…players reject use of white balls

By Frederick Halley
TORONTO, Canada –There has been an about-turn in the use of white balls in tournaments organised by the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL).Introduced for the first time last year in the inaugural 10/10 tournament, the league was proposing to go one step further in the 2016 season by bringing the 15/15 competition on board. This would have meant only the 20-over tournament continuing with the traditional Supreme balls.
However, at last Sunday’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Agincourt Community Centre, Scarborough here, the league’s plans were stalled when by a majority vote, the clubs flatly rejected use of the white balls, citing the ensuing dangers posed.
While acknowledging that the white balls are widely used in Guyana, Florida and New York and that they (the players) will be at a disadvantage while competing at these overseas venues, the players were adamant that the grassy pitches here are not conducive to the bouncy white balls and can cause serious injuries.
The players also referred to instances where some of their colleagues suffered injuries during the staging of the Toronto Cup 1 last October and were of the opinion that others, especially the senior ones, will be at risk evading the unusual bounce of the white balls.
Following the rejection, the league had no alternative but to revert to playing all three of its tournaments with the Supreme balls. Players chosen to represent the OSCL will however be involved in practice sessions with the white balls prior to going on tours or for competitions staged in Toronto.
Another major decision taken at the meeting was the assurance that the OSCL will be sending a team to participate in the annual Guyana Softball Cup, organised by the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA), to be held in Guyana in early November. A special fund has been established to assist the selected players. The OSCL did not field at team at the last tournament.
The OSCL will also be playing a pivotal role in the annual Guyana Festival which coincides with the Golden Jubilee celebrations and this year’s activities are set to be staged at the Skydome, for the first time, on July 2 and 3.
Sponsorship for the 10/10 and 15/15 tournaments has already been secured for the next three years with the former, sponsored by Harri Suku, being branded the Caribbean Sensation 10/10 and the latter the Norman Sue Bakery 15/15.
Long-standing president Albert Ramcharran, who was returned unopposed, told those present that the league was facing a major problem this season in the acquisition of grounds, since one of the major venues, Ellesemere, is scheduled to undergo huge infrastructural works while another was lost due to the behaviour of players caused by excessive use of alcohol.
Ramcharran urged the players to be cognizant of the happenings as the Parks committee has increased its security of the facilities and if players do not adhere to the rules, more grounds could be lost.
Ramcharran also described the 2015 season as a good one for the league despite a few hiccups, citing among other things the type of sponsorship obtained from Home Trust, Harri Suku and Norman Sue Bakery among others.
The only newcomer on the executive was freelance journalist for the Guyana Chronicle, Frederick Halley, who was elected unopposed as the new secretary/public relations officer.
Terry Mathura remains the vice-president, Kim Sue treasurer, Bobby Ramlagan assistant secretary/treasurer, Vish Jadunauth East End coordinator, Patrick Shivrattan registrar/statistician and Ranjan Persaud, West End coordinator/assistant registrar/statistician.
The disciplinary committee comprises: Ian Baldeo, Naresh Bodo, Nazir Khan, Rudy Bhoopaul and Rajin Roopchand.