ABERDEENSHIRE CRICKET ASSOCIATION
RULE CHANGES FOR 2015 AGM
Set out below are the final version of Changes to Rules proposed by the Rules Committee or by member clubs, plus amendments proposed by clubs, for consideration at the Association AGM on Sunday November 22nd 2015.
Three of the changes under Rule 17 [Fielding & bowling restrictions applicable to Win/Lose matches played above Grade 3, and provision to agree reduced-length games prior to the toss in all Grades] are submitted in two variant formats. The version of these changes to be discussed will depend whether under Rule 17 Proposals 1 to 3 Clubs vote to extend Win/Lose to all Grades [Proposal 1], confirm the existing experimental provision in Grade 1 [Proposal 2] and/or to extend that provision to Grade 2 [Proposal 3]. If Proposal 1 is carried, proposals 2 and 3 will lapse and discussion under Proposals 4 to 6 will be on Variant A. If Proposal 1 is defeated, Clubs will then be asked to vote on Proposals 2 and 3, [which dependent on outcome will confine Win/Lose to Grade 1 or to Grades 1 and 2]; and discussion on Proposals 4 to 6 will be on Variant B.
DavidMJones
Hon Secretary, ACA 7 November 2015.
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A)RULES OF COMPETITION – Proposed by the Rules Committee
RULE 11 REGISTRATION
For the first two sentences of the existing Rule substitute:
“All players must be registered with the Association for the current season prior to playing in any fixture under the auspices of the Association. The mechanisms by which players are registered shall be subject to approval by the Executive at the Spring Meeting prior to the start of each season, and shall include the legal family/surname, preferred forename and address of each registered player.”
Purpose: De-couples requirement for registration from precise mechanisms to be employed, thereby allowing flexibility.
RULE 13 PLAYERS
Rule 13 a (Provision for triallists)
To the existing Rule add: “Any team contravening this Rule shall, on protest, be adjudged to have lost the match”.
Purpose: Aligns sanctions for breach of this rule, if proved following a protest, with existing provision for Rules 11 and 14.
Rule 13 b (Withdrawal of a Club Second or Third Team)
To the existing Rule add
“If, during a season, a Club withdraws its second or third grade team from all Association fixtures, then, with the consent of that Club, players may be released to play for another Club in a lower Grade than their registered club’s senior grade eleven, provided that both lending and borrowing clubs have scheduled Association fixtures on the date concerned, and that both clubs notify the Association Secretary before any such arrangement is activated.”
Purpose: Embeds an extra-statutory concession implemented during 2015 to allow “fringe/spare” players without a game following withdrawal of a second or third eleven to guest, with the approval of the club for which they are registered, for another team in a lower grade, and thereby have continued opportunity to play.
Rule 13 c (Transfers)
Following “provided also that” insert “the previous club has confirmed in writing that”
Purpose: Requirement that when a player transfers the losing club confirm in writing the absence of any debts, etc
RULE 14 (FINANCIAL STATUS OF PLAYERS)
(1)In the first sentence for “the previous season” substitute “previously”
(2)To the final sentence add: “but will retain any bonus points for batting and bowling earned by other players.”
Amendment proposed by Ellon, Grammar FPs and Inverurie to proposal (2) above
For the existing final sentence substitute “Any Clubknowingly fielding such a player shall, on protest, be adjudged if found guilty to have lost the match and receive no points.”
Note: This amendment shall be put against original proposal (2) before that is voted on as a substantive motion.
RULE 16 (FIXTURES)
To Note (3) regarding the scratching of fixtures add:
“Sport Aberdeen will, and other pitch providers [including Clubs with their own grounds] may, charge for the marking of pitches which are not cancelled at least 48 hours beforehand. Where such costs are levied it is the policy of the Association that such costs should be met by the Club scratching a fixture up to a figure (currently £45), to be set annually, which reflects the current average cost of pitches hired by the Association.”
Purpose: To clarify responsibility for pitch payment in line with Sport Aberdeen & ASV policy
RULE 17 SENIOR LEAGUE COMPETITIONS
Alternative drafts of Proposals 4 to 6 are provided under this Rule. Which is discussed will depend on an initial decision under Proposals 1 to 3 whether win/lose format should apply to Grade 1 only, to Grades 1 & 2 only, or to all Grades.
Proposal 1 – Amendment extending Win/Lose to all Grades [to be voted on as a package – for or against]
(a)For the existing Rules 17 a, and 17 b substitute the following
“In all grades matches will be played on a 45 overs a side, win/lose format. The winning side will be awarded 30 points. For losing sides, or in the event of a tie, bonus points for batting and bowling will apply as noted in Section (c) of this Rule, plus 5 further points to each side in the event of a tie. The result decision shall be made by the normal Laws of Cricket.”
(b)As a consequential adjustment, from the existing Rule 17 c (Bonus Points) delete the first sentence and the words “For other sides” [as the 20 bonus points for a win or winning draw are now embedded are under Win/Lose embedded in the 30 points for a win.]
(c)As a further consequential adjustment delete Rule 17 n, as the same Rule now applies to all Grades.
Proposal 2 – Amendment confirming Win/Lose in Grade 1, to be discussed if Proposal 1 is defeated
From the existing Rule 17 n delete “as a trial for the season 2015”
Proposal 3 – Amendment extending Win/Lose to Grade 2, to be discussed if Proposal 1 is defeated but proposal 2 carried
In Rule 17 n following “Grade 1” insert “or Grade 2”
Proposal 4 - Fielding Restrictions (Win/Lose games in Grades 1 and 2 only)
Version A – If Proposal 1 has been carried (Win/Lose in all Grades)
Insert new Rule 17 b as follows:
“In games in Grades 1 and 2 where either an independent umpire has been appointed or appropriate marking on the field of play prior to the toss for innings acceptable to both captains is in place, the first 10 overs of each innings must not have more than 2 fielders outwith a radius a radius of 25 metres from the centre of the wicket, and for the next 10 overs not more than 4 players outwith the same radius. These restrictions exclude the wicket-keeper, and are at the point when a ball is delivered.”
Version B – If Proposal 1 has been defeated, and either one or both of Proposals 2 & 3 carried (Win/Lose in Grade 1 or 1 & 2 only)
Following the existing Rule 17n insert a new sub-Regulation as follows:
“(o) In games where Rule 17n (Win-Lose format) applies, and either an independent umpire has been appointed or appropriate marking on the field of play prior to the toss for innings acceptable to both captains is in place, the first 10 overs of each innings must not have more than 2 fielders outwith a radius a radius of 25 metres from the centre of the wicket, and for the next 10 overs not more than 4 players outwith the same radius. These restrictions exclude the wicket-keeper, and are at the point when a ball is delivered.”
Amendment proposed by Ellon, Grammar FPs and Inverurie CCs
In Proposal 4 for “In games” substitute “In all games” and delete [in Version A] the words “where either” to “in place” or [in Version B] the words “and either” to “in place”
Note: This amendment which, depending on the outcome of Proposals 1 to 3, will be put against Version A or B of Proposal 4 as appropriate, prior to that being voted on as a substantive motion, removes the requirement that fielding restrictions apply only where there is an appointed umpire or the captains agree. Under the amendment fielding restrictions would apply without qualification to all league matches played under Win/Lose conditions in Grades 1 and 2.
Proposal 5 - Bowling Restrictions (Win/Lose games in Grades 1 and 2 only)
Version A – If Proposal 1 has been carried (Win/Lose in all Grades)
For the first sentence of Rule 17 g substitute
“In games in Grade 1 or in Grade 2 no bowler may bowl more than 10 overs, and in other Grades more than 12 overs.”
Version B – If Proposal 1 has been defeated, and either one or both of Proposals 2 & 3 carried (Win/Lose in Grades 1 or 1 & 2 only)
For the first sentence of Rule 17 g substitute:
“In games where Rule 17n (Win-lose format) applies, no bowler may bowl more than 10 overs, and in other Grades or games more than 12 overs.”
Proposal 6 - Weather–affected games (All grades)
Version A – If Proposal 1 has been carried (Win/Lose in all Grades)
To the existing rule 17 i add:
“Where however the start of a match is delayed, or it is envisaged prior to commencement that, due to prevailing weather conditions, a full duration game is unlikely to be possible, the umpires(s) if such have been officially appointed, failing which both captains by agreement, may determine prior to the toss for innings, that the maximum duration of each innings should be reduced by not more than 3 multiples of 5 overs, to 40, 35 or 30 overs. In this event, then for each 5 over reduction in innings duration the maximum overs permitted per bowler under Rule 17 g, and (where applicable) the duration of fielding restrictions under Rule 17b, shall each be reduced by 1 over.”
Version B – If Proposal 1 has been defeated, and either one or both of Proposals 2 & 3 carried (Win/Lose in Grade 1 or 1 & 2 only)
To the existing Rule 17 i add:
“Where however the start of a match is delayed, or it is envisaged prior to commencement that, due to prevailing weather conditions, a full duration game is unlikely to be possible, the umpires(s) if such have been officially appointed, failing which both captains by agreement, may determine prior to the toss for innings, that the total duration of a match should be reduced by not more than 3 multiples of 10 overs, to a total of 80, 70 or 60 overs. In this event, then for each 10 over reduction in total duration
a)The maximum duration of the first innings as specified in Rule 17a or 17n, or duration of the first innings used to determine the allocation of draw points under Rule 17b, shall each be reduced by 5 overs;
b)The maximum overs permitted per bowler under Rule 17 g, and (where applicable) the duration of fielding restrictions under Rule 17o, shall each be reduced by 1 over.”
B)OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES
Proposed on behalf of the Management Committee by Academy, Grampian and Siyapa CCs
RULE 5 (MEETINGS OF THE EXECUTIVE)
In Section 5(c) following “by the President or the Secretary” insert “or at the instance of the Management Committee or”. At the end of the Section add “The business at an Extraordinary General Meeting shall be restricted to that specified in the Notice convening that Meeting.”
Purpose: To allow the Management Committee to convene an EGM – currently only Clubs can do that.
RULE 6 (MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE)
To the existing Rule add two paragraphs as under:
“The Quorum at Management Committee meetings shall be 50% of its total membership”
“Any member of the Management Committee absent without reasonable cause more than two successive meetings, of which the Committee itself shall be the sole judge, shall be deemed to have resigned and may be replaced by another person in the relevant category co-opted until the next Spring Meeting of the Executive.”
Purpose: To make provision for improved governance
RULE 8 (UMPIRES ASSOCIATION)
To the existing Rule add:
“The Executive at its Spring Meeting may approve a levy, not exceeding £15, payable by teams meantime in Grade 1 towards training and development costs of the Umpires Association.”
Purpose: To provide pump-priming funding for umpire training & development.
RULE 10 (RULES COMMITTEE)
Following “Rules of Competition” insert “(as defined in Rule 6a of the Association)”
Purpose: To clarify the remit of the Rules Committee.
RULE 26 (RULES) – to be voted on separately
Proposal 1 – empowering the Management Committee to propose regular Rule changes
In the third paragraph of the existing Rule for the words “the Rules Committee” substitute “the Management Committee or the Rules Committee”
Proposal 2 – empowering the Management Committee to make temporary Rule changes
To the existing Rule add:
“Furthermore, If circumstances arise during a season which in the opinion of the Management Committee (a) could not reasonably have been foreseen but (b) where it is considered that immediate temporary additional provision or suspension of Rules may be appropriate to further the stated Objects of the Association, then that Committee by a two-thirds majority of its total membership shall have power to make such temporary provision, provided than any action taken under this provision and the reasons for it are publicised on the Association Web site within 7 days of the approval of such provision; and any such provision shall last only until the next meeting of the Executive, including an Extraordinary Meeting if such is requisitioned.”