Rules and Guidelines for EOSCL

Cricket is a game that owes much of its unique appeal to the fact that it should be played not only within its Laws but also within the spirit of the game. Any action which is seen to abuse this spirit causes damages to the game itself. The major responsibility for ensuring the spirit of fair play rests with the Captains.

1. Amendment(s)

a)    Rule(s) Addition(s)/Modification(s) can be changed by the Management and updated on the EOSCL website at any time without prior notice. All players and captains are advised to check the website regularly.

b)    Addition(s)/Modification(s) shall take effect until changed.

2. Type & Length of Match

a)    The Cricket Match (Hereinafter referred to as “Match”) shall be Limited to Overs and being a Softball Match.

b)    The Match shall be played between two teams.

c)     Each team is required to field no more than eleven (11) Players (Hereafter referred “Players,” Player(s) registered with the Event Ontario (EOSCL)).

d)    Each team shall designate two players, one as Captain and the other Vice-Captain.

e)    A Match (first and second inning) shall not commence if a division group team has less than seven (7) Players. Any division group team with less than seven (7) Players forfeits the Match, and the Match points shall be awarded to the team that fielded seven (7) or more Players. If the team is playing with less than 11 players and more than 7 players, it will have the flexibility to add players (which is already given to the scorers at the time of toss) within 20 minutes of the toss. No player will be added after the 20 minutes of the toss.

f)      If both division group teams cannot field seven (7) players each, then those match points are forfeited, and the Match shall not be used as a qualifying match.

g)    The Elite and Premier group has to have at least 9 players on the ground and all above terms in point (e) and (f) will be applied on 9 players.

h)    In the case if team is unable to produce the min number of players during the game (fielding side) or at the start of the second inning (fielding side) then the match will be given to the team who has min number of players.

i)      The inning of one team shall not exceed 55 min (12 overs) and 1 hour and 5 min (15 overs), including water break.

j)      Time spent on the dispute and field setup during the Match will be considered as part of the playing time (excluding injuries).

k)     Due to any circumstances, if number of overs are required to be reduced for a game then it’s only EOSCL management call to do so. If any of the team does not follow the change then they will loose the game and walkout rule will apply, and other team will be announced winner. In the case if both teams does not follow then the walkout rule will be applied and both teams will get negative points onn the point chart.

3. Time of Commencement of Match

a)    For every five (5) minutes, a team is late to finish the game (due to dispute, field setup, and any other reason), one (1) over will be deducted from the number of overs that team has to bat

b)    In the case if inning is late then 2 additional fielders will be required to field in the 30 yard circle and captain of the fielding team will not play the next game as a penalty..

c)     Deduction of batting overs shall start after the time which was given to the team

d)    In the Division and Premier group, If a team does not have enough player at the time of the toss, then the management will wait for 5 min for the team to produce required players. If a team still cannot provide enough players in 5 min, then the toss will be awarded to the other team. An over for every 5 min, will be deducted for the team not providing enough players, to a max of 3 overs deduction penalty.

e)    In the Elite group, If a team does not have enough player at the time of the toss, then the management will wait for 5 min for the team to produce required players. If a team still cannot provide enough players in 5 min, then the toss will be awarded to the other team. An over for every 5 min  will be deducted for the team not providing enough players, to a max of 3 overs deduction penalty plus 5 extra runs will be added to the other team.

f)      In the case if team cannot have enough players 20 minutes after the toss, then the game will be awarded to the other team.

g)    Teams showing up after 20 minutes of the game shall forfeit the Match.

h)    All Matches shall be completed in the allotted time.

i)      Captain of the team will receive a penalty of overs or will not play the next Match if it is not delivered on the specified time.

j)      No teams shall walk off the ground before the completion of a Match, in the event such incident happens, the team that walks off the ground forfeits that Match and unconditional points will be awarded to the other team.

k)     The Disciplinary Committee (EOSCL Management) shall step in and make a final decision on any disputed Match.

4. Match re-scheduling

a)    No match shall be re-scheduled in the EOSCL season 8

5. Players

a)    Each captain shall nominate eleven (11) players plus a substitute player in writing to the Match Umpire/Scorer (s) and opposing captain before the toss and provide the team list to the umpires or scoring team..

b)    If a player declares his innings by his own choice (including retired hurt - by choice) and as per on-field umpire assessment, player is not hurt/injured and/or by any means pretending to be hurt/injured. The players will be considered deemed "OUT," and the individual player will not be allowed to come back on field to bat in the same innings for the second time.

c)     Every team that is registered with EOSCL for the season will be allowed to register Sixteen (16) players (exception will be at the discretion of EOSCL management).

d)    Team captains must exchange team list before the toss is made (5 minutes before scheduled start time). The presiding umpire/scorers must sign and keep all game cards during the game. No changes are allowed after the card is submitted to the umpire/scorers.

e)    The substitute player must be registered by the owner of the team and wear a team T-Shirt. The substitute player can do fielding only for a player injured or not able to play (batting and bowling) in the Match.

f)      A player arriving late (20 min after the match starts) will not participate in the Match and team will play without him.

g)    Such a player will be considered as an ineligible player who has not registered but plays under a registered player’s name. If any team found not following this rule, their captain will be suspended for the next 2 matches, and the Match in question will be given to the opponent team.

h)    EOSCL team members would need to get pictures of the team members.

i)      Only those nominated, as substitute fielder shall be entitled to act as a substitute fielder during the Match, unless the match umpire (s), in exceptional circumstances, allows subsequent additions.

j)      In the case of misconduct (see harassment section) from the player/s, EOSCL management can suspend the player/s for further notice from the League.

k)     In the case, if bowler gets injured while bowling, then his remaining over shall be completed by any other bowler in the team, provided that the bowler finishing the over must not exceed the bowling quota for that inning.

l)      In the case, if the player is already injured and he is handed to bowl the over, then he must finish his over. If he is unable to finish the over, then the following penalties will apply..

a.     The over will not be counted.

b.     The runs conceded within the over will be added to the batting team score.

c.     6 runs will be added to the batting team.

m)   In order for any player to play in the play-offs, Division or Premier or Elite, the player, under any circumstances, is required to play at least 4 games  of the pool matches i-e rounds before playoffs (warmup games are not include).

n)    Any player, who has not been part of the playing XI (substiute player will not have his games counted) for at least 4 games of the league matches will not be allowed to play the play-off. Under no circumstances, excuses like personal matters, family matters, not being available to play pool matches, being injured etc; will not be accepted.

o)     12th man rule (Substitution rule):

·         A substitute i-e 12th man can not come on to the field from the bowl one of the first over. All Playing XI must be on the field before a team can opt for a substitute. A team can choose to take substitute while playing XI are on the field and at least one over is bowled. However, any team can not take two successive substitutes, such as; 

·         The player who was replaced by substitute (12th) player, has to come on to the field, and the substitute (12th ) player has to go off the field, and the game must continue at least for an over before a team can make another substitution. Under no circumstances any team can use a substitute because one of the players is running late or stuck in traffic etc. if player is running late due to whatsoever reason, the team has an option of either playing short (as per defined in the terms) or change the playing XI which needs to be decided before the Toss.

p)    In the case, if the player go off the field for more than 20 min, he cannot join the field for that match.

q)    In the case, where a player go off the field during the inning (fielding), and, whether the substitute was taken or no substitute was taken, and, in the event where he comes back within 20 minutes, then, the player can come on to the field, but, the player must wait for 4 overs (or number of overs has been bowled which he was away) before bowling and will not bowl until the respective number of overs are done. However, It is at a discretion of on field umpires to use, number of overs and/or time as a judgment tool to define if the player coming back on the field can bowl earlier than 4 overs or must wait four overs before bowling.

r)     If the striker hits the ball twice, while ball is in play, and got out (catch out), he will then considered to be out, however if he hits the ball twice while ball is in play and score runs, then those runs will not be counted in the team and in his individual scroes. Ball will be counted in the over as legal delivery.

6. Ground

a)    For the first league match, EOSCL to prepare the ground.

b)    Pitch size should be standard.

c)     All players are responsible for cleaning up the ground, remove their belongings and garbage upon leaving the ground. Any penalty from the town of Milton imposed to EOSCL will be passed on to the captains of the teams, who have not cleared the ground after their Match.

7. Toss

a)    A match is played between two sides. Each side shall consist of eleven (11) players, one of whom shall be captain. The vice-captain must be one of the nominated members of the playing eleven.

b)    Players list must be submitted to umpire or EOSCL management before the toss.

c)     Captain of the team has to be clear when they are on the pitch to do the toss, in the case where one would like to go back to the team to discuss will lose the toss, and the toss will be given to the opponent team.

8. No-Ball and Wide rules

a)    A penalty of one run shall be credited instantly on the call of the WIDE ball. Unless the call of wide is revoked or changed by the umpire. All runs completed by the batsmen or a boundary allowance together with the penalty for the WIDE, shall be scored as WIDE ball extra.

b)    There will be no Leg before Wicket (L.B.W.).

c)     No ball will be given by the umpire if player/s found talking with each other while bowler has started his runup, conversation on the phone, or conversation with the crowd.

d)    No and Wide ball rule…

·         Any ball delivered by a bowler, that is bouncer and passes over the batsman Head (batsman must be in a normal batting stance) MUST be called a WIDE BALL. The umpire (s) will determine the batsman stance.

·         Any ball delivered by a bowler, full toss (full pitch) that is above the waist (Umpire will assess that batsman must be in a normal batting stance) provided that the ball is not dropping on the batman (low full-toss/flight) and batsman did not charge towards the ball, MUST be called a NO BALL. 

·         Any bouncer which over the head of the batsman and is declared a Wide ball, shall not be counted as one bouncer per over.

e)    Wide over the shoulder would not be considered as a bouncer.

f)      One bouncer will be allowed per over.

g)    Full toss ball will be considered as a no ball, in the case if the bowler bowls the second full toss in the same over then his over will be canceled, and he will be suspended for that inning.

h)    Free-hit on a NO ball will be given to the teams.

i)      8 consecutive wide balls will make the over cancelled and 6 runs penalty will be given to the team, which means runs will be added to the batting team and over will not be counted.

9. Crease

a)    Wide lines will be measured from the middle stump as one bat distance.

b)    Leg side of the batsman will be considered as wide.

10. Umpires

a)    Umpires are the sole judges of fair and unfair play and their rulings will be final and will be considered as a match official.

b)    Teams shall abide by the decision of umpire regardless if the decision is in their favor or not.

c)     The umpires may intervene at any time, and it is the responsibility of the captain to take action where required.

d)    In any circumstances, none of the team members are allowed to misbehave with Umpires, in such cases that individual will get a warning. If the issue persists by the same individual, then he will not play the remainder of the Match and/or the next Match.

e)    The Umpires are authorized to intervene in case of:

·         Time wasting

·         Dangerous or unfair bowling

·         Any other action that they consider to be unfair

·         Or any other unforeseen circumstances where deemed necessary

f)      The umpire shall ensure the correctness of the score throughout and end of the Match

g)    The umpire shall stand at the non-striker and behind the stumps

h)    Umpire found to follow improper conduct will be suspended by EOSCL management for the season

i)      The umpires shall choose which end to a bowl and both teams will bowl from the same end.

j)      For players challenging umpires on the rules, a warning will be issued to the captain. If the situation prevails, umpire will call for disciplinary action following the documented rules

k)     Leg and the main umpire will switch their places after half of the innings.

11. Umpire Signals

a)    Follow the standard umpire signals provided by standard cricket guidelines

12. Scorers

a)    In the event where disagreement is over the score, this will be brought to umpires attention

b)    The umpire shall determine what the score should be and both teams will abide that decision.

c)     No one including the players (EOSCL members) shall be allowed to communicate/or interfere with the scorer during the Match.

d)    In the case where umpire cannot see the boundary, it will be at the discretion of the fielder to keep him honest. If EOSCL management is around umpire can ask them for their input about the boundary decision, which will overrule the fielder call.

13. Ball

a)    Tennis balls are required to be approved by the umpire

b)    The tape has to be applied as one quote on the ball

c)     The white tape will be used on the ball during EOSCL matches.

d)    Batsman can request the umpire to change the ball, but it would be at the umpire's discretion if the ball is required to be replaced. The player cannot ask to replace the ball after every ball he plays.

14. Bats

a)    Only wooden bats are allowed to be used (irrespective of the make), fiber bats are not allowed in any of the matches

b)    Bats to be shown to the umpire before starting the game, the umpire has to approve the bat

15. Power Play rule

o    In 15 overs match, 2 players will be in the outer circle for first 5 overs

o    In 12 over the Match, 2 players will be in the outer circle for first 4 overs.

o    Once the power play is over then 4 players will be in the 30 yards circle through out the games

o    In the case if inning cannot be completed in time then fielding team will have to add 2 additional player inside the 30 yards.

o    For Elite group –

o    4 overs power play will be implemented at the start of the inning, and remaining 2 overs batiing team can take whenever they want, however if batting team dosnot take advantage of it then the last 2 overs will be treated as power play overs.

16. Results and points

a)    Team standings will be based on the Total points including bonus points and run rate.

b)    In each Match, the winning team will be awarded 2 points.

c)     The losing team will be awarded no points.

d)    Team scoring more than 200 runs in Division group, 250 runs in Premier and 300 runs in Elite group will be awarded 1 extra point.

e)    The team bowled out opposing team in half the specified overs will be awarded 1 point (for example, 5 overs out of 10 over Match. Once 5th over is delivered and new bowler starts the 6th over, a bonus point will not be awarded.).

f)      Team batting second and win within half the overs (for instance, 5 overs out of 10 over Match) bowled will get an extra 1 point.

g)    If a team walks-out of a game (means team with min players was at the ground and left the game intentionally) , then, the accused team will lose (2) points.and 1 extra point will be awarded to the opponent team in addition to the 2 points they will be getting as match point.

h)    If a team doensot show up (or cannot produce min players requirement) then the team will have deduction of one (1) point from the points table and the opponent team will be awarded 1 bonus point in addition to the 2 points they will be getting as match point..   

i)      The minimum requirement of players (Division 7 & Premier and Elite 9) must be met at the time of toss. If one team does not fulfill the minimum player requirement but the opposite team did, then, the team that meets the minimum requirement will win the toss by default. 

j)      The minimum players must be present for both teams (Division 7 & Premier and Elite  9) at the start time for the match to start and during the fielding. if one team can not produce the minimum required players until the start of the game or anytime during the fielding, then, the match and points will be awarded to the team that has minimum players present at the start time and the other team will lose one point from the points table. i-e (-1), however the opponent team will get one extra point in addition to the 2 points they will be getting as match point.

k)     If both teams are unable to meet the minimum requirement (Division 7 & Premier 9) of presenting players at the time of toss,and,  until the game start time, (Division 7 & Premier 9), then, the match will be null and voided and 2 points will be deducted for both teams. i-e (-2)

17. Match Draw rules

a)    If the Match does not occur due to weather conditions

b)    The play was stopped due to weather conditions.

c)     In the situation of extreme weather, i.e.:

o    If it happens during the first inning being played, the Match will be considered a draw.

o    If it happens during second inning being played, then score will be calculated until the over being played from the first inning and then the team will be considered a winner which has higher scorer. For example if the rain starts during sixth over of the second inning and the team has scored 50 runs (until that ball of the over), then the score of the batting team will be compared with the first inning until that point (overs + balls) which was 45 runs, the second inning batting team will be considered winner of the Match.

o    Minimum power play overs have to be played to make the decision; else Match will be considered as a draw.

a)    Each team will be awarded 1 point in the case when the Match is drawn

b)    A TIE game (Playoffs game) in the playoffs it is necessary for the game to have a result or winner; therefore, a Super Over Eliminator (SOE) rule (s) will be implied.

a.     The game SOE must be played using the same eleven (11) players as in the earlier Match. An injured player may use a substitute fielder who would not be allowed to bat and bowl.

b.     The team batting second in the Match will bat first in the Super Over Eliminator.

c.     Before the commencement of the SOE each team elects three (3) batsmen and one (1) bowler.

d.     A new ball shall be used by both teams. Each team’s over is played with the same fielding restrictions as per competition rules.

e.     The loss of two (2) wickets in the over end the team’s one over innings.

18. Over

a)    Each over shall consist of 6 regular deliveries

b)    No ball or wide ball shall be re-bowled

c)     A bowler is not permitted to bowl two consecutive overs

d)    Umpire’s decision will conclude an over, and he will count the deliveries

e)    No bowler shall bowl no more than 2 overs in an inning (10 overs)

f)      In the case of 12 overs per inning, maximum 2 bowlers can bowl 3 overs.

g)    In the case of 15 overs per inning, maximum overs a bowler can bowl is 3.

h)    The softball cricket bowler MUST bowl legally (e.g., no chuck ).

19. LBW

a)    LBW out is exempted from the EOSCL matches

20. Consumption of Alcohol or drugs

a)    Consumption of drugs or alcohols or smoking is prohibited during the Match

21. Adherence to law

a)    Decisions of the Executives Committee or any other Committee of the EOCL shall not be subject to litigation in a court of law in Canada or otherwise.

b)    Any player offending the law shall be liable for his action and shall be disciplined by the appropriate body of the association

c)     There is no place for any act of violence on/off the field of play.

d)    Captains responsibility

a.     The Captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of the Game as well as within the Laws.

b.     Captain of the team will receive a penalty of overs or will not play the next Match if it is not delivered on the specified time.

c.     Each captain shall nominate eleven (11) players plus a substitute player in writing to the Match Umpire/Scorer (s) and opposing captain before the toss

d.     Team captains must exchange team list before the toss is made (5 minutes before scheduled start time). The presiding umpire/scorers must sign and keep all game cards during the game. No changes are allowed after the card is submitted to the umpire/scorers.

e.     Such a player will be considered as an ineligible player who has not registered but plays under a registered player’s name. If any team found not following this rule, their captain will be suspended for the next 2 matches, and the Match in question will be given to the opponent team.

f.      Captain of the team has to be clear when they are on the pitch to do the toss, in the case where one would like to go back to the team to discuss will lose the toss, and the toss will be given to the opponent team

g.     For players challenging umpires on the rules, a warning will be issued to the captain and player. If the situation prevails, umpire will call for disciplinary action following the documented rules.

h.     Team must wear shirts to play the game, and it is the captain responsibility to make sure each player have their shirt on. No shirt no play.

e)    Any sorts of politics or political speeches or discussion are not allowed through EOSCL platform.

f)      Only designated people (by the team) will engage in the communication with EOSCL management.

g)    No lobbying is allowed by the team to communicate with the EOSCL management.

22. Player registration

a)    Each team shall submit 16 players with their correct name (first and last) registered (exception will be at the discretion of EOSCL management).

b)    Suspended player due to any reason shall not be part of the playing team

23. Team registration

a)    To participate in the competition for a cricket season, teams are required to register their player's names with EOSCL.

b)    There shall be a cap to accommodate the number of team in one season which will be determined by the active board in EOSCL

24. Fees

a)    The team shall pay fees at the time of registration and is non-refundable.

25. T-shirt (uniform)

a)    Each team must wear a t-shirt and/or trouser provided by EOSCL.

26. Harassment

a)    Talking is permitted between members of the fielding team to each other, but not while the bowler is ready to bowl and particularly not by close-to-the-wicket fieldsmen in such a way as to distract the batsmen. Swearing is prohibited during the Match if found a warning will be given to the captain if it persists then 2 points will be deducted for that team and/or may result in the suspension of that individual who is found swearing.

b)    Insulting, abusing (verbal and physical), Assaulting or Harassing an umpire or an EOSCL member or the EOSCL management committee by any Player (s) is strictly forbidden and such practice will result in suspension for an entire year and/or a maximum fine of $1000.

c)     In the case of harassment number of offenses will be counted and the penalty will be applied appropriately.

27. Injury to player

a)    It will be the responsibility of each team to have insurance for each player to cover any or all damages suffered any of its players.

b)    EOSCL will not be responsible for any player or spectators hurt during the Match.

c)     EOSCL management will not be responsible for any injury happen to the player during and after the Match.

d)    Any protective gear required will be the responsibility of the team (guards for a batsman or any safety gadget).

e)    Only garden gloves or Soccer Goalie gloves or gloves where there is no flapper between index finger and thumb are permitted for Wicket Keepers, not other types of gloves will be permitted.

28. Not covered in these rules

a)    Any matter not provided in this document regarding rules of cricket shall be governed by EOSCL management who may refer ICC.

29. Independent Advice

a)    The undersigned acknowledge that you have carefully read and understood the provisions of this Agreement, and understand that you have the right to seek independent advice at your expense or to propose modifications before signing the Agreement and have negotiated proposed modifications to the extent you deemed necessary. Nothing contained in this Agreement creates a relationship between the parties. You represent and warrant that you have entered into this Agreement voluntarily and after consulting with whomsoever you wished.

30   . Non-Solicitation of Customers, Cricket players, Customer Prospects, sponsors and Vendors:

During the completion of cricket season 8 in 2023 and twenty-four (24) months after that, you will not, directly or indirectly, solicit or attempt to solicit any business who sponsored current event which has been brought to the league by the EOSCL management, for sponsorship of any cricket event in the Region of Halton, Ontario.

Non-Solicitation of Employees, Contractors, business partners:

You also covenant and agree that during this current cricket season and for twenty-four (24) months after the completion of cricket season 8 2023 you will not, directly or indirectly, on your own behalf or on behalf of or in conjunction with any person or legal entity, recruit, solicit, or induce, or attempt to recruit, solicit, or induce, any Employees, Contractors, business partners of Event Ontario Softball Cricket League (EOSCL).

31: - Communications

a)    During the tenure of the league, the only/ preferred communication method accepted by the EOSCL management will be emailed. No phone calls or text messages (SMS, WhatsApp, etc.) shall be entertained.

b)    The EOSCL management will create and regularly maintain FAQs on the website, all the team members and captains are encouraged to check FAQs before contacting the EOSCL management through email (the only permitted method of communication).

c)     EOSCL is/ shall not be responsible for any outcomes of lobbying against the league and the Management. All members are encouraged to contact the Management if there are concerns.

** By playing the current season, players will give EventOntario a consent to send event marketing emails for other events managed by EventOntario in the current and future years and to use them in EOSCL Ads as well**

Acceptance: –
If players are playing in the EOSCL Season 8 – 2023, this agreement is auto confirmed by the players that players accepts the rules, regulations, and conditions as stipulated in the terms and condition provided to the team and also available on the website.