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	Umpiring Guidelines 2011 Rule Book 2011: D1 Round1, D2 Round1
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Tournament 2012

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SECTION 7: PLAYER MOVEMENT

7.1 A player may not change a team once the season has started.

7.2 Player movements between Main league & Platers league MUST be approved by the Executive Committee.

SECTION 8: RESTRICTIONS ON THE PLACEMENT OF FIELDSMEN

8.1 There will be no field restrictions enforced

SECTION 9: PRE-GAME PREPARATION

9.1 Both playing teams shall be equally responsible for preparing the pitch which may include but not limited to sweeping, raking and or rolling, marking the boundaries and field restriction area. Each team shall also bring other equipment such as stumps, bails, chalk, broom etc.

9.2 Each playing team shall be responsible for bringing water and refreshments for their own use. The “home” team will NOT be responsible for doing so. Bringing goodies for your opponents will be seen as a good gesture and will be greatly appreciated!

9.3 Captains or their designee must exchange lineups prior to spinning the toss. The toss must be spun no later than 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the game. At the scheduled start time both teams must be present on the playing field with at least 8 players at which time the standing umpire will call play.

9.4 At the stipulated starting time the team not ready to play shall lose one (1) over every four (4) minutes from their allotment of overs. The team that is ready to play, with a minimum complement of 8 players, at the stipulated starting time shall be made avail of the entire allotment of overs.

9.5 If after 45 minutes from the scheduled start time one of the teams is not present on the field with at least 8 players, the game shall be canceled and (10) points shall be awarded to the team that was ready for play.

SECTION 10: VENUE FOR MATCHES

10.1 At every stage teams get to host 50% of their matches. In case of odd

number of matches the higher ranked teams gets to host one extra game.

10.2 The host team gets to choose the venue of the match. So the

responsibility of getting a ground for the game rests with the hosting team.

10.3 The host team should communicate information about the venue to the

visiting team and the neutral umpires.

SECTION 11: NORMAL HOURS OF PLAY & INTERVALS

11.1 League recommends that play shall commence no later than 8:45 AM on the days scheduled. Rescheduling of start times is permissible upon mutual consent of opposing captains.

11.2 One break of five (5) minutes shall be permitted at the completion of the 8th over, except under conditions of extreme heat and humidity where the umpires shall permit extra intervals for drinks as they see appropriate.

SECTION 12: OVERS AND TIME MANAGEMENT

12.1 All matches in the first round shall be limited to (1) one inning of (16) sixteen overs maximum per side. Each over will consist of six (6) legal deliveries.

12.2 Each bowler shall be allowed a maximum of (4) four overs in the first round. In the semi-final and final rounds each bowler shall be allowed a maximum of (4) four overs.

12.3. Batsmen must be ready to take guard or in position at the bowler's end within 90 seconds of a wicket falling.

SECTION 13: DELAYED OR INTERRUPTED MATCHES

13.1 In the event a game is curtailed by rain, bad light, or any other weather related factors, the following rules shall apply:

13.2 The match can be postponed only if :

a) It is completely rained out

b) If it is rendered unplayable by overnight rains etc. (Neutral umpires will decide after evaluating the ground conditions)

c) If it is interrupted by unforeseen factors like eviction etc.

13.2 There shall be no winner unless a minimum of (10) ten overs is completed in the second inning. Otherwise, this constitutes an incomplete game and the entire game will be rescheduled.

13.3 If more than 10 overs have been bowled in the second inning, and play stopped on account of weather, the game will be continued from the point of stoppage of play and completed as early as a reschedule is possible. Every effort should be made to complete the game on the same ground where the first innings was played.

SECTION 14: STATUS OF GROUNDS

14.1 We are a friendly League that does not have grounds for play to fit international and professional standards. As a matter of fact, many of the games are played on makeshift baseball fields (of varying shapes and sizes!).

14.2 The League does not guarantee that all grounds will have the same dimensions.

14. 3 The League does not guarantee that every match will have a complete (360 degree) field of play.

14. 4 Since every participating team does not have a “home” ground, the League cannot avoid the advantage that some teams may have because they do have a “home” ground. We will, however, through our scheduling cycle, make a conscious effort to minimize such advantages that may be had by having those with “home” grounds play a fair share of “away” games.

14. 5 Each team WILL play on the ground that is assigned to them. Period. No questions. End of discussion.

14. 6 It is each team’s responsibility to survey each of the grounds and make whatever pre-game preparations they see fit BEFORE the day of the game.

14. 7 Declining to play for reasons such as “we don’t like this ground”, “we have a better ground…lets go and play there”, “we don’t play on baseball grounds” etc., will constitute an automatic forfeiture of the game. Period. No questions. End of discussion.

SECTION 15: INSURANCE

15.1 The League is not responsible for accidents or injuries that a player may suffer while traveling to/fro the grounds, while playing, or even simply spectating a game.

15. 2 The League or members of the Executive Committee will not be held liable for any accidents or injuries that a player may suffer while traveling to/fro the grounds, while playing, or even simply spectating a game.

15. 3 All the teams should sign the registration & waiver form before the first game of the season. This waiver absolves the league and its management of any liability from injuries caused to players from participating or watching the league games. The registration & waiver form can be downloaded at the league website www.njsbcl.com

15. 4 It’s simple…if you get hurt (which we hope never happens), you are on your own.

15. 5 The league recommends teams to take liability insurance. There are insurance firm who provide these services and typically charge around 100-150 dollars for the coverage. It helps cover Team liability and is an important factor in getting grounds assignment from township, as this is a basic requirement.

SECTION 16: UMPIRING

16.1 Appointment of umpires

The neutral umpires shall be appointed before the match, to conduct and control the game as required by the Laws, with absolute impartiality. The umpires shall be present on the ground at least 15 minutes before the commencement of the play.

16.2 The umpire’s decision is final. He/she must write any disputes on the score-sheet (scorebook) and submit a written report to the NJSBCL within seventy-two hours of any incident.

16.3 As part of the schedule, each team has been assigned games that they are mandated to umpire. For Round 1, Each team will be expected to send two people to serve as neutral umpires to a match assigned. Round 2 onwards for both Main League and Platers, neutral umpires for each game will be assigned from two teams. If a team is unable to send a neutral umpire, they are responsible to arrange a Neutral Umpire from the League pool or by seeking availability from the other teams. They shall pay a fee of $40 to each umpire who agrees to the duty on their behalf. The onus of arranging an umpire lies with the Captain of the team assigned to do umpiring duty, not the EC.; the Umpire will be responsible for timely executing the match as per the schedule.

16.4 If a team fails to send an umpire for the assigned game (from the neutral umpire pool or from their own team), they will be penalized 5 points and a fine of $40 per game.

16.5 In the event both captains agree in advance and take complete responsibility of finishing the match cordially, EC will allow to use own umpires who shall officiate the game.

16. 6 UMPIRES DECISIONS ARE FINAL. Even if you do not like or agree with the decision of the umpires, you accept it and move on. No cursing, no screaming, no calling names (in any language), no filing protests, nothing that violates the spirit of the game. Period. No questions. End of discussion.

16.7 Fair and unfair play

The umpires shall be the sole judges of fair and unfair play on the field.

1. Umpires shall impose penalties on any player who does not comply with standards of the game as he deems fit.

2. Umpires shall report such occurrences to the Executive Committee

SECTION 17: WICKET-KEEPER AND FIELDER MOVEMENT

Neither of them can move significantly (NOT more than 2 steps) after the batsman has taken his stance, which is considered to be a distraction. The fielder is not allowed to move significantly (a deep square leg cannot become a square leg). Same holds good sideways (a deep square leg cannot become a deep mid-wicket). And a wicket-keeper cannot come close to the stump if he is at a significant distance from the stumps, after the batsman has taken his stance and before the ball passes the batsman. Only a slightest of movement is allowed. If any of these are not met the Umpire could call it to be a DEAD BALL (not a NO BALL) on his own or on upon an objection raised by the players of the opponent team.

SECTION 18: RESPONSIBILITIES

18.1 It is the responsibility of BOTH captains to see that decorum is maintained at all times and the spirit of the game is adhered to.

SECTION 19: DISPUTES

19.1 Disputed games shall be arbitrated by the executive committee NJSBCL along with representatives of both teams and the officiating umpires.

SECTION 20: PROTEST

20.1 In the event of a protest, the captain shall notify the umpires and the opposing captain during and at the conclusion of the match. Protests must be filed in writing and forwarded to the executive committee within (72) seventy-two hours after the competition of the match.

20.2 A fee of $150.00 shall accompany each protest; this fee shall be reimbursed ONLY if the protest is upheld.

20.3 Protests received by the committee without the applicable fee shall be considered null and void and no action shall be taken by the NJSBCL.

SECTION 21: INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

SECTION 22: LEG BEFORE WICKET (LBW)

This one is easy! We do not consider lbws in our games. So, a batsman should not be ruled out on account of lbw.

SECTION 23: LEG BYES

This is easy too! We do not consider leg byes. No runs score on leg byes. The ball is simply ruled dead. So there are no run outs on those balls too.

SECTION 24: WIDE BALL

24.1 Use a cone or a flag as a marker to call wides (measured as one bat from the middle stump). A ball is a wide if it passes so high or wide that it is beyond the reach of the striker. The ball must pass behind the batsman AND outside the leg stump to be ruled a wide down the leg side. For wides outside the off stump the ball pass outside the cone or flag marker. If you are going to call a ball on the off-side that goes over the cone/flag as a wide ball, then simply consistently call it as such throughout the game.

24.2 The umpire shall not call “wide” if the batsmen moves to a position so that the ball is beyond his reach or moves to a position so that the ball is within his reach. A wide does not count in an over.

24.3 The striker may be out five ways off a wide: Run out, stumped, hit wicket, handled the ball and obstructing the field. The umpire should call and signal “wide” as soon as the ball passes the stumps. All runs scored off a wide are recorded as wides, not byes. Obviously if the ball touches the striker’s person a wide would not be called. One run is given to a wide ball that has no other runs scored off it.

SECTION 25: BYE

A bye is called when a legal delivery passes the stumps without the ball touching either the bat or the batsman's body.

SECTION 26: NO BALL

26.1 Mode of delivery

(a) The umpire shall ascertain whether the bowler intends to bowl right handed or left handed, over or round the wicket, and shall so inform the striker. It is unfair if the bowler fails to notify the umpire of a change in his mode of delivery. In this case the umpire shall call and signal No ball.

(b) Underarm bowling shall not be permitted

(c ) Fair delivery - the feet

For a delivery to be fair in respect of the feet, in the delivery stride the bowler's front foot must land with some part of the foot, whether grounded or raised, behind the popping crease. A simple rule of thumb would be…..If umpire can see the popping crease behind the bowler's front foot (toe, heel and all!), then it is NO BALL.

26.2 We do not enforce the return crease rules for no balls.

26.3 One run will be awarded for a No ball.

SECTION 27: DEAD BALL

A dead ball is either if the ball pitches more than ONCE or rolls before it reaches the batsman.

SECTION 28: FREE HIT AFTER A FOOT-FAULT NO BALL

28.1 The delivery following a no ball called for a foot fault shall be a free hit for whichever batsman is facing it. If the delivery for the free hit is not a legitimate delivery (any kind of no ball or a wide ball), then the next delivery will become a free hit for whichever batsman is facing it.

28.2 For any free hit, the striker can be dismissed only under the circumstances that apply for a no ball, even if the delivery for the free hit is called wide ball.

28.3 Field changes are not permitted for free hit deliveries unless there is a change of striker.

28.4 A free hit ball is counted towards the number of balls of an over.

28.5 If 6th ball becomes a foot fault - No Ball, 7th ball is a free hit ball and as long as the free hit ball is not a wide or a no-ball, that is the over.

28.5 The umpires will signal a free hit by (after the normal No Ball signal) extending one arm straight upwards and moving it in a circular motion

SECTION 29: HEIGHT

29.1 If in the judgment of the bowler’s end umpire the ball has passed or would have passed over the batsman’s shoulder if he were in his normal batting stance, the bowler’s end umpire shall call and signal a No ball.

29.2 NO ball calls on height shall be made only by the bowler’s end umpire. The bowler’s end umpire may consult with his colleague if he feels the need to do so.

29.3 Full tosses above the waist

If in the judgment of the bowler’s end umpire the ball has passed or would have passed over the batsman’s waist if he were in his normal batting stance without touching the ground, the bowler’s end

umpire shall call and signal a No ball.

SECTION 30: RUN OUT BY “MANKEDED”

30.1 When the batsman at the non-striker’s end has backed up out of his crease and the bowler in his run-up (but before having entered his delivery stride) removes the bails with the batsman out of his crease, the batsman is said to have been "Mankaded". Technically, the dismissal falls under the run-out category.

30.2 A bowler cannot run out a non-striker once he has entered his delivery stride. The delivery stride is defined as the stride in the course of which the delivery swing is made: it starts when the bowler's back foot lands and ends when the front foot lands in the same stride." A bowler has to warn the batsman at least once before running him out in this way.

30.3 In simple terms, a bowler cannot run-out the non-striker once he has started to swing his arm to bowl. From the non-strikers perspective stay within the crease until the bowler starts his swing.

SECTION 31: GAME TIE-BREAKER BY BOWL OUT

31.1 In the event of a tied match the teams shall compete in a bowl out to determine the winner. The following procedure will apply should the provision for a bowl out be adopted at only knock-out stages of the tournament – Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals and Finals.

31.2 Subject to weather conditions the bowl out will take place on the scheduled day of the match at a time to be determined by the umpire. In normal circumstances the bowl out shall commence 10 minutes after the conclusion of the match.

31.3 The bowl out will take place on the pitch allocated for the match (the designated pitch) unless otherwise determined by the umpires.

31. 4 A full set of stumps, including bails, if available, will be pitched at one end of the designated pitch by the umpire

31.5 The bowlers will all bowl from the same end. The bowlers will use the same match ball as was used in the last innings of the match for the bowl out

31.6 Five (5) minutes prior to the start of the bowl out, the captains shall toss a coin for the right to decide which team bowls first or second in the bowl out. The umpire will supervise the toss in the normal manner.

31.7 The captains shall nominate their five bowlers in writing to the umpire prior to the toss. Such bowlers must be from the 11 nominated players for that match. The wicket keeper may be one of the nominated bowlers in which case one of the players not nominated as a bowler in the bowl out shall perform the wicket keeping responsibilities during the bowl out.

31.8 Following the toss the nominated bowlers (and, if the captain is not one of the bowlers, the captain) and the wicket keeper from each side will take up a position on the field at mid wicket/extra cover at a reasonable distance away determine by the umpire. The remainder of the players and team officials shall be required to remain beyond the boundary.

31.9 The on-field umpires shall take up their normal positions at the bowler’s end and at square leg respectively.

31.10 The nominated bowlers shall each bowl a delivery making a total of 10 deliveries (5 from each team). The deliveries are taken alternatively by the teams. The bowlers must bowl in the same sequence as the list of players nominated and communicated by the team captains to the umpire prior to the toss for the bowl out. The team with the most number of hits after five deliveries each shall be declared the winner.

31.11 If, after both teams have bowled 5 deliveries, both have scored the same number of hits on the wicket, or have not scored any hits, a second series of deliveries must be started with the same players and shall continue until one team has scored a hit more than the other from the same number of deliveries. That team shall be declared the winner. The sequence of bowlers need not be the same as in the previous series and the captain shall have the freedom of choice at the time of each delivery as to which of the 5 nominated bowlers shall bowl. In the second series, all 5 nominated bowlers shall bowl a delivery before any of them are eligible to bowl a further delivery.

31.12 If any of the nominated bowlers is injured during the bowl out (at any time after the toss has been taken), the injured bowler may be replaced by another player who was a member of the 11 players nominated for the match. For the sake of clarity, the replacement bowler may not be one of the other nominated bowlers.

31.13 The umpires will be responsible for making sure only the nominated bowlers actually bowl, that the correct sequence is followed and that no bowler bowls more than once until permitted to do so.

31.14 The wicket keeper will not be permitted to stand up to the stumps.

31.15 The teams shall be entitled to a warm up period prior to the toss for the bowl out. Players shall be entitled to measure and practice their run ups during this warm up period provided no player shall be entitled to bowl any delivery on the square itself. Once the toss has taken place no further practice deliveries, measurement or practice of run ups shall be allowed (whether on the square or outfield).

31.16 The umpires will be responsible for officially recording the number of ‘hits’ on the wicket. In the case of an infringement the umpire shall call and signal ‘no ball’ and the delivery shall be considered a miss and will not be retaken. A hit achieved with a “fair” delivery shall be signaled by the bowling end umpire in the manner of an out dismissal.

31.17 The umpires’ decision shall be final as to the fairness of the delivery and the result of the bowl out.

SECTION 32: UNIFORMS

32.1 The League does NOT mandate uniforms for participating teams. Although we think they look pretty cool!

SECTION 33: DISCIPLINE AND OTHER ISSUES

33.1 Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in all parks. This is a county ordinance; violators are subjected to prosecution by law.

33.2 The New Jersey Soft Ball Cricket League does not and will not tolerate any un-sportsmanlike behavior from players, teams or club members; the respective captains shall be responsible for taking the appropriate disciplinary action against the offender(s) and notify the executive committee of the steps taken.

33.3 Members of NJSBCL shall be expected to behave courteously toward others, i.e. players, officials, umpires and spectators.

33.4 If a player behaves in an un-sportsmanlike conduct, the umpire shall report him to his captain and if the situation persists the player will be reported to the executive committee.

33.5 Any player who willfully disturbs the wicket, or causes the game to be prematurely ended shall cause his team to forfeit the game.

33.6 The executive committee will investigate the disputes reported to them by teams & neutral umpires. If any team is found to have willfully caused disturbance during a cricket match, that team and the players involved would be subject to disciplinary action as deemed fit by the executive committee. Any team or players that do not agree or obey the disciplinary actions handed to them will be subject to additional actions including but not limited to expulsion from the league games for the current and future seasons. Such expelled players or teams will not be allowed to play in the league games for their own team or for other teams in the future.

SECTION 34: AWARD TROPHIES & YEAR END CELEBRATION!!

NJSBCL will hold and award ceremony at the end of the season. This will be held at the venue where the Finals for the Main League will be played.

Post match the following felicitations will be done:

1. Trophy to the winning Captain with mementos to the teammates.

2. Trophy for Man of the Match

3. Trophy to Man of the Series.

4. Trophy for the losing team.

5. Trophy of both Semi Finalists.

6. Trophy for Platers Champion (Winners, Losing team and Man of the Match).

All the prizes will be decided by the Executive Committee.

The finals are a gala affair with live commentary and music. Family and Friends come to watch and cheer the finalists. Snacks are served and photo sessions are held. It is a festive atmosphere where we expect most of the league members to join in to enjoy a good game of cricket and celebrate the culmination of the 6 month long entertainment; Cricket has to offer, for hundreds of our Members.

Year End Celebration
We hold a year-end celebration, a paid event, Where folks can come and enjoy with their family and friends. It is kind of a preamble to next year league. The date for this event is generally announced around October.

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