THE BRITISH COLUMBIA MAINLAND CRICKET LEAGUE

                                                                                                CODE OF CONDUCT

                                                                                                      (Preamble)

All players, supporters & officials participating at any event under the jurisdiction or auspices of the British Columbia Mainland Cricket League (BCMCL) or its affiliates, whether the event is at a field of play or away from it, are bound by and required to comply with all the provisions of this BCMCL Code of Conduct (Rev 2013) and the Spirit of Cricket as set out in the current Laws of Cricket.

No person bound by this Code of Conduct shall engage in disorderly conduct or improper behaviour. Disorderly conduct or improper behaviour includes, but is not restricted to, a person as follows:

1. Assaulting, attempting to assault, or abusing, either verbally or physically, an umpire, player or spectator.
2. Disputing, as distinct from questioning, an umpire’s decision, or reacting in an obviously provocative manner towards an umpire.
3. Using crude or abusive language, hand signals or other gestures.
4. Engaging in any form of conduct or behaviour detrimental to the spirit of the game or likely to bring the game or the BCMCL into disrepute.
5. Refusing to supply a person’s name and BCMCL ID when required by a captain or official who is lodging a report.
6. The captain of a team shall ensure that the players (including the person acting as 12th man) comply with the BCMCL Code of Conduct. The captain of a team is in breach of the Code of Conduct if a player in his team engages in continuing disorderly conduct or improper behaviour.

Vilification Code: Gender, Race, Religion

No person who is participating in a match under the jurisdiction or auspices of the British Columbia Mainland Cricket League or its affiliates shall engage in any conduct, act towards or speak to or of any other person in a manner which offends insults, humiliates or vilifies such person on the basis of gender, race, religion, colour, descent or ethnic origin.

The captain of a team shall ensure that the players (including the person acting as 12th man) comply with the BCMCL Vilification Code.

BCMCL Expectation of Participants

The BCMCL Management Committee has set down these guidelines for all players, spectators, and officials representing the BCMCL at any event, as in the above preamble.

Umpiring Decisions:

The umpire’s decision is final and should be accepted immediately, whether batting or fielding. A bowler or Captain is entitled to ask the umpire why he turned down an appeal, but should accept his explanation, if one is given, and immediately play on. The use of offensive language, generally in the form of disparaging and abusive remarks to an umpire, is not acceptable.

Walking:

A batsman is expected to walk if he is in no doubt that he has been dismissed fairly, even if there are no League or Club umpires and the only umpires available are from his own team. Placing pressure on his team-mate, who is acting as umpire, can place doubt in his mind and lead to unnecessary friction between the two teams.

Upon being dismissed:

The actions of the dismissed batsmen – in failing to leave the crease promptly on being given out and then banging his bat on the ground, or throwing the bat on returning to the boundary or pavilion, including the use of audible foul language - is unacceptable.

Accept Umpires’ and Officials’ Decisions:

Traditionally cricket has been the sport to maintain and exhibit the highest levels of conduct and sportsmanship. Though it is a most competitive game, the continued strength of the sport has relied upon the acceptance of the Umpire’s decision and the preparedness to play within the “spirit of the game” – See MCC Laws.

Control Emotions:

Playing and participation in the game is for your enjoyment and the enjoyment of the other players and spectators. No verbal or equipment abuse will be tolerated.

Save Time:

When coming in to bat and between overs, avoid unnecessary conversation. Move back to your bowling mark and fielding positions without delay between deliveries. Pay attention to right-left batting combinations and anticipate changing your field positions accordingly. Play “ready-cricket”.

Respect Others:

Treat all players, spectators and property as you would like to be treated yourself. Encourage your team-mates and opposition in showing respect to the views of both sides.

CODE OF CONDUCT AND SPIRIT OF CRICKET

1. The BCMCL is committed to maintaining the highest standards of behaviour and conduct. This Code of Conduct incorporates the Spirit of Cricket, as set out below. It applies to all matches played under the jurisdiction of the BCMCL and shall be applied to any cricket related activity.

1. The captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of Cricket as well as within the Laws (See MCC Laws of Cricket).

1. Players and team officials must at all times accept the umpire’s decision. Players must not show dissent at the umpire’s decision or react in a provocative or disapproving manner towards an umpire at any time.

1. Players and team officials shall not intimidate, assault, or attempt to intimidate or assault an umpire, another player or a spectator.

1. Players and team officials shall not use crude and/or abusive language (known as “sledging”) nor make offensive gestures or hand signals nor deliberately distract an opponent.

1. Players and team officials shall not make abusive comments nor indulge in abusive actions, based on gender, race or religion, against fellow players, officials, members and supporters. Clubs must operate an active open-door membership policy whilst respecting player qualification regulations and welcome players/members irrespective of gender, race or religious origin.

1. Players and team officials shall not use or in any way be concerned in the use or distribution of performance enhancing and/or illegal substances.

1. Clubs must take adequate steps to ensure the good behaviour of their members and supporters towards umpires, opposing players, and their supporters.

THE SPIRIT OF CRICKET

Cricket is a game that owes much of its unique appeal to the fact that it should be played not only within its Laws, but also within the Spirit of the Game. Any action which is seen to abuse this spirit causes injury to the game itself. The major responsibility for ensuring the spirit of fair play rests with the captains.

1. There are two Laws which place the responsibility for the team’s conduct firmly on the captain.

• Responsibility of captains

The captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of the Game as well as within the Laws.

• Player’s conduct

In the event that any player fails to comply with instructions by an umpire, or criticises by word or action the decisions of an umpire, or shows dissent, or generally behaving in a manner which might bring the game into disrepute, the umpire concerned shall in the first place report the matter to the other umpire and to the player’s captain, and instruct the latter to take action.

2. Fair and unfair play

According to the Laws the umpires are the sole judges of fair and unfair play. The umpires may intervene at any time and it is the responsibility of the captain to take action where required.

3. The umpires are authorized to intervene in cases of:

• Time wasting
• Damaging the pitch
• Dangerous or unfair bowling
• Tampering with the ball
• Any other action that they consider to be unfair

4. The Spirit of the Game involves RESPECT for:

• Your opponents
• Your own captain and team
• The role of the umpires
• The game’s traditional values

5. It is against the Spirit of the Game:

• To dispute an umpire’s decision by word, action or gesture

• To direct abusive language towards an opponent or umpire

• To indulge in cheating or any sharp practice, for instance:

(a) to appeal knowing that the batsman is not out

(b) to advance towards an umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing

(c) to seek to distract an opponent either verbally or by harassment with persistent clapping or unnecessary noise under the guise of enthusiasm and motivation of one’s own side

6. Violence

There is no place for any act of violence on the field of play.

7. Players

Captains and umpires together set the tone for the conduct of a cricket match. Every player is expected to make an important contribution to this.

Application and Enforcement of the Code:

• The Code of Conduct will serve as a guide to the BCMCL Protest and Discipline Committee in dealing with infractions.
• The Code of Conduct is applicable to all the games played under the BCMCL banner, including League and representative games, and any other event under the jurisdiction or auspices of the BCMCL.
• The Protest and Discipline Committee or the BCMCL Management Committee may in addition to, or as an alternative to any of the penalties, impose a period of probation not exceeding two years. Any subsequent offence committed while on probation will be dealt with more severely. A period of probation can be added to any level of offence and is entirely at the discretion of the Protest and Discipline Committee.
• Penalties can be in the form of suspension from games, fines or both. Maximum penalties are intended to be reserved for the worst instance of a breach of the Code or when dealing with repeat offenders.
• The period of suspension will be specified as a number of games (inclusive of life) depending on the nature and seriousness of the infraction. The suspension must be served in (or must apply to) the year in which the infraction occurred, and if not completed in a given season, must be carried over to the subsequent season(s).
• Suspension penalties include suspension from all BCMCL matches and all BCMCL representative matches, until the period of suspension is complete.
• Suspensions also apply to BCMCL registered players, who may be selected for inter-city or inter-provincial matches.
• No player under probation or suspension shall hold any office in the BCMCL until after the end of the probationary or suspension period. For further clarity, any BCMCL committee member, who is suspended or otherwise placed on probation, shall not be allowed to vote on any proceedings of the management committee or any sub-committees, or any meetings of the general body.
• Lack of knowledge of the existence of this document does not constitute an excuse for non-compliance.

OFFENCES AND PENALTIES (General Guidelines only)

Level 1 Penalty provision

Level 1 penalties will range from an official reprimand and/or a 1 game suspension.

Level 1 Offences

Level 2 Penalty provision

Level 2 penalties will range from a 1 game suspension to a 3 game suspension.

Level 2 Offences

Level 3 Penalty provision

Penalties for Level 3 offences will range from a 3 game suspension to an 8 game suspension

Level 3 Offences

Level 4 Penalty provision

Penalties for Level 4 Offences will range from a 6 game suspension to a life ban

Level 4 Offences

DEFINITIONS: The ‘course of play’ & ‘match’ shall include preparation before play, after play & at the field/park location. ‘Match officials’ shall include umpires & scorers. ‘Event’ shall include meetings & functions.

APPLICATION OF PENALTIES

The penalties shall apply for all formats of the game – the number of games referred above is regular season games. One (1) regular season game shall be the equivalent of two (2) T20 games.

The above penalties are provided as a general guideline. Depending on the circumstances of each infraction, the Protest and Disciplinary Committee may impose penalties that are in variance with the above guidelines.