LEAGUE RULES 2008
Please note highlighted alterations as passed during 2008 AGM
The following rules shall apply to all clubs which are members of the Scarborough Beckett Cup Cricket League [During period of sponsorship agreement with Readers, will be titled the Readers Scarborough Beckett Cricket League], (Herinafter called 'the League').
All member clubs to be affiliated to N.C.A. / Y.C.A.
A. DIVISIONS OF THE LEAGUE.
1.(a) The League shall consist of four Divisions, “PREMIER”, A, B & C.
The “Premier” Division, Div A & B shall each consist of 10 teams and Division C shall have a maximum of 10 teams.
(b) The League shall be run on a promotion and relegation basis and, except as hereafter stated, the top two teams in Division ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ will replace the bottom two teams in the next higher division.
Teams promoted to the “Premier” Division must meet ground and playing surface standards set by and enforced by a grounds committee which is established by the General Committee. If standards are not met then promotion will be denied, if this being the case then the next available team will be promoted resulting in two teams always being relegated from the “Premier” Division unless no suitable teams are available for promotion.
The bottom two teams in Division ‘C’, shall be relegated to the Derwent Valley League Division ‘A’. The top two teams in the Derwent Valley League Division ‘A’ will be invited to join Division ‘C’, subject to grounds and facilities being approved by the League’s Management Committee. Should either, or both, Derwent Valley teams not wish to join, or are not approved to join the League, only the bottom team, or neither, will be relegated from Division ‘C’.
Any application for membership to the League shall be made in writing to the League Secretary by 30th September for the season starting 18 months later and shall be investigated by the League Management Committee whose recommendations, to include an appropriate division, shall be considered at the Annual General Meeting. Any new teams being admitted to the League shall become members at the following year’s Annual General Meeting.
( c ) Where a new club has been allocated to a division, the committee shall decide how promotion/relegation will be effected.
If two teams tie on points for the Championship, promotion or relegation, their position will be decided by a play-off. If more than two teams are involved, the play-off will be on the same basis as the knock-out cups. Sides winning or gaining byes will proceed to further rounds, in the case of Championship and promotion. Sides losing or gaining byes will proceed to further rounds in the case of relegation.
2.(a) OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE.
The Officers of the League shall consist of the President, Vice Presidents, Chairman, the Secretary and the Treasurer, all of whom shall be elected annually and may offer themselves for re-election without re-nomination.
(b) The Committee shall consist of nine elected members, of whom three shall retire, by rotation, at each Annual General Meeting but shall be eligible for re-election without re-nomination
( c ) The officers and the Committee shall be entrusted with the conduct, engagements and the management of the League, in accordance with these rules. At any meetings of the officers and Committee, five persons shall form a quorum.
(d) Clubs may make nomination for the Committee, which must be in writing and proposed and seconded, to the League Secretary, not later than 31st December in each year. Two representatives from each club shall be allowed to attend the annual meeting.
One Club, One Vote.
C. FIXTURES.
3.(a) The Secretary shall make all League fixtures.
(b) Each club shall play each other twice, home and away.
(c) All fixtures shall be played on Saturdays, except as otherwise provided for in these rules with the last three Saturday fixtures commencing at 1-30pm, [includes any Sunday fixtures during that period.] All other matches to start not later than 2-00pm. All fixtures shall be of one innings per team. Each innings shall consist of 45 overs, unless the team batting are all out, or the team batting first declares its innings closed on the understanding that should that team declare and subsequently loose the match, maximum bonus points will be awarded to the winning team, with the beaten team awarded no points. Should a team declare and win the match, points will be awarded as per rule 4. The team scoring most runs shall be the winner. If a fixture has to be abandoned, whether started or not, it shall be counted as a draw. Where the start of a match is delayed, or the first innings is interrupted, by adverse weather conditions, or the
state of the pitch, or ground, then for every full 6 minutes of play lost, one over will be deducted from each innings, providing a minimum of 30 overs can be completed in each innings. If the second innings is interrupted by weather for one hour, either continuously or in more than one period, then the match shall be abandoned. The tea interval, which shall be taken between innings, unless both captains mutually agree, shall not exceed twenty-five minutes. Any team not being ready to start, by official starting time, (unless otherwise arranged) shall be fined £20.00 on receipt of umpire’s report and shall forfeit the right to toss for choice of innings and shall be reported to the Secretary.
The toss to take place 15 minutes before the scheduled start of play.
Before the toss of each match, the match ball shall be approved by the umpires and retained by them until play starts. The Committee shall provide Clubs in the “Premier” and Division ‘B’ with a choice of two approved balls; Readers ’SOVEREIGN ‘A’ ball or Readers ’SUPREME LEAGUE ‘A’ ball. Teams in the “Premier” Division shall use a new ball for each innings of the game. Teams in Division ‘A’, shall provide their own ball, of the approved type. This does not have to be a new ball but acceptable to the umpire (s) If a bowler is unable, through injury or illness, to complete an over, the number of deliveries outstanding shall be completed by some other member of his team. (Subject to M.C.C. rule)
(d) Any player who is not present by the completion of the 15th over shall only take part in the game as a fielder with the exception that any player called away in their role of voluntary work for the Emergency Services and returns during the course of the game, will be allowed to play in the game, regardless of overs played. This will only apply if the players are nominated to play at the toss/start of the game.
(e) A club failing to turn up, or refuses to play, when the umpires order a start, shall forfeit the match to its opponents.
(f) Two matches, in the season, may be mutually re-arranged by clubs, providing this is done 14 days prior to date of original fixture and the League Secretary notified. The fixtures may be re-arranged for any Sunday or Bank Holiday before 31st August.
(g) Where a club has two teams playing in the Beckett League and are unable to field two teams, to fulfil their League fixtures, then their senior X1 fixture must be played.
D POINTS SYSTEM.
4. A win shall count 10 points, plus bonus points.
A tie 5 points, plus bonus points and a game abandoned at any stage 5 points. (any bonus points obtained to count.)
Bonus Points
Batting Bowling
1 at 100 runs 1 at 2 wickets
2 at 125 runs 2 at 4 wickets
3 at 150 runs 3 at 6 wickets
4 at 175 runs 4 at 8 wickets
Max 5 at 200 runs 5 at 10 wickets
If a team batting first are bowled out for under 100 runs, then the team batting second, if winning the match, shall gain a maximum of five batting points, less any bowling points gained by the opposition.
If a batsman is either unable to bat due to injury, declines to bat, or has to retire hurt from batting, due to injury, then providing nine wickets have fallen and at least one ball remains to be bowled, then this will count as a wicket thereby giving the fielding side the last bowling point.
A team unable to fulfil a fixture will result in 20 points being awarded to their opponents and shall be liable to pay such a fine as the Committee sees fit to impose.
E. TROPHIES AND PRIZES.
5.(a) The winner of the “Premier” Division A shall receive the Old Beckett League Cup.
The winners of Division A shall receive the new Cup purchased by the League in 1957. The winners of Division B shall receive the old Scarborough and District League Cup, the Compton Ricketts Cup.
The winners of Division C shall receive the Pykes Sports Trophy.
The Committee shall decide when and how the cups and trophies will be presented. All trophies to be returned to the League Secretary by 1st August, BALL AND HANDBOOK DISTRIBUTION NIGHT or when requested, cleaned and engraved. Fine of £20.00 to be imposed for non compliance.
(b) Merit prizes will be awarded in each Division based on all League matches, only for the players in each Division; (a) scoring most runs, (b) taking most wickets, (c) taking most catches and (d) taking most victims in the case of a wicket-keeper. Secretaries to forward, to the League Secretary, their Club’s leading contenders, for any Merit prize, by 30th September, at the end of the season. Fine of £20.00 to be imposed for non compliance. Any recommendation not received by this date will not be considered. All Merit award cups are to be cleaned and engraved and returned to the League Secretary by 1st August, or when requested, each year. Fine of £20.00 to be imposed for none compliance.
Paul Cooper Memorial trophies will be awarded to the junior, under the age of 17 years old on the first day of the season, who scores the most runs and takes the most wickets.
(c.) The League will insure all cups against fire and other risks.
(d) Sir Gervase Beckett having appointed Lieutenant Colonel The Right Hon. Viscount Downe as Trustee for the Cup, before taking possession thereof, the Secretary of the winning club must satisfy the Trustee and the League Secretary that the cup will be held in safe custody and the Club will be responsible for it being returned to the League Secretary in good condition, BALL AND HANDBOOK DISTRIBUTION NIGHT when required by the Committee. The winning club shall be responsible for having a small shield fixed on the plinth, each season.
(e) The cup cannot be won outright but shall be held only for one year by the winning club.
F. REGISTRATION AND ELIGIBILITY OF PLAYERS.
The YCA constitution on the movement of players will be abided by with the following amendment:-
A player moving clubs, at any time, must have the necessary YCA Player Transfer Form, letter or certificate from his previous club certifying that he has no obligations, financial, disciplinary or otherwise to that Club.
6.(a) Club Secretaries are to forward to the League Fixture Secretary two copies of the lists of the players it intends to register on or before the 25th April in each year, together with a stamped addressed envelope.The League Secretary shall sign one copy and return it to the club. The same procedure shall apply to any further registration during the season. No player shall be eligible to play for his club unless his name has been registered with the League Secretary at least three clear days before playing. No player shall be registered after the 1st July, in any year, except with the consent of the Committee.
(b) All applications for transfer of players are to be forwarded to the League Secretary, in writing. Transfers will only be allowed if the Committee consents.
No player over the age of 16 years old, on 1st September in the year preceding the season, can play for more than one club, irrespective of standard, registration policy, or affiliation to YCA/YCB, without a transfer approved by the Committee with the exception that players under the age of 17 years old on 1st September, in the year preceding the season, can be “loaned” to other clubs when not needed by the club holding their registration. The original club to retain first option on the player.
(c.) No player from a higher grade shall take part in any match involving relegation or championship play-offs, unless he has played at least four previous matches, that season, for his team in the Scarborough Beckett Cricket League.
(d) After the 14th League fixture, no club shall strengthen its second team with a regular first team player. (Regular meaning, having played the majority of League matches for the 1st X1).
(e) Where a club has two teams playing in the same Division, all registered players will be eligible to play for the first team but eight bona fide players of the first team will not be allowed to play for the second team after 31st May in each year and the names must be approved by the Committee. The names of these eight players are to be submitted, to the League Secretary, before 31st May in each year.
(f) When a game is played on a Sunday, no player may play in that game who played for his club in a higher standard of League cricket on the previous day (Saturday). Failure to comply will result in the offending team loosing all their points gained during that game plus being deducted a further 15 points. The team who the offence was committed against, if loosing the game, shall be given all bonus points gained by the winning team, including the 10 points for winning.
(g) No team shall play more than one player who is not qualified to play for England.
G. DISCIPLINARY MATTERS.
7.(a) The League shall operate a Disciplinary Policy in accordance with the current Disciplinary Rules operated within the jurisdiction of the England and Wales Cricket Board and the Yorkshire Cricket Association.
The ECB “Code of Conduct and Spirit of Cricket” statement and the Yorkshire Cricket Association/Yorkshire Cricket Board Policy Statement “Anti-Racism and Race Equality” shall operate throughout the League.
These rules shall apply to all League, Cup, Representative and Indoor matches played under the auspices of the Readers Scarborough Beckett Cricket League, the Derwent Valley Cricket League and the Andy Hire Scarborough and District Evening Cricket League.
That a disciplinary body be formed comprising two elected or nominated representatives from each of the following Leagues, namely the Scarborough Beckett Cricket League, Derwent Valley
Cricket League and the Scarborough and District Evening Cricket League. This body shall deal with all allegations of misconduct arising from the said three Leagues and associated cup competitions and shall have the power to impose whatever disciplinary action they deem appropriate. Such body at the commencement of their meeting nominate one of their members to be the Chairman of that meeting, such Chairman, where necessary, to have an additional and casting vote. The disciplinary body shall have no powers unless a quorum of at least four members are present, of which quorum there shall be at least one representative from each of the three Leagues. A player suspended by the body shall be deemed to be ineligible for all League and Cup games throughout the period of such suspension and any team, within the three Leagues, playing a suspended player shall forfeit the match, regardless of the result.
Appeals Procedure
An independent Body consisting of a Chairman, Secretary and one representative of each of the above mentioned Leagues shall form an Appeals Panel. No member of the Panel shall have been involved in either the investigation or Disciplinary Hearing or be connected, in any way with the reported club or alleged offender.
A sum of £50.00 must be deposited in respect of each and every appeal and will be forfeited in the event of the appeal being rejected.
Any appeal must be in writing, within 7 days of the decision of the Disciplinary Hearing, together with the deposit.
(b) Any club failing to fulfil a fixture shall be liable to pay such fine as the Committee sees fit to impose.
(c.) Any club, reported to the League Secretary, for not being ready to start, at official starting time, shall be liable to pay a fine of £20.00.
(d) Any home club failing to forward match results, to the League Secretary, on the evening of the match, shall be liable to a fine of £20.00, for each and every default.
(e) Any fine, imposed by the League Committee, not paid within 28 days, will automatically be doubled.
(f) If a visiting team fails to notify a home team by 10a.m. on the day of a match, when it is unable to fulfil a fixture, a claim for reasonable expenses shall be paid by the visiting team, to the home team.
No club shall be admitted to, or expelled from the League, unless its admission, or expulsion, is approved by member clubs, at the League's Annual General Meeting.
8.(a) ALTERATIONS TO RULES.
Notice of any proposed alterations to these rules to be seconded by another club and received by the League Secretary on or before 30th November each year. Such alterations to be voted on by ballot by all clubs at the Annual Meeting. All motions passed at the Annual Meeting shall take effect immediately.
At the Annual General Meeting of the League, any alterations to existing rules or new rule, submitted by clubs for the League Committee and generally accepted by the meeting to be an advantage to the existing rules but because the wording of the alteration to rule or new rule may result in misinterpretation or obvious misunderstanding, then the meeting has the power to adjust that alteration to rule or new rule, to enable the satisfactory operation of that rule for the cricket season following the Annual General Meeting. Any adjustments to the proposed alteration to rule or new rule are only to be minor and must not take away the main concept behind the original proposals.
H. GROUNDS.
9(a) That in the event of any complaint with reference to a ground, after being inspected by the Beckett League Committee, the Committee has the power to suspend play on that ground until improvements are made to the Committee's satisfaction.
(b) Worn out Popping Creases to be re-marked, between innings. £20.00 fine imposed for default.
(c.) All home clubs shall have available, at its ground, a first aid kit.
“Ground Marking” sheets to be returned by 30th September. Failure will result in a fine of £20.00
I. UMPIRES.
10.(a) Each club, shall forward to the League Secretary the names, the names of their umpires, who must understand the rules of the game.
(b) The Scarborough and District Cricket Umpires & Scorers Association to supply neutral umpires for the “Premier” Division & Division ‘A’ Beckett League fixtures and match expenses to be £17.00 per umpire, or £22.00 if standing alone and doing both ends. To be paid by the home team when the match ball is presented to the umpires for their inspection, prior to the start of the match.
J. MISCELLANEOUS.
11.(a) All disputes, having reference to the laws of the game, shall be referred to the M.C.C. for settlement, whose decision shall be final but the umpires decision shall be acted upon in the match.
(b) All protests to be forwarded in duplicate, to the League Secretary, within three days of the playing of the match. Protests to be accompanied with a fee of £5.00, which will be forfeited if the protest is considered trivial. The Committee shall give a decision and announce same to the club concerned on any protest within 14 days of receipt of the complaint. The Committee's decision shall be final.
(c.) The Committee shall have full power to deal with any point in connection with the League not already provided for in these rules.
(d) Clubs shall be deemed to retain membership of the League if they have not notified the Secretary (in writing) by 31st December, that they are resigning from the League.
(e) That seven clear days notice be given to the Secretary of each club, off all League meetings, along with a list of attendances of Committee members at Committee meetings.
(f) The M.C.C. new LAW CODE 2001 to apply except for the 5 penalty runs in Divisions ‘B’ and ‘C’ only (other than Law 41.(3)), relating to a ball striking a helmet placed on the the field of play by the fielding side. Law 1.(2) Nomination of players to apply throughout the League.
ECB team sheets to be completed for all League and Cup fixtures, by each club, to ensure that helmet rules and bowling restrictions of junior players are complied with and then either handed to neutral umpires where appropriate or retained and forwarded to League Secretary at the end of the season.
This to be the responsibility of each club and not the League.
(g) All clubs to have compulsory public liability insurance cover, with evidence provided by 15th April preceding the season. CHANGE AS EVIDENCE NEEDED BY BALL AND HANDBOOK DISTRIBUTION NIGHT!
K. ENTRANCE FEE.
12.(a) The subscription shall be £30.00 per team and shall be payable not later than April 1st, each year, and each club shall pay their own umpires expenses.