Scott Smith thinks there are plenty of area players to support a new flex league.
With that in mind, the 25-year teaching professional and second-year Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club tennis director opens registration this month for the nation's first i9 Sports Tennis League. It offers men's and women's singles and doubles and mixed play in 21-and-over and 55-plus age divisions.
"We're a trailblazer of sorts, but we won't be the last," Smith said. "My wife, Rhonda, and I had been looking for another opportunity, and when I learned about i9 Sports with the chance to purchase a franchise, I followed up."
Started less than two years ago, i9 Sports Corporation seeks to promote amateur athletics by providing national support and inviting local franchises to develop. Created by Frank Fiume, i9 Sports is based in Brandon and has six franchises in other sports (golf, wrestling, flag football), with plans to have 30 by year's end. Being the first to purchase a tennis franchise has its advantages, Smith said, such as running a league the way you think is best. There are disadvantages, such as not having a foundation to model.
"What we've tried to do is take the things we liked most about other leagues and incorporate in ours," Smith said. "We're also asking a lot of players for ideas. We're not trying to compete with the K-Swiss or city leagues because we think there are enough players to go around. Before I got into this, I could see a fit into the community for another league and that there was a need for it." Through i9 Sports, Smith purchased Pinellas and Hillsborough county areas to develop. In preparation for league action, he has put Pinellas into two sections, with Ulmerton Road the dividing line. Hillsborough is split into four quadrants. At the end of each season, playoffs between the two top finishers in Pinellas will determine the champion, as will a playoff among the four in Hillsborough. In the future, the two may meet for an overall Tampa Bay champion.
"Right now, if I get a couple of hundred players, I'll be happy," Smith said. "Some may like the smaller size." Smith distinguishes the i9 Sports Tennis League from other existing leagues because it provides national support, including a newsletter. Most importantly, there will be little time between seasons.
"Our seasons will pretty much roll over so a player will never be out of matches more than three or four weeks," Smith said. "I think that is a big plus for us."
ADULT LEAGUE PLAYOFFS: Last weekend's USA League Tennis playoffs determined champions in the women's 3.5 and 4.0 divisions.
In 3.5 action, the Renaissance Vinoy beat Westin Innisbrook Resort 4-1 on Saturday to set up Sunday's title match with Feather Sound Country Club. The Vinoy won 3-2.
The Vinoy's No. 1 player, Anne Anderson, scored a 7-5, 6-3 victory, and No. 2 Grace Winter and No. 1 doubles Carol Stowasser and Robyn Williams captured third-set tie-break wins to clinch the title. Kathy Wilson and Lori Clarke in No. 2 and Elizabeth Wohlwend and Katie Chappell at No. 3 collected Feather Sound's two points.
The Royal Racquet Club 4.0 women's team extended its unbeaten record with a 4-1 semifinal win over the Racquet Club and a 3-2 championship victory over the Vinoy.
The Vinoy earned its two points from Diana Gabay and Lauren Walker in No. 1 doubles and Heather Nicoll and Lyn Ballinger at No. 2.
In the men's 3.5 playoffs, the Racquet Club beat Royal Racquet Club 4-1 and East Lake Woodlands defeated Treasure Bay 4-1. Winning for the Racquet Club were Joe Damouny and Peter Gairing in No. 1 and No. 2 singles, respectively. The second doubles team, Don Cobin and Don Campagna, and No. 3 Paul Hagglund and Lon Caffee posted victories.
Saturday, the Racquet Club-East Lake matchup will determine the 3.5 champion. Local teams advance to the USA Tennis Florida west regional playoffs July 16-18 in Naples with hopes of qualifying for the state tournament in August.
NET SHOTS: Mary Jane Evertz and Kevin Manning played past three challengers to win the 45-and-over mixed doubles title in the Florida State Closed Championships at Royal Racquet Club.
Other winners were the sister-brother team of Lauren and Lou Scaglione in the open mixed, Sue and Mark Michelman (55 mixed) and Gail McMurtrey and Mark Taylor (35 mixed).
Jerica Coley survived a three-set final to win the girls 10-and-under singles division in last weekend's SPTC Junior Open.
Austin Kondor defended his top seed in boys 12, second-seeded Nicholas Gallauer upset the No. 1 player in the 16 final, and Daichi Murata won the 18 class.
Consolation winners included Amy Lowther in the 10 division, Morgan Basil (18), Philip Russo (boys 10) and Greg LeCompte (16).
MEMORIAL WEEKEND: East Lake Woodlands played host to the 14th annual Morton Plant Mease Fundraiser Tournament and its competitors in men's, women's and mixed doubles.
Tom Wise survived two three-set finals - first with Michael Spall in the 3.5 men's doubles, then with Leslie Gray in mixed doubles. Also winning a three-set final were Jane Robinson and Adrian Pagani in the open mixed doubles.
Robinson won a second title when teaming with Donna Roberts in the women's open doubles, as did Gray with Holly Charles in the 3.5 women's division.
Other women's doubles winners were Evertz and Mickey Gelestor in 4.0 and Jan Spoerl and Mary Bandes (3.0).
Winners among the men's doubles teams were Reinaldo Valor and Jamie McKibban in open, Ron Ramos and Maura Rodriguez (4.0) and Ron Day and Robert Dickson (3.0).
Dickson teamed with Joanne Dickson to win the 3.0 mixed. Diana Gabay and Tom Grayson won 4.0.
In all, 36 men's teams, 32 women's and 44 mixed participated in the three-day event.
COMING UP: The Seminole Summer Classic begins Saturday at Seminole Lake Tennis Center for junior singles players 18-and-under. For information, cal l Krishnan Anandan, 394-1733. ... The Clearwater Summer Classic for juniors is June 26-28 at McMullen Tennis Center. Call 669-1919.
