Delaware Premier League 2024

DPL CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PLAYERS & UMPIRES

  • 1. SUMMARY AND SCOPE

  • The Delaware Premier League (DPL) was established in 2016 to provide cricket enthusiasts a platform to enjoy and promote the sport of cricket in the area.
  • The purpose of this document is to provide information on DPL’s players and umpires code of conduct that needs to be followed by players and umpires. This document will continue to be enhanced and updated to address changes, facilitate clarification of rules and regulations and in response to feedback from the teams.
  • For more clarity on specific situations that are not discussed within this document, please refer to the DPL Rulebook. It is mandatory for all team players to go through this document.
  • Questions or suggestions regarding DPL Code of Conduct must be addressed to the DPL Committee for Rules and Regulations at SURFRS@DPLcric.com.

  2. CODE OF CONDUCT

    1. DPL is committed to maintaining the highest standards of behavior and conduct in the game of cricket. At all times, it is to be remembered that the core aim of the Code of Conduct is to maintain the highest standards of behavior and conduct in the game of cricket.
      1. The Disciplinary Regulations shall be complied with by all those who participate in the DPL, including players, clubs, club officials, club members and any other person or body who is from time-to-time engaged in cricket- related activities under the auspices of the DPL (Participants).
      2. Every club shall take all reasonable steps to ensure the proper conduct of its Participants in accordance with the Disciplinary Regulations and shall not act in any way which is prejudicial or detrimental to the interests or reputation of the League(s) or the game of cricket
      3. DPL management will impose monetary penalties for any code of conduct violations against a player and/or team. For penalties, see DPL Code of Conduct document. All monetary penalties adjudged must be paid in full before the start of the team’s next game. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of the game and imposing of more penalties.
      4. In all cases, DPL management reserves the right to impose more penalties including game suspensions against a player guilty of misconduct. This is in addition to the standard penalties described below.
      5. DPL requires teams to wear their own team jerseys during their matches. For penalties, see DPL Code of Conduct document.
      6. Cigarette smoking, including e-cigarette smoking, is strictly prohibited anywhere near the playing field areas and the pavilion. This applies to the spectators also. Lumspond park is deemed as a non-smoking zone. And so, anyone who does smoke anywhere inside the Lumspond park are responsible for their own actions.
      7. Leaving any kind of trash like bottles, cups, cans, bags, wrappers, food etc., on or near the ground is strictly prohibited. In such cases, it’s the umpire’s duty to notify DPL management which in turn penalizes the team that is responsible.
      8. There is no place for any act of violence on the field of play. Any acts of violence will result in expulsion of the player from the game without warning and/or disqualification of the team. The umpire will then consult the DPL management immediately, and in conjunction with the Disputes committee, will make a collective decision.
      9. Sledging is strictly prohibited. Under circumstances of a team mate encouraging their own player that borders on sledging the opponent, then the umpires will have the discretion.
      10. The umpires’ decision will be final on the field of play. No arguing with the umpires is allowed.
      11. If a team member has an issue, he must bring it to the notice of his team captain and the captain will in turn bring it to the notice of the umpire.
      12. If the umpires find things going beyond the limit, they will warn the player and the captain. Upon repeated warnings, the umpire will expel the player from the ground and can stop them from playing the rest of the game.
      13. If there is any arbitration between the captains and umpires, the captains must notify the DPL dispute committee. The final decision will lie with the DPL dispute committee.
      14. Fielding team is prohibited from talking/distracting from the instant the bowler starts their bowling stride to the instant the ball is either played or crosses the normal batting position of the batsman. The umpire will have the discretion in what is meant by distraction. Accordingly, the umpire may declare the ball as a dead ball or a no ball.
      15. The umpire will always warn a player for code of conduct violations in the presence of the team captain.
      16. If a player is disqualified from the game, then a substitute cannot be used for that disqualified player.
    2. THE PLAYERS
      1. Registered DPL Member: All playing members must be registered in DPL.
      2. Number of Players: A match is played between two sides, each of eleven players, one of whom shall be captain. By agreement a match may be played between sides of fewer than eleven players, but not less than Eight players or more than eleven players at any time during the entirety of the match.
      3. Nomination of players: Each captain shall nominate his players in The Scoring System (CricHQ or similar) before the toss. No player may be changed after the match had started.
      4. Playing eleven: All playing eleven for each team must be present on the ground. If either one or both teams do not have playing eleven, then they should start the game on time with at least 8 players on either team.
      5. Delay in Playing: The match can start within 10 minutes of the scheduled start time. Thereafter, a team can accept the delayed start by losing 1 over per five (5) minutes of wait time up to a maximum of 15 minutes.
      6. Late Arrivals: In the event of on time start of the game without playing eleven, a maximum 6 overs of first innings can accept the late arrivals. After 6 overs of the first innings, the late arrivals will only be allowed to field in the game. Before 6 match overs, if a team chooses to play with less number of players, no less than 8 players though, then that team must suffer loss of bowling or batting for the late arrivals.
      7. Fielders Absence: The consent of the umpire at the bowler's end must be obtained for a player to leave the field or return to the field during a session of play. A player who leaves the field and is absent from the field for longer than 15 minutes shall not be permitted to bowl after his return until he has been on the field for at least that length of playing time for which he was absent.
      8. Substitute Fielder: The consent of the opposing captain must be obtained for the use of a substitute fielder if any player is prevented from fielding for any reason other than illness or injury suffered during the match. The consent of the opposing captain must be obtained for the use of a substitute fielder in such cases.
    3. PLAYER RESPONSIBILITIES
      1. BOTH TEAMS:
        1. DPL Property: Both teams share responsibility in using DPL materials on the field. Any damage or concern must be raised at the beginning of the game. Keep used material in storage box and make sure it is locked properly.
        2. Mat: DPL provides the mat for the matches. If it rains during the game, make sure the carpet doesn’t get wet. Remove the mat and put it in DPL provided storage area so that it doesn’t get wet.
        3. Trash Removal: All kind of trash must be removed from the field. After the game is completed, put the trash inside trash bag(s), secure the trash bag tightly, and please take the trash bags with you but do not leave them anywhere near the field or in the park. BOTH Teams who played last game will be penalized in case where trash were to be found left. To avoid penalty, report to DPL disciplinary committee any trash left by other teams from previous game BEFORE start of the game.
        4. Field Maintenance: Teams shall be responsible for the general maintenance of the playing field during the matches. It is responsibility of all playing teams during the day to ensure the inner circle cones or the boundary marking cones are not moved; creases markings are visible; not leave empty bottles on the field etc.
        5. Safety: Both teams are responsible for making sure all the people are in safe position. They should be in control of the playing field as well as spectator’s safety.
        6. Game: Both teams playing XI must be there on the ground 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start of their games.
        7. Scorer: Each team is required to provide scorer for their matches.
        8. Evening Duties: Teams playing last match of the day should remove the mat, and all other DPL equipment on the field (cones, wickets etc.) and properly store them in DPL provided storage area.
      2. TEAM CAPTAINS/TEAM ADMINS:
        1. DPL Cricket Rules: Will be proficient with the ICC laws of cricket and DPL Cricket Rules.
        2. Responsibility: Team Captain will control the behavior of all his team players. Respect the umpires, their opinions and decisions. Captains will be responsible to go over cricket rules and regulations with his team members. Will also be responsible for arranging scorers for their matches.
        3. DPL Meeting: Should attend all the DPL meetings when required. In case they can’t attend, then you should inform DPL management well in advance about their non-availability and arrange for someone from the team to attend the meeting. If they fail do so, DPL will penalize the team.
        4. Team Admin(s): Are Official spokesperson(s) of the team.
        5. Scorecard: Both teams are responsible to ensure all the entries are correct in the scorecard before the scorecard gets uploaded to The Scoring System (CricHQ or similar) by the deadline specified in the guideline.
        6. Umpire(s) Scorecard: Team captains or team admins will need to provide ratings and feedback on the umpires who officiated in their match. DPL will use these ratings towards building an elite group of umpires as well as use the same for awarding the BEST UMPIRE award.
      3. SCORER:
        1. Record Playing XI in The Scoring System (CricHQ or similar): Must collect and record in The Scoring System (CricHQ or similar) the playing 11 names in The Scoring System (CricHQ or similar) before the game starts.
        2. Game: Must inform calculation of balls or runs during the game. Must declare scores at the end of each over. Must inform umpires of their presence and sitting location. Must acknowledge umpires’ signals by raising their hand.
        3. Scorecard: Must try to review the scorecard with both team captains or team representatives after the game. This would help in finding any errors right away and help with the teams with uploading the scorecard to The Scoring System (CricHQ or similar) by the deadline specified in the guideline.
    4. Game Punctuality:
      1. All games shall start at scheduled time. DPL management reserves the right to change the starting time for any game.
      2. If due to circumstances beyond the control of the teams, the ground is not ready for play by the scheduled start time, the official umpire may agree on a new start time after taking the DPL management in confidence.
      3. The toss observance must be performed at least 10 minutes before the scheduled game time. It is the responsibility of the umpires to ensure time line is met.
      4. Toss would always be called by the “AWAY” team.
      5. Any team member can observe the toss; it is not necessary for the captains to perform this duty.
      6. The toss winning team must declare their decision within 5 minutes of winning the toss.
    5. Positioning of Non-Active Players
      Players who are currently not active in the immediate activities and supporters of teams are expected to operate in a manner to avoid causing any disturbance to the players.
      1. The umpire(s) have the discretion to ask inactive players to move out of immediate proximity if these inactive team members are deemed to be causing a disturbance to the game.
      2. This could be a location outside the boundary line or to non-playing areas that are well out of immediate proximity at the discretion of the umpires.
      3. The captains are expected to comply with the decision, failing which this will be treated as a forfeit. The list of inactive players is not restricted to members of the playing XI but also includes players and supporters of the team.
      4. If any player on field playing the game (batting team or fielding team) thinks a certain position of non-active player is distracting, he may raise the issue with umpires and shall not engage non-active players directly. Umpires at their discretion, and using their judgement may order non-active player to move out/away from their current position.
    6. Smoking, Tobacco Usage and Urinating on Grounds
      Please note that smoking (including e-cigarettes), tobacco usage and urinating in public setting is not permitted. DPL will take very strong action against anyone violating these policies. Urinating in a bottle or other receptacle is also deemed to be an equivalent offence. If the rest rooms are closed, please use the rest room in other Lumspond designated areas It is the responsibility of the team management to educate all their players accordingly. Penalties are enforced without any warnings.
      1. Players: 1st Offence
        1. The player who commits the offence will be immediately ejected from the game. This is done by mutual agreement between the umpires and the team at fault will play the game without "the player at fault" for the rest of the game.
        2. If there are multiple players involved, all of them will incur the same penalty. (Please remember that a team needs a minimum of 8 players to continue the game. if not, team will effectively forfeit the game at that time)
        3. The offence need to be proven beyond doubt for the umpire(s) to make the final decision. For example: If the opposition registers a complaint, but the umpire cannot prove the occurrence beyond doubt or feels that he is not sure about the player(s), then he will report the matter to CDDA and this will be considered as a first offence without the ban.
      2. Players: Repeat Offender
        1. The player who commits the offence the 2nd time will be suspended for their next 2 games; the suspension will begin from the next scheduled game for the team and the current game is NOT counted as one of the games following that game.
        2. The player who commits the offence the 3rd time will be suspended for 6 games or the rest of the tournament whichever is higher. The suspension will begin from the next scheduled game for the team and the current game is NOT counted as one of the games following that game. If there are less than 6 games left in a tournament, the ban will continue to the next tournament.
        3. The Team at fault will be penalized $100 for the repeat offence. The team captain will be suspended for 2 games for repeat offence. This should be a good motivation for teams to educate everyone including the new player(s).
        4. The offence needs to be proven beyond doubt to the umpire(s) for them to make the final decision. If the first offence was an instance where the player was not identified (but the team was).and a player from the same team does it, this will be considered second offence for the team.
      3. Umpires Smoking/Urinating
        1. First Offence: 100 dollars fine and 1 game ban (he will continue umpiring the current game).
        2. Second Offence: Banned for 10 games or entire tournament (whichever is larger).
        3. Umpires who do not act on smoking/urinating violations of the above will also be subject to similar severe penalties at the discretion of CDDA.

  3. ASSEMBLING FOR THE MATCH

    1. All matches are scheduled to start at the defined time on Saturday or Sunday of the match week. Both the teams must arrive at the ground 20-30 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the match. The umpires must arrive at the ground 15 minutes prior to the start of the match to initiate the toss, confirm ground rules, and ensure a timely start of the match.
    2. The two captains will provide the names of the players in the playing XI to the scorer who will then select them in The Scoring System (CricHQ or similar) Matchup for both the teams.
    3. All players are expected to be present at the ground at the start of the match and to be present at the ground until their participation in the match is completed. There are however situations wherein players either arrive late or leave the match (or field) for periods of time. This section defines the restrictions to the participation of players who arrive at the ground after the start of the match. Essentially no player can join the match after the game has started, unless –
      1. A team should field at least 8 players for the team to be able to play a match. If the team doesn’t have minimum 8 players to start the match, then they’ll be considered to have forfeited the game and forfeit penalties will apply.
      2. Captain had informed the Umpires BEFORE the start of the match that the said player(s) is/are going to be late. Umpires will NOT allow any player to join unless they were informed before the first ball was bowled.
      3. The team captain must inform the umpire of the name(s) of the player(s) joining the match after its commencement. Once this communication is complete, the player(s) cannot be changed. This is equivalent to announcing the playing XI.
      4. The player in question must check-in with the umpires at the completion of the over that is in progress when he arrives or at the fall of a wicket.
      5. The player(s) in question must join the team before the beginning of the 7th over of the first innings. Once the 7th over of the first innings is completed, the late arriving player(s) are no longer eligible to bat or bowl in that match but can field.
      6. The restrictions on the participation for late arrivals are listed below (this assumes that the umpire was informed before the match and the player has checked-in before the beginning of the 7th over of the first innings).
        1. A player who comes late can only bat after the fall of 5th wicket if his team was batting first.
        2. A player who comes late can only bowl after the 6th over in the second innings if his team was batting first.
        3. A player who comes after N overs of his team’s bowling inning will not be allowed to bowl for another N overs of the bowling inning.
    4. Examples that can be used as guidelines:
      1. Team A is batting first and the player(s) arrive late. The player(s) can bat after the fall of the 5th wicket AND can bowl only after the end of 6 overs.
      2. Team A is bowling first and the player(s) arrive(s) after 5 overs were completed. The player(s) can bowl from the 11th over onwards and can bat after the fall of 5th wicket in their team’s batting inning.
      3. Team A is bowling first and the player(s) came after the start of the 7th over. The player(s) will not be allowed to bat or bowl in the match but are allowed to field during the entirety of the match.
    5. BREAK BETWEEN INNINGS
      1. Breaks between innings shall not exceed 10 minutes. However, both captains may agree to make them shorter.
      2. Each drink break shall be exactly 10 minutes and may not exceed 1 per innings. Umpires must offer breaks to both teams at similar intervals in both innings. In the event a team refuses to take its break as offered by the umpire, it may not request another one before the next scheduled break.
      3. Drink intervals shall not be taken if both captains agree to forego a drinks interval, or if an innings has been reduced to fewer than qualified overs because of unfavorable weather conditions.

APPENDIX – A: GUIDELINES FOR UMPIRES

  1. Be on the ground on time and please introduce yourself to the other umpire.
  2. Meet the captains and make sure the teams introduce each other and have them record their Playing XI in the Scoring System (CricHQ or similar).
  3. Discuss expectations with the team captains and make sure that the captains of both teams understand the rules.
  4. Have access to a digital copy of the DPL Rule Book.
  5. Review the rules before the game. Note down the phone number/s of SURFRS and DPL volunteers from the DPL website and have them handy with you in case you need to call them up to resolve any disputes.
  6. Time to time, identify the scorer from the batting teams.
  7. Try to be the best judge and make decisions based on DPL and ICC rules (if DPL rules do not address certain rules). Keep your cool even in the face of pressure from the players. Remember that you can give formal warnings to the players and teams for bad behavior.
  8. If you have already given 2 warnings to specific players, the 3rd instance is an automatic expulsion from the game. You can enforce it.
  9. Be consistent in all your decisions, particularly while calling wides and no-balls.
  10. If there is a conflict between DPL and ICC rules, use the DPL rule but bring it to the notice of SURFRS after the match.
  11. Verify the score after every over with the batting team scorer and tally the score at the end of 10 overs and at the end of the innings. Reconcile any mismatch in scores during the tallying (total score is already agreed upon during the over-by-over check, so it will not change during tally).
  12. If not sure about a rule, consult the other umpire and/or refer to rules document
  13. Call SURFRS in case you have doubts or if either of the teams wants you to call SURFRS member.
  14. If the umpires feel a bowler is throwing/chucking, then he should follow the laws of no-ball for illegal arm action. Umpires should have proper understanding of what does and does not constitute chucking. Avoid being unfair to bowler as chucking is a serious allegation due to lack of knowledge.
  15. Monitor on-field conflicts and resolve it by talking to the 2 captains in a setting away from other players. Only the captains can get into a discussion with the umpire(s) during conflicts. Ask all other players to move away during such discussions.
  16. When in doubt, verify the boundary length (against one of the cones), pitch length, crease length(s) etc. are per the rules.
  17. Leg Umpire and Straight umpire to switch positions after every 2 overs.

APPENDIX – D: Additional Disciplinary Offences

Other Reported Disciplinary Offences

  1. Abuse of cricket equipment, clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings.
    The knocking of stumps, or the throwing or kicking of a bat, ball, or any equipment on the field of play or within the curtilage of the premises or ground.
  2. Abusive behavior
    Using language and/or gesture of an obscene or a serious insulting nature to another player, umpire, team official or spectator.
  3. Aggressive behavior
    1. Repeated charging or advancing towards an umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing. The Captain may also be disciplined.
    2. Throwing the ball at or near a player, umpire or official in an inappropriate and dangerous manner.
    3. The bowling of fast short pitched balls that result in the bowler being disallowed from bowling further in that innings.
  4. Captain failing to control his players following a request
    This is a major transgression against the Spirit of Cricket.
  5. Abuse of an umpire (including intimidation by word or action)
    1. Dissent by action OR verbally.
    2. Verbal OR written abuse (including language that is obscene, offensive or insulting and/or the making of an obscene gesture.
  6. Intimidating and threatening behavior
    1. Intimidating an umpire.
    2. Threatening to assault another player, team official or spectator.
    3. Racial / Homophobic/Sexual Abuse of any person Using language or gesture that offends, insults, humiliates, intimidates, threatens, disparages or vilifies another person on the basis of that person’s race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, color, descent, national or ethnic origin.
  7. Threatening and violent behavior
    1. Threatening an umpire.
    2. Physical assault on another player, umpire, official or spectator.
    3. Any act of violence on the field of play.