By Dan Murphy
I always enjoy reading emails from Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner because they are always filled with interesting news, and usually a new and interesting take on something happening in his town – as well as in all of Westchester.
So I was surprised to read his emails earlier this summer about a call from Greenburgh residents for a cricket field to be built in town. I have witnessed the soccer craze in our county, which, when combined with the traditional American sports of baseball and football have filled our athletic fields to capacity.
Feiner writes: “Greenburgh is the first locality in Westchester to promote cricket. The cricket field opened in June; a few months after many residents requested the opportunity to enjoy the sport. A cricket committee organizes practice games every Sunday morning. It’s my hope that county and other local officials, as well as school districts around the county, will recognize the demand for cricket and will create additional cricket fields. There is definitely a demand.
“If school districts would allow cricket to be played on their fields they will prepare children to enjoy one of the world’s most popular sports. It’s a worthwhile sport to learn. There could also be scholarship opportunities.”
Richard Presser Park on Central Avenue in Hartsdale has been retrofitted from a ballfield to a cricket filed. A free cricket clinic was held at the field last month, when 100 participants enjoyed the day learning about the sport.
According to the Greenburgh Cricket Committee, cricket is the second-most popular sport in the world, with soccer being number one.
“In the U.S., baseball may be thought of as an American sport with a long and illustrious history, however, cricket predates it,” according to the committee. “Cricket was being played on this land before it became the U.S., and historical records as early as 1737 have chronicled its existence. Even though baseball has eclipsed cricket in popularity, there are over 600 dedicated cricket playing fields in the U.S.”
Feiner has penned a letter to his colleagues in Westchester governments to consider opening up a cricket field in their town, village or city. “I am sharing the enthusiastic response we have received with other municipal officials, hoping that other communities in Westchester will consider creating their own cricket fields. This is a very exciting initiative.”
The Town of Greenburgh and the town’s parks and recreation department worked with the committee over a six-month period to share with the public the idea of cricket in Greenburgh, and the desire to play.
“We have been very fortunate to have the assistance of Gerard Byrne, commissioner of parks and recreation (Town of Greenburgh) among others,” according to the committee. “They have supported our long-term vision and also accommodated our short-term goal of repurposing existing fields in town.”
From the initial inquiry made in January to the field holding its opening day for cricket in Westchester on July 6, government actually moved quickly and the cricket enthusiasts – who are also town residents and taxpayers – got their wish.
Now, any Greenburgh resident can reserve the field, with groups of 10 or more requiring a permit. Non-Greenburgh residents cannot reserve that field, but if Feiner gets his wish, the game of cricket and more cricket fields may be coming to your community.
“The reaction has been fantastic,” said Feiner. “Lots of residents are very excited about the field and I hope this will just be the beginning. If the town acquires new open space in the future, we would seriously consider using the space for more cricket fields. I have also written to every mayor and town supervisor in Westchester asking that they consider doing what Greenburgh did. This is a sport that people enjoy. There is a serious need in Westchester for more fields.”
A non-profit organization called 22yardsport has been created to promote the sport of cricket in Westchester and the region. The committee “will be the voice of cricket enthusiasts in working with local officials for the development of dedicated cricket facilities. While our journey has only started, we are excited to see what the future will bring.”
If you want to take a look for yourself, visit the Richard Presser Park on Central Avenue in Hartsdale every Sunday morning. The sport is most popular with residents with roots from Asia or the Caribbean.
Feiner is also asking Greenburgh schools to consider offering cricket as a sport and retrofitting their fields for the sport.
If cricket takes off as a popular sport in Westchester, Supervisor Feiner should certainly become the first commissioner of cricket in our county.
