Hi All,

Ranjith had it all covered at the other semi finals
where Maha CC proved to be a little tough on JJ, may
be becos of their experience in the league and their
consistency. ..Thanks Ranjith and Well Done Maha CC!!!!

But here we go, another scintillating Semi's NJ Stars
one of the best in our league, known for their
professional cricket players playing the cricket ball
league both here in NJ and in Pakistan League, always
giving a tough match to their opponents... Their
opponet The Legends, a New team in our League from PA
oozing with energy, youngsters, some of them had their
heart rate pumping at more than average levels until
the end of the match!...It was more of a battle
between a Pakistan team and a team from Gujrat,
India!!! India/Pakistan match always have to be a
thriller and such was today! The best team on that
given day has to be the winner!!!LETS READ MORE TO
FIND OUT THE RESULTS!!!

Umpires:Vipin( NJSBCL Committee Member/Invincible' s
Captain)and Myself, Sri(EC/Josh CC's Captain)

Toss-Both the Captains, Jay from The Legends and
Nadeem Bhai from NJ Stars were all pumped up to get
things going...Jay won the toss and put NJ Stars to
bat...probably something that Nadeem Bhai would have
looked forward to in a crucial match, to put some
scores on the board and put pressure back on Legends
while they are chasing!

NJ Stars Batting: NJ Stars started off well with their
openers Arif and Nadeem getting it right...
Nadeem with his big stature was proving to be big on
the lean and meany looking legends. His strokes were
powerful and he was looking to blast the opponents. He
was also stealing the singles at the same time. But
Legends were focussed, encouraging their bowlers.
Chetan their Keeper probably stopped his encouraging
words ONLY after both the innings got over! My God
what does he eat/drink to keep his throat as powerful
as a LOUD SPEAKER...Jigar was no less!!!Legends who
are known for their atheletic fielders missed Nadeem's
sitter. It looked like Nadeem would capitalize on it
but no, the legends cheered each other instead and
started being brilliant on the field with Nilesh
taking a good catch at Mid On to dismiss Arif and few
brilliant throws from the outfield one of them
resulting in a brilliant run out of Nadeem! Legends
bowlers were pretty accurate and pushing them for
singles was becoming next to impossible as their
fielding was also equally dominating. NJ Stars had to
use the aerial route to get the score board ticking,
which costed them couple of more wickets. This time
the Legends were good with their skiers! There was
hardly any catch missed in the outfield after the
first one.In the first 8 overs NJ stars looked to be
in command but some brilliant fielding put the NJ
Stars in the back foot and in the end the cool headed
Abbas and their most experienced Nadeem
Bhai(Mammu)stuck at the crease to get the score moving
until they finished off at a score of 61 runs in their
stipulated 16 overs for the loss of 9 wickets!Legends
bowlers also came out good at the end and Gary would
probably be their pick of the bowlers!Overall it was
their cheering and activeness in the field that
restricted their opponents to a mediocre total!

But even 61 to chase was always going to be tricky
against NJ Stars bowling attack, though Naomi their
speedstar was not playing today!

Legends Chase: Legends knew what they needed to do...
They were young bunch of athletic cricketers and they
would know it better how to get those cheeky singles
in a low scoring match and keep the score board
ticking! They started to do so right from the word go,
before they lost one of their openers to a catch at
Mid On by Mammu! But their other opener the wicket
keeper batsman Chetan was still there to rotate the
strike..They were cruising well, suddenly when change
of bowling attack from NJ Stars had them loose few
wickets and this also reduced their run rate per over.
But there was never a panick. Nilesh their right
handed batsman was playing brilliantly. ..his square
cuts were a treat to watch for the square leg
umpire!For NJ Stars Abbas, Faizal and Adil were the
pick of the bowlers. Abbas was deceiving in his pace
but Faizal and Adil troubled the batsman with their
off breaks and leg breaks! The slow scoring rate made
the Legends batsman to play some aerial shots which
resulted in loss of few wickets. NJ Stars were also
getting better in their fielding with some accurate
throws from the deep which had Nilesh short of his
run. I understand Hardik was another batsman who could
be good on his day, but he too was out cheaply
mis-timing a rising delivery from Abbas, well caught
by Adil the keeper. The much talked about player Gary
was now in..Looked like it was going to be his day...
He was good with his bowling and it was time for him
to do the magic with his bat!Though he started off
little shaky and cautiously to some top class off
break and leg break bowling by Faizal and Adil. But he
kept his nerve and lived upto his reputation of
whacking the loose balls square of the wicket. Again
some nice strokes to watch for, in this form of
Cricket where the pull strokes and aerial shots on the
leg side dominates!!! Legends worry was their wickets
which was falling at regular intervals and they were
getting closer to the final overs as well, with very
less improvement to the runs per over. But the good
thing was that The Legends were able to get maximum
runs of the few bad delveries that NJ Stars bowler
would have bowled. All in all Gary was their key
player today and he was the one to finish off the game
with a Square Cut, charging down the wicket of Adil in
the 15th over.

It was then Celebrations all around! The Legends team
once again became very voiceferous, probably the
excitement of getting into the NJSBCL finals on their
very first attempt! Great achievement! !!Players
greeted each other and shook hands with their
opponents as well!!!

Overall a visual treat to one and all who were present
at the ground! Infact we had our Platers Semi's at the
adjacent ground and Dosti CC the winners still were
not done with their celebrations! Their Captain Srini
hit an unbeaten 52 while they were setting the target
for Jersey Boyz!

I personally thank both teams for an extra ordinary
display of Cricket and wish team Legends best of luck
on their journey to the finals of our NJSBCL and wish
team NJ Stars better luck next time!!!

Regards
Sri
On Behalf of the EC!

Toss won by NJ STARS and elected to field

NJCC  made 93/9 in 20 overs.

NJ STARS scored 94/3 in 12 overs.

NJ STARS won by 7 Wickets.

Farhan Ali           46 runs

Nadeem Saeed  28 Not out

Bowling

Vijay             5/15     4 Wickets

Abbas           5/16     2 Wickets

NJ Stars won the 2009 Islamic games

Man of the Series:    

Batsman:   Sajeel   

Bowler:      Rizwan

2007

NJSBCL- Tournament Rules

1.0 The competition shall be known as the New Jersey Soft Ball Cricket League Competition [hereafter referred to as the NJSBCL competition]. The Executive Committee of the NJSBCL shall be responsible for the administration of the competition and shall have jurisdiction for the implementation and interpretation of the rules and playing conditions governing the competition.

1.1 Except for those laws that are unique to local playing situations and conditions, the New Jersey Soft Ball Cricket League, NJSBCL, will abide by the latest available ICC standard playing conditions, and the associated Laws of Cricket document [Code]. The complete and latest ICC code can be found, at ICC’s website. In the event of conflicts, the rules as stipulated by the NJSBCL shall supersede.

1.2 Only NJSBCL approved balls shall be used in the Competition.  Each team will be required to purchase the approved balls from the League prior to the start of the tournament.

1.3 In case of inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances during the competition, the Executive Committee has the authority to enforce the rescheduling of the game.  See Delayed or Interrupted Matches under section 12.

SECTION 2:  FORMAT

2.1   The cricket season shall comprise of one (1) competition.

2.2   The NJSBCL League Championship.

2.3   All games leading up to the semi-finals shall be limited to a maximum of sixteen (16) overs per inning.

2.4   The semi-finals and the finals of the tournament shall be limited to a maximum of twenty (20) overs per inning.

2.5     The teams shall be divided into four (4) Pools, namely A, B, C, and D. 

2.6 Ten (10) points shall be awarded for a win.

2.6     Five (5) points for a draw or tie (defined as both teams scoring the same number of runs regardless of number of balls/overs bowled or number of fallen wickets).

2.7     In the first round, each team will play the teams within their same pool once, with ten points awarded for a win and five for a draw or tie. i.e, Team A1 will play each of the teams in Pool A, Team B1 will play each of the teams in Pool B etc.

At the end of the first round, four (4) teams with the highest number of points FROM EACH POOL shall qualify for the second round.

2.8     In the second round, the top four teams from Pool A will play the top four teams from Pool B, and the top four teams from Pool C will play the top four teams from Pool D  with ten points awarded for a win and five for a draw or tie.

2.9     In the third round (quarter finals), the top two teams from Pool A will play the top two teams from Pool C, and the top two teams from Pool B will play the top two teams from Pool D  with ten points awarded for a win and five for a draw or tie.

2.10In the fourth round (semi-finals), the team with the most points (regardless of what pool they are from) will play the fourth place team from the quarter finals (semi-final 1) and the team that placed second in the quarter finals will play the team that placed third (semi-final 2)

2.11The finals will be played between the winner of semi-finals 1 and 2.

SECTION  3:  THE PITCH

3.1  Area of pitch:  All league games will use a pitch that measures 22 yards or 20.12 meters in length.  Each team is encouraged to carry a tape measure that will allow for the measurement of 22 yards or a piece of rope/string that is cut to an exact measure of 22 yards (or both!)

3.2  Wide markers:  Markers that will be used for the calling of wide balls shall be placed at one bat length from the middle stump.

SECTION  4:  USE OF PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

The league firmly believes in the safety of its participants and encourages the use of protective equipment as each player sees fit, but within the following rules.

4.1       Protective equipment is any visible item of apparel worn for protection against external blows.

4.2       For a batsman, items permitted are a helmet, external leg guards (batting pads), and batting gloves.

4.3       For a fielder, only a helmet is permitted, except in the case of a wicketkeeper, for whom wicket-keeping pads and gloves are also permitted.  A wicket-keeper may substitute batting pads for wicket-keeping pads.

4.4.      The wicket-keeper is the only member of the fielding side permitted to wear gloves and external leg guards.

4.5       The gloves used by a wicket-keeper shall ONLY be those that are permitted under the ICC rules.  Law 40, paragraph 2 provides a description of a permissible wicket-keeper glove.

4.6       Hand warmers, oven mitts, baseball mitts and such other hand coverings are NOT to be substituted as wicket-keeping gloves and are not deemed acceptable as protective gear for a wicket-keeper in the field of play.

SECTION 5:  STANDINGS REPORTS AND POINTS

5.1  The captains will be responsible for submitting score sheet/s with results of the game to the NJSBCL within 24 hours after completion of the game. The score sheets must be submitted in the format provided by the NJSBCL (provided in a separate document).  

5.2 Teams will NOT carry forward points from previous rounds.  The points table will be reset to zero at the start of every round.

5.3 Tie breaker rules: At the end of the respective rounds, if two or more teams are tied for any of the top positions, the team that advances shall be determined as follows:

a)     The winner of the head to head competition, if still equal

b)       The team with the highest net run rate, common opponents only

c)        The calculation will use the following formulae:

a.       Net Run Rate (NRR) = (Runs scored / Overs Played) – (Runs conceded / Overs Bowled)

EXAMPLE: [Team “A” scored 678 runs in 147.3 overs, for a run rate of 4.602. Team opposing “A” has scored 466 runs in 150 overs, a run rate of 3.107. Therefore the Net Run Rate (NRR) is; 4.602 minus 3.107, or 1.495]

Note:  In the event of a team being all out in less than its full quota of overs, the calculation of its net run rate shall be based on the full quota of overs to which it would have been entitled and not on the number of overs in which the team was dismissed.

5.4  Since points will not be carried forward from previous rounds, the net run rates will NOT be carried forward as well.  The net run rates will be reset to zero at the start of every round.

SECTION 6:  PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT 

6.1 To maintain a level playing field for the competition, we ask that teams not include players that participate in any other Cricket Association or League without the approval of the Executive Committee.

SECTION 7:  PLAYER MOVEMENT

7.1 A player may change team once. Changes are not allowed after the player has participated in three (3) or more games with a certain team.

7.2  Player movements MUST be approved by the Executive Committee.

SECTION 8:  RESTRICTIONS ON THE PLACEMENT OF FIELDSMEN

8.1 There will be no field restrictions enforced

SECTION 9:  PRE-GAME PREPARATION

9.1 Both playing teams shall be equally responsible for preparing the pitch which may include but not limited to sweeping, raking and or rolling, marking the boundaries and field restriction area.  Each team shall also bring other equipment such as stumps, bails, chalk, broom etc.

9.2  Each playing team shall be responsible for bringing water and refreshments for their own use.  The “home” team will NOT be responsible for doing so.  Bringing goodies for your opponents will be seen as a good gesture and will be greatly appreciated!

9.3 Captains or their designee must exchange lineups prior to spinning the toss.  The toss must be spun no later than 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the game.  At the scheduled start time both teams must be present on the playing field with at least 8 players at which time the standing umpire will call play.

9.4 At the stipulated starting time the team not ready to play shall lose one (1) over every four (4) minutes from their allotment of overs. The team that is ready to play, with a minimum complement of 8 players, at the stipulated starting time shall be made avail of the entire allotment of overs.

9.5 If after 45 minutes from the scheduled start time one of the teams is not present on the field with at least 8 players, the game shall be canceled and (10) points shall be awarded to the team that was ready for play.

SECTION 10:  NORMAL HOURS OF PLAY & INTERVALS

10.1 League recommends that play shall commence no later than 8:45 AM on the days scheduled.  Rescheduling of start times is permissible upon mutual consent of opposing captains.

10.2 One break of five (5) minutes shall be permitted at the completion of the 8th over, except under conditions of extreme heat and humidity where the umpires shall permit extra intervals for drinks as they see appropriate. 

SECTION 11:            OVERS AND TIME MANAGEMENT

11.1 All matches in the first round shall be limited to (1) one inning of (16) sixteen overs maximum per side. Each over will consist of six (6) legal deliveries.

11.2 Each bowler shall be allowed a maximum of (4) four overs in the first round.  In the semi-final and final rounds each bowler shall be allowed a maximum of (5) five overs.

11.3. Batsmen must be ready to take guard or in position at the bowler's end within 90 seconds of a wicket falling.

SECTION 12:            DELAYED OR INTERRUPTED MATCHES

12.1   In the event a game is curtailed by rain, bad light, or any other weather related factors, the following rules shall apply:

12.2 There shall be no winner unless a minimum of (10) ten overs is completed in the second inning. Otherwise, this constitutes an incomplete game and the entire game will be rescheduled.

12.3 If more than 10 overs have been bowled in the second inning, and play stopped on account of weather, the game will be continued from the point of stoppage of play and completed as early as a reschedule is possible.  Every effort should be made to complete the game on the same ground where the first innings was played.

SECTION 13:  STATUS OF GROUNDS

13.1We are a friendly League that does not have grounds for play to fit international and professional standards.  As a matter of fact, many of the games are played on makeshift baseball fields (of varying shapes and sizes!). 

13.2The League does not guarantee that all grounds will have the same dimensions.

13.3The League does not guarantee that every match will have a complete (360 degree) field of play.

13.4Since every participating team does not have a “home” ground, the League cannot avoid the advantage that some teams may have because they do have a “home” ground.    We will, however, through our scheduling cycle, make a conscious effort to minimize such advantages that may be had by having those with “home” grounds play a fair share of “away” games.

13.5Each team WILL play on the ground that is assigned to them.  Period.  No questions. End of discussion.

13.6It is each team’s responsibility to survey each of the grounds and make whatever pre-game preparations they see fit BEFORE the day of the game.

13.7Declining to play for reasons such as “we don’t like this ground”, “we have a better ground…lets go and play there”, “we don’t play on baseball grounds” etc., will constitute an automatic forfeiture of the game.  Period.  No questions. End of discussion.

SECTION 14:            INSURANCE

14.1 The League is not responsible for accidents or injuries that a player may suffer while traveling to/fro the grounds, while playing, or even simply spectating a game. 

14.2The League or members of the Executive Committee will not be held liable for any accidents or injuries that a player may suffer while traveling to/fro the grounds, while playing, or even simply spectating a game.

14.3It’s simple…if you get hurt (which we hope never happens), you are on your own.

SECTION 15:            UMPIRING

15.1 The umpire’s decision is final. He/she must write any disputes on the score-sheet (scorebook) and submit a written report to the NJSBCL within seventy-two hours of any incident.

15.2  As part of the schedule, each team has been assigned games that they are requested to umpire.  Each team will be expected to send at least one person to serve as a neutral umpire to a match assigned.  If a team is unable to send a neutral umpire, they shall pay a fee of $40 to the umpire that will be appointed to the game by the league’s executive committee from a pool of umpires. The League’s executive committee will make every attempt to provide each game with a neutral umpire….although no guarantees are provided to that end.

15.2 If umpires are unavailable, both captains shall agree in advance on two umpires who shall officiate the game.

15.4  UMPIRES DECISIONS ARE FINAL.  Even if you do not like or agree with the decision of the umpires, you accept it and move on.  No cursing, no screaming, no calling names (in any language), no filing protests, nothing that violates the spirit of the game.  Period.  No questions. End of discussion.

SECTION 16:            RESPONSIBILITIES

16.1 It is the responsibility of BOTH captains to see that decorum is maintained at all times and the spirit of the game is adhered to.

SECTION 17:            DISPUTES

17.1 Disputed games shall be arbitrated by the executive committee NJSBCL along with representatives of both teams and the officiating umpires.

SECTION 18:            PROTEST

18.1 In the event of a protest, the captain shall notify the umpires and the opposing captain during and at the conclusion of the match. Protests must be filed in writing and forwarded to the executive committee within (72) seventy-two hours after the competition of the match.

18.2 A fee of $150.00 shall accompany each protest; this fee shall be reimbursed ONLY if the protest is upheld.

18.3 Protests received by the committee without the applicable fee shall be considered null and void and no action shall be taken by the NJSBCL.

SECTION 19:            INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

SECTION 20:            UNIFORMS

20.1The League does NOT mandate uniforms for participating teams.  Although we think they look pretty cool!

SECTION 21:            DISCIPLINE AND OTHER ISSUES

21.1 Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in all parks.  This is a county ordinance; violators are subjected to prosecution by law.

21.2  The New Jersey Soft Ball Cricket League does not and will not tolerate any un-sportsmanlike behavior from players, teams or club members; the respective captains shall be responsible for taking the appropriate disciplinary action against the offender(s) and notify the executive committee of the steps taken.

21.3 Members of NJSBCL shall be expected to behave courteously toward others, i.e. players, officials, umpires and spectators.

21.4 If a player behaves in an un-sportsmanlike conduct, the umpire shall report him to his captain and if the situation persists the player will be reported to the executive committee.

21.5 Any player who willfully disturbs the wicket, or causes the game to be prematurely ended shall cause his team to forfeit the game.  

The 2007 season for MAIN LEAGUE starts next Saturday April 21, 2007.

Refer to files section for the detailed schedule.

        Format for 2007

The NJSBCL has 36 teams registered for this year. These teams are divided in to 4 groups of 9 teams each. The placement of teams in to group was based on performance of the team in 2006 if participated. All the new teams have been assigned the group by chance.

Round 1 - Each participating team will play 8 games as per the schedule. At the end of the round 1 top 4 team from each group will qualify for round 2. The 5 teams eliminated from round 1 will participate in Platers tournament; the schedule will be published in due course.

Round 2 - In this round Group A plays Group B and Group C play Group D - 4 Games for each of the qualifiers from round 1.The points and Net Run Rate will be carried forward to round 2 only against qualifying opponents. At the conclusion of this round top 4 teams from combined AB and Combined CD will qualify for next round. The 4 teams eliminated from round 1 will participate in Platers tournament

Round 3 - In this round, Group AB qualifiers plays group CD qualifiers - 4 Games for each of the qualifiers from round 2.The points and Net Run Rate will be carried forward to round 3 only against qualifying opponents. At the conclusion of this round top 4 teams will qualify for Semi finals.

Semi Finals - Knockout round, winners qualify to Finals.

        Grounds

Due to the recent issue with Piscataway township, the number of ground available are less than last year, hence the league management expects co-operation and flexibility from the participating teams on this issue. The EC will review the allocation grounds on week by week basis. Please let EC know the availability of grounds (Home) at the earliest.

        Rescheduling & Rained out games

The league management expects the playing team captains and neutral umpires assigned to the game to come up with reschedule plan before the end date of the scheduled round.

Round 1 - July 8th, 2007
Round 2 - August 12th, 2007

Only in exceptional cases EC should intervene in the matter, as usual EC's decision will be final.
EC has 2 options - Either force the teams to complete the game within all the constraints or split the points.

        Neutral Umpires

Each participating team has to provide 2 volunteers for assigned games; the league will maintain a pool of paid umpires if the umpiring team wants to hire someone from that pool. Failure to provide umpires will result in deduction of 5 points.

        Non Participation in scheduled Game

It was observed last year that some teams had not shown any interest in executing the scheduled games due to non qualification to next round. Forfeiture of scheduled games will be viewed seriously this year and may result in expulsion of the team from the league and/or Ban for next 2 years.

        Player restrictions

A player can play only from 1 team for the season; each team must maintain this discipline.

        Website

Our league has new home on the internet http://www.njsbcl.com,  this should work as our communication channel for the year 2007.

Sachin will send us the details on this site soon.

• Nomination for EC members

We would like to invite nomination for EC 2007 members from participating teams.

        Distribution of cricket balls & meeting @ 5  PM  on Sunday 15, 2007

Search for Oak Dr, Edison , NJ 08837 @40.552630,-74.342030 on maps.google.com

We should assemble on Parking Lot located on Oak Dr at 5 PM on Sunday 15, 2007.

We will distribute the tennis balls; introduce the NEW Teams and collect the registration fee.  The fee for the season 2007 will be $125. Please make sure that fee is handed over to Mahendra / Avinash /Sachin