Bassetlaw and District Cricket League Handbook 2022

Laws & Regulations P a g e | 41 3 Junior Fielding Restrictions 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 offside, until the batter has played at the ball. A fielder shall be allowed to move into the restricted area to make a catch or field the ball if they were outside the area when the stroke was made. For players in the Under 13 age group 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 (or Captains where no Umpires are present) 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 when fielding within 6 yards (5.5 metres) of the bat, except behind the wicket on the offside. Players should wear appropriate protective equipment whenever they are fielding in a position where they feel at risk. 4 ECB Safety Measures for Helmets within Recreational Cricket 4.1 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, wicketkeepers standing up to the wicket (who may as an alternative wear face protectors) and fielders fielding closer than eight yards from the batter’s middle stump, except behind the wicket on the offside. 4.2 Players under the age of 18 Batters and wicketkeepers 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. 5 Child Protection All safeguarding issues must be emailed to safeguarding@bdcl.org.uk . 5.1 All clubs must recognise that they have a duty of care towards all young players who are representing the club. This duty of care also extends to Leagues that allow the participation of young players in adult teams and the BDCL has adopted the ECB’s ‘Safe Hands – Cricket’s Policy for Safeguarding Children’ Policy as part of its commitment to ensuring that the game provides a safe, friendly, and enjoyable experience for children.