Fresno breaks ground on 2 cricket pitch fields, celebrating Indian and Sikh communities

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Fresno City leaders and members of the Indian and Sikh communities gathered to break ground on two cricket pitch fields Wednesday.

They will be the first Fresno has ever had.

Fresno Cricket Club President Baldev Birk says people have played cricket in Fresno since the 1970s, but they have always had to use baseball diamonds.

“It’s such an engaging sport. It’s good for hand-eye coordination. And also, just like any sport, it keeps you away from trouble,” Birk said.

Birk grew up playing cricket in India as a child, but when he moved to the United States, there wasn’t anywhere to play.

“It’s very hard to find cricket in the U.S. at that moment anyways,” Birk said.

According to city leaders, Fresno is the ninth most diverse city in the country, with vibrant Indian and Sikh communities.

So Fresno mayor Jerry Dyer says it was high time they built a place for people to play cricket.

“This is an opportunity for us right here at JSK park, as well as the regional complex, to provide a cricket pitch course for folks to come together to do recreational activities, to socialize, and really for people to come together as ‘One Fresno,’” Dyer said.

Dyer often talks about uniting the city, but in order to do that, he says he needs to make sure it feels like home to everyone.

“I apologize for it taking so long,” Dyer said.

The city is building two cricket pitch fields: one at Jaswant Singh Khalra Park and one at the Regional Sports Complex.

The first is for public recreation and the second for tournaments.

“Just like baseball, it’s a bat and ball sport. It’s hand-eye coordination. It’s just as exciting,” Birk said.

Birk has spent years trying to get these projects off the ground. 

He says it’s about more than having a space to play; it’s about having space to build community.

Jakara Movement Executive Director Naindeep Singh thinks the fields will actually help to improve public safety.

“There’s this sometimes a belief that ultimately it’s through more cameras and more gates that we have safety. But we said, ‘actually it’s more neighbors taking care of neighbors, neighbors recreating with neighbors, their neighbors just watching over each other,’” Singh said.

The total cost of the project is $250,000 and the city expects it to be finished in June.

“Anyone can come here any time of the day, seven days a week, and pick up the bat and play sport,” Birk said.

For Birk, the fields represent heritage – bringing the joy of his own childhood to others.

He hopes the whole community will take advantage of the spaces when they open.