Hats off to all players of SE11 and Chargers, who proved that enthusiasm and passion of cricket is way ahead of match results or any tournament difficulties or weather uncertainties.
Weather forecast
Weather has been really unpredictable this season. As per weather.com it was predicted, it would rain whole Friday and Saturday. Though Sunday look really good.
Winter league 2009
This winter rains have already caused lot of delays and few abandoned games in round robin. Play off too has been delayed by both weather and some adjustments to complete the pre-qf game in last two weeks.
Schedule
Schedule was out and found that Elite QF has to be played on Saturday and Royal SF on Sunday. As per forecast, Saturday was rain, so it was tricky for all the teams who were going to play on Saturday. We requested to Games to postpone the game to Sunday or keep backup games on Sunday. As per them they cannot do so, moreover we were told that if we want we can re-schedule to Sunday but no neutral umpires will be send. Plus if we don't complete game this weekend, we will have super over next week to decide the result of the game.
I think this was totally unfair for teams who have done all their hard work. Though for Games committee it may be just a winter league and not so important league as compared to other leagues. They wanted us to complete the game by this week or play coming week 3 matches if we win.
Backup plan
After trying our best and no support from Games, we decided ourselves to keep a backup plan for our game. Main intention was to complete the game this weekend, so 22 players does not have to travel 20 miles on coming weekend just for super over. Luckily opponents felt the same.
I and Vishnu(Chargers) spoke with our respective teams and decided to keep a backup plan ready. So now we had 3 other choices. Saturday afternoon - which was ruled out as few of us had to go for Holi festival in Sunnyvale temple. Sunday morning - which was ruled out as Chargers players had very important game in some other tournament. So we were left with Sunday afternoon, obviously if Saturday game was washed out.
We were confident that game would complete on Saturday itself if we do not get rain on Friday night.
Day before the Game
Friday it was windy and rained in afternoon like anything. Fingers were crossed and finally rained stopped around evening. We kept refreshing weather.com page, I doubt I have ever refreshed same page again and again in my life anytime before. Wind had taken the clouds far away. I kept updating the sync mail and player about the game status, till late evening so that all players are aware of it and be on the grounds. Till 3 am no rains. Rain started and washed out all the streets in Sunnyvale by 4:30 am time at which I went to bed. Still keeping the fingers crossed.
Game day
Morning weather.com looked really well so was the outside atmosphere. I walked around my apartment complex and spoke with captains, we were positive that we will have good weather. I mailed everyone to be on the ground on time. Vishnu was already on ground by 8:00 am and called me that JH1 was unplayable. I told him we will check TR and they can check Centreville. TR was perfectly perfect to play the game while Centreville did not seem to be like one. We decided to play on TR. All the players moved to TR from JH1 including umpires. By the time everyone was on ground we had setup the field. Soon the game was on. Thanks to all the players and umpires Satish and Sanjay to make this movement quick and easy.
Your wish is my command - The secret
Game was going on nice and fast without any mid-innings breaks. SE11 after wining the toss were 54/4 in 14 over’s. Law of attraction worked, whole week we were thinking our game might be interrupted and we need to go for backup plan. This time it was not rain, the school ground authorities came to ground and respectably kicked us out of the ground.
After lot of talks and conversation, we were left with few choices. First, to continue same game on some other ground. It would be unfair to both the teams as ground conditions may be different. Second was to start a new game. Few our teammates have planned to spend their time with families for Holi at the temple. So to start a new game at around 11:00 am was bad choice, after all they want to play for 2010 season as well :) by keeping their counter parts happy. While backup to play on sunday was now dicy for Chargers as they where running out of players. Finally after making few phone calls and conversations within the team. We decided to play at 2:00 pm at JH1 on same day Saturday.
Just before the second take
Got call from Vishnu, it was raining in Fremont for more than an hour. I had gut feeling things will be fine and we decided to stick with the game. After talking with Chirag found Booster Park was playable, we again rescheduled our game to Booster park. Few calls again here and there and all players were told to move to Booster Park Instead Of JH1. While traveling to Fremont from Sunnyvale weather was demoralizing us. It started raining heavily and it was dark due to black clouds. At the moment we felt like taking a u turn go home and relax. We continued and amazed to see ground was dry and rains had not yet started nearby area of the ground. People were calling to ask the status and were running late due to slow moving traffic. We checked the field and played for sometime. Ball was bouncing till shoulder height. Pitch was ready for the match, so were we. Soon rains started and tested our patience, I sticked to my gut feelings and decided to set the ground. Within 30 min rain stopped we got clear sky. Everyone was on the ground by 2:30 pm and we started the full 20 over game by 2:45 pm. As there were no neutral umpires, we decided to play in right spirit of the game and captains to take control if any situations arise.
Special thanks
I would like to thank one and all, who made this tiring match look so easy at end of the day. Though SE11 won the match. I really think all 22 players are the winners. Vishnu and Kaustubh both captains did very well job in convincing the players and coordinating to get playing 11 for 2:00 pm and complete the game. Thanks to players who replaced morning players who could not make it in the afternoon. It's difficult to get players in short notice but important to note was we had playing 11 on both sides.
This day will be one of the most memorable days of my life. Cricket is game of passion and enthusiasm. Hats off to all once again.
2009 season is about to get over. Do come for finals this weekend with your friends and families. 2010 season starts by next week. If you have not registered kindly complete the registration asap. See you all soon on the ground in 2010 season. Let make coming year another great success in TCA Bayarea chapter.
Keep Smiling Always
Dharme
Bhavnavho ko samjo ... Grammar mein mat uljo :)
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