Table of Contents
1. Rules
2. Safety and Conduct
3. The League Structure
4. Umpires
5. The Game
6. Fielding
7. Organizing Committee
8. Disciplinary Process Overview
a. Offence Categories and Penalties
1. Rules.
1.1 The league will follow MCC/ICC rules for any rule not specified or highlighted in the document below. The rules mentioned in the document are league-specific and will supersede the MCC/ICC rules.
1.2 https://www.lords.org/mcc/the-laws-of-cricket
2. Safety and Conduct.
2.1 Team leaders are responsible for the safe conduct of their players and their adherence to the rules.
2.2 Driving cars on the path leading to the shed is not permitted this year. Captains are advised to address this issue with their players strictly. Players must park their cars at the parking spaces near the park entrances and then walk over with their kits. Captains will be held responsible for violations and non-compliance.
2.3 Teams are responsible for cleaning up the ground/seating area after their game. Water bottles and food items must be collected and disposed of outside the park. The league will provide trash bags; every team must collect and take its trash with it when leaving the ground. Even if the trash bag is incomplete, do not leave it behind for others to use or clear up. The county park has a strict bring-in-take-out policy. Non-compliance may result in unknown consequences for the league.
2.4 The team with mat duty must arrive at the ground an hour before the scheduled start and have the ground ready (mat and flags) at least 15 minutes before the game start time for the toss to take place. Toss will be awarded to the other team if the mat/pitch is not ready before the start time (unless time is needed due to pitch or ground conditions).
2.5 All safety equipment (including helmets) will be mandatory for batters and keepers (when keeping near the stumps), regardless of the bowler’s speed. Games will not proceed without them.
2.6 Verbal or physical abuse toward officials or players will result in strict disciplinary action. There will be zero tolerance for physical abuse, regardless of the situation. Any form of physical violence, including but not limited to pushing, shoving, elbowing, or deliberate body contact with intent to harm, is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate termination of the individual from the league.
2.7 Any violations/incidents/situations for which there is no documented rule, the organizing committee will make a decision(s) based on their experience with prior series or observations. Teams must bring any issues/concerns/complaints to the organizing committee.
2.8 The organizing committee reserves the right to add/remove/update/change the rules in the document to improve the league or to compensate for oversights based on the experiences gained during the tournament.
3. The League Structure.
3.1 6 teams (CCC, PCC, RCA, RCC, RGCC, and RR) will play each other in a round robin format. 10 games per team, twice against every other team in the league.
3.2 Each win will earn 2 points. Ties will result in split points. There is no super over in the league stage.
3.3 Weather-related delays or any unforeseen interruptions will result in reduced over games (see guidelines below). Points will be split for each team’s first two washouts. A washed-out match will be rescheduled only when the team is affected by its 3rd washed-out game. If OC agrees, a non-playoff washed-out match can be rescheduled after mutual agreement of both teams, as long as it does not affect/conflict with already scheduled games.
3.4 Each team can have 11+1 (super sub) players for a game.
3.5 The top four teams from the league stage (based on Points, NRR, and
Head-to-head: in that order) will play the semifinals in a one v 4 and 2 v three format.
3.6 Ties in the playoff stage will be resolved with a super over. A tied super over will be followed by another super over until a result is obtained.
3.7 A player must have played at least 2 league games to be eligible to play in the play-offs.
3.8 Both the finalists will be declared Joint winners of despite reasonable attempt playoffs couldn't be complete.
4. Umpires.
4.1 The umpires’ decision will be final and must be accepted without dissent.
4.2 For the league stage, both captains (playing the game) will agree upon 5 players who can umpire/score during the game.
4.3 For the playoff stage, teams that are not playing in the respective playoff game will provide two neutral umpires. The league will compensate umpires $75/umpire for every game.
5. The Game.
5.1 The games will be played with a red ball, and all players must wear white kits.
5.2 All games will be 25 overs a side and played at Genesee Valley Park Cricket Ground.
5.3 Four hours and forty minutes will be allotted for each game, with morning games starting at 9:00 AM and afternoon games starting at 2:00 PM.
[125 (1st innings) + 125 (2nd innings) + 10 (innings break) + 20 (injury time) = 280 minutes].
5.3.1 Each team will get 125 minutes to bowl their 25 overs (5 minutes per over).
5.3.2 Captains can request a 5-minute drinks break at the end of the 12th or 13th over. Teams must not leave the ground during the drinks break; water/refreshments must be brought on the ground.
5.3.3 The mid-inning break must not exceed 20 minutes.
5.4 Captains/team representatives must arrive at the ground 30 minutes before the game starts and assess the playing conditions. If the match cannot start on time for any reason, including but not limited to weather, captains/representatives must notify the League and plan for reduced over-games.
5.5 Captains must strictly follow delay guidelines as listed below:
5.5.1 One over must be reduced for every five-minute delay in the start time.
• For a 15-minute delay, each team will deduct 1 over (24 overs a side).
• For a 30-minute delay, each team will deduct 3 overs (22 overs a side).
• For a 60-minute delay, each team will deduct 5 overs (20 overs a side).
• A minimum of 8 overs each side must be played to complete a match.
• Eliminate/Reduce break time for a delayed start.
5.6 Captains must ensure that the game time does not exceed the scheduled time and affect other scheduled games.
5.7 If the game cannot be completed in the allotted time because of weather delays or any unforeseen circumstance, and at least 8 overs have been bowled in the second innings, the winner will be decided based on the DL par score in the CricClub app at the cut-off time.
5.8 Toss must be done 15 minutes before the scheduled start time. The captain who wins the toss must declare their decision to bat or bowl at the time of the toss.
5.9 If a captain or team representative is not present on the ground 15 minutes before the game time for the toss, the toss will be awarded to the opposing team. Toss will also be awarded to the other team if the mat/pitch is not ready before the start time by the assigned team (unless time is needed due to pitch or ground conditions).
5.10 Names of all 12 players must be entered in the CricClub apps before the toss. Captains must ensure that all team players’ names are accurately added to the roster. Any issues/concerns must be reported before the game day. Captains must not play a player in someone else’s name on match day.
5.11 The games must start at the designated time.
5.11.1 If a team chooses to field after winning the toss and does not have all the players on the ground at the start time, they must start the game with whoever is available at the designated start time. If they choose to wait, they will lose an OVER every 5 minutes until the players have arrived and the game can begin. Only the team responsible for the delay will get its overs deducted. Captains must not request opposing teams for fielders at any point in the game.
5.11.2 If a team chooses to bat after winning the toss, it must have two batters ready to take the crease at the designated start time. Delays caused by waiting for specific players will result in losing an over every 5 minutes until the player arrives and the game can begin. Only the team responsible for the delay will have their overs deducted.
6. Fielding restrictions.
6.1 Powerplay overs will be observed for 8 overs for a 25-over game.
6.1.1 Maximum of 2 fielders outside 30 yards during the power play.
6.1.2 For teams fielding with fewer than 11 players, 2 fielders will still be permitted outside 30 yards during the power play.
6.1.3 Non-powerplay overs: A maximum of 5 fielders can be outside the 30-yard circle.
6.2 No more than 5 fielders can be on the leg side at any time. A bowler bowling around the wicket does not count as a fielder.
7. Organizing Committee (OC)
● Composition: 5 members ● OC Nominee Selection:
○ Every Rochester Team is to nominate 2 players.
○ If a team cannot or prefers not to submit nominees, it will receive 1 vote (instead of 2) during the process.
○ Subsequent Elections: Each team nominates 2 players for subsequent elections. A team cannot nominate if it already has 2 members surviving their second year. A team will nominate only 1 player if it has 1 member serving their second year.
● Selection Process:
○ Captain and vice captain or designees rank all the nominees (1 through 8).
○ One canNOT vote for members of their team.
○ The top 3 nominees will have a 2-year term in OC
○ The fourth and fifth will be the other 2 members of OC and serve a 1-year term
○ 6 & 7 ranked will be backup members in case of the withdrawal of an OC member
○ OC personnel can be re-nominated after their term.
● Charter:
○ Round table – with no leader
○ Duties will be shared between OC members
○ Organizing the season, including but not limited to:
■ Finances
■ Ground reservations
■ Ground preparations
■ League format: schedule, and other tournaments
■ Trophies
■ Sponosrhip
■ Acquiring equipment such as balls, mat, covers, etc.
■ Safe conduct of the league
■ Promotion of cricket
8. Disciplinary Process and Penalties
● League Disciplinary Committee (DC) ○ Composition: 3 members ○ DC Nominee Selection:
■ Every Team is to nominate 1 player.
■ If a team cannot or prefers not to put forward nominees, it will get 1 vote (instead of 2—captain and vice-captain) during the process.
■ Subsequent Elections: Each team nominates a player for subsequent elections. A team cannot nominate if they already has a member surviving his second year.
○ Selection Process:
■ Captain and vice or designees rank all the nominees (1 through 5).
■ One canNOT vote for members of their team.
■ The top 2 nominees will have a 2-year term in DC
■ The top third will be the third DC member and serve a 1 year term
■ 4 & 5 ranked will be backup members of DC
■ DC personnel can be re-nominated after their term
Charter: Review Disciplinary offense/s and render an opinion
○ Ensuring independent Review: To reduce unexpected bias & impartiality; if a DC member is from the same team, 1 or 2 affected DC member/s will be excused and replaced by delegate members 4 and 5 to render a review & decision.
8.1 Disciplinary Process Overview
8.1.1 Reporting: Any infraction must be reported to umpires or league officials immediately. Players can report incidents directly to the DC, regardless of whether that report is submitted to the umpire.
8.1.2 Review: Incidents are reviewed by the DC within 72 hours, and decisions are to be made before the next week’s games are played. DC must investigate thoroughly by communicating with the umpires and the players involved in the incident.
8.1.3 Decision: DC’s ruling is final.
8.1.4 Appeals: The affected party can submit an appeal in writing within 7 days with the consent of their team's leadership. It will be reviewed & adjudicated by the DC within 72 hours.
8.2 Offense Categories and Penalties
8.2.1 Level 1: Minor Offenses
o Examples: Arguing with umpires, showing dissent at the decisions, and equipment abuse (e.g., throwing bat, kicking stumps.) on the field.
o Consequences:
● First offense: Umpires will inform the captain, and a verbal warning will be given to the individual.
● Second offense: Written apology.
● Third offense: 1-match suspension.
● 3+ offenses: 1-match ban each
Minor offenses will not be carried over to the next season.
8.2.2 Level 2: Serious Offenses
o Examples: Swearing or verbal abuse of opposing players/officials, ignoring umpire instructions, disrespectful gestures, damaging facilities or league property, refusing to leave the field after dismissal.
o Consequences:
● First offense: Written apology ● Second offense: 1-match suspension ● Third offense: 3-match suspension.
● 3+ offenses: Ban for the remainder of the season (carry forward to next season if violation occurs during playoffs)
8.2.3 Level 3: Major Offenses o Examples: Threatening behavior, physical intimidation etc.
o Consequences:
● First offense: 3-match suspension
● Second offense: Ban for the remainder of the season (carry forward to next season if the violation occurs during playoffs) ● Third offense: Permanent ban from the league.
8.2.4 Level 4: Zero-Tolerance Offenses o Examples: Physical violence (e.g., pushing, punching, brawling), racial or discriminatory abuse, illegal substance abuse during matches.
o Consequences:
• Immediate and indefinite suspension.
• Potential permanent expulsion.
• Referral to authorities if the law is thought to have been broken.
8.3 Additional Notes
8.3.1 Suspended players may not attend matches (even to watch) unless otherwise approved by the DC.
8.3.2 Captains are held accountable for their team's conduct. Every violation regarding parking near the shed, leaving trash behind after the games, not having the ground prepped in time for games, will result in a demerit point for the team captain. On accumulating 3 demerit points, the captain will receive 1 match suspension.