BOLTON CRICKET LEAGUE RULES in force from 20th February, 2010
JUNIOR SECTION
1. The Bolton Cricket League Junior Committee shall consist of the elected Junior Officials (Chairman, Treasurer, Minute Secretary, Age-level Administrators, and a Coaching Association Representative) together with one representative from each member club. The Junior Section officials shall be appointed on an annual basis at the Senior League AGM.
2. The Junior League Committee is a sub-committee of the main management committee of the Bolton League, and answerable to it.
3. The Junior Committee should consider Amendments to Rules regarding junior cricket, but none shall be proposed by it to the League A.G.M. unless supported by a two-thirds majority of members present and eligible to vote at a designated annual meeting. Such amendments must, however, be passed by the League A.G.M. by the requisite majority before they can become rules.
4. The Junior Committee shall be responsible for the day-to-day running of Junior Cricket.
5. If Hamer/Birtwistle Cup matches overrun reserve days will be incorporated in the fixtures. Those fixtures unaffected will be fulfilled as published. The Age-Group Secretary in conjunction with the Junior Chairman and Secretary will confirm fixtures in this event.
6. A club playing in a LCB semi final or final or the ECB finals may replay their matches scheduled for that date, subject to the completion of at least half the other matches on the original date. Their Bolton League opponents will select the alternative date and venue.
7. Each member club shall pay a £100 subscription to the Bolton League by April 1st each year. That Junior Subscription shall be used by the League to promote Coaching Sessions in conjunction with the Coaching Sub-Committee.
8. Each club must provide a commitment to participate at each Age-level. However, the League Committee will allow any member club to opt out of one age-level in a season should a member club request such a decision prior to the January Junior Committee Meeting of that particular season. In such a case the club must discuss the situation with the Coaches Association, and the club concerned must implement any recommendations made following those discussions. Regular monitoring of an ‘opting out’ club will be carried out by the Coaches Association to ensure that the recommendations are implemented prior to the start of the following season.
9. The Section Administrators are responsible for ensuring that the Laws of Cricket and Bolton League rules are enforced, and for submitting results and League Tables to the local press on a regular basis.
GENERAL RULES TO APPLY TO ALL JUNIOR CRICKET
1. In all Junior matches the umpires shall decide if a game should start, or continue when there is doubt with regard to the pitch or weather. If the umpires disagree then the status quo shall be maintained. Umpires should at all times bear in mind the safety of the players, and the damage likely to be caused to the pitch and to the club’s square if play starts or continues in adverse weather conditions.
The home team’s match official or manager shall contact the opposition if there is little or no chance of play, in order to save them travelling. However, if either team manager insists on inspecting the pitch, both teams and officials should be present and, if necessary, ready to play.
2. No player may play for more than one club in any one cup competition during the same season.
3. Clubs not attending a Junior Committee meeting shall be fined at the same rate imposed by the full committee under rule 6(d).
4. Result cards shall be completed by the winning team (or team with the most points) and forwarded to the appropriate secretary the day following the match. Failure to comply shall entail a fine of £1.00 for each offence. A further fine of £5.00 will be incurred for the third and all subsequent omissions. The home team shall submit the card if the match is tied or points equal. The result must be phoned/text or e-mailed to the Junior Secretary immediately after the match.
5. The winner of a cup-tie where scores are equal shall be the team, which has lost least wickets. If an equal number of wickets have fallen the game will be completely replayed with the venue reversed.
6. Excepting Junior Cup Finals, which must be played on grass pitches, all Bolton League Junior Cricket may be played on an artifical pitch if the home club so wishes. All grass pitches shall be prepared on the Club’s ‘squares’.
7. Rules applying to coaching during junior cricket matches: Under 13s and Under 11s – Coaching is allowed at any time during the match. Under 15s – Coaching is allowed between overs or at the fall of a wicket. Under 18s – Coaching is not allowed at any time during the match.
8. Overseas amateurs playing Senior cricket and league professionals may not play in junior cricket.
9. Matches shall be played on the dates assigned to them in the fixture list. However, in exceptional circumstances and with the Section Secretary’s permission venues may be reversed. All cup matches shall continue on the next available evening. Morning games shall commence at 10.00 a.m. or earlier by arrangement, and League matches not later than 10.45 a.m. Senior League Rule 35(a) regarding substitutes will apply.
10. Bonus points will not be awarded.
11. Each Club shall provide one umpire.
12. In case of protest re eligibility of players, the Senior General rule 16(b) shall apply.
13. Neutral or League Umpires shall officiate in all junior cup finals and play-offs.
14. In all junior matches, the home club shall ensure that a telephone and a fully stocked first aid kit are available and readily accessible at all times.
15. All players must be registered prior to playing.
16. Under no circumstances will a player who has kept wicket be allowed to bowl in the same innings or vice versa.
17. All junior players registered with the League Registration Secretary shall have to produce a copy of their birth certificate to the Chairman or Secretary of that club prior to being registered.
18. In the event of two or more clubs finishing on equal points at the top of a league table, the championship shall be decided by a play-off.
19. The finals of league cup competitions shall be played on the host club’s full-size playing area, the wicket being on the main square.
20. In all junior matches, the minimum distance of any part of the boundary from any part of the pitch shall be 25 yards.
21. A minimum of seven players is required to start a game (excluding Under 11s). A time limit of 30 minutes after the starting time to elapse before the opposing team may claim the game.
22. A minimum of three games must be completed for that day’s results to stand; otherwise all matches will be regarded as draws. This applies to U18’s, U/15s, U/13s and U/11s cricket.
23 Lancashire Knockout Qualification
The team that represents the Bolton League in the Lancashire Knockout shall be decided as follows:
(a) The team with the best average of points scored divided by games scheduled (as at May 26th 2009 (U/15) May 25th 2009(U13’s) and July 10th, 2009 (U/11).
In the event of equal averages of two teams or more then the following rule shall apply (only to those teams involved). The team with the best ratio of total runs (games scheduled) divided by total runs conceded (games scheduled). Within the dates of Rule 23(a).
24. Walkden Tournament Qualification
The top eight teams shall qualify for the Walkden tournament. If two teams are on equal points, the following shall apply. That team with the best ratio of total runs scored (games scheduled) divided by total runs conceded (games scheduled) as at August 20th shall qualify.
(b) Top eight clubs that qualify for the Walkden Festival must deposit with the League Treasurer anytime before the day of the Tournament the sum of £50.00.
Any Club failing to turn up or enter a team on the day of the Tournament forfeits their deposit to the League
25. Substandard umpires should be reported to the Competitions Committee via the League Secretary
26. Substandard junior facilities, including the pitch and playing area should be reported to the Ground Committee via the League Secretary.
ECB Fielding Regulations
No young player in the U15 age group or younger shall be allowed to field closer than 8 yards (7.3 metres) from the middle stump, except behind the wicket on the off side, until the batsman has played at the ball.
For players in the U13’s age group and below the distance is 11 yards (10 metres).
These minimum distances apply even if the player is wearing a helmet.
Should a player in these age groups come within the restricted distance the umpire must stop the game immediately and instruct he fielder to move back.
In addition any young player in the U16 to u18 age groups, who has not reached the age of 18, must wear a helmet and for boys an abdominal protector (box) when fielding within 6 yards (5.5 metres) of the bat, except behind the wicket on the off side. Players should wear appropriate protective equipment whenever they are fielding in a position where they feel at risk.
These fielding regulations are applicable to all cricket in England and Wales.
RULES FOR THE THIRD DIVISION COMPETITION
1. This competition shall be named the “Third Division Competition” and the teams shall play for the Sykes Challenge Cup. The runners-up shall receive the J. D. Bond Cup.
2. Only boys who have not attained their 18th birthday by September 1st of the previous year are eligible to play in this competition.
3. Evening matches shall be played on a suitable wicket and matches shall commence at 6.15 p.m. prompt, 6pm in August. Sunday matches shall commence at 2 p.m.
4. The match shall be 35 overs each side.
5. Before the toss for innings, the captains of each club shall exchange lists of eleven players. Only those players who are present at the Wednesday evening session of play may play on the Thursday.
6. Points shall be awarded as follows: Two points for a win, 1 point for a tie or incomplete match.
7. Each bowler in a 3rd team match shall be limited to seven overs. A batsman shall retire on reaching a personal score of 75. (Note: If the last scoring stroke takes a batsman past the 75 mark, the extra runs are to be credited to his score).
8. In the event of no play at all being possible on the first evening of a night match, clubs shall play a 20-over per side match on the second evening, play commencing as near to 6.00 p.m. as possible, the points system to be the same as U18’s Rule 6 e.g. 2-0, 1-1 etc
9. Qualification of prizes (League Matches Only), Batting 5 in and 250 runs, Bowling 12 wickets, Fielding – Wkts 5 catches.
JAKE TATLOCK TROPHY (3rd Teams)
1. The Rules of this Competition shall be as for the League Competition, with the following additions and exceptions:
All ties shall be played on a basis of 40 overs (240 balls) each side. The team scoring the most runs shall be the winner of the tie. Each bowler shall be limited to 10 overs, and batsmen do not retire.
(b) Rule 8 of the Third Division Competition shall not apply to the Jake Tatlock Trophy.
RULES FOR THE UNDER 15’s LEAGUE COMPETITION
1. This shall be named the “Under 15’s Competition” and all clubs shall play for the Baldwin Trophy. Only boys, who have not attained their fifteenth birthday by 1st September of the previous year, are eligible to play in the competitions.
2. The length of the pitch shall be 22 yards and a full size ball shall be used. All matches shall begin at 6 pm.
3. The duration of an innings shall be 20 overs but in order to achieve results the following shall apply:
(a) In case of a delay in starting, the number of overs shall be reduced by one over per side for every seven minutes of delay, to a minimum of 10 overs per side.
(b) The run rate for the first batting side shall be on their full innings and shall be based on their full allotted overs (i.e. a side declaring or dismissed shall be assumed to have batted full overs). The run rate for the second batting side shall be their score at the completion of the last full over divided by the number of full overs bowled. At least ten overs must have been completed.
4. (a) No bowler is to bowl more than five overs per innings.
(b) A batsman shall retire on reaching a personal score of 50 runs. (Note: If the last scoring stroke takes a batsman past the 50 mark, the extra runs are to be credited to his score).
5. Highest score wins, equal scores in completed game is a tie.
6. Two points for a win, 1 point for a tie or draw shall be awarded.
7. Prize Qualifications (League Matches only). Batting – Best average from minimum 5 Innings and at least 200 runs.
Bowling – Best average, with at least 12 wickets taken. Wicket Keeping – Most dismissals. Catching – Most catches (minimum of five, wicket keeping catches excluded).
MERVYN PORTER TROPHY (Under 15’s)
The rules shall be as for the League Competition with the following additions and exceptions.
1. An incomplete game shall be completely replayed if less than ten overs of the first innings have been bowled. (Note: Rule 4b does not apply to Mervyn Porter Trophy Matches).
2. Rule 3 of the Under 15’s Competition shall not apply.
3. The Final shall be played on the basis of 25 overs each side, with no bowler allowed to bowl more than five overs.
RULES FOR THE UNDER 13’s COMPETITION
This shall be named the ‘Under 13’s Competition’ and clubs will compete for the Clitheroe Memorial Trophy, with the runners-up receiving the Lansdale Trophy. A Knock-out Competition will be held for all competing Under-13 sides, the winners of which will receive the Harrison Cup, with the runners-up receiving the Hutchinson Trophy.
Playing Rules
The laws of cricket shall apply with the following exceptions:
1. The pitch shall be 21 yards in length and the ball shall be four and a half oz in weight.
2. A player may represent his club in the competition if the player has not attained his 13th birthday by September 1st of the year prior to the season of the competition.
3. Each team will comprise 11 players.
4. Each game shall consist of one innings per side. Each innings shall be of 20 overs.
5. The duration of an innings shall be 20 overs but in order to achieve results the following shall apply:
(a) In case of a delay in starting (after 10am) the number of overs per side shall be reduced by one over for every six minutes of delay to a minimum of 10 overs per side.
(b) The run rate for the first batting side shall be on their full innings and shall be based on their full allotted overs (i.e. a side declaring or dismissed shall be assumed to have batted their full overs). The run rate for the second batting side shall be their score at the completion of the last full over divided by the number of full overs bowled. At least 10 overs must have been completed.
6. A batsman to retire when he has scored 30 runs.
7. No bowler is to bowl more than four overs.
8. No fielder to be within 11 yards of the stumps except behind the wicket on the offside.
9. Two points for a win, one point for a draw, tie or no result.
10. Matches shall commence at 10am or earlier by mutual agreement but must not continue beyond the over in progress at 12.30pm. Evening matches shall commence at 6pm.
11. Prize qualifications (League matches only). Batting: Best average from minimum five innings and at least 150 runs. Bowling: Best average with at least 10 wickets taken. Wicket Keeping: Most dismissals. Fielding: Most catches (minimum of five, wicket keeping catches excluded).
HARRISON CUP RULES
The rules shall be as for the League competition with the following additions and exceptions:
1. An incomplete game shall be completely replayed if less than 10 overs of the first innings have been bowled.
2. Rules 5 and 6 of the Under 13s Competition shall not apply.
3. The final shall be played on the basis of 25 overs each side, with no bowler allowed to bowl more than five overs.
UNDER 11’s COMPETITION
This shall be named the ‘Under 11’s Competition’.
Playing Rules
The laws of cricket shall apply with the following exceptions and particulars:
1. The pitch shall be 20 yards in length.
2. The ball shall weigh 41⁄2 oz.
3.Games not played on a Wednesday evening will be played on Thursday Evenings.
4. A boy may represent his club in the Competition if he is under 11 on 1st September prior to the season of the Competition.
5. Each team shall comprise eight players.
6. Each game shall consist of one innings per side. Each innings shall be of 16 overs’ duration.
7.The batting side should be divided into pairs. Each pair bat for four overs. Pairs shall change at the end of the 4th, 8th and 12th overs
8. Batsmen shall have unlimited ‘lives’ but each ‘life’ shall result in six runs being deducted from the total. Batsmen shall change ends at the fall of each wicket except on the last ball of an over. In the event of a run out the striker shall return to the non strikers end, irrespective of which batsman was actually run out
9. Each boy on the fielding side MUST bowl a minimum of TWO overs, with the exception of the wicket keeper who is not allowed to bowl. No boy shall bowl more than three overs.
10. Each team shall commence its innings with a score of TWO HUNDRED RUNS.
11. The winning team shall be the side scoring the highest number of runs after deductions for the fall of wickets. In a game finishing in a tie, one point per team shall be allocated.
12. In ALL matches no fielder, except the wicket keeper shall be allowed to field nearer than 11 yards, measured from the middle stump, except behind the wicket on the offside.
13. In accordance with the Laws of the Game, a substitute shall only act as non-striker whilst his team is batting. (In such circumstances the ‘live’ batsman shall receive strike continuously). Such substitute shall only act as fielder whilst his team is fielding. Any over(s), which would have been bowled by the injured player, shall be shared between the remaining six fielders without exceeding their allocation. In the event of any team being unable to field eight players, the points or cup-tie shall be forfeited to their opponents. This rule shall also apply to the Walkden Tournament
CUP RULES - as above.