The outlines were made on the pitch, the wickets firmly planted in the ground. Cricket returned July 8 for a second year at Sherwood Park. Events Ontario opened its season July 8, 2017 at Sherwood Park with a day of softball cricket.
“We were thinking the EOCSL (Events Ontario Cricket Softball League) wouldn’t go that far,” league organizer Naeem Tariq said. It took eight months of hard work approaching sponsors, and connecting with players in order to grow the league to 12 teams. “It’s a growing league, and I would recommend everyone to join it,” Tariq said. Over 200 players are participating this season.
Six Town Councillors managed teams through last season. They return this year in a motivational role. “They make sure their teams are intact, and they play like a team,” Tariq described. It’s up to councillors to manage any disputes that arise among the players. They all have returned this season. The last two games of the afternoon involved Team Di Lorenzo, and Team Hamid. Joining them are Councillors: Colin Best, Mike Cluett, Robert Duvall, and John Pollard.
The players were selected from a draft in the first year. The teams have remained stable despite some movement among the players from team-to-team. Tamseel Ahmed is playing in his second season as Captain of Team Chargers. The EOCSL’s diversity brought him back for the second season. “It’s the atmosphere, and the people from different backgrounds in terms of work,” he said. Players represent a wide variety of fields giving them a chance to network and build friendships.
Waleed moved from Team Hamid to Team Di Lorenzo for this season. “It’s a nice way to build a community,” he said. The EOCSL includes players from five different countries. Opening day festivities included the anthems of: Canada, Guyana, Sri Lanka, India, and Pakistan.
“I would recommend anyone to join,” Naeem Tariq said. Softball cricket is known as lesser competitive when compared to hardball. The EOCSL played 12 overs throughout opening day, with the winner getting the closest to 200 points. The day’s results yielded a single tie due in part to the changes introduced. “The more changes come in, the more competitive it becomes,” Tariq said. For more information on the league visit their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/EOSCLeague
