East Devon Youth Cricket League - Rules and Playing Conditions 2020

1.0 League Officers

1.1 The East Devon Youth Cricket League (EDYCL) cannot operate without officers in place in key posts (as defined below). Where these posts are not filled, or likely to be filled, before the Annual General Meeting (AGM) each club will be required, in advance of the AGM, to nominate at least one representative to support the work of the League. It is likely that only a small number of these representatives will be required to undertake specific tasks on behalf of the League Management Committee (LMC)

Key Posts: Chairman; Vice Chairman; Secretary; Treasurer; Fixtures Secretary; Results Secretary; Welfare Officer; Discipline Officer; Handbook Editor; Website Administrator

2.0 AGM Attendance, Fixtures Meeting, Grounds and Umpires

2.1 Clubs wishing to participate in any of the following season’s competitions must attend the AGM and provide a list of age groups they wish to enter in the league to the Fixtures Secretary by the requested date. The LMC reserves the right to deny entry to any club failing to meet this requirement.

2.2 Fixtures Meeting: attendance is mandatory by at least one representative of each club. Clubs failing to comply with this will not be allowed to enter EDYCL competitions. The LMC will email reminders to the main club contacts twice – at least 2 weeks and at least 1 week prior to the meeting.

2.3 The League will endeavour to provide neutral umpires for cup finals.

3.0 Entrance Fees

3.1 The registration fee payable by each team will be set at the previous year's AGM.

3.2 The Treasurer will issue each club a registration invoice, payable by April 30th.

3.3 In the event of late payment, - a penalty fee of £30 is payable.

4.0 Player Eligibility and Registration

4.1 Eligibility

4.1.1 In cup competitions male players must be under the age of the specified age group by September 1st of the previous year. This rule must be strictly adhered to.

4.1.2 In cup competitions female players may be up to 2 years older than male player eligibility as otherwise defined in 4.1.1.

4.1.3 To be eligible to play in an EDYCL Cup semi-final a player must have already played at least 2 EDYCL general or cup matches for the club concerned in the current season. For a final the minimum is 3 general or cup games. If the club has more than one team in the same age group cup competition, a player can only play for one of them in a season. Players not meeting these criteria may still be allowed to play at the discretion of the LMC.

4.1.4 For general cricket, in the interests of ‘Getting the Game On’, Coaches may agree not less than 24 hours prior to the match to a specified number of children no more than two years older playing or otherwise by agreement. Also, on application, the LMC may agree to a child playing one year down on medical grounds.

4.2 Player Registrations

4.2.1 All players in 11-a-side cup teams must be registered on play-cricket.com. It is the responsibility of team managers to ensure that their players meet the EDYCL age eligibility criteria.

4.2.2 If a club has more than one team in the same cup competition, team managers must ensure that each player only plays in one team. Players may not transfer between teams for the same club in the same Cup competition during a season.

5.0 Fixtures

5.1 Exact dates of fixtures must be agreed between team representatives at the Fixtures Meeting and then confirmed to the Fixtures Secretary by the date stated on the fixtures form.

5.2 Matches must be played on the date agreed at the Fixtures Meeting unless any of the following circumstances apply:

•     A revised date is agreed by both team managers and submitted to the Fixtures Secretary before the 1st Saturday after Easter.

•     Adverse weather or ground conditions.

•     The teams concerned agree to bring a match date forward. In this case the Fixtures Secretary and Results Secretary must be advised before the new match date so that the amendment can be made to play-cricket.com.

•     A request for postponement due to exceptional circumstances is agreed by the LMC. Where possible, such requests must be made at least 14 days before the match date.

If a cup match fails to take place on the date agreed at the Fixtures Meeting for any reason other than those stated above, it cannot be replayed as a cup fixture and shall be awarded as conceded.

5.3 Matches can only be postponed because of adverse weather or ground conditions within 24 hours of the scheduled start time (see rule 6.2.2) of that match.

5.4 Every effort should be made to replay fixtures postponed due to adverse weather or ground conditions.

5.7 If for any reason a fixture is not played on the agreed fixture date, the home manager must inform the Fixtures Secretary and Results Secretary, within 24 hours, by any means available, giving reasons.

5.8 When a fixture is rearranged, the Results Secretary must be advised of the new date immediately.

5.10 Where a toss has been made and the game is subsequently abandoned, such matches will be treated as if the fixture has not taken place. Every effort should be made to replay abandoned matches. In the case of cup matches managers should follow 5.7 and 5.8 above to rearrange.

6.0 Match Rules

6.1 Apart from the exceptions and additions described in sections 6.2 and 6.3, the current Laws of Cricket apply, along with all ECB legislation and recommendations applicable to youth cricket. [Note: this includes ball dimensions, helmet usage, field placing and fast bowling restrictions. Note also that all age-related legislation refers to the age of the player, not the age limit of the competition. (See ECB Recommendations for Junior Cricket at the end of these playing conditions)].

6.2 Rules for 11-a-side Matches

6.2.1 Clubs should endeavour to adhere to the age-related pitch and stump dimensions in the Laws of Cricket, but the LMC recognises that strict adherence is not always practical.

6.2.2 Morning games must start by 10.30am, afternoon games by 2.30pm, and evening games by 6.30pm. A team not ready to take the field by these times forfeits the toss

6.2.3. The home side is responsible for providing a good quality ball for the match. It need not be new.

6.2.4 The duration of Cup games is 20 overs per side. This may be reduced by agreement between both managers before the start of play. In the event of matches being shortened the games should be either 16 or 12 overs as a minimum. 

6.2.6. Under-11 and Under-12 batters retire when their score reaches or exceeds 30. Under-13 and under-14s retire when their score reaches or exceeds 40. Under-15, and 16s retire when their score reaches or exceeds 50. 

6.2.7 A retired batter may not return to the crease when all others in his or her team have batted, unless their retirement would cause the innings to end. In the case of reaching the target the batter shall be marked as ‘retired – not out’, to preserve their average.

6.2.8 In 11-a-side matches the penalty for a wide or no-ball is 2 runs in all overs including the last. No extra ball is bowled, except in the last over of each innings.

6.2.9 In 11-a-side matches up to and including under-13, only players in the bottom 6 positions in the batting order can bowl more than 2 overs, and no player can open both the bowling and the batting in the same match.

6.2.10 If a batter retires for any reason other than a medical condition or reaching the retirement score for the age group, he or she is considered to be retired out.

6.2.11 For Sunday cricket, games will be scheduled at the fixtures meeting and setup on play-cricket using the ECB Generic 40 over template. Managers and Captains shall agree a suitable format for the game as they see fit and update this.

6.2.12 Managers and Captains of Sunday cricket shall be free to structure the games to suit the team and aspiration of the players. Games can be played of any suitable duration, as a declaration format or as 8-a-side or any such mutually agreeable format.

6.2.13 These games shall be Open Age cricket as defined by the ECB and shall be played in a competitive spirit. The ambition for all games is to get to the final overs of the game with all three results possible (home win, away win or tie).

6.2.14 Captains and Managers should recognise the capability of all players and do their best to ensure that the game is played in an enjoyable spirit. Players shall retire from batting and bowling if the ambition of using all the overs is jeopardised.

6.3 Rules for 8-a-side Pairs Matches

6.3.1 Managers must provide each other with a team sheet, showing the names of players, prior to the start of the game.

6.3.2 Both U10 and U11 Matches should be played on a 17 yard pitch. 

6.3.3 Evening games must start by 6.30pm, and morning games by 10.30am. A team not ready to take the field by these times forfeits the toss.

6.3.4 The home side is responsible for providing, for softball games, one junior size ‘Incrediball’ or other softball that has been agreed between the managers before the start of the game. For hardball games a 4¾ oz cricket ball must be used. The balls should be in good condition but need not be new.

6.3.5 The match duration is 16 overs per side.

6.3.6 The batting side is divided into pairs. Each pair bats for 4 overs. Pairs change at the end of the 4^th, 8^thand 12^thovers.

6.3.7 Batsmen have unlimited ‘lives’, but each ‘life’ results in a deduction of 5 runs from the total. No batsman who is out for any reason shall fact the next ball.

6.3.8 In softball games, each player on the fielding side must bowl, but no player may bowl more than 3 overs. In hardball games, all players (except the wicket keeper, who need not bowl) must bowl at least one over, but no player may bowl more than 3 overs.

6.3.9 Each team commences its innings with a score of 100 runs.

6.3.10 The winning team is the side scoring the higher number of runs after deductions for the fall of wickets. In the event of the scores of each team being equal after deductions for the fall of wickets, the match is tied.