Umpires' guide

This guide helps everyone from beginners to experienced umpires understand the rules in the same way. You should read the rules for stoolball too.

All umpires should have access to a copy of the rules of stoolball during the game. This guide offers help for those rules where a further explanation is considered necessary. This section also contains information on health and safety issues and safety policy.

Umpires are not to give directions or advice to either team for the duration of the game, but shall be strictly impartial at all times.

Rule 1

Before the commencement of the game, the captains shall toss a coin to decide which team will bat first.

Rule 2

The umpires, having jointly made a decision to start a match, should be aware of health and safety issues at all times and should continue to be vigilant throughout the game and alert to potential problems.

The duties of the umpires are set out in Rule 2 and should include the measurement between the wickets, the bowling creases and boundaries prior to play commencing.

Just as the sides playing the match are referred to as "a team" so the umpires should also act as a team, aiding each other to see that the rules are applied correctly and that the game is played in a sporting manner.

The umpires will stand, one at the non-strikers end, who will be known as the "bowler's umpire" and the other umpire will stand square of the striker's wicket.

All decisions in the field and at the wickets are from the bowler's umpire, except "run outs", "short runs" at the striker's wicket and the positioning of the wicket keeper. If the bowler's umpire is unsure regarding a "no ball" or "wide", clarification should be sought from the other umpire.

Rule 4

The umpires should only permit gloves to be worn by a fielder if there are strict medical grounds for doing so.

Rule 6

The umpires must watch each ball bowled for a "no ball" or "wide". The bowler's umpire must see that the bowler delivers the ball with both feet behind and within the limits of the bowling crease, that the ball is not thrown or jerked and that the bowler does not bowl with one hand and then the other during the course of the same over.

Rule 7

Each umpire gives "run out" and "short run" decisions at their wicket. The umpires must see that the batsmen are ready and not allow the bowler to hurry unreasonably between the balls bowled.

An umpire may only give a batsman out after an appeal of "how's that?" from the fielding side. If an umpire is undecided, they may ask their colleague for an opinion.

Rule 8

Both umpires should keep a check of the number of balls bowled in each over.

When eight legitimate balls have been bowled the bowler's umpire shall call "over". A "no ball" or "wide" is not considered a legitimate ball.

The ball must be in the hands of the bowler before "over" is called.

Rule 9

Should a problem arise with unacceptable spectator behaviour, it is the duty of both umpires to intervene. In the event of an unsuccessful appeal for restraint, at their discretion, play may be suspended forthwith. At the end of the game, a full, written report (agreed by both umpires) should be submitted to the county/league/organising body within seven days.

Rule 10

Having first warned the bowler, the umpires may suspend a bowler for persistent dangerous bowling.

Rule 13

The umpires must watch in the case of a catch or "run out" whether the batsmen have crossed.

In W W Grantham's book published in 1931 called Stoolball and How to Play it, he wrote the following: The striker is out caught "if the ball from a stroke of the bat or hand, but not of the wrist, be held before it touch[es] the ground".

Therefore, a batsman will be given "out" in the following situations:

  • When a batsman hits the ball straight back at the bowler and the ball hits the bowler's body before being held in their hands
  • During the completion of a catch by a fielder, the ball touches their body or clothing
  • When a ball is hit by a batsman and it ricochets off the wicket or either umpire, and does not hit the ground before being held by a fielder.

A batsman is "not out" if they are merely taking evasive action to avoid a returning ball to the wicket and not attempting or completing a run.

In (d) (i), "The batsman is out", a member of the fielding side can "run out" a batsman by throwing or placing the ball on the wicket. When the ball is placed on the wicket, it does not have to be dropped afterwards.

If a batsman would have made their ground but for the obstruction of one or more members of the fielding side, the umpire's decision shall be "not out".

When a batsman is injured, their delegated runner shall stand 2-3 metres to the side of the wicket in a position that does not interfere with play.

If, during an attempt to score a run, one of the batsmen does not leave their wicket and remains "in their ground", it is the other batsman who can be "run out" at the wicket they have run from.

Health and safety issues

It is the responsibility of everyone, whether at work or at play, to ensure that the environment in which the activity is taking place is safe and secure in every respect. In a stoolball situation, whilst the responsibility still remains with everyone, the embodiment for taking action rests with the umpires in the first place, to ensure that all equipment, eg wickets, boundary ropes and flags, are safe in all respects.

Additionally, it will be their responsibility to ensure that, should weather conditions change eg thunder and lightning, heavy rain, bad light etc, it is safe for play to continue.

The interpretation of this guideline really comes down to common sense but umpires, in particular, should be aware that in the case of a Civil Liability case, their decision may well be called into question. In summary, it is undoubtedly better to be safe than sorry.

Safety policy

Bats

The bats are made of wood and it is important that the bat surface and sides are kept smooth and free from splinters.

Wickets

Where the wickets are made of wood, the wicket edges should be kept free from splinters and the base of the wicket must be securely fixed in the ground. If the wickets become loosened during the course of a match, play must be suspended by the umpires while appropriate repairs are made.

Balls

The ball must be kept clean and white, whenever possible. The stitching should be uniform and unfrayed.

Footwear

In accordance with Rule 4 (d), no studs or spikes may be worn, and the only form of assisted grip should be the moulded sole of the footwear.

Fielding positions (and batsmen)

  • Bowler
  • Batsmen
  • Wicket keeper
  • Mid wicket (leg side)
  • Slip (leg side)
  • Slip (off side)
  • Mid wicket (off side)
  • Deep mid wicket (off side)
  • Square of the wicket (off side)
  • Deep long on
  • Deep square leg
  • Deep mid wicket (leg side)
  • Runner for injured batsman

Umpires' signals

  • To start game: Arm raised, palm to scorers.
  • No ball: Arm raised sideways at shoulder height and call "no ball".
  • Wide: Both arms outstretched sideways and call "wide".
  • Bye: One arm raised vertically above head.
  • Four byes: One arm raised vertically above the head with the other arm crossing the body from side to side at shoulder height.
  • Four runs: One arm only, crossing body from side to side at shoulder height.
  • Six runs: Both arms raised vertically above the head.
  • Short run: Bend one arm upwards and touch the nearest shoulder with the tips of the fingers and call "short run".
  • Player out: Finger raised head height.
  • Not out: Call "not out".
  • Over: Call "over" and point to centre of bowling crease.
  • Lost ball: Arm swinging in circle.
  • Dead ball: Both arms crossing and uncrossing in a downward position.