Umpires Guidlines
ACO- Association of Cricket Officials
68. The Association of Cricket Officials (ACO) may organise cricket competition at their discretion and any such competitions to be restricted to members (clubs and players) of the GMACL. The rules of any such competitions to be set by the ACO. No competition organised by the ACO shall be mandatory to enter.
69. Social Media
The use of social media to express opinions or make statements which are derogatory, degrading or insulting or otherwise unacceptable about the League, the League Officers, Executive Members, Clubs, Players or Umpires shall upon complaint be referred to the League Disciplinary Committee, or any other committee considering the complaint, then the deciding committee shall have all powers to deal with such proven complaints.
70. The GMACL complies with the ECB guidance on recording and live streaming of games.
https://resources.ecb.co.uk/ecb/document/2022/02/14/8f153276-1990-418c-ac19-360b382915e0/ECB-Live-Streaming-Guidance-September-2021-.pdf
Teams recording or streaming games in the GMACL must get all participants permission before doing so. This includes the opposition and the umpire(s). If permission is declined by any participant, then no recording/streaming will take place.
Guidelines
PRIOR TO THE GAME BEGINNING…FIRST AID KIT AND CAPTAINS ARMBAND AND EXPENSES PAID
The umpire shall at the toss remind the captains to produce the arm band and first aid kit and pay the umpire expenses before the 1st ball is bowled. Failure of any or all of these reminders and the offending team is to be on report.
KIT..ALL WHITE OR CREAM..NO COLOURED BODY WARMERS
If the umpire sees a player inappropriately dressed he will call TIME, speak to the fielding captain and inform him that he will be on report. The umpire shall do this as often as is required.
LATE START..DOCK OVERS
If either or both teams do not start on time the umpire shall dock overs as per rule of competition and before commencing the game shall inform the offending captain that his team will be on report.
ENTERING THE FIELD OF PLAY WITHOUT PERMISSION
The only personnel on the field of play shall be the fielding team, 2 batsmen and 2 umpires. If any other person enters the field of play without the umpire’s permission the umpire shall call TIME and speak to the captain and inform him his team is on report.
BALL MISSING OR NO PAPERWORK
If any equipment is missing or is not ready by the time the game begins inform the captain(s) that they are on report.
LATE FINISH ( 2HR 40 MIN OR HOWEVER LONG IS NEEDED )
The GMACL allows 4 minutes for each over to be bowled. No extra time will be allowed for any reason. If umpires believe either side is deliberately slowing play down the umpire shall call TIME and inform the offending captain that his team is on report and issue penalty runs if need be.
POOR SCORE BOARD MANAGEMENT / LACK OF SIGNALLING FROM SCORER
It is the batting sides responsibility to keep the score board up to date and to acknowledge all signals made by umpires. If this is not done the umpire will call TIME and inform the batting captain that his team is on report. If this occurs multiple times then the umpire SHALL report the team for multiple infractions.
SMOKING ON THE FIELD OF PLAY OR BOTTLES BROUGHT ON AND DUMPED
If a player at any time enters the field of play smoking or brings a bottle onto the field of play the umpire shall inform the players captain that his team is on report. Bottles should be left at the boundary.
SQUARE LEG UMPIRE NOT DOING JOB CORRECTLY
With a lack of regular umpires we need help with square leg umpiring. If the umpire at square leg is NOT doing his job correctly ( using a phone, not watching ) then the umpire shall call TIME and inform the captain that his team will be on report . Square leg umpires are supposed to be neutral during the time they are on the field of play. This means NOT talking to the batsmen at the end of an over or the fall of a wicket.
LATE START OF 2ND INNINGS
If one or both teams are not ready to start the 2nd innings at the correct time the captain(s) shall be informed they are on report.
PRACTISING ON THE SQUARE PRIOR TO A GAME BEGINNING
Laws of cricket state that no practise on a square prior to a game is allowed. If the umpire sees this happening the offending team shall be on report.
CLUBS UMPIRING WITH ONLY ONE UMPIRE
League rules state that all clubs must stand as club umpires when called upon and must provide 2 umpires. If only one is present then that club will be put on report.
PLAYERS LEAVING THE FIELD OF PLAY WITHOUT TELLING THE UMPIRE /DRINKS INTERVALS
Laws of cricket state that drinks breaks are taking in the outfield ON THE FIELD OF PLAY. No players may leave the field of play without express permission from the umpire. If players do leave without permission the captain shall be informed his team is to be on report.
TIME WASTING BY EITHER SIDE
Fielding side taking too long to set a field or too many discussions taking place. Batsmen taking off and putting back on gloves or having to meet in the middle to chat 3 or 4 times per over. Umpires to call the offending captain over and tell him he is on report.
ABUSE OR DISTRACTION WHEN A FIELDER ATTEMPTS A CATCH
Under the ECB guidelines Spirit of Cricket if a player attempts by word or deed to distract a fielder from his job the umpire shall, once the ball is dead, call TIME and inform the captain that his team is on report.
PLAYERS RE-ACTING BADLY TO AN UMPIRES DECISION ( OUT / NOT OUT / LIGHT/WEATHER ETC )
Under the Spirit of Cricket guidelines the umpire’s decision shall be final. If there is any dissent the umpire shall inform the dissenting player’s captain that they are on report.
EXCESSIVE APPEALING / BATSMAN NOT WALKING
Under the Spirit of Cricket guidelines if the umpire believes that appealing is becoming excessive to the point that fielders are trying to intimidate the batsman and/or umpire the umpire shall call TIME and tell the fielding captain he is on report.
If the umpire believes that a player is refusing to accept a decision ( talking back, batsman not walking or facing down an umpire ) he shall inform that players captain that the team will be on report. Umpire to get the players name also.