Preliminary matches will be played as specified in the website. It could either be a ROUND ROBIN or based on GROUPS. Please check the respective tournaments FIXTURES & RESULTS tab in www.ofcl.org

• At the end of the League Matches, Teams will be ranked based on points, games won & net run rate and the Top 4 teams from Preliminary Matches will be eligible from the for Quarter Finals as QF1, QF2, QF3 and QF4.

• The 4 teams lowest in the ranking will be eliminated and will not quality for Playoffs.

• The remaining 8 teams [Ranks 5 to 12] will play Pre-Quarter Finals

 Pre-Quarter Final (PQF)

Team Ranked 5 vs Team Ranked 12 - Winner will be QF5

Team Ranked 6 vs Team Ranked 11 - Winner will be QF6

Team Ranked 7 vs Team Ranked 10 - Winner will be QF7

Team Ranked 8 vs Team Ranked 9   - Winner will be QF8

 Quarter Final (QF)

Team Ranked QF1 vs Team Ranked QF8 - Winner will be SF1

Team Ranked QF2 vs Team Ranked QF7 - Winner will be SF2

Team Ranked QF3 vs Team Ranked QF6 - Winner will be SF3

Team Ranked QF4 vs Team Ranked QF5 - Winner will be SF4

Semi Finals (SF)

SF1 vs SF4 - SF Winner 1

SF2 vs SF3 - SF Winner 2

Finals

SF Winner 1 vs SF Winner 2 (Will play for 1st & 2nd place of OFCL-2014_T2 Trophy)

• Two umpires from a neutral team is a mandatory.

• Umpires have to be at the ground 15 minutes prior to the scheduled game start time. It is the Captains responsibility to make sure there is an umpire available at the ground. If, in a case, an umpire is not at the ground - captains of the 2 teams scheduled to play should complete the coin toss and start the game at the scheduled start time.

• The respective Umpiring Team’s Captain’s number is given for your game whoever is schedule to Umpire. Please do not call the organizers to tell them that the umpire has not showed up.

• Point Deduction When Both Umpires don't show up within 15 minutes from start of the game.

  1. If BOTH umpires haven't shown up within 15 minutes from the start time, 1 point will be deducted from the team's total points responsible for umpiring.

  2. Second instance of such scenario (umpire coming 15 minutes late) - 2 points will be deducted.

• Point Deduction When Only 1 Umpire shows up and other umpire doesn't show up within 15 minutes from scheduled start of the game.

  1. If Only 1 umpire turn up and second umpire doesn't turn up within 15 minutes from the start time, 0.5 point will be deducted from the team's total points responsible for umpiring

  2. Second instance of such scenario (only 1 umpire coming 15 minutes late) - 1 point will be deducted.

• We ask 1 of the 2 captains (of the game) to email the organizers (within 24 hours) if these scenario has happened.  Please CC the opponent captain, the captain of the original team that was supposed to umpire for any discrepancy.  Again, please email the organizers (updates@ofcl.org) within 24 hours to avoid confusions; we cannot accept emails for an instance that has happened in the past.

• The neutral umpire will make the decision based on ground conditions and feedback from two captains. The umpire’s decision whether the game should be played or not must be honored.

• The leg umpire can only call on run outs at the batting end. All the other calls are made by the main umpire. The main umpire can overrule the leg umpire. The main umpire decision is FINAL.

• UMPIRES: Umpires will need to follow the rules mentioned here specifically. Umpires must not create new rules based on their imagination.

• League is asking the respective captains to provide or send umpires who may not have prior commitments to catch up while doing their umpiring duties.

• And while your players are present for umpiring and if they need to take a call during emergency, they must leave the playing area to attend to the call, and request both the playing captains to either stop the game for 2-3 minutes (to a maximum of 1 time during the game) or continue without the neutral umpire (s) and requesting the respective batting team to do leg umpiring.
  i) If the umpire (s) cannot complete the call within 2-3 minutes, the game will proceed without the neutral umpire and the respective umpiring team is deemed to have the points deducted due to non-availability of umpire during the game and when pressed for point deduction by any of the respective playing captains, League will apply the "Umpire point deduction rule" during this instance.
  ii) Depending on the situation, if the playing captains mutually agree that the game can proceed without the neutral umpire and if they are not pressing for any point deduction, then no action will be taken from League against the umpiring team.
  iii) The above also applies to umpires who is involved in texting while the game is on. We understand your call is important to you, but also make sure you are not a hindrance while the game is going on.

• The scorecard template is available on the Website. The winning Team must collect the score sheets from both the innings, put it in the template document, and send it to SCORES@OFCL.ORG within 3 days.

• Failure in submitting the completed scores sheets within 3 days of completion of the game will result in sharing the point between both the team involved in that game irrespective of the result of the game.

• Captains are responsible to have the score sheets submitted in a clear format with the details on how many over were played during their innings.

• The score template should have the names of all players that have represented the team for that game irrespective of the player being able to bat or bowl in that game. This will help in tracking and avoid any controversies with the player qualifying criteria for the playoffs.

• Captains should provide the list of all players representing the team for that game to the opponent team captain so that they can verify the list against the one published in the website if needed.

• We will have 3 Tournaments for the season. Each Tournament entry Fee is $200 per Team. And Tournament entry fee for all the 3 tournaments is $500 per team.

• T2 will consist of 15 over’s per innings.

• 10 members can bat and 10 members can Field.

• A team can adopt a 11th Player as a SUPER-SUB after informing the opponent captain and the umpire.

• If a Super Sub is applied as a BOWLER, then that Super sub can also be a BY-RUNNER.

• If the SUPER-SUB is applied for BATSMAN, then that Super-Sub player can be used as a fielding substitute or by-runner if needed.

• In the event if a player is injured during the game, a by-runner could be used. There is no limit to change by-runner but make sure this changing process does not cause any delay to the game.
  
  * If a player is incapable of running due to tiredness, League do not allow a by-runner for that purpose. But if there is NO OBJECTION from the opponent team captain then a BY-RUNNER could be granted. It is purely at the discretion of the opponent captain's decision to allow a by-runner or not and LEAGUE has no control at this instance.
   

• In the event, if any team has started the game as per schedule and is playing with less than 9 players, they have an option to take another person as a substitute (who need not be listed in the Team List) from the field if available. This substitute cannot bowl or bat.
   

• If a player is not present at the ground within 30 minutes from the scheduled start or the 6th over, whichever comes first, he would not be allowed to play that Game.
   

• Once Match commences, the bowling Team has an option of joining a regular team player within the first 6 over’s, if they play with less than 10 players, the player is welcomed to join. No additional Player (though present in the Team List) will be encouraged to join after the start of the 7th over. In such case the player can join after the 7th over, but only as a substitute and cannot bowl or bat. This applies to bowling team only and also applies to the Super Sub.
   

• A bowler can bowl a maximum of 4 over’s. Hence a minimum of 4 bowlers will be used by each team for a 15 over’s Game.
   

• POWER PLAY OVER’S: The first 2 consecutive over’s is a mandatory power play in an innings. Additional 2 more consecutive Power Play overs can be used by the batting team any time after the 2nd over of the innings but must be completed no later than then end of 10th over of the innings. This takes the tally of power play to 5 over’s in one innings.
   

• In case a Game is played with reduced over’s, then total over’s / 4 (rounded to next whole number) is what a bowler can maximum bowl.
   

• During power play only 2 fielding players will outside the 30 yard circle. If more than 2 players are found outside the 30 yard circle before the ball is released by the bowler, the umpire to call a NO BALL during that instance.
   

• Once optional power play is decided by the batting team, then that decision is final. The bowling team gets to change the Bowler before the start of optional power play over’s.
   

• You can have substitute fielders from your own team after intimating the same to the umpire.
   

• If a ball is lost another ball in the same condition to be used, if available or another new ball will be provided.
   

• Wicket keeper is allowed to bowl WITHOUT having to field an over before bowling.
   

• Each team can submit a list of 18 players. The player list should be submitted before the team plays their first game. Any updates to the team list after the first game will be charged with $10 per update. The player list should be submitted before the team plays their first game. Any update to the player (addition or deletion) should be through email communication to updates@ofcl.org. The number of players in the team roaster should NOT exceed 20 at any given time.
   

• Any player, irrespective of when he is added to the team list must have play at least 3 Preliminary Round Games to qualify to participate in playoff. (No washout games counted. The player must play 3 games mandatorily) Please Player Qualification section for more details.
   

• Each team can give a maximum of one walkover. No shows are considered a walkover. With the second walkover the team will automatically be withdrawn from the league.
   

• A Team can object to a player whose name is not present on the Team List posted on the Website, and if the individual is not a registered member of the Team he would not be allowed to participate. The player protest must be made before/during the game. After the Game has completed the protest will be ignored.
   

• The toss has to be done, within 15 minutes of the scheduled start. Minimum 3 players have to be present to do the toss.
   

• All games must start at the scheduled start time.
   

• Both teams must be present to toss the coin at the start time. At least 3 players need to be present in each team to toss the coin.

• If there is a 15 minute delay by a team, and if the minimum 3 players not present in the ground, that team will lose the opportunity to toss.

• If there is a 30 minute delay by a team, and if the minimum 3 players not present in the ground, that team will lose toss and also 1 over

• If there is a 35 minute delay by a team, and if the minimum 3 players not present in the ground, then the team will lose toss and 2 overs.

• So for every 5 minutes delay thereafter 1 over will be deducted.
   

• If the opponent is not present in the ground within 45 minutes from the scheduled start time, then that game will be awarded to the other team if the other team is present in the ground and if they at least have minimum 3 players.
   

• If for any reason, both the teams are not present for toss at the scheduled start or after 30 minutes from the start time, then the 2 teams will play with a reduced over (certainly the team that came to the ground first, though delayed will eventually get to decide whether to bat or field) and must complete the game as per the scheduled end time.
   

• If a Game has to be called off due to weather conditions, we would update the website. If no such indication is posted on the website then games are ON. The two teams and umpires can decide at the ground if the conditions are not playable, or if a Game with reduced over’s to be played.
   

• Effective from OFCL-2009 Tournament#2, the drinks break during each innings should not be more than 4 minutes.
   

• At the end of Sunday game, the Team responsible to gather the Kit, Cones and other OFCL goods, needs to be in charge of the KIT and bring the KIT to the game the following weekend. This is how we have planned to rotate the responsibility for KIT. Please check your KIT RESPONSIBILITY schedule in www.ofcl.org/schedule_results_2013_t3.html

• OFCL DOES NOT ALLOW SCHEDULE CHANGES DUE TO CONFLICT WITH GAMES IN OTHER LEAGUES.
   

• However if the Team wish to reschedule their game, the respective team need to coordinate with the opponent and if opponent agrees for a reschedule of game, then the rescheduled game has to be completed 2 weeks prior to the start of Quarter-Finals games.
   

• RESCHEDULE RULES DUE TO BAD WEATHER: RESCHEDULING OF GAMES (WILL NOT BE DONE BY THE LEAGUE)
   

• If a game is washed out due to weather, the team would either split points or respective teams plan on rescheduling the game based on consent of both the captains.

• If a Game is interrupted by BAD weather the teams would split points or respective teams plan on rescheduling the game based on consent of both the captains.

• Games would not be rescheduled by the League.
   

• NO BALL RULE:

• A batsman cannot be dismissed of ‘no ball’ except for run outs.

• Free hit allowed only for FRONT FOOT no balls.

• The ball after the ‘NO BALL’ will be a free hit and the batsman cannot be dismissed of that ball except by Run out.

• If the free hit ball is a wide or a no ball again then it does not count and the bowler has to deliver the free hit ball again till it is a legitimate delivery.

• Bump balls passing above shoulder height of the batsman in upright position are a ‘no ball’.

• Full toss passing above the waist of the batsman in upright position is a ‘no ball’.
   

• There are NO LBW rule. Leg Byes are not allowed and no run awarded for a Leg bye and a run out claimed out of a Leg Bye is deemed not out. Only stumping is allowed when the ball hits any part of the body and the batsman's foot is not inside the crease. Foot on the line is out.
   

• A batsman can retire after facing minimum of 1 ball. He can return to bat ONLY after the fall of the last wicket in the order of the first retiree coming in first and so on, in case of multiple retirees.
   

• If a ball pitches outside the pitch it is a dead ball.
   

• If the ball bounces more than 2 times, and it’s not wide, and if the umpire feels the batsman did not had a fair opportunity to play the ball, he can call it a dead ball or a wide ball.
   

• A walk away from the middle of the game for any reason is DISRESPECT to the game, to the opponent team, to the tournament and the league. Such teams/players could be banned from participating in future tournaments.
   

• For each tournament, a BEST BATSMAN, BEST BOWLER, ALL-ROUNDER awards would be awarded based on their performance in the respective tournament. Batsman gets 1 point for each Run in the score sheet for that batsman. Bowler gets 10 points for each wicket they have taken. For ‘All-rounder’, the league will calculate the total points a player gains out of the runs scored or wickets taken. Recognition awards will also be considered per team, provided the teams nominate the candidate with stats supporting the nominations (for example: Hat-Trick wicket or the highest individual score in a game).
   

• Man of match MEDALS would be awarded to all the league matches and MOM trophies for all Play-off games. Individual trophies and team trophy would be awarded for the winner and runner up.
   

• In case of conflicts or issues, the organizing committee reserves the right to make the final Judgment. All the participating teams must abide by the committee’s verdict.
   

• If a game is interrupted due to rain or due to bad light, it would be continued from the same point as stopped. For this rule to apply the team batting 1st has to at least complete the full innings (The allotted 12 over’s or the agreed over’s before the start of the game that is conveyed to the umpires), if not the teams will split the points
   

• In preliminary round, if the teams are tied with the same number of runs, the game is a TIE. The number of wickets lost WILL NOT be used as a Tie breaker to decide on winner. One point will be awarded to both the teams.
   

• In playoffs if teams are tied with same number of Runs, We will have a one over eliminator to decide the winner. Each team will play 1 over with 3 designated batsman and all 10 in the fielding side. The designated bowler nominated by the team will bowl 1 over. The winner will be decided based on the team that scored most number of runs within the 1 over OR at the fall of 2nd wicket, whichever is earlier.
  If that result is also tied the eliminator will be repeated till we get a winner.
   

• ONE OVER RULE FOR PLAYOFFS GUIDELINES: This is NOT Bowl Out like ICC. A toss would be done. The winning team will decide to bat or chase. The batting team plays 1 over with normal rules of the tournament. Then second team will bat for one over and try to chase the score down. If it’s tied again, then the same process is repeated till we have a winner. NRR will be used to rank teams if 2 or more teams have the same number of points. Head to Head results will be used if there is TIE at run rate up to 3 decimal places.
   

• For anything not covered in this rule book, ICC Rules would be followed
   

• Captains are responsible to have the score sheets submitted in a clear format with the details on how many over were played during their innings.
   

• The score sheet should have the names of all players that have represented the team for that game irrespective of the player being able to bat or bowl in that game. This will help in tracking and avoid any controversies with the player qualifying criteria for the playoffs.
   

• Captains should provide the list of all players representing the team for that game to the opponent team captain so that they can verify the list against the one published in the website if needed.

         PLAYER QUALIFICATION:

• Any inclusion / deletion of player at a later date, must needs to be sent to updates@ofcl.org.

• A player must have played a minimum of 3 preliminary games to qualify for Playoffs.

• The player name must be present in the score sheet uploaded into the website.
   

• All score sheet to be sent to scores@ofcl.org within 3 days of the game completion and it would be then uploaded in the FIXTURES & RESULTS tab in our website: www.ofcl.org It is the captain's responsibility to verify if their team player name is correctly uploaded into the website as mentioned in the score sheet used in the ground. Please note the score sheet must consist of 9 player name plus 1 Super Sub.
   

• At the end of all the preliminary games, the playoff qualified team's captain needs to send their qualifying player list soon after all the preliminary games are completed. The player eligibility list would be shared with all the other playoff qualified team's captains for a mutual acceptance or rejection of any player's eligibility.
   

• If any of the player is not listed in the website and if he has played the 3 qualifying games, then he is not eligible for playoff. Ultimately the captain must start sending the new inclusion to the league as and when the new player is added to the list.
   

• A team can have a maximum of 20 players in their rooster

         BY-RUNNER RULE

• Only if a player is injured during the game, a by-runner could be used. There is no limit to change by-runner but make sure this changing process does not cause any delay to the game. If a player is tired, then there cannot be a by-runner for that purpose.
   

• Based on opponent consent, the batting team can request for by-runner, and if there is NO objection from opponent fielding captain, then a by-runner could be utilized.
  
   

• CODE OF CONDUCT
   

• This Code of Conduct would serve as a player guide to maintain discipline and obedience while playing for O'Fallon Cricket League (OFCL). The umpires should ensure and do their best to control the game and should use sound judgment when identifying an action as an infraction.
   

• It is acknowledged that there will be verbal exchanges between players in the course of play. Rather than seeking to eliminate these exchanges entirely, umpires will look to lay charges when this falls below an acceptance standard. First warning should be given to the team/team captain if any verbal abuse (abusive language if felt by the umpire) during the game and reported by the opponent team captain.
   

• On Second such instance during the game from the same team will suspend the player (2nd offending player) from playing immediate next 2 games (irrespective of the stage of the tournament) plus the game that is currently in progress.
   

• If a player is involved in any kind of physical altercation with any other players or ground or cricketing equipment will be suspended with immediate effect such as throwing the ball, bat or any equipment at or near a player, umpire or official in an inappropriate and dangerous manner then that player(s) will be suspended from the rest of the games during the current tournament & also for the next tournament (if the suspension was during one of the play-offs stage of the tournament) with immediate effect. This suspension will also apply to any player who is involved in any kind of Verbal abuse using abusive language. Along with the suspension of that player, the respective playing captain will also be suspended immediately for that game and the next 2 games.
   

• Even if an outsider supporting one team is deemed to be involved in such kind of activity like bringing stumps, bats etc. in lieu of protecting their team, then the team captain will be warned and suspended for 1 game. If second such instance from an outside supporter happens, though players are not involved, then the team will be suspended for the reminder of the game and points to be awarded to the opponent.
   

• If a player is suspended, there is no substitute replacement allowed for the game in progress.
   

• In case, both the teams involved are involved in physical abuse or verbal abusive, irrespective of which team started it, the umpire can warn/suspend players from both the teams. Using language that is obscene, offensive or of a seriously insulting nature to another player, umpire, referee, Team Official or spectator. (In this instance, language will be interpreted to include gestures)
   

  Umpires must also consider the following for 1st Warning:
         Showing dissent at an umpire's decision by action or verbal abuse.
         Using language that is obscene, offensive or insulting and/or the making of an obscene gesture at umpire.
         Charging or advancing towards the umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing.
  
  TRASH POLICY:

• Trash to be cleared from the ground by both teams after the game. Umpires will mention this in their report.