Net Rules

1 Kit & equipment

• Anyone wishing to use the nets must be an authorised member of Capel Cricket Club and sign up to these rules. The nets remain locked when not in use; the approved member who unlocks them is responsible for locking up afterwards.
• No kit bags on the artificial playing surface, or within the hitting direction of the practice.
• Wear suitable footwear — rubber-soled, non-marking cricket shoes or trainers. No spikes, heels, smooth soles or street shoes.
• Batters working with a hard ball must wear adequate protection: helmet, box, pads and so on.
• All under-18s must bat in a helmet.
• Members under 18 using the nets are the responsibility of their parents, guardians or carers.
• Only proper leather cricket balls or bowling-machine balls are to be used. Tennis balls or purpose-made “incrediballs” may be used in appropriate circumstances. No footballs, rugby balls or similar.
• Only water in suitable plastic bottles is allowed in the nets. No smoking, food or alcohol whatsoever.
• Leave the nets as you found them, with stumps in the appropriate positions and any rubbish removed.

2 Consideration for neighbours

The nets sit on the boundary of the Recreation Ground, close to residential neighbours, so extra consideration is needed at all times:

• Keep voices down — no unnecessary shouting or calling.
• No radios or music of any kind.
• Nets may only be used between 09:00 and 21:30 Monday to Saturday, and 10:00 to 21:30 on Sundays.
• The bowling machine is not to be used after 17:00 at weekends.

3 Net safety

• No spectators in the nets. Batters should pad up outside the net area.
• Bowlers should only bowl when the batter is ready, and should face the batter at all times. Do not bowl if a loose ball is in the net.
• A loud cry of “STOP” halts activity in all nets immediately so a safety problem can be dealt with.
• Batters should return balls immediately and not leave them lying loose in the net.
• Bowling must be in accordance with the laws of cricket: from a legal distance, with a legal action, and no deliberate excess of short bowling.

Retrieving a ball from the side netting — the safe method

• Check no one is bowling in the net next to you.
• Once it is safe, remove the ball from the netting with your foot.
• When the ball is away from the net, pick it up.
• Walk back to the back of the net keeping your eyes on the net at all times.

4 Bowling machine

The bowling machine is for the use of all members of the club and may be used with prior agreement from the Committee. Any user must follow these guidelines:

• Nobody under the age of 18 may operate the bowling machine.
• You may only use the machine if accompanied by a qualified user — someone who has been shown how to use it correctly.
• Any member using the machine does so at their own risk.
• The qualified user must ensure the safety of everyone using the machine while in their care, and must make users aware of the importance of health and safety and gain their acceptance of this policy.
• Anyone who breaches the manufacturer's recommended operating procedures does so entirely at their own risk; the club accepts no liability, and it may lead to disciplinary action.
• Any user causing damage may be liable for repair charges.
• Any user in breach of these policies risks suspension from further use and possible disciplinary action.