GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS
(These should be read in conjunction with the Section rules )    
The text shown in red indicates the rule is being introduced in 2008 for the first time

1.  MCC Laws, ECB Regulations and Safety

1.1    Unless modified by the Section rules, the MCC Laws of Cricket (2000 Code and amendments thereto) shall apply EXCEPT with regard to
Law 40.2 (relating to wicket-keeping glove specification) and those parts concerning the awarding of penalty runs, which should be confined to: -

·                Law 41.2 – Fielding the ball illegally.

·                Law 41.3 – Ball striking a helmet placed on the ground by the fielding side.

The penalty runs for these specific offences shall be added to the score of the striker if the ball first deviates from his/her bat before the offence
is committed, otherwise to the score of extras, i.e. byes, leg byes, wides or no balls as the case may be.

Law 42.9 concerning the bowling of fast short pitched balls (bouncers) and high full pitched balls (beamers), as modified by the League, shall be
fully adhered to.

1.2.    Players are NOT to be allowed to bat, or to stand up close to the stumps when keeping wicket, unless they are wearing a helmet, which is
correctly fitted with a faceguard (grille). Special dispensation may be given when a player wears a headdress for a religious/cultural reason,
provided written “parental consent” is first obtained. This must be shown to both umpires before the match commences.

1.3.    The ECB close fielding regulations shall be strictly applied.
 

1.4.    An injury, or any other condition, which results in blood loss shall require the player or official to leave the field of play for attention.

1.5.    The designated boundary shall include any person, other than participating player, obstacle or animal etc (on or over the field of play) making
contact with the ball; in this event 4 runs will be scored. A boundary, however, shall not be signaled or scored if a nominated player of the batting
side enters onto the field and makes contact with the ball. Only the runs completed by the batsmen at the moment of contact to count.

2. Umpires and supervision
2.1      Players to be under adult supervision at all times. A male and a female adult shall supervise mixed gender teams.

2.2   Unless modified by the Section rules, each club shall appoint a person who is competent to umpire.
This person may offer advice to the captain of the fielding side and batsmen, with whom they are associated. When league appointed umpires
are provided to officiate in the Final or Semi-Finals of a competition, no advice is to be given to players during either innings except during an
agreed drinks interval involving both teams.
RECOMMENDATION
Young persons who have reached their 16th birthday, and above, may be allowed to umpire provided an identified adult is present,
throughout the match, to specifically monitor and supervise their performance and to discharge any “duty of care” obligations that may arise
particularly with regard to fitness to play and other player safety issues. The club making the appointment is entirely responsible for establishing
the competency of the person to officiate in accordance cricket law and the relevant section rules and regulations. The appointed person shall be
senior in age to that of the age group category of the players and shall exclude under 17 age group matches until the young person concerned
 has reached his/her 19th birthday, is CRB checked and, preferably, is a junior member of the ECB Association of Cricket Officials

2.3   The two umpires shall be in sole charge of matters when inclement weather, bad light, or delays/interruptions are concerned
 

2.4   Umpires shall not be changed during a match, other than in exceptional circumstances. The opposing team manager must be notified and
agree the revised arrangements.

2.5   A person MUST NOT be appointed by a club, to umpire in a match on their behalf, unless he/she is a fully “paid up” member of that club.
An umpire who is currently a “full” member of the ECB Association of Cricket Officials (ECB ACO) may be appointed by a club unconditionally.

3. Scoreboards
The scoreboard shall be operated and changed at least at the end of each over to display the total runs scored, wickets fallen and the number of
overs remaining to be bowled in the innings. During the second innings the first innings score shall be displayed, which in the case of “pairs cricket”
shall show the “net” total.

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4. Fixtures

4.1    League fixtures shall be arranged so that clubs in a section are scheduled to play each other at least once provided the number of possible fixtures
is equal to or greater than the number of participating clubs.
Matches to be played as per fixture list except when the home ground is unavailable, (see Appendix 14), the fixture should be transferred to the
ground of the away team whenever possible.  

4.2    A club withdrawing a team(s) from the league after 1st February shall pay the full amount of the annual subscription, as per rule 7.2 (a) of the
Constitution and Administration rules, and in addition will be fined as per rule 7.2 (c).   

4.3   The postponement of a fixture can only be progressed if the criteria used to approve such an arrangement are fully met.
The club having a valid reason to arrange a postponement, under the provisions of the aforementioned criteria, shall contact their opponents and
agree a revised fixture date that is mutually acceptable to both clubs. This contact shall be made prior to the original fixture date and the
circumstances explained. The club initiating the postponement is, thereafter, responsible for notifying the Results Secretary (by fax or e-mail) the
reason for
postponement and the agreed date of the re-scheduled fixture. Notification of the re-scheduled fixture date must be done within fourteen days of
the
original fixture date. Failure to comply will result in the provisions of rule 5.3 being invoked and the club concerned suffering the consequences
of an unfulfilled fixture. All postponed league matches shall be played before the last published league match of the season except in the case of
a cup-tie
when a result must be determined prior to the date of the next round of the competition. Note: It is permissible for re-arranged matches to
be played earlier than the original scheduled date.
Result sheets in connection with a re-scheduled fixture shall be submitted in the normal way in accordance with rule 5.1.

4.4   The cancellation of a fixture due to unfit ground conditions, or the inability of a club to fulfil a fixture, shall be advised to their opponents by direct
verbal communication as the use of e-mail or text messages is unacceptable

5. Result notification, Points allocation and Match forfeit.

5.1    Results of all matches, or reason for not playing/completing a match, to be notified to the Results Secretary on a result sheet designed and
approved by the league so as to reach the Results Secretary, by fax (or where specially authorised by E-mail), within forty-eight (48) hours of the
fixture date. The result sheet must always include the identity of both the respective team managers (signatures not required) and detail the forename
and surname of all the players of each side, even though they have not batted or bowled in the match.
It is the responsibility of the designated HOME club to fully complete and transmit the result sheet, by fax (or E-Mail when authorised), within the
time allowed otherwise a fine in accordance with paragraph 7.2(f) of the Constitution & Administration rules WILL BE levied. In the event of the
designated HOME reaching agreement to stage the match on their opponents ground responsibility for result notification remains with the originally designated HOME club.
There will be NO phone call “chase up’s”, or reminders of any other kind, initiated by the Results Secretary during the period referred to above. Non-receipt of a result sheet will be published on the “Fixture Page” of the league website and no league points will be allocated to either side
until the matter is resolved, as per rule, or a result sheet is received from the AWAY club to substantiate its entitlement to one or more points.
Any recurring result notification violations shall be referred to the Executive Committee

5.2.   The league position of the clubs shall be determined as follows: -

4 points for a win, 3 points for a tie, 2 points for an abandoned or unfinished fixture

and 1 point for a fulfilled losing fixture

NOTE: -
The match result shall be a “tie” if the scores are equal when the full allocation of overs have been bowled, irrespective of the number of wickets, which
may have fallen.                                                               
A match will be regarded as “abandoned or unfinished” if the outcome is not determined by a winning or tied score on the date of the fixture or within
the deadline set for completion a postponed match.
Points will be withheld unless the Results Secretary is in receipt of a full listing of all the players who were selected to play in the fixture which confirms
player numbers for both teams meet the minimum requirements necessary for the match to be deemed valid.
This will also apply in the case of an abandoned match.

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5.3. Any club unable to fulfil a league fixture shall forfeit the match, and where applicable, league points and may be fined as per rule 7.2 (i) of the Constitution.
A maximum of four league points to be awarded to their opponents at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
Any club failing to fulfil a league fixture, in a particular age group, on three or more occasions may forfeit the right to continued participation in the relevant competitions organized by the league. In consequence all matches in respect of the club concerned and its designated opponents may be declared null and void. The offending club may lose all league points accrued during the season and maybe further penalized at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
The circumstances relating to un-played cup ties and their possible impact on the requirements of the relevant cup round draw(s) shall be referred to and dealt with by the Fixture Secretary, as considered appropriate.      

5.4    A club shall forfeit the match and, where applicable, league points if it includes an over-aged player in its team. If it transpires the circumstances were concealed, by failure to inform the opposing Manager and by neglecting to notify the Results Secretary, the offending club will be fined an appropriate sum and/or other measures as may be imposed at the discretion of the Executive Committee.

5.5   Unless specified to the contrary in the notes of the Fixture programme (See page 62), at least 50% of scheduled league matches, on any given date,
must
be completed for the results to count, otherwise all match results will declared invalid and two points will be awarded to all competing clubs. This principle
 will be applied on a Sectional basis. Note: The awarding of points for a “walkover” outcome shall be at the discretion of the Executive Committee having regard to the circumstances e.g. if all other fixtures in the relevant section are abandoned due adverse weather two points will be awarded to all clubs
except the club forfeiting the match who will receive 0 points. See Appendix 14 for other examples.

5.6    A club who selects an unregistered player to play in a match after the 31 May without recording the outstanding registration information on their next
Home venue result sheet shall be fined as per rule 7.2 (h) of the Constitution. If the club continues to play the player in breach of registration
requirements it may, at the discretion of the Executive Committee, forfeit entitlement to league points or, in the case of a cup tie, the right to proceed
further in the relevant cup competition.

6. Player Transfer and Loan procedure
The objective shall be to facilitate maximum player participation in the game and to eliminate/reduce the number of teams operating without a full
complement of players. No player shall play for more than one League club during the same season, in a particular age group, without either
obtaining a transfer from his/her club or under the provisions of a loan agreement. In both cases the league must approve the arrangement.

a)   In the case of a transfer, only two internal transfers within the league between separate clubs will be permitted on a per person per season basis.
However, transfers between the “A” and “B teams” (or others with named identity) belonging to one club shall not be allowed. All requests for a transfer
 must go in the first instance to the Registration Secretary, giving at least 48 hours notice prior to the intended transfer date, who provided there are no objections, may grant provisional transfer in consultation with the Chairman or if he/she is not available with one other member of the Executive
Committee.
The player(s) concerned will be cup-tied and shall not play more than once in a cup competition unless for the same team. The provisional transfer so
 granted shall be referred to the Executive Committee for ratification.

b)  When a club has a surplus of players, in a particular age group, such that one, or more, of its lesser skilled players is/are unlikely to make team
selection, on a regular basis, the league may be approached to authorize the loan of such player(s) to another club provided it can demonstrate it has
 a genuine shortage of players. The club having agreed to loan a player(s) shall always retain the right to re-call the player(s) at any time particularly
 if, by not so doing, it would jeopardize being able to fulfill a fixture. 

    The Registration Secretary must be given details of the loan agreement reached and the names of the player(s) for authorization.

c) On match day a club may agree to allow an unselected player(s) to play for their opponents to facilitate a game of cricket which otherwise would be abandoned through shortage of players.

      The conditions under which the match was played to be recorded on the result sheet detailing the player(s) who played under a loan arrangement.
If a club includes in its side a player(s) loaned to it from another club it shall be deemed to have lost the match but will be judged to have fulfilled its fixture obligation and suffer no further penalty

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7.  Disputes and Disciplinary matters

7.1      The League has adopted the following Disciplinary Regulations, which are based on the guidelines outlined in the new model ECB Disciplinary
Regulation (October 2000, which have been modified to the relevance of junior cricketers who, by definition, are all minors in the eyes of Cricket’s
governing bodies.
 It is intended that any alleged breach of the Code of Conduct and The Spirit of Cricket should, in the first instance, be dealt with by the player’s) or other persons club, who shall notify the League’s General Secretary of the action taken, if any. These regulations aim to provide assistance and uniformity to all Clubs in dealing with any alleged breach of the Code of Conduct and The Spirit of Cricket. (See Appendix 11 of League Policy- page 46). 

7.2   The League’s General Secretary shall be notified of any unresolved dispute, alleged case of misconduct or other complaints that may be brought against another club .The notification shall be made at the first opportunity in writing on official club headed paper and signed by a bona-fide official of the club,
and a copy shall be sent to the opposing club at the same time. It will be acceptable to E-mail the notification, as a scanned document, sent to richard@seddonmfg.co.uk    

Upon receipt of the notification it will be referred to the league’s Disciplinary Secretary who shall resolve either:

a)  to arrange the convening of a league Disciplinary Hearing. ; or                                                                             

b) to refer the matter for action by a Club Internal Enquiry or
 c) to take no action except to record details the complaint etc and notify the club accordingly

7.3     DISCIPLINARY HEARING
 If a complaint is made involving alleged misconduct on the part of a minor, the Hearing should adhere, where possible, to the following procedure: -  
 1.  The Hearing will be held in front of a Disciplinary Panel comprising the Disciplinary Chairman and two League Officials or members of the League Management Committee who have no direct involvement with the clubs concerned or with any other club which, in the event of possible points deduction, could gain advantage.

 2.  Details of the Hearing will be sent to the Club Secretaries by the Disciplinary Chairman indicating those who should attend.

3.  Any person under the age of 18 years who is summoned to attend a Hearing is entitled to parental/legal guardian support.
Persons in support will be allowed to sit in on the Hearing but take no active support. Alternatively, the accused person (s) may be accompanied a club official such as Club Welfare Officer or committee member, but not the relevant team manager or coach who, in most cases, can expect to be called as a witness. There is no right of legal representation at this stage.

4.  When the complaint has come from neutral umpires officiating in the finals of a competition or in representative matches, they should be available to give evidence.

5.  Witnesses will be called into the Hearing with the Disciplinary Panel determing the order of appearance. Witnesses should not assume that they are
free to leave after giving evidence as a recall may be necessary

6.  Having heard all the evidence, the Panel will deliberate and reach a decision by simple majority.

7. The accused person (s)) will then be recalled and the Panel’s decision will be announced as to whether the case is considered proven or not.
In the case of a proven outcome the accused person (s), will be invited to offer any mitigating circumstances that could affect the Panel’s decision
in terms of punishment.

8. The accused person (s) will then retire to allow the Panel to determine the level of punishment, which will then be conveyed to him/her/them,
verbally, and then in writing to the Club Secretary with in a period of 14 days.

9. Before leaving the Hearing, the accused person (s) shall be made aware of his/her right of Appeal and the procedure.

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7.4 INTERNAL CLUB  ENQUIRY
The club, on notification of a complaint by the League’s General Secretary, or of its own volition and without any need for the receipt of a written complaint
or other prompting, shall, where any alleged breach occurs in the Code of Conduct or The Spirit of Cricket, or otherwise as the club may think fit, forthwith convene an Internal Club Enquiry. The purpose of the Internal Club Enquiry shall be to establish the facts and, where appropriate, to take the necessary action so as to ensure that the club does not fail to properly control or discipline its player(s) and ensure that the club acts in a manner designed to protect the good name of the club and of cricket generally.
Clubs must hold an Internal Club Enquiry ideally within seven days of the date of any alleged misconduct. If the club fails to hold such an Inquiry within ten days, the case will automatically be referred to the League’s Disciplinary Secretary who will convene League Disciplinary Hearing during the next ensuing 10-day period. The findings of an Internal Club Enquiry must be sent to the League’s General Secretary within 48 hours.
NOTE: The player or person concerned shall have the right to appeal to the President or other nominated high-ranking Officer of the Club for a review of the findings of the Club Internal Enquiry and the penalty imposed.
The decision of the President or nominated high-ranking Officer shall be final and binding
If the Internal Club Enquiry finds the misconduct proved, the club shall have the following powers
·          To require the player to submit appropriate letter(s) of apology within a specified time.
·          To record a reprimand and to give warning as to future conduct.
·          To suspend the player’s right to be considered for selection by the club to play in one or more matches.
·          To suspend the player’s membership of the club for a period.
·          If the conduct constitutes gross misconduct the club shall have the power to terminate the player’s membership forthwith.
·          The club for the same offence may, if it thought fit, impose more than one of the above penalties

7.5  If the League’s Disciplinary Secretary is satisfied with the action taken by the club, the case will be closed. Alternatively if the League’s Disciplinary Secretary is not satisfied with the action taken by the club, a league Disciplinary Hearing will be convened.

       The League’s Disciplinary Panel, on finding an alleged offence proved, shall have power to impose one or more of the following penalties, together with
such order, as it deems appropriate.

    In case of the player

·          To require the player to submit appropriate letter(s) of apology within a specified time.

·          To record a reprimand and to give warning as to future conduct.

·          To suspend the player for one or more matches, or for a stated period of time.

·          To deduct League points from the player’s team.

·          To expel the player from the league.

In the case of the club

·          To require the club to submit appropriate letter(s) of apology within a specified time.

·          To record a reprimand and to give warning as to future conduct.

·          To impose a fine

·          To deduct League points from the clubs team.

·          To expel the club from any competition of the league.

·          To expel the club from the league

The League’s Disciplinary Panel shall have the power to suspend the operation of part, or all, of the penalty it imposes for such period and subject to such terms and conditions it deems appropriate.
7.6 The Executive Committee shall also be empowered to take punitive action against any club or individual member of a club who makes derogatory or disparaging media statements or comments regarding other clubs, umpires or the League and its officials. If the case is proved, clubs and/or individuals
will be found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute and will be liable to points deductions and/or suspension and/or financial penalty as the Disciplinary Sub-Committee sees fit.  In this regard media shall include press, radio, television, club websites and club match progammes

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