Black holes. Every box league has at least one. According to the Racquet Network Glossary, a BLACK HOLE is player who does not respond to email or telephone messages.Under normal circumstances, encounters with black holes are merely frustrating. However in play-or-die box leagues, where players can be eliminated if they don't play, black holes can become infuriating.
The problem for administrators and players alike, unfortunately, is that black holes are not static and predictable entities. Players who are normally reliable and easy to contact can suddenly vanish for weeks at a time.
Work, family emergencies, computer problems, injuries and dozens of other problems can spring up without a moment's notice. Even people we are accustomed to seeing on a daily basis can suddenly be snatched from our midst.
The best way to avoid suffering black hole consequences is to adopt an early detection strategy. In other words, make a determined effort to contact the other players in your box before the fourth day of the month.
If a player does not respond to your email within 48 hours, phone them. If they don't return your call within 48 hours, presume they have become a black hole and contact the box league administrator.
Generally speaking, if you are making an effort to contact another player and they are not responding to your inquiries, the box league administrator will experience the same problems and will declare you the default winner.
Do not wait until the last minute to let the administrator know what is going on. Rarely, for example, will the administrator declare a default winner when contacted about a black hole situation after the 21st day of the month.
If, however, you spot a black hole developing early in the month and make every effort to avoid it, the black hole -- not you -- will suffer the consequences of our play-or-die system.
