Law 1 (The Players)

1.         Numbers of Players.

A match is played between two sides, and each team shallconsist of not less than seven (7) and not exceeding eleven (11) players.

2.         Nomination of players.

Each captain shall nominate his players in writing to one of the umpires before the toss.

No player may be changed after the nomination without the consent of the opposing captain.

3.         Captain

If at any time the captain is not available, a deputy shall act for him.

(A)        If a captain is not available during the period in which the toss is to take place, then the deputy must be responsible for the nomination of the players, if this has not already been done.

(B)        At any time after the toss, the deputy must be one of the nominated players.

4.         Responsibility of captains.

The captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the spirirt and traditions of the game as well as within the laws.

Law 2 ( Substitutes and runners; batsmen or fielder leaving the field, batsmen retiring, batsmen commencing inning)

1.         Substitutes and runners.

(A)        If the umpires are satisfied that a player has been injured or become ill after the nomination of the players, they shallallow that player to have :-

(1)        a substitute acting instead of him in the field.

(2)        a runner when batting.

Any injury or illness that occurs at any time after the nomination of the players until the conclusion of the of the match shall be allowable, irrespective of whether play is in progress or not.

(B)        The umpire(s) shall have discretion, for other wholly acceptable reasons, to allow a substitute on the fielder, or a runner for a batsman , at the start of the match or at any subsequent time.

(C)        A player wishing to change his shirt, boots, etc must leave the field to do so and no substitute shall beallowed for him.

(D)        A substitute need not be a registered player.

2.         Objection to Substitutes.

The opposing captain shall have no right of objection to any player acting as a substitute on the field, nor to where the substitute shall field.

3.         Restrictions on the role of substitutes.

A substitute shall not be allowed to bat or bowl nor act as wicket-keeper or as captain on the field of play.

4.         A Player for whom a substitute has acted.

A player is allowed to bat, bowl, or field even though a substitute has previously acted for him.

5.         Fielder absent or leaving the field.

If a fielder fails to take the field with his side at the start of the match or at any time, or leaves the field during session of play :-

(1)        The umpire shall be informed of the reason for his absence.

(2)        He shall not thereafter come on the field during a session of play without the umpire=s consent. Theumpire shallgive such consent as soon as is practicable.

(3)        If he is absent for 15 minutes or longer, he shall not be permitted to bowl thereafter, until he has been on the field for at least that length of playing time for which he was absent.

(4)        The time lost for an unscheduled break in play shall be counted as time on the field for any fielder whocomes on to the field at the resumption of play.

6.         Player returning without permission.

If a player comes on to the field of play in contravention of 5(2) above and comes into contact with the ball whileit is in play , the ball shall immediately become dead and the umpire shall award the batting team 5 runspenalty.The ball shall not count as one of the over.

7.         Runner

The player acting as a runner for a batsman shall be a member of the batting side and shall, if possible have already batted .

8.         Transgression of the Laws by a batsman who has a runner

(A)        A batsman runner is subject to the laws. He will be regarded as a batsman except where there are specific provisions for his role as a runner. See 7 above and law 29-2 (which is a batsman=s ground).

(B)        A batsman with a runner will suffer the penalty for any infringement of the laws by his runner as though he had been himself responsible for the infringement. In particular he will be out if his runner is out under any of the laws 33 (handled the ball), 37 (obstructing the field), or 38 (run out).

(C)        When a batsman with a runner is the striker he remains himself subject to the laws and will be liable to the penalties thatany infringement of them demands. Additionally if he is out of his ground when the wicket is pulled down at the wicketkeeper=s end, he will be out , either run out or stumped, irrespective of the position of the runner. If he is thus dismissed runs completed by the runner and the other batsman before the dismissal shall not be scored. However the penalty for  for a no ball or wide shall stand, together with any penalties to either side that may be awarded when the ball is dead.

(D)        When a batsman with a runner is not the striker:-

1.         He remains subject to law 33 (handled the ball) and 37 ( obstructing the field), but is otherwise out of the game.

2.         He shall stand where directed by the Striker=s end umpire so as not to interfere with play.

3.         He will be liable for any act of unfair play.

9.         Batsman leaving the field or retiring.

A batsman may retire at any time during his inning and the umpire(s) before allowing play to proceed, shall be informed of the reason for a batsman retiring.

(A)        If a batsman retires because of illness, injury or any other unavoidable cause, he is entitled to resume his inning subject to (c)below. If for any reason he does not do so, his inning is to be recorded as Aretired - not out A.

(B)        If a batsman retires for any reason other than as in (a) above, he may only resume his inning with the consent of the opposing captain.If for any reason he does not resume his inning it is to be recorded as Aretired - out A.

(C)        If after retiring a batsman resumes his inning, it shall be only at the fall of a wicket or retirement of another batsman.

10.        Commencement of a batsman inning.

A batsman shall be considered to have commenced his inning once he has stepped on to the field of play. Any declared player not present when an entire inning is completed will not be allowed to participate in the said gameany further. He cannot bowl, bat nor field.

Law 3 - Umpires

1.         Appointment   

The umpires shall be appointed before the start of the game, one for each end to control the gamewith absolute impartially as required by the Laws .

(a) The Softball Cricket Umpires Association shall appoint umpires to officiate in all official games.

(b) In the absence of the S.C.U.A. umpire(s), each captain must nominate an individual or player to officiate the game .

(c) When only one (1) umpire is present, that umpire shall be at the non-striker end, and the square-leg umpire will be appointed and agreed on by both captains.

(d) No team has the right to object to any umpire or umpires being appointed by S.C.U.A.. To officiate their game.

(e) No team has the right to request an umpire to officiate their game.

2. Change of Umpire.

No umpire shall be changed during a match without the consent of both captains.

3. Agreement with captains.

Before the toss the umpire(s) shall

(a) Ascertain the hours of play , water breaks and intervals between Innings.

(b) The boundaries of the field and any special allowances in relation to obstacles and Ground restriction.

4. The Clock or Watch.

The umpires shall agree between themselves and inform both captains before the start of the game on the watch or clock to be followed during the game.

5. The Wickets.

The Umpires shall satisfy themselves before the start of the match that the wickets are prpperly pitched.

6. Conduct and Implements.

Before and during the game the Umpires shall ensure that the conduct of the game and the implements used are strictly in accordance with the Laws.

7. Fair and Unfair play.

The Umpires shall be the sole judges of fair and unfair play.

8. Fitness of Ground, Weather and Light.

The Umpires shall be the sole judges of the fitness of the ground, weather, and light for play.

9. Suspension of play for adverse conditions of ground, weather or Light.

1. If at any time the Umpires together agree that the condition of the ground, weather or light is not suitable for play they shall inform both captains and unless

(a) In unsuitable ground or weather conditions both captains agree to continue, or commence to restart play, or

(b) In unsuitable light the batting side wishes to continue or commence or restart play,

they, the Umpires shall suspend play or not allow play to commence or restart.

2. (a) After agreeing to play in unsuitable ground or weather conditions,either captain may appeal against the conditions to the umpires before the next call of Time, and the umpires shall uphold the appeal only if in their opinion the conditions have remain the same or further deteriorated .

(b) After agreeing to play in unsuitable light, the captain of the batting team may appeal against the light to the umpires before the next call of Time, and the umpires shall uphold the appeal only if in their opinion the conditions have remain the same or further deteriorated.

3. If at any time the umpires together agree that the conditions of the ground, weather or light are so bad that there exist the risk to the safety of the player(s) and or umpire(s), so that it would be unreasonable or dangerous for play to take place, then notwithstanding the provisions of 2(a) and 2(b) above they shall immediately suspend play, or not to allow play to commence or restart.

4. When there is a suspension of play it is the responsibility to monitor the conditions and to decide when play will resume.

5. For the purpose of this law and law 15-9 the batsmen at the wicket may deputize for their captain.

10. Exceptional Circumstances.

In exceptional circumstances , other than those of weather ground or light the umpire(s) may decide to suspend or abandon play. In the event of the game being abandon the umpire(s) shall forward all the revelant facts as to the reason for this course of action to the Rules Committee who will decide on the outcome of the game. Where the game was suspended and could not continue on the same day, then the Rules Committee will reschedule a day to complete the game.

11. Position of Umpires.

The umpires shall stand where they can best see any act upon which their decision may be required. Subject to this over- riding consideration the umpire at the bowler’s end shall stand where he does not interfere with either the bowler’s run up or the striker’s view. The umpire at the striker’s end may elect to stand on the off instead of the leg side of the pitch, provided he informs the captain of the fielding side and the striker of his intention to do so.

12. Signals.

The following code of signals shall be used by umpires who will wait until a signal has been answered by the Scorer before allowing the game to proceed.

Boundary - 4 - by waving the arm from side to side.

Boundary - 6 - by raising both arms above the head

Dead Ball - by crossing and re-crossing the wrists below the waist.

No Ball - by extending one arm horizontally.

Out - by raising an index finger above the head ( If not out the umpire shall call not out)

Wide - by extending both arms horizontally.

Bye - by raising an open hand above the head.

Leg Bye - by touching a raised knee with the hand .

Short Run - by bending one arm upwards and touching the nearer shoulder with the tips of the fingers.

Revoke last signal - by touching both shoulders, each with the opposite hand.

Five penalty runs - awarded to batting team - by repeated tapping of one shoulder with the opposite hand.

Five penalty runs - awarded to fielding team - by placing one hand on the opposite shoulder.

The umpire shall wait until each signal to the scorers has been separately acknowledged by a scorer before allowing play to proceed.

13. Correctness of scores.

Consultation between umpires and scorers on doubtful points is essential. The umpires shall satisfy themselves as to the correctness of the number of runs scored, the wickets that have fallen, and where appropriate, the numbers of overs bowled. They shall agree on these with the scorers at least at every interval, and at the conclusion of each inning. The game shall not continue , until any discrepancy in the score is corrected by the umpires and scorers.

Law 4 - Scorers

Appointment os Scorers.

1. Scorer(s) shall be appointed to record all runs scored, all wickets taken, and where appropriate number of overs bowled.

2. The scorers shall frequently check to ensure that their records agree. They shall agree with the umpires, at least at every interval, and at the conclusion of each inning the runs scored, the wickets fallen and where appropriate the numbers of overs bowled.

3. The scorers shall accept all instructions and signals given to them by the umpires. They shall acknowledge each separate signal.

Law 5 - The Ball

1. The ball when new shall not exceed 5 oz. (Ounces) and must have W.I.S.A. logo imprinted on one side of the ball.

2. Any team failing to supply the fielding team with the correct ball shall forfeit the game.

3. Any team failing to supply the fielding with the match balls shall forfeit the game.

4. The batting team shall supply the fielding team with the match balls for their inning.

5. In all competitions 2 balls shall be use for each inning, unless the rules for any specific competition dictate differently.

6. If during play, the ball cannot be found or recovered, or the umpire(s) agree that the ball is unfit to play, and this occur before the second new ball is taken, then th is replacement ball must be counted as the second new ball from the over in which the change was made .If (4) four deliveries were bowled with the lost or unfit ball then the second ball shall be counted from the preceding over.

7. A new ball must be used when replacing a ball unfit for play or lost. If this occur after the second ball was taken, a new ball shall be used.

Law 6 - The Bat

1. Width and Length.

The bat overall shall not be more than 38 inches / 96.5 cm in length. The blade of the bat shall be made solely of wood and shall not exceed 41/4 inches / 10/8 cm at the widest part.

2. Hand or glove to count as part of the bat.

In these laws (a) reference to the bat shall imply that the bat is held by the batsman .

(b) contact between the ball and

either (1) the striker’s bat itself

or (2) the striker’s hand holding the bat

or (3) any part of a glove worn on the striker’s hand holding the bat

shall be regarded as the ball striking or touching the bat, or being struck by the bat

Law 7 - The Pitch.

1. Area of the Pitch

The pitch is a rectangular area of the ground 20 yards in length and 10 feet in width. It is bounded at either end by the bowling creases.

2. Fitness of the pitch for play.

The umpires shall be the final judges of the fitness of the pitch for play. (See Laws 3 ( fitness of ground , weather and light) and Law 3.9 ( Suspension of play for adverse conditions of ground, weather, or light).

3. Changing the Pitch.

1. The pitch shall not be changed during the match unless the umpires decide that it is unreasonable or dangerous for play to continue on it and then only with the consent of both captains.

2. If after the toss both captains cannot agree as to which pitch to use or where to place the stumps , the umpire(s) shall be the final judge of the pitch and the placement of the stumps. If one team or both teams refuse to accept the umpire(s) decision, and the game was not played., the umpire(s) must report the matter to the Management Committee.

Law 8 - The Wickets

1. Width and Pitching.

Two set of wickets, each 12 inches wide, and consisting of four (4) wooden stumps with two wooden bails upon the top, shall be pitched opposite and parellel to each other at a distance of twenty (20) yards from stump to stump.

2. Stumps, Bails and Size

Each team is responsible for suppling one set of stumps to start the game . The stumps shall be of equal and sufficient size to prevent the ball from passing between the stumps. Their tops shall be 28 inches / 71 cm above the ground and shall be dome shaped except for the bail grooves.

3. Dispensing with Bails

The umpire(s) may agree to dispense with the use of bails, if windy conditions prevail or the bail grooves are not deep enough..Playing without bails the conditions for the wickets being broken change (See Law 28 - Dispensing with the bails.)