Many of us in the Northwest live for this time of year. The trees are bare, the weather is frightful and we have plenty of light-deprived hours to enjoy the warmth and cheer of the holidays and winter season with our family and friends. However, if you are like me, you spend at least a few hours per day dreaming about the glow of the coming spring.

For some of us, springtime means the smell of fresh cut grass, the anticipation of cherry blossoms or the CRACK of a bat. In Redmond, that sound is coming increasingly from a striker defending the wicket. Or if there is an exceptional bowler, perhaps a Spinner with a wicked Googly, then it could be that the batsman just got bowled.

Over the past decade-and-a-half, the popularity of cricket has grown organically in our area; from six teams in 1999 to 24 such teams today. If you ever walk near the baseball fields of Grass Lawn Park, or drive through Marymoor, you might see a bunch of white-clad gentlemen championing a make-shift pitch. Don’t be afraid to stop by and join the Spirit of the Game, but try not to obstruct the field or you’re sure to be timed out.

Nicholas Lee is a Redmond resident and chair of the Parks and Trails Commission. Send comments and feedback to parkboard@redmond.gov.