All teams must assemble, irrespective of weather conditions (unless the Management Committee has informed the team/s that the grounds are closed), at the ground in the draw, where the Umpires shall decide as to the fitness of the weather conditions, the pitch and the playing area.
(a) Pitches and grounds are fit for play unless
A ground has been closed by Council, A ground has been declared unfit for play by the Management Committee, or The Umpires consider conditions to be a danger to the safety of players.
(b) Umpires shall be guided in their decision by noting the M.C.C. LAW 3 SECTION 9(d) –Suspension of Play – for adverse conditions of ground, weather and light. “If at any time the umpires together agree that the conditions of ground, weather or light are so bad that there is obvious and foreseeable risk to the safety of any player or umpire, so that it would be unreasonable or dangerous for play to take place, then they shall immediately suspend play, or not allow play to commence or to restart. The decision as to whether conditions are so bad as to warrant such action is one for the umpires alone to make. The fact that the grass and the ball are wet and slippery does not warrant the ground conditions being regarded as unreasonable or dangerous. If the umpires consider the ground is so wet or slippery as to deprive the bowler of a reasonable foothold, the fielders of the power of free movement, or the batsmen of the ability to play their strokes or to run between the wickets, then these conditions shall be regarded as so bad that it would be unreasonable for play to take place.”
(c) Play should only be suspended or delayed where playing conditions are dangerous to either the fielding or batting team. Play shall not be suspended or delayed because either team is disadvantaged by the conditions.
(a) In the event of either Umpire disagreeing as to the fitness of the ground for play, then the state of play existing at the time of disagreement shall continue.
(b) Where an appointed official Umpire is present or where a member of the Management Committee, who is otherwise not involved in the match, is available, they shall have the power to adjudicate on fitness of the ground for play.
(c) Where there is no Official Umpire present and no Management Committee member is available to adjudicate, each Coach shall submit a report, in writing, through their Team Manager to the Management Committee within two (2) days of the competition match.
(d) The Management Committee shall be empowered to award the match to the non-offending team where such suspension of play or delay is not considered to be justified in accordance with this Rule.
Play shall cease immediately, in the event that a lightning flash is followed by thunder less than thirty (30) seconds later. Play shall not resume until thirty (30) minutes after the last lightning flash.
Venues may only be changed due to damage to a pitch or ground, and only with the consent of the APL Management/Organising Committee. Venues will not be changed if a ground is unfit for play due to weather conditions. Teams arriving at a ground that is deemed unfit for play due to damage, may contact the APL Management/Organising Committee to request a change of venue.
No ground is to be interfered with, or altered, in any way except where casual water may be removed.
All teams must take good care of the grounds and/or venues. No damage policy applies. Any team/player found or proved to be damaging any public property will be penalised. Penalty can be monetary, loss of points or both. Maximum penalty is either $5,000 or 4 points or both in extreme circumstances. Management/Organising committee’s decision would be final.