Finding that cricket balance

The growing popularity of softball cricket here in St Vincent and the Grenadines cannot be snubbed as just transitory and something that will eventually pan out.

Although some persons have passed it off, it is glaring that mainstream hardball cricket is the casualty.{{more}}

This, however, comes against the fact that there is no national set-up for the sport of softball cricket and it is basically free enterprise for anyone in any community who seeks to host a competition in their locale.

Oblivious adherence to strict regulations of participation, practice, club structure and the likes, softball cricket with its informal nature, the shows go on with regularity.

But, it is common knowledge that players prefer that format than hardball cricket. National players, too, are gravitating more and more to the softball format, as the incentives are attractive.

In fact, in the worst cases, some players are known to have absented themselves from the national competition, opting instead for an appearance in one of the community softball competitions.

Even at the national level, players are known to have been excused from national duties to participate in softball competitions, especially at crucial stages.

This attraction is because of several reasons, including the assured presence of spectatorship.

Additionally, there is that communal gathering and players get their profiles upped, as they are in touching distance of those who are looking on.

Additionally, the usual festive atmosphere provides that social ingredient necessary to maintain interest and gratification.

A most recent development is the garnering of sponsorship from small business houses and individuals who too seem to enjoy the spotlight and publicity.

Softball cricket also fits in perfectly with today’s demands of life. It is less time consuming and more so, less costly.

Most significant, though, is that the prize money offered in the various softball cricket competitions strewn across St Vincent and the Grenadines, outstrips the national competition’s.

Such is the disparity in prize monies that the first placed team in the just concluded Lauders competition received $4,000. The second place got $2,500 and the third place $1,500.

Additionally, each player who was declared Man of the Match in the 54 matches played got a reward of $25 cell phone credit.

And, as with most similar competitions, they got their winnings on the spot.

This is just after three months of play, as against the national competition which spans sometimes over six to seven months, with the winner of the Premier Division allocated a mere $1,500.

More so, the payment is made months after the winner has been declared.

Formality reigns as the national cricket competitions serve basically as fulfillments of the mandate to have tournaments as the bases for the selection of representative teams.

These clear-cut disparities therefore fuel the debate, with hardball coming out the loser.

But there is no need for the divide to pit both versions against each other, as both can and will continue to co-exist.

The new executive of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association has wisely recognized the need to take a closer look at the impact of softball cricket on the mainstream form. This cognizance, albeit belatedly, should chart a smoother course.

The SVGCA, however, has to be cautious in its marriage of both formats, whilst trying to lessen the fall-off to the evident poaching of softball on its territory.

A major factor confronting both, however, is that both formats are played all year round.

Any set time-frame for the hosting of softball competitions by the SVGCA will not solve the infiltration, as hardball cricket is the one which is in need of atonement.

In light of all the concerns, it would always be maintained that cricket in its purest form is the real deal, and would never die a natural death.