The cricket bug is catching on quickly in Maryland, as is evidenced by new cricket programs now being planned for next Summer.
The programs at the Bowie (MD) Boys and Girls Club, the Winfield Recreation Council and the Lutherville Timonium Recreation Council run from early July to mid-August as an instructional clinic, and will be offered for less than $50 per child, with USYCA supplying the equipment at no cost. Players participating in the program will receive a hat and tee-shirt, in addition to six weeks of cricketing excitement. The organizations will be opening up registration for cricket early in 2012, and will advertise the program in area schools, many of which began playing cricket in 2010.
“This will be a great opportunity for children to get involved in a sport starting from scratch,” said Andrew Karnes of the BBGC. “All of the children will begin on a level playing field. I feel that with some good marketing and more schools in the area providing cricket as a unit of study, that the sport will really catch on. We’re also hoping to attract players outside of the Bowie area.”
Karnes also noted that there are not many chances for children to play cricket outside of school at this time, due to a lack of equipment and knowledge of the game. The BBGC program should help to change that.
WRC President Ed Beane said, “Cricket provides youth in our area with another alternative in recreation council programs and activities, and we are willing to support and assist USYCA to help make it successful by offering field space as well as help promoting planned activities.”
Kris W. Mervine, Community Supervisor at Baltimore County Department of Recreation & Parks said, “The Lutherville Timonium Recreation Council and Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks are excited about this new program offering. LTRC already has an adult cricket program and so it is a natural fit. Both programs may be able to help each other as they look to promote this sport locally.”
“This is a groundbreaking moment for youth cricket in America,” said USYCA President Jamie Harrison. “This is just the beginning of what I believe will soon be an avalanche of cricket programs at community youth sports organizations.”
