Bassetlaw and District Cricket League Official Handbook 2017

4 Constitution, Rules & Playing Conditions 41  For the purpose of these Directives a fast bowler is defined as a bowler to whom  a wicket keeper in the same age group would in  normal circumstances  stand  back to take the ball.  3.1.2 JUNIOR FIELDING RESTRICTIONS  (i)  No young player in the Under 15 age group or younger shall be allowed to field  closer than 8 yards (7.3 metres) from the middle stump, except behind the  wicket on the off side, until the batsman has played at the ball.  A fielder shall  be allowed to move into the restricted area to make a catch or field the ball  provided that they were outside the area when the stroke was made.  (ii)  For players in the Under 13 age group the distance is 11 yards (10 metres).  (iii) These minimum distances apply even if the player is wearing a helmet.  (iv) Should a young player in these age groups come within the restricted distance  the Umpire (or Captains where no Umpires’ are present) must stop the game  immediately and instruct the fielder to move back.  (v)  In addition any young player in the Under 16 to Under 18 age groups, who has  not reached the age of 18, must wear a helmet when fielding within 6 yards  (5.5 metres) of the bat, except behind the wicket on the off side.  Players should  wear appropriate protective equipment whenever they are fielding in a  position where they feel at risk.  3.1.3 ECB SAFETY MEASURES FOR HELMETS WITHIN RECREATIONAL CRICKET  The ECB has recently announced new helmet safety measures, which are being  introduced with a view to reducing the risk of head and facial injuries within  the game. The purpose of this brief note is to assist Leagues and Clubs at the  recreational level to understand the key elements of these changes and what  they mean.  (i)  Players over the age of 18 The ECB strongly recommends that all adult recreational cricketers should wear  helmets for certain activities, preferably which meet the most recent British  Safety Standard (see below).  This recommendation applies to batting against  all types of bowling, wicket‐keepers standing up to the wicket (who may as an  alternative wear face protectors) and fielders fielding closer than eight yards  from the batsman’s middle stump, except behind the wicket on the off side.  (ii)  Players under the age of 18 The position in relation to U18’s currently remains unchanged, and is governed  by the ‘ECB Guidance on the Wearing of Cricket Helmets by Young Players’  (www.ecb.co.uk/youngplayershelmetguidance ).  In essence, batsmen and  wicket‐keepers standing up to the stumps must wear head protection when  playing or practising.  That Guidance should be referred to in full for the  position in relation to U18’s.