the usta league is simply wasting their time, money and effort in what is a well-orchestrated cheating scheme.
what's the point in creating a team of regular 4.0s and then getting slaughtered by a bunch of cheaters?
no one will ever play on an even playing field until either freeman is removed or suspended.
even this blog is controlled by a member of the hurricanes, greg dwyer.
the other facebook tennis blog is run by two other members of the hurricanes, tuan tran and robert rizzari.
i am surprised that anything negative written about the hurricanes and freeman hasn't already been deleted.
I don't think Freeman is the problem. Assembling a solid lineup, which Freeman does very well is a meld of networking skills and the ability to spot talent. Like a GM in most team sports, that's a lot of value he's adding. Even if he is this great mastermind orchestrating the tanking it's the players who are willing to go out and lose matches on purpose that are the problem. What kind of sorry excuse of person would agree to that?
DeleteIf you look at his roster, there's plenty of guys (Beinart, Boarman, Dwyer, Hakim, Tran, etc) who are level appropriate but just play at the high end of the level. It's really fun playing these guys even if you lose more than you win.
The problem is the players I mentioned above like Rossi and Dornbos who seem to be clearly manipulating. The issues I have with it are:
- It ruins the HTA leagues. It's not fun to go play an HTA match where people are trying to lose. I have better things to do with my time than go watch Rizarri purposely hit the ball long 10x in a row.
- It ruins the USTA leagues. Part of the fun of these leagues is having at least a chance to advance to the next round of competition, no matter how small. I think on a good day/off day any 4.0 should be able to beat another 4.0. I think for a good number of Hurricane's this is true even if they win more than they lose. However, when 99% of league players are *never* able to beat tankers like Rossi it kinda removes the underdog potential. These guys are top level 4.5's playing at the 4.0 level, 4.0's aren't suppose to have a chance.
It seems like there's 2 ways to have a chance in a rigged game.
1) Try to rig it yourself which seems to be the prevailing strategy amongst captains, tankers, and some self rates.
2) Refuse to play the game with the riggers, which means not participating in some of the HTA leagues or not participating with/against these cheaters.
I prefer the later route and I hope the other captains will sign onto this approach in the absence of properly over-site from USTA/HTA.
I like this guy.
DeleteI personally would like to see all of the HTA-type leagues not be counted for ratings...in all cities across the Section/state. A few years back the Lubbock team went to Nationals (I think they finished in the top 4), returned, started their fall league a week later, tanked en masse, and then returned to Nationals again two years later. Trust me, competitive captains across the state noticed. An arms race does develop, and local competition can be hurt, as you illustrated above.
Would elimination of ratings calculation in non-USTA leagues fix things? Of course not. But they'd make it more difficult. Some of the stuff that goes on in Dallas dwarfs any Houston shenanigans.
I agree that people like Jason, Red and Betsie are going to win city just about every year, regardless of what the rules are. They're just more well-connected, and spend more time searching for players. They put a lot of time and energy into this stuff.
I don't think HTA leagues should be used to calculate ratings. Nothing is worse than playing against someone that is just out there to hit the ball like a jackass and get stomped on purpose. If they want to tank then let them sign up for tournaments and lose/loose there.
DeleteThe Rizarri-style tanking: "Look at me, I'm missing on purpose, hitting the back fence on every shot! I'm actually a good player! I want everyone to know that I'm doing this on purpose!!!!" doesn't do ANYBODY any good.
DeleteGlad to see it failed for him and that he ended up 4.5. Hope he stays there.
Maybe retiring from the match would be an appropriate response.
DeleteIf not, then maybe hitting one at his head would straighten him out.
could someone post a link to the facebook tennis blog plz
ReplyDeletethanks
Oh yeah and I forget to mention the clear HTA/Hurricane conspiracy. There are way to many connections to call it anything else.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I heard a couple of the Hurricanes are facebook friends with some of the HTA people! Conspiracy!!!
DeleteJust go out and play. What a bunch of winers. How old are you guys, 12?
ReplyDeleteWe are all adults here.
ReplyDeleteYou, my friend, still have a 5th grade education.
Try spell check or go back to school.
Winers? Are you for real?
Another stupid Freeman puppet.
How old are you 8:36am poster? You are obviously one of those cheaters who tank. How old are you to tank in order to play a level below you. Try and be a man and play with some integrity.
ReplyDeleteFreeman is the nerdy kid who was always picked last because he sucked at every sport he played. He has to now captain and cheat in order to win at anything.
My interpretation: Bitter scrub who feels like a reject since Freeman didn't want him.
DeleteThe issue is not whether Freeman picked you or not. The issue is do these players/captains consciously/purposely loose, score manage, or input incorrect scores in order to manipulate the rating system?
ReplyDeleteA simple yes or no. Yes, Yes and Yes! Guilty on all counts!!!
It's lose, not loose.
Delete"Try spell check or go back to school."
Scrub.
Is that you Tuan? Are you the water boy on Freeman's team.
DeleteI used to hate teams like the Hurricanes for managing scores and what not. But now I dont care, when I play a video game I always put it on the hardest level. I love having to rise to the occasion. The most annoying thing would be if I came out to a match and got my time wasted by someone tanking on purpose. I would tell them play me for real, and we can report that I beat you 6-0 6-0 regardless of the real score.
ReplyDeleteThe Flight with the Good Guys is looking very interesting. Tonight could determine who makes it to playoffs. Good Guys are 5-1 loosing to the Ace and Spinners, Acers and Ace and Spinners split. The Acers also lost to the Rolido Boys. The Good Guys have nothing but tough matches the rest of the season, with 2 make up matches with their closest competition(Acers, Ace and Spinners) plus they have Rolido Boys next week who if they bring their strongest line up can certainly cause the upset.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if the Acers can keep it up. They have some decent pieces but I don't know if the overall talent level is there. They've been using the guy who is possibly their best singles player in doubles lately, and it's been working out for them, but I am usually not in favor of that strategy.
DeleteThere should be a list of the worst tankers.
ReplyDeleteNoticed that Chris Rossi beat Don Rios. Don is an above average 4.5 singles player that I've had the pleasure of playing. Chris is obviously upper 4.5 caliber by this and other results. However, there's plenty of 4.5 level players at 4.0 throughout the country and 4.0 players playing at 3.5, etc. It's the nature of the beast. No matter how many algorithms are thrown into a computer program, it's not going to place every player at the appropriate level. When the players make their run to state and/or nationals each year, they get bumped. For those that whine about the unfairness of this have a choice - deal with it, don't play USTA (Internet leagues might be for you - although players can be out of level there also), improve your game, or just keep bitching about others.
ReplyDelete1:58 poster - I don't know many of those 4.0s and won't waste my time researching all of them, but to list Janek, Goodwin, Kwan, Nguyen as tankers just to remain in 4.0 is plain stupid. They are, with the short exception of Janek and Nguyen, staples as 4.0 players. They're solid but have no reason to tank and be considered as regular 4.5ers.
Anybody that is at the top of their respective league will be considered as playing out of level. Bump the top 20 guys up and the next 20 will be the ones you're complaining about. It's like the worst kid in the classroom. He might not be that bad compared to kids in other rooms but because he's the worst in that classroom, the teacher's always talks about how bad lil Johnny is.
So for you, Robin Hood, and your little band of Merry Men who are jealous of the upper tier, keep trying to blog ambush these people, and then run back to your hole. I feel a Nottingham reference is deserving here....
"No matter how many algorithms are thrown into a computer program, it's not going to place every player at the appropriate level"
DeleteLet's look at one example, we an dive into more if necessary.
9/27 Rossi/Janek vs Smitherman/Fenz - Smitherman/Fenz win 0,3
In the past 12 months 3.5 rated Smitherman has gone on to compile a record of:
2-1 @ 7.5 Mixed
0-2 @ 4.0 Singles
0-9 @ 9.0 Mixed
7-13 @ 4.0 Doubles
During that time, there was only 1 set that he was able to win with a score of 6-0 (the one vs Rossi/Janek). This was by far his most lopsided win.
In the path 12 months 3.5 rated Fenz has gone on to compile a record of:
5-2 @ 3.5 singles
0-4 @ 4.0 singles
3-10 @ 4.0 doubles
You expect us to believe in your words a "obviously upper 4.5 caliber" and "staple 4.0" lost, very badly to 2 3.5 guys?
There's 0% chance this was legit unless they had their rackets in the wrong hand. So yes, the computer gets it wrong sometimes but sometimes these guys go a long way towards helping to make the computer get it wrong.
Are Janek, Goodwin, Kwan, Nguyen 4.0's? It's definitely possible. Those guys certainly aren't at the same level as Rossi. But as 4.0's or 4.5's they didn't let the computer program try to place them at the appropriate level. Rather they went out and lost matches on purpose for the sole purpose of ensuring they are 4.0 rated players. So, Mr Freeman, do you think it was the right choice for them to take the rating system into their own hands and lose matches on purpose? Or do you think we should let the flawed computer algorithms do the best they can?
Is it the responsibility of Janek, Goodwin, Kwan, Nguyen to decide their own level? If they want to decide their own level that's fine by me, but then they should be treated as self rates with the possibility of being disqualified.
No matter how you spin it, the players mention are all cheaters who have clearly attempted to gain the system. For Houston tennis to remain entertaining to a wider audience integrity is important. Someone needs to police this. Since the HTA/USTA are incapable. I think the Jealous Merry Men, or whatever name you give them in an attempt to distort their message, have the responsibility to try to self police the league.
USTA league is about friendly competition. Some people are friendly, some are competitive, and some are both. It's those that want to and can compete at the national level that typically get chastised as playing out of level even though they don't self-rate at an underrated level to beat up on someone and laugh about it later. So while some think from a Houston tennis perspective, others look at a bigger picture. That's what it takes for Houston to be well represented outside the city, fair or not.
DeleteChris Lee sat out last night. Wise.
ReplyDeleteRizarri isnt tanking. He just plain sux. 2-3 last year in the regular season, didnt play at sectionals or nationals but brags about going to nationals every chance he gets. Keep sucking on Freemans balls bc u would have no cred without him
ReplyDeleteGood post Freeman (8:38)
ReplyDeletewho won the westside vs jcc match last night?
ReplyDeleteStop complaining about Houston sandbaggers... We can't even beat Dallas or Austin tankers!
ReplyDeleteWe will this year. Dallas, here we come.
DeleteHouston has far surpassed Dallas for 4.0 and 4.5 success recently. It's not even close. Credit Red and Jason.
DeleteEvery league tennis player is a tanker. If you have ever given less than 100 percent you are a tanker. So less agree everyone has tanked.
ReplyDeletedefine the different tankers.
Type 1. The player who is so far out of level its a joke. This player could be on a playoff league team another level up. This person usually lies on his self rate or has a past of being a great player at a higher level.
Motivation they love to hear praise about how great they are. They have no fun actually playing because they are so much better than the competition.
examples, These players are easy to name they get bumped up to the next level and once they are bumped they play league on a playoff caliber team at the next level.
Type 2. This player has played at a higher level, but cannot play on a league team at the higher level because he is not good enough. He is willing to sit out a couple of years to move back down to the next level. Once this player is moved down he gives a 100 percent effort and tries his best to win. He knows he has try his best because he knows he will likely lose a couple matches to better players. He knows that he will be bumped the following year. Motivation is he likes league tennis and wants to be on a playoff team and be one the core guys on the team. This player is not the best player on the team but is an important part. He can usally beat 90 percent of the players on other teams.
example will not give names but there are less and less of these players, because you have to sit out for years.
Type 3. This player has played at a higher level, but cannot play on a league team at the higher level becasue he is not good enough. This player gets bumped down and will do everything he can to prevent being bumped back up. He is willing to throw matches at the level he wants to be at. He is willing to lose half his matches so he does not get bumped up. He loses matches he manipulates the score. This type of player is more and more common and very hard to detect. You have to personally know them to detect them. They will win key matches in summer league, but will also throw matches. He will lose all of his fall matches. This type of tanker has become more common in the past couple of years.
Type 4. This player is a type of player that got bumped up, but should not have been bump. They do not belong in the next level up. This player believes he is justified for tanking because he knows alot of players that are better than him. This player is one of the better players in his level, but not a top player. This player often plays mix doubles. He likes to flirt with the ladies in mix and the ladies like playing with him becasue he is a good player. This player strongest motivation to get bumped down is because he loves mix doubles and the lovely ladies he gets to play with. This player especially in mix doubles plays his best tennis does not tank in mix. He does not tank in summer league. This player will tank in the fall league because he likes the ladies. Example of this player is all of the top mix league players.
It is not so black and white. If you have given less than 100% you are NOT always a tanker. You could be injured but still out there playing or feeling ill but still out there playing, so do not group EVERYBODY into one category. Don't stereotype everybody and use some common sense.
ReplyDelete