HARD PITCHES:

TO PLAY OR NOT TO PLAY, THE REFEREES' LIABILITY 

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There have been many enquiries because of the state of some pitches, which have in most cases been starved of water for months.  Hopefully this article will clarify matters.

 

Firstly the law.  Page 16  Law 1.6  OBJECTIONS TO THE GROUND 

 

(a)    If either team has objections about the ground or the way it is marked out they must tell the referee before the match starts.

 

(b)   The referee will attempt to resolve the issues but must not start a match if any part of the ground is considered to be dangerous.

 

In layman’s terms this means if one side has concerns for its player’s safety as a referee you cannot, and indeed would be foolish to compel them to play.

 

If neither side makes any pre match observations you may start the game.  A word of warning, be conscious of the fact that if there arises a number of injuries which could be construed as being pitch related you must consider abandoning the game as ultimately players safety is now your responsibility.  

 

To subsequently state that in the Southern Hemisphere they play on such pitches would not really hold you in good stead here as History dictates we are used to playing on softer pitches.

 

Dave Broadwell

Referee Development Officer