Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 19, 1990 TAG: 9004190029
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: By SCOTT BLANCHARD SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Lineberry, who will organize the United States Tennis Association Women's Circuit of Roanoke tournament this summer for the third straight year, said he is committed to improving the event every year. But improve it for whom? The players, with their personalities and idiosyncrasies magnified in an individual sport, must be pampered lest they complain to the USTA. The fans, however, pay money to see the players do their jobs.
"We try to take action that will accommodate the players and accommodate the spectators," Lineberry said Wednesday at the formal announcement that the $10,000 tournament, one of 11 on the USTA women's summer circuit, will return in July to Hunting Hills Country Club.
Because the circuit's Roanoke stop has gone over well with the players the past two years and in 1985, Lineberry's normal balancing act has tipped a bit toward those who watch the games. This summer, that will mean:
More shade. Lineberry said he will have more seats under cover than 1989, when only some seats were shielded from the sun.
Hot meals. Hardly a soup kitchen, Hunting Hills will provide a buffet meal (for a price) during the night matches.
Door prizes. Lineberry said Orvis retail store will provide some prizes. Rackets, tennis lessons and re-stringings also will be given away between matches.
Lineberry also will try to keep the tournament player-compatible with little things: water at courtside, plenty of towels and an unobstructed walk from court to clubhouse. And the reason the concession stand isn't conveniently located behind the box seats is because there would be too much noise too close to the court.
"I know as a player what I would want," said Lineberry, Hunting Hills' pro. "[And] I've watched a lot of tennis. It's hot out there. I want shade. . . . I want entertainment between matches."
Sometimes, however, what scratches a fan's back makes a player bristle. Example: night matches. Lineberry said most players - and the USTA - want each day's matches completed as soon as possible, usually in mid-afternoon. For some time, the organization has allowed for night matches, but it wanted them played simultaneously so they would be over in early evening. Lineberry, however, wanted to have back-to-back night matches to accommodate the 9-to-5 crowd who couldn't get to the courts before the simultaneous matches were almost over.
The idea had its detractors; namely, those players who prefer early matches.
"Guess who wants to do that most?" Lineberry said. "Top players. Guess who we want to watch the most? Top players. It's all in how you ask and how insistent you want to be."
Last year, the Roanoke tournament had back-to-back night matches and, Lineberry said, there was no players' revolution. This summer's tournament also will feature back-to-back evening matches.
If he hears complaints from the players, Lineberry said, he will try to respond. But he keeps in mind that the fans' considerations can't be punted.
"Players are professionals; they're getting paid," Lineberry said. "If [people don't attend], they wouldn't have any money to play for. We're in on the education of these young players."
by CNB