Rules of stoolball 2009

1. Teams

1. 1.1 A match shall be played between two teams of not more than 11 players.
2. 1.2 There shall be a maximum of six men per team in a mixed match.
3. 1.3 Each team shall play under a captain, who shall toss a coin for the choice of first innings.

2. Umpires

All umpires shall have access to a copy of the rules of stoolball during the match and be familiar with the rules of stoolball (see umpires' signals).

Before the start of a match

Two umpires shall be appointed to control a match with absolute impartiality, strictly in accordance with the rules, and determine the following:

1. 2.1 The fitness of the ground. It is the responsibility of the home team to ensure that all obvious hazards that can easily be alleviated, such as rabbit holes or molehills, in the field of play are dealt with before the start of a match.
2. 2.2 The position of the boundaries is in accordance with rule 4.1.
3. 2.3 The layout of the wickets and the bowling creases is in accordance with rules 4.3.3 and 4.6.
4. 2.4 The duration of the match, unless previously instructed.

While a match is in progress

1. 2.5 The umpires shall continue to monitor the fitness of the ground and playing conditions and ensure that no impediment or obstruction is brought onto the field of play.
2. 2.6 The bowler’s umpire shall stand at the non-striking batsman’s end, well positioned to see the bowling crease and the striking batsman’s wicket.
3. 2.7 The other umpire shall stand at the striking batsman’s end approximately 13.7 to 18.3 metres (15-20 yards) square of the wicket, well positioned to determine a “run-out”, “short run” or wicket-keeper infringement (see rule 13) and ready to give an opinion if clarification is sought by the bowler’s umpire on “wides” and “no balls”.
4. 2.8 The umpire shall give an “out” or “not out” decision only after an appeal of “how’s that?” from the fielding team.
5. 2.9 The umpires are the sole judges of fair play and decisions shall be settled by them at their own wicket.
6. 2.10 Umpires shall not coach or provide advice to players during the match other than to make a factual statement regarding a particular decision or to explain the rule(s) pertinent to a specific situation that has arisen.
7. 2.11 In the case of any doubt by either umpire, the other umpire may be consulted. The decision of the bowler’s umpire shall be final.
8. 2.12 All players shall remain within the field of play except when fielding the ball, and shall not leave or rejoin the field of play at any other time without the umpire’s permission.
9. 2.13 The agreement of both umpires is required to start the match, suspend the match and restart the match.
10. 2.14 If a problem arises 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 (see rule 11.6). At the end of the match the umpires shall produce a full, written report which shall be submitted to the county, league or organising body within seven days.

Guidance for umpires on 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 match and alert to potential problems.

The umpires should act as a team, aiding each other to see that the rules are applied correctly and that the match is played in a sporting manner. They must be careful that they do not coach or provide advice to players during a match but are seen to be totally impartial.

All decisions in the field and at the wickets are from the bowler’s umpire, except “run-outs”, “short runs” at the striking batsman’s wicket and wicket-keeper infringements (see rule 13). If the bowler’s umpire is unsure regarding a “no ball” or “wide”, clarification should be sought from the other umpire (see rule 2.7).

3. Scorers

1. 3.1 The scorers, preferably one for each team, shall sit together outside the boundary line in a position where they can acknowledge all signals given to them by the umpires. The match shall only progress after both acknowledge the signal.
2. 3.2 All runs scored and wickets taken shall be recorded by the scorers and they shall agree the score at the end of each over and on completion of each innings.
3. 3.3 The score and current over being played shall be shown promptly and correctly on the scoreboard at the end of each over and on completion of each innings.

4. Equipment and the field of play

1. 4.1 The boundary line shall be, where possible, a maximum of 40 metres or 45 yards from the centre of the pitch, and shall be corded or adequately marked with a line and indicator markers. If natural boundaries are used, these shall be clearly explained to the umpires and teams before the start of the match.
2. 4.2 The field of play shall consist of that area inside of and thus enclosed by the agreed boundary line or markers.
3. 4.3 Wickets
   1. 4.3.1 The wickets shall be the face and all edges of two boards, each 305mm (1 foot) square and 12mm (½ inch) thick, mounted on stakes firmly fixed to the ground so that the top of the wicket is level and 1.42 metres (4 feet 8 inches) from the ground.
   2. 4.3.2 The stake of each wicket shall be at least 25mm (1 inch) below the top of the wicket and fixed at right angles to the ground. The bottom 610mm (24 inches) of the stake shall be painted a different colour in order to facilitate the identification of the “no ball” area.
   3. 4.3.3 The wickets shall be pitched opposite and parallel to each other at a distance of 14.6 metres (16 yards) apart and shall, where possible, be on a north-south axis.
   

   Print this diagram: Dimensions of a stoolball pitch (PDF format, 119K).

4. 4.4 The bat shall be a stoolball bat approved by Stoolball England and not exceeding 483mm (19 inches) in length or 197mm (7½ inches) in diameter.
5. 4.5 The ball shall be a white stoolball approved by Stoolball England and at the start of each innings shall:
   1. 4.5.1 weigh not less than 57 grams (2 ounces) and not more than 85 grams (3 ounces)
   2. 4.5.2 measure not less than 178mm (7 inches) and not more than 197mm (7½ inches) in circumference.
6. 4.6 The bowling crease shall be 915mm (1 yard) in length, at right angles to an imaginary line between the wickets. The bowling crease shall be 9.15 metres (10 yards) from the batting wicket and have returns of 305mm (1 foot) in length at right angles to the bowling crease.
7. 4.7 Clothing
   1. 4.7.1 Players may wear any type of footwear provided the soles do not consist of removable studs or spikes, however designed, and the only form of assisted grip is the moulded sole of the footwear.
   2. 4.7.2 Shin pads may be worn.
   3. 4.7.3 Gloves shall not be worn by any player, except where a fielder has strict medical grounds for doing so, and then only by prior permission of both umpires.

5. Method of scoring

The score shall be reckoned by runs and boundaries.

1. 5.1 A run is scored so long as the batsmen, after the ball is hit or at any time while the ball is in play, shall have crossed and made good their ground from wicket to wicket, having touched the wicket or stake with their bat or hand.
2. 5.2 If the ball is deliberately hit with the back of the bat, the umpire shall call and signal “reverse bat” (see umpires' signals). The delivery shall be counted as a legitimate delivery but no run shall be scored.
3. 5.3 The umpire shall signal “four runs” whenever the ball hits or crosses the agreed boundary after first touching the ground. If a fielder stops the ball before it reaches the boundary, but part of their body touches the boundary, or the ground outside the boundary, while in contact with the ball, “four runs” shall be scored.
4. 5.4 The umpire shall signal “six runs” if the ball shall clear the ground and pass over or land directly on the agreed boundary. If the ball is caught by a fielder with any part of their body touching the boundary, or the ground outside the boundary, the umpire shall signal “six runs” and the batsman is “not out”.
5. 5.5 If either batsman fails to touch the wicket or stake on completion of a run, the umpire shall call and signal “short run” and that run shall not be scored.
6. 5.6 In the event of a batsman being “caught”, no run shall be scored.
7. 5.7 In the event of a batsman being “run-out”, the uncompleted run shall not be scored.
8. 5.8 A run shall be added to the score when the umpire calls and signals a “no ball” or “wide” and an extra delivery shall be bowled (see rule 8 and rule 9).
9. 5.9 If the ball is hit and runs are completed, and the ball subsequently hits or crosses the boundary, the runs completed shall only count if they are in excess of four runs, and then only the runs completed shall count.
10. 5.10 If, in the event of overthrows, the ball hits or crosses the boundary, the score shall be the total number of runs completed when the ball hits or crosses the boundary plus four runs. The bowler's umpire shall confirm to the scorers the total number of runs scored.
11. 5.11 If, as the ball is thrown in to a wicket, it inadvertently hits a bat or a batsman, no additional runs shall be scored over and above the run in progress when the bat or batsman was hit.
12. 5.12 A match is won by the team that scores the most runs within an agreed number of overs.
13. 5.13 If the final scores of both teams are equal, the match shall be declared a “tie”.

6. Batsman’s innings

1. 6.1 The incoming batsman shall pass the outgoing batsman on the field of play and, in order to start their innings, shall touch the wicket or stake, which shall happen within one minute of the fall of the previous wicket.
2. 6.2 The bowler’s umpire shall call “play” when a new batsman arrives at either wicket.
3. 6.3 During their innings both batsmen shall remain within reach of their wicket or stake (“in their ground”) or they run the risk of being “run-out” by the fielding team. Each time they move “out of their ground”, such as while scoring or attempting to score a run, they shall return to touch the wicket or stake with their bat or hand.
4. 6.4 The bowler’s umpire shall see that the batsman is ready to bat and not allow the bowler to hurry unreasonably between each delivery, giving the bowler a caution if necessary. If a delivery is bowled before the batsman is ready, the umpire shall call and signal “dead ball”, no run shall be scored, and the delivery shall not be counted as a legitimate delivery.
5. 6.5 A batsman may retire at the end of an over with the consent of the fielding team's captain, and the batsman’s innings shall be deemed completed. Only one batsman may retire in each over.
6. 6.6 In the event of a batsman having to leave the field through injury or illness, the injured batsman’s innings may only be resumed when another batsman is given “out”.
7. 6.7 Exhaustion is not considered an injury or illness.
8. 6.8 A player from the same team and of the same sex may act as a runner for an injured batsman, provided the injury was incurred during the current match. The runner shall stand, directed by the umpire, two to three metres to the side of the wicket in a position that does not interfere with play.

   Print this diagram: Positions on the field of play (PDF format, 118K).

9. 6.9 In a mixed match:
   1. 6.9.1 the batting order shall be male and female to open
   2. 6.9.2 when a batsman is out, they shall be replaced by a batsman of the same sex
   3. 6.9.3 when there are no more players of the same sex to bat, then the remaining batsmen may continue the innings.

7. Bowling and the over

1. 7.1 The over shall consist of eight legitimate deliveries bowled to a wicket. Both umpires shall keep a count of the number of legitimate deliveries bowled in each over.
2. 7.2 At the start of each over, the umpire shall call “play” and the ball shall be deemed to be “live”.
3. 7.3 When eight legitimate deliveries have been bowled and the ball has finally settled in the bowler’s hands, the umpire shall call and signal “over”. “No balls” and “wides” are not legitimate deliveries.
4. 7.4 Each over shall be bowled alternately to each wicket.
5. 7.5 Bowlers are not allowed to bowl consecutive overs.
6. 7.6 In a mixed match a male or female shall bowl alternate overs.
7. 7.7 The bowler shall complete an over, unless incapacitated or suspended for dangerous bowling. In that event the over shall be completed by another team member (and, in a mixed match, of the same sex).
8. 7.8 In a mixed match the bowler shall not start their run-up from any point behind the wicket otherwise the umpire shall call and signal “no ball”.

Guidance for umpires on rule 7

Both umpires must watch each delivery for a “no ball” or “wide” (see rule 2.7).

8. No ball

If the following conditions are not met, the umpire shall call and signal “no ball”:

1. 8.1 The bowler shall deliver the ball underarm.
2. 8.2 The ball shall not be thrown or jerked as it is delivered.
3. 8.3 The bowler shall not deliver the ball with one hand and then the other during the course of the same over.

The umpire shall also call and signal “no ball” in the following situations:

1. 8.4 The bowler has one or both feet on or over the bowling crease or its returns at the point the ball is delivered.
2. 8.5 The ball hits the ground before reaching the wicket.
3. 8.6 The ball reaches the wicket less than 610mm (24 inches) above the ground.
4. 8.7 The ball would have reached the wicket less than 610mm (24 inches) above the ground had the batsman not hit it.
5. 8.8 There is a wicket-keeper infringement (see rule 13).
6. 8.9 In a mixed match the bowler starts their run-up from any point behind the wicket (see rule 7.8).
7. 8.10 The bowling is dangerous.
   1. 8.10.1 Dangerous bowling is that which is likely to cause injury to the batsman. The umpire shall take into account the batsman’s stance at the wicket, and their age and ability.
   2. 8.10.2 Having first warned the bowler, if both umpires agree they may suspend a bowler for persistent dangerous bowling.

When a “no ball” is delivered the following rules apply.

1. 8.11 The umpire shall call and signal “no ball” and one run shall be added to the score. The delivery shall be recorded as a “no ball” and an extra delivery bowled.
2. 8.12 If a batsman hits a “no ball” any resulting runs shall be credited to their score. Any other runs completed as a result of the “no ball” shall be recorded as “no balls”.
3. 8.13 A batsman may be “run-out”, but cannot be given out from a “no ball” for any other reason.

9. Wide

1. 9.1 If the bowler shall bowl the ball so high or so wide of the wicket and batsman that, in the opinion of the umpire, it is not a legitimate delivery, and the ball has not been hit by the bat or the hand holding the bat, the umpire shall call and signal “wide” as soon as the ball passes the wicket.
2. 9.2 One run shall be added to the score and recorded as a “wide” and an extra delivery shall be bowled.
3. 9.3 Any runs completed as a result of a “wide” shall be recorded as “wides”.
4. 9.4 If the striking batsman hits the ball, it ceases to be a “wide”.

10. Bye

1. 10.1 If the bowler bowls a legitimate delivery, which is not hit by the bat or the hand holding the bat, and runs are scored, the umpire shall signal "bye" and the runs shall be recorded as “byes”.
2. 10.2 In the event of a deliberate deflection of the ball, other than by the bat or the hand holding the bat, the umpire shall call and signal “dead ball” and no run shall be scored.

11. Dead ball

The ball shall be deemed to be “dead” when:

1. 11.1 the umpire has called and signalled “over”
2. 11.2 the umpire has signalled “four runs” or “six runs”
3. 11.3 a batsman is given “out”.

In addition, the umpire shall call and signal “dead ball” if they decide to intervene during the course of play when:

1. 11.4 a player is injured
2. 11.5 there is a deliberate deflection of the ball by the batsman (see rule 10.2)
3. 11.6 play is temporarily suspended for any other reason.

12. The batsman is out

1. 12.1 Bowled

   The striking batsman is out “bowled” if the wicket is hit by the ball when the bowler has bowled a legitimate delivery, even if the ball has first touched the bat or the hand holding the bat or has been deflected onto the wicket by any part of the batsman’s body.

2. 12.2 Body before wicket

   The striking batsman, having hit the ball or not, is out “body before wicket” if, in the opinion of the umpire, the ball bowled would have hit the wicket had it not been prevented from doing so by any part of the batsman’s body, other than the hand holding the bat.

3. 12.3 Caught

   The striking batsman is out “caught” if the ball, from a stroke off the bat or the hand holding the bat, is held in the hand or hands of a member of the fielding team provided:

   1. 12.3.1 the ball has not touched the ground
   2. 12.3.2 the catcher is not touching the boundary, or the ground outside the boundary, while in contact with the ball, and is in control of the ball and their own movement when the catch is completed
   3. 12.3.3 the ball has not lodged in the clothing of the catcher at any time.

   When a batsman is “caught” the following rules apply.

   1. 12.3.4 The umpires, batsmen, fielders and wickets are all deemed to be part of the field of play. In the event that a striking batsman hits a legitimate delivery which is then deflected off an umpire, either batsman, a wicket or fielder(s), resulting in a fielder taking a catch (in accordance with rules 12.3.1–12.3.3), on appeal by the fielding team, the umpire shall give the batsman “out”.
   2. 12.3.5 Unless the batsmen have crossed before the catch is completed, the non-striking batsman shall return to the wicket where they stood when the ball was delivered, and the new batsman shall go to the striking batsman’s wicket.
4. 12.4 Run-out

   A batsman shall be “run-out” in the following situations:

   1. 12.4.1 If in running, or preparing to run, or standing “out of their ground” while the ball is in play, the batsman has not touched the wicket or stake with the bat or hand before the wicket is touched by the ball, thrown or placed, by a member of the fielding team. When the ball is placed on the wicket it does not have to be dropped afterwards.
   2. 12.4.2 If the batsmen have crossed, the batsman who is nearest the wicket that has been touched by the ball is “out”.
   3. 12.4.3 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.
   4. 12.4.4 A batsman shall be considered “out of their ground” and may be given “run-out” unless, with bat in hand, the wicket or stake can be touched.
   5. 12.4.5 If a striking “injured” batsman attempts to run and is “run-out”, they shall be given “out” even if the runner is “in their ground”.
   6. 12.4.6 When the bowler is preparing to deliver the ball, if the batsman at the bowler’s end is “out of their ground”, the bowler may attempt to “run-out” the batsman after one warning has been given. This warning shall be clearly seen and heard by the umpire. The delivery shall not be counted as a legitimate delivery. In the event that the attempt fails and runs result, the umpire shall signal “bye”, and these runs shall be recorded as “byes”.
   7. 12.4.7 If a batsman is standing “out of their ground”, they cannot be “run-out” unless the ball has first been touched by a fielder before it hits the wicket.
   8. 12.4.8 Either batsman can be given “out” by an umpire, on appeal by the fielding team, if, in the opinion of the umpire, there has been a deliberate attempt to obstruct a member of the fielding team which has prevented a “run-out” being completed.
   9. 12.4.9 A batsman is “not out” if, in the opinion of the umpire, they are prevented from touching the wicket or stake by a member of the fielding team.
   10. 12.4.10 A batsman cannot be “run-out” if they are merely taking evasive action to avoid a ball returning to the wicket and not attempting or completing a run.
5. 12.5 Hitting the ball twice

   The striking batsman is “out” if the ball is hit twice, unless this is done accidentally.

6. 12.6 Timed out

   If, when a batsman is given “out”, the incoming batsman has not arrived at the wicket within one minute of the outgoing batsman having been given “out” then, on appeal by the fielding team, the incoming batsman shall be out “timed out”.

Guidance for umpires on rule 12

The umpires must watch in the case of a catch or “run out” whether the batsmen have crossed (see rule 12.3.5 and rule 12.4.2).

In W W Grantham’s book published in 1931 called Stoolball and How to Play it, he wrote the following:

The striking batsman 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” (see rule 12.3.1).

Therefore a batsman shall 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 hand or 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 an umpire, either batsman, a wicket or fielder(s), and does not hit the ground before being held by a fielder (see rule 12.3.4).

13. Wicket-keeper

The wicket-keeper shall remain wholly behind the wicket until the ball is delivered by the bowler and:

1. 13.1 touches the bat or body of the striking batsman
2. 13.2 passes or hits the wicket or stake
3. 13.3 the striking batsman attempts to run.

If, in the opinion of the umpire, the wicket-keeper has not remained wholly behind the wicket, this is a wicket-keeper infringement and the umpire shall call and signal “no ball”.

14. Substitute

A substitute shall be allowed, with the permission of the umpires, and the opposing team’s captain duly notified, if a player is injured or taken ill during a match. A substitute shall not bowl or bat.

15. Lost ball

In the unlikely event of a ball being lost while in the field of play, any member of the fielding team shall call “lost ball” to the umpire. The umpire shall call and signal “lost ball” and three runs shall be credited to the striking batsman's score if the ball was hit, otherwise the runs shall be recorded as “byes”. The batsmen shall change ends, so that the striking batsman is at the non-striking end.

16. Misconduct

1. 16.1 An umpire may instruct a player to leave the field of play due to persistent use of abusive language or unsporting behaviour.
2. 16.2 If a player is found to be unfit to play due to the effects of drugs, alcohol or other banned substances, that player shall take no further part in the match (see the spirit of stoolball). At the end of the match the umpires shall produce a full, written report which shall be submitted to the disciplinary committee of the county, league or organising body within seven days.

17. Obstructions on the field of play

1. 17.1 Under no circumstances shall any impediment or obstruction (for example, water bottles or mobile phones) be placed anywhere on the field of play while a match is in progress. Any items required for medical reasons shall be held by one of the umpires.
2. 17.2 If drinks are required during an innings these shall only be brought onto the field of play between overs and shall be removed from the field of play before play restarts.