American Journey into Cricket

Thursday, November 17th 2005
The Swami Speaks
Sorry for the pretentious topic line but I figured it would attract the most attention. My head has been spinning. Now that I am on vacation, I can really think with a clear head. I thought I had a decent game plan until I went to the MLCsite. From the minute I entered the site, my heart was pounding and my head was racing. I quickly realized that the MLC has done what the USACA has not. Having said that, I have the following thoughts;

1. There seems to be some back and forth about adults versus youths and which avenue would best serve the promotion of the game. I speak from experience when I say “If the adults play and the kids watch the kids will follow and emulate in an almost idol like fashion” That is the winning formula for American sports.
2. The MCL can accomplish in record time compared to what one person like myself is able to do as far as establishing and promoting the game in America.
3. Knowing this, I feel it is imperative that the leaders of the MLC immediately contact the key municipal leaders of Lowell, Mass and Manchester NH with the goal of establishing league affiliates. I say this because after reading “The Creation of American Team Sports” by George Kirsh, both of these cities played a major role in the pre Civil War success of Cricket alongside New York and Philadelphia. The Industrial Revolution started in these two cities and they are steeped in Cricket history. They would cherish the title of being “first in the nation to form American cricket teams”
4. Both of these cities pride themselves on their sporting heritage in fact in the last 5 years they have built baseball stadiums for minor league baseball teams that sell out every single game. There is also a huge competitive rivalry between these 2 Cities. I believe that it would not be any problem getting the proper cricket fields built and maintained as well as indoor nets facilities.
5. Both of these cities have a huge Cricket underworld that are starving for something like this and because they are major cities which are not all far from Boston the fan base is immense. Both of these cities have newspapers with huge circulations and the minute that something was proposed it would be all over the papers.
6. There is a huge talent pool in these areas both in and around these cities. If an open tryout was promoted correctly and held, not one but many talent rich teams would be the end result. There is an endless supply of current and ex baseball players as well as athletes of all kinds spanning all ages. Who wouldn’t jump at the chance of being part of a first in the nation American Cricket team who would play in front of a huge number of fans and basically be considered celebrities.
7. I firmly believe that if the MLC did it the right way this would be a great success not only in these states but it would become a national / international news story. The Brits would soon know that it was 1776 all over again and the “Colonials” were coming.
8. The most crucial thing about the MLC is the 20/20 format. I know it’s not the traditional number of overs but the purpose is to get the talent and exposure so you then you have what you need for a true International team.
9. The ultimate goal is to get Americans to play the game. It should not be limited to Americans only, anyone should be eligible but I’m sure you will find that plenty of Americans will be on every roster.
10. I have many ideas as to how this should be marketed and presented but that will come later. The first step is to get the interest of the MLC. How can we do this?
11. I am willing to do whatever I can to help the MLC accomplish this. Not to sound conceited but if I had to compare myself to a cricketer it would most certainly be Kevin Pieterson of England in both looks and physical stature. I could easily pass for a professional athlete. The only difference would be that I consider myself to be much more eloquent and professional as a person. I also think that Pieterson plays the type of Cricket as a batsman that the US would produce. He is a hybrid of Cricket and Baseball in my opinion. What I am saying is that if the MCL needs a liaison to accomplish this I am volunteering my services for any duties such as information gathering, meeting, and promoting.

I could go on forever but I think I have said enough. Please provide feedback on all points. In a nutshell, I believe that the MCL and not the USACA can get us where we need to go.