New York City, with its diverse boroughs like Manhattan, The Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island, has always been a hotspot for producing top-notch cricketers and hosting competitive cricket leagues. The city’s cricket scene welcomes a new addition this 2024 season with the launch of the New York Big Apple Cricket League (NYBACL). This T20 league aims to nurture young talent while offering a platform for players over 23 years old.
After a chilly winter, spring is gradually making its presence felt, signaling the return of outdoor activities, including cricket. The Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) kicked off its official cricket season on March 1st. Matches for the PSAL tournament will start on April 6th at various NYC cricket parks, including Baisley Pond Park, The Cage, Gateway, Idlewild, Van Cortlandt, and others. The full schedule can be found on PSAL.com.
Preparations for the 2024 cricket tournaments have been in full swing, with organizations like the newly-formed NYBACL actively planning their inaugural T20 season. The league’s officials, including President Cyril Choy, Director/VP Powan Persaud, Organizer Ricky Kissoon, Umpire Coordinator Pandit Jankie, and other stakeholders, have been meeting regularly to outline their vision. They aim to host a 15-team tournament with participation from Under-17, Under-23, and Senior teams.
The NYBACL recently held its first open meeting at the Royal Empress Palace in Queens, attended by league officials, club representatives, and umpires. Ten clubs confirmed their participation, with Coach Persaud from Richmond High School announcing an Under-17 team comprising PSAL players. NYBACL aims to support young cricketers by waiving entrance fees for Under-17 teams and offering a discounted rate for Under-23 teams, while senior teams will pay the full $1700 registration fee.
Matches in the NYBACL will be scheduled for Saturdays, with teams grouped accordingly. The playoff structure will follow the standard T20 format, featuring a Qualifier, two Eliminators, and a Final involving the top four teams.
During the meeting, discussions were also held regarding the tournament rules. The NYBACL organizers and umpires plan to finalize these rules soon and will convene another meeting with registered clubs to discuss them.
Mrs Nita Ambani poses with MI NY after they are crowned champions during the championship match of Major League Cricket season 1 between the Seattle Orcas and MI New York held at the Grand Prairie Stadium, Grand Prairie, TX, United States of America on the 30th July 2023.
Photo by: Ron Gaunt/ SPORTZPICS for MLC
Post-meeting, attendees enjoyed some cricket-related discussions over snacks provided by the Royal Empress Palace. However, there’s a prevailing sentiment in the cricket community, not just in New York but nationwide, about the lack of cohesion among leagues and organizers. This fragmented approach has led to disputes and resentment among different cricket bodies. For instance, a recent social media post by NYBACL promoting their tournament was quickly followed by a disclaimer from the New York National Cricket League (NYNCL), distancing themselves from NYBACL. Such conflicts hinder the growth of cricket, and it’s essential for organizers to prioritize the game’s advancement over personal interests. What are your thoughts on this?
