VANCOUVER CRICKET UMPIRES AND SCORERS ASSOCIATION

 

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR UMPIRES (Rev 2010)

 

Modified from Cricket Umpiring and Scoring by Tom Smith.

 

Players are reminded that under Law 42, it is the Team Captain who is responsible for the behaviour of a side on the field during a match. The Umpire is given no authority under the Laws to control behaviour during the match.

 

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The office of the Umpire has responsibility and dignity.  To maintain that status in the eyes of spectators and cricketers, Umpires must never say or do anything to endanger the respect given to their position.  It is hard to put up with bad behaviour of a few players but Umpires are expected to show PATIENCE and COMPOSURE.  Even in extreme cases, Umpires should not show their feelings by word or gesture. Law 42 deals with the conduct of players and when it is necessary, the Umpire must follow the procedures for reporting and action that are laid down in the Law.

 

From the beginning of the game, players have been ready to give respect to the Umpire.  One of the oldest traditions of cricket is and must always be, THE IMMEDIATE AND UNQUALIFIED ACCEPTANCE OF THE UMPIRE?S DECISION.

 

An appeal may be made quietly by one player or they may be loud and made by the whole team.  The Umpire must give each kind of appeal equal weight and deal with them in the same manner.  The judgment must be made without hurry, waiting a second or two to consider the appeal, and calmly and deliberately giving a decision.

 

Umpires should not offer any form of explanation for a decision, either on or off the field.  But, at the close of play it may be possible to clear up a misunderstanding by drawing attention to the Law.  Do not get drawn into any argument.  An Umpire should not discuss a decision made by their colleague.  Loyalty to a colleague must be absolute.

 

Umpires make mistakes from time to time.  NEVER, in an attempt to be fair, level out one bad decision by deliberately making another.  This is CERTAIN to lead to players losing all confidence in the Umpire.  The only way to deal with a mistake is to put it behind you by applying the utmost concentration to the next action in the game.

 

At the same time, an Umpire must not stick stubbornly to a decision that he knows is wrong and must have the strength of character to put it right.  The Laws provide for mistakes to be corrected, if it is done PROMPTLY.  Remember though, that problems are best avoided by a pause before a decision, followed by a firm and definite answer.

 

An Umpire must not hesitate to consult a colleague who is in a better position to see a POINT OF FACT.  The Laws allow for consultation and an Umpire should do so if it is known that doubt on an essential point can be resolved.  After consultation, the decision will be given by the Umpire who has jurisdiction over the appeal.

 

Umpires must be confident that they have support for their actions.  Here that support must come from the VCU&SA and from the B.C.M.C.L.

 

The VCU&SA expects its members/guests to arrive 45 minutes before the start of a match; to be properly dressed according to VCU&SA code for the match, to carry out all pre-match duties as required by the Laws, and to have the necessary equipment to properly officiate the match.

 

If a complaint is made IN WRITING, concerning the conduct of an Umpire appointed by the Association, then the Association will investigate the matter and take appropriate action in conjunction with the governing body responsible for the match.

 

Any club shall have the right to file a report concerning the conduct of any Umpire appointed by the VCU&SA.  This report MUST be in writing, submitted by the club, based on a formal report by their team captain & be received by the secretary of the VCU&SA within five (5) days of the incident(s).  The VCU&SA Secretary/Appointments Officer will contact the reported member by phone/email/fax of the charge & date of hearing where he/she may defend him/herself.  The VCU&SA Secretary/Appointments Officer may request a report from the opposing captain.  The VCU&SA Discipline Committee will then deal with the matter.