hitting a person vs putting them at risk

by | Jul 5, 2021

Rule Submission Titlehitting a person vs putting them at risk
USAP Board VoteApproved with Amendment
USAP Board Vote ReasonIt is appropriate to impose a more severe penalty when a person is struck by the ball, even if unintentionally. A stronger penalty may serve as a more effective deterrent. By changing 13.G.2.g to apply when the ball does not hit someone, the rule overlaps 13.G.2.a and the two rules can be editorially combined.
Existing Rule #13.G.2.g. and 13.I.2.c.2
Proposed Rule Change (edited)

2026 Rules:
22.I Match Forfeit by Referee. The referee will impose a match forfeit on a singles player or doubles team for:
22.I.1 Dangerous Paddle or Ball Abuse. Aggressively or recklessly striking or throwing a ball or paddle in frustration or anger that strikes an individual or damages facility property.
22.L Ejection or Expulsion. Any time a player is at the tournament venue, the Tournament Director is authorized to eject a player from the tournament or expel a player from the venue for:
22.L.2 Injurious Paddle or Ball Abuse. Damage to the venue or injury to a player, official, or spectator through an act of paddle or ball abuse or other acts of physical violence.

2025 Rule:

Approve 13.I.1.c.2 as submitted: Aggressively or recklessly striking or throwing a ball or paddle out of frustration or anger that strikes an individual or damages facility property.

Delete 13.G.2.g and amend 13.G.2.a as follows: Aggressively or recklessly striking or throwing a ball or paddle in frustration or anger with negligent disregard of the consequences, which does not strike a person or damage property but puts a person or the facility at risk or in danger.

Proposed Rule Change

13.G.2.g. Deliberately throwing or hitting a ball that is not in play with negligent disregard of the consequences which puts an individual or facility at risk or in dangerinadvertently hits a person.

13.I.1.c.2 Aggressively or recklessly striking or throwing a ball or paddle out of frustration or anger that strikes an individual and/or damages facility propertyputs an individual or facility property at risk or in danger.

Original Rule Text

13.G.2.g. Deliberately throwing or hitting a ball that is not in play with negligent disregard of the consequences which inadvertently hits a person.

13.I.1.c.2 Aggressively or recklessly striking or throwing a ball or paddle out of frustration or anger that puts an individual or facility property at risk or in danger.

Reasoning Behind Suggested Change

Hitting a person with a ball and/or paddle should have worse consequences than putting them at risk.

Scenarios In Which the Rules Applies

n/a

Rule Book Year2026
Rule Change ID2375
Date CreatedMay 29, 2025
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