Postponement, Rearrangement Or Abandonment.
Bad weather including frost (Frozen Pitches), rain (flooding) and snow can cause pitches to be unplayable, regulation 13 - Postponement, Rearrangement Or Abandonment.
13.1 Priority
13.1.1 Unless postponed due to weather or travel as below a team may only postpone a match if they are playing a higher priority fixture on the date of the match.
13.2 General
13.2.1 Immediately prior to the commencement of a match, or once a match has started, the decision on whether it should be postponed or abandoned is determined by the umpires, in consultation with the team captains. Safety of players shall be a key factor in any decision making.
13.2.2 In the event of a match having to be abandoned, the ALDS will decide on the action to be taken after receiving a report from the Umpires and teams. Such a decision may necessitate a replay of the fixture, depending on the circumstances at the time of abandonment.
13.2.3 In the event of a postponement and/or replay of an abandoned match:
13.2.3.1 A date for the rearrangement must be agreed within 7 days of the postponed/abandoned fixture.
13.2.3.2 The match must be replayed within 15 days for grade 2 matches and 29 days for grades 3-5, using a League Reserve date if possible.
13.2.3.3 The agreement of both teams and ALDS or ALMC is required before a match can be postponed, unless due to weather conditions. If teams disagree the ALDS or ALMC shall make a ruling whether to postpone or not. 13.2.3.4 If teams are not able to agree a date, then the ALDS or ALMC will set a reasonable date. Which can only be postponed due to weather. AREA ADULT LEAGUE REGULATIONS 2023-2024 16 of 28
13.3 Procedure for Bad Weather & Associated Travel
13.3.1 Pitch The home team should use the following procedures.
13.3.1.1 The home Team Admin should ascertain from the visiting team the latest time of notification of cancellation, i.e., when they intend to depart for the pitch venue. If an overnight stay prior to the match is expected, this time should be adjusted accordingly. If it is clear that the pitch will be unfit due to weather earlier than the above time, the visiting team should be informed immediately.
13.3.1.2 It is the responsibility of the home team to inspect the pitch prior to the above-mentioned departure time. The Team Admin and/or a member of the club or team’s leadership should do this, and a realistic view must be taken at this stage. They should check with Met Office (www.metoffice.gov.uk) to confirm weather conditions for the next 24/48 hours. All teams should use the Met Office as a standardised reference for weather conditions. If the pitch is unfit and is likely to remain so, the match should be postponed, and the following action taken:
- notify the visiting team.
- notify the Umpires and Match Officials if appointed
- notify the relevant ALDS.
- The team must notify via an answered phone call, or ensure a response is received
13.3.1.3 In the event of the home team wishing to postpone a match the away team shall, at its own cost, have the right to inspect the ground prior to a decision regarding postponement being reached.
13.3.1.4 Once the teams and umpires if appointed have arrived, Regulation 13.2 above shall apply.
13.3.1.5 If a team fails to follow the above procedures and, when all parties arrive, it is clear that the pitch was, and patently has been, unfit prior to the times outlined above, the teams and umpires if appointed will be asked to submit a report for the consideration of the ALMC who may take action as it deems appropriate.
13.3.1.6 The match should be re-arranged in line with 13.2.3.1 and 13.2.3.2. 13.3.2 Travel The away team should use the following procedures.
13.3.2.1 The away Team Admin should check with the Met Office (www.metoffice.gov.uk) and Highways England and/or Highways Wales (www.trafficengland.com or www.traffic.wales) to confirm weather and travel conditions and guidance for the next 24/48 hours). All teams should use the Met Office, Highways England and/or Highways Wales as a standardised reference for weather/travel conditions.
13.3.2.2 If guidance is that you should not travel, and this guidance is that this will not change prior to intended departure the match should be postponed, and the following action taken:
- notify the home team;
- home team notify the Umpires and Match Officials if appointed
- home team notify the relevant ALDS.
Note: Whilst it is accepted that no system of match postponement can be perfect, teams are requested to try and ensure that matches are postponed in sufficient time for visiting teams and officials to be saved the time and expense of wasted journeys.