The cricket lesson: Baseball players learn the English game

There’s a bat. A ball. Innings. Runs.

And that’s about it for similarities shared by baseball and cricket.

Oh, there’s also humor, the same whenever athletes of any sport get together.

Example: David Shillingford, English born, resident of the Island and one of the organizers of Saturday’s third annual Shelter Island Cricket Club Charity Match, was asked by someone the meaning of “a sticky wicket.”

Before he could answer, Peter Miedema, Shelter Island High School teacher and baseball coach, immediately said, “I got a shot of penicillin for that one time.” Read More

Grab Your Bat – The Shelter Island Cricket Club Is Back!

Cricket, you may be surprised to learn, is not only popular in Europe and Asia—it maintains a devoted following in the Hamptons, as well. The Shelter Island Cricket Club (SICC) holds an annual charity match in order to raise money for the Shelter Island Ambulance Corps, and this year’s game—marking its third consecutive year of operation—will take place July 26 on the large field directly adjacent to the Island Boat Yard.

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., spectators can enjoy a rousing cricket match, complete with food, drink and kids’ activities. In fact, a kids’ match will take place during the lunch hour. There is no admissions fee, though donations are encouraged, and all proceeds will go toward the Ambulance Corps. The corps itself (founded in 1913 by local residents, chartered by Herbert Hoover and staffed by 30 unpaid volunteers) serves the up to 12,500 temporary and permanent residents of Shelter Island. Read More

Third Annual Shelter Island Cricket Club Charity Match To Benefit Shelter Island Ambulance Corps

The Shelter Island Cricket Club (SICC) will play their Third Annual Cricket Match on Saturday, July 26, 2014, to raise funds for the Shelter Island Ambulance Corps. The games will take place on the large field next to the Island Boat Yard, located at 63 South Menantic Road in Shelter Island. Last year, over 300 supporters came to the match and raised over $15,000 for the local Ambulance Corps. 

The match is set to begin at 9 a.m., during which, food and drinks will be offered, and children's activities will begin at 11 a.m. A cricket game for kids is scheduled for during the lunch break from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. The games will end at 4 p.m., and Shelter Island Cricket Club merchandise will be on sale throughout the day. Admission to the Third Annual Cricket Match is free, but donations are greatly appreciated. All proceeds will go to the Shelter Island Ambulance Corps. Read More

Polish Your Bat for the Annual Shelter Island Cricket Match

Start pressing your cricket whites now for July 26, when the Shelter Island Cricket Club will again play its annual cricket match to raise money for the Shelter Island Ambulance Corps. Last year, more than 300 people came to watch last year's match, raising over $15,000 for the ambulance. The 2014 game will take place on the large field next to the Island Boat Yard, starting at 9:00 AM; food, drinks, and kids' activities begin at 11. A children's cricket game will take place during the lunch break from noon to 1PM, and the match will end at 4PM. Read More

Urban Gardner: Howzat? Taking a Cricket Lesson on Shelter Island

The vast and unbridgeable gulf between two peoples, even those with a common language, can be summed up in one word: cricket.

I've never understood the sport. I find it impenetrable. No matter how much I've watched it. Not that I've watched that much.

I think part of the problem is I'm a chauvinist: U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!

Cricket bears a passing resemblance to baseball but, to an outsider, appears to lack the machismo. In baseball, the pitcher bends his arm at the elbow, whipping the ball at maximum velocity. In cricket, the ball is thrown with the arm straight, which looks vaguely girlish.

Also in cricket, as I understand it, points are scored and accolades earned just as easily by hitting the ball along the ground. In baseball, poetry is made when the projectile takes flight and travels as far as possible. Read More

The cricket lesson: baseball players learn the English game

There’s a bat. A ball. Innings. Runs.

And that’s about it for similarities shared by baseball and cricket.

Oh, there’s also humor, the same whenever athletes of any sport get together.

Example: David Shillingford, English born, resident of the Island and one of the organizers of Saturday’s third annual Shelter Island Cricket Club Charity Match, was asked by someone the meaning of “a sticky wicket.”

Before he could answer, Peter Miedema, Shelter Island High School teacher and baseball coach, immediately said, “I got a shot of penicillin for that one time.”

“You have to have humor with  cricket,” Mr. Shillingford noted, “because a match can go on for days.”

Three high school baseball players who graduated last month, Matt BeltCappellino, Spencer Gibbs and Charlie Binder, along with their coach, Mr. Miedema, showed up Sunday morning at the Island Boatyard, where Saturday’s match will be played, for a cricket lesson from Mr. Shillingford. Read More

Cricket Returns to Long Island - Again the Third Annual Shelter Island Cricket Club Charity Match Will Take Place on July 26, 2014

Sunday 15 June, 2014.  Shelter Island, NY.  On Saturday July 26, 2014, the Shelter Island Cricket Club (SICC) will again play its annual cricket match to raise money for the Shelter Island Ambulance Corps.

Over 300 people came to support last year’s match and helped raise over $15,000 for the local Ambulance Corps.  The 2014 game will take place on the large field next to the Island Boat Yard.  The game will commence at 9.00 AM with food, drink and kids activities commencing at 11.00 AM.  A kids cricket game will take place during the lunch break from 12.00 to 1.00.  The game will end at 4.00 PM. Food, drink and SICC merchandise will be on sale throughout the day.  There is no admission fee but donations on the day are encouraged. All proceeds will go to the Shelter Island Ambulance Corps.  More information and photos from last year’s event are on the Shelter Island Cricket Club website at www.SIcricket.com.  SICC can also be found (and liked) on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ShelterIslandCricketClub.

On January 1, 2012 the Shelter Island ambulance corps was transferred from the Red Cross to the Town. At that time it was the only ambulance corps in the country operated under the auspices of the National Red Cross. The cost to run the service is estimated at about $100,000 a year.  The corps was founded in 1931 by local residents under a charter issued by Herbert Hoover, then honorary president of the National Red Cross.  It is staffed by about 30 unpaid volunteers who service the needs of the 2,400 permanent residents and the nearly 10,000 residents during the summer months.   

The match organizers, David Shillingford and Gareth Jones explained that “something that started as a bet around the barbeque one night has morphed into a great annual event thanks to the support of the Shelter Island community.  One of the greatest things about this event it that it allows visitors and part time residents to give back to a community that brings us and our families so much joy.  We’d also like to acknowledge the Shelter Island Boat Yard for providing such a perfect venue and SALT (http://www.saltshelterisland.com) for organizing the food and drink”.

Media contact:

David Shillingford

e: djs002@gmail.com

t: (917) 553-7990