Bassetlaw and District Cricket League Official Handbook 2018

10 Appendices 185  Appendix 3 – Fielding Restrictions The ECB has regulations covering the minimum fielding distances for young players in  all matches where a hard ball is used.  •  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.  •  For players in the Under 13 age group and below the distance is 11 yards  (10 metres).  •  These minimum distances apply even if the player is wearing a helmet.  •  Should a young player in these age groups come within the restricted  distance the Umpire must stop the game immediately and instruct the  fielder to move back.  •  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 and, for boys, an  abdominal protector (box) 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.  •  These fielding regulations are applicable to all cricket in England and  Wales.  Age groups are based on the age of the player at midnight on 31 st August in the year preceding the current season.