West Indian Softball Association
30 Overs – Championship Weekend

By Darshan Chickery
August 21, 2008
The West Indian Softball Association (WISA) will have most of its 30 Over Competition finals played this weekend. This is the eleventh year of WISA’s existence and the competition has gotten better, or, the game has evolved in ways traditionalists would not approve of. Throwing (‘pelting’) has become a norm in today’s form of the game, or, has it? I will elaborate later.

Here is a summary of divisional play:

Premier Elite
In semi-final I, Cornered Tigers beat Majestics by 73 runs. Tigers batted first and made 209. Nyeem Mohamed made a century. Majestics replied with 136 all out.

In semi-final II, Dynasty beat Ocean XI by 72 runs in a game that was mush closer than the margin of victory indicates. Dynasty batted first and clawed their way to 142 all out. Kenny Balkarran top scored with a patient 55. Ocean XI replied with 70 all out.

Cornered Tigers will do battle with Dynasty for the prestigious honor to be crowned the 2008 Champions at Charles Drew Park I (115th Ave & Van Wyck Expressway Service Rd) on August 24, 2008 at 1:00 PM.

Cornered Tigers will try to prove to Dynasty that their victory over them in the 25 Overs Finals eleven weeks ago was not a fluke. On the other hand, Dynasty will have revenge on their minds. Whatever the outcome, this one promises to be a thriller.

‘Pelting’, aaahhhh! Does anyone remember David Harper? Yes that David Harper – the former Guyana national player. He played softball at the same time he was playing for the Guyana National team. He was the first recognized player I saw ‘pelting’. At first, I thought it was a fad. I was wrong. ‘Pelting’ is fast becoming the way to bowl these days.

Fad its not, we can now conclude that ‘pelting’ is a trend, one which should NOT be allowed or tolerated in softball cricket. The universal definition of ‘pelting’ in softball cricket is, “Bending of the elbow when the delivering the ball”. I hope the umpire associations and the all the leagues in New York and beyond address this issue which is of great concern.

If the umpire associations and leagues get together and decide that ‘pelting’ will not be allowed in the future, then hurry up, and get to Charles Drew Park Sunday. You may get the opportunity to see Cornered Tigers ‘pelt’ their way to the top for the last time.

Premier
Richmond Hill Sports Club will take on United or Rising Stars at Charles Drew Park II. Richmond Hill beat LBI by 128 runs to earn it place in the final. Their opponent will be determined after a rules committee hearing on August 21, 2008.

Division I
Hurricane vs. Exquisite Realty in a semi final game.

Division II
Primetime will take on either Triumph or Caribbean in its final.

Division III
Cornered Tigers II beat Queens United by 88 runs in their final last weekend. Tigers II batted first and made 163 for 9 off their allotted 30 overs. A. Samad made 42 not out. R. Naidu took 3 for 32. Queens United replied with 75 all out. S. Hussien grabbed (pelted) 6 for 11 off 5.3 overs.

Division IV
Sanders XI opposes Crabwood Creek in their final.

Remember to be responsible. Have fun but do not consumer alcohol in an illegal manner. As matter of fact, consumption of alcohol in city parks is illegal unless you have a permit to do so. WISA’s permit does NOT allow for the consumption of alcohol or amplified sounds (music).

Cricket is one of the many ways we can bring our community together and keep our youngsters out of harms way. Encourage your child to play a sport. For information on softball cricket, visit www.wisany.org.


Richmond Hill Sports Club’s Corner
Richmond Hill Advances To WISA’s Premier Final

By Darshan Chickery
August 19, 2008
Richmond Hill Sports Club beat L.B.I. by 128 runs to advance to the West Indian Softball Association’s 30 Over Premier Competition Final on August 24, 2008.

Richmond Hill won the toss and elected to bat first. They were quickly restricted to 31 for three in the fifth over. With Pooran Balkissoon, Clifflee Velaidum and Ahmad Shazaman back in the pavilion, Richmond needed a major consolidation effort and got just that from Krishna Chickery and Ravi Lutchaman.

Krishna and Ravi added 87 before Krishna was run out for a crafty 50 that included 4 fours and 2 sixes. Richmond Hill was 127 for 4 after fifteen overs and was poised to put up another score of 200 or more. A feat they accomplished twice in the regular season.

After the break, Richmond Hill lost two quick wickets and was back on their heels at 144 for 6 in the eighteenth over. One of those dismissals was Ravi. He made an even 50 with 4 towering sixes and 3 fours.

With twelve more overs to go, Richmond Hill’s captain – Kumar Chickery joined Bridgelall Heralall (Max) and together, they put on a vital partnership of 51 before Kumar was caught for 19 off the bowling of R. Paul. Max followed shortly thereafter, for a brilliant 46.

Richmond Hill was bowled out on the inning’s last ball for 235. J. Persaud took 3 for 34 while R. Paul, A. Jaikaran and A.E Jaikaran all captured two wickets apiece.

L.B.I.’s effort to mount a serious challenge to Richmond Hill’s score quickly disappeared when they lost their first three wickets for 37 by the eight over. Needing to score at a clip of more than eight runs per over, A.E. Jaikaran (Rice), came to the crease. He was L.B.I.’s last hope of toppling Richmond Hill.

Rice and N. Haran took the score to 50 before Rice was run out for 11. L.B.I. was bowled out for 107 in the 22nd over. Haran provided the only resistance to Richmond Hill’s bowling. He top scored with 32.

Richmond Hill’s fielding was very good this week. They held on to all their catches and even managed to effect two run outs. Kumar Chickery took 3 for 10 in three overs while J. Hemraj, Brian Heeralal, Ravi Lutchman, A. Shazaman and Bridgelall Heralall all chipped in with one wicket apiece.

Richmond Hill’s opponent in the final will be either United Cricket Club or Rising Stars.