Happy to see people having fun but isn't this topic really just another example of immigrants refusing to assimilate into the communities and American culture? As conveyed in the story, it is the parents pushing the sport onto their kids. I'm sure the schools in Dublin and Pleasnton offered baseball, basketball, and football, but hey, forget those sports, let's make the US like India right? So which teams outside of Dublin and Pleasanton will participate? Perhaps Fremont? Other than that, there is no competition. Sorry, Cricket is not an American sport and never will be. You will not see Chinese, Japanese, White, Mexican, or Black kids playing it.

In response to Mr. Johnson's comments regarding 'just another example of immigrants refusing to assimilate into the communities and American culture', it surely shows how jingoistic and narrow a perspective he has on the world. As a Briton residing here in America, you need to understand that many of the ex-patriots residing here and playing cricket, are from former British colonies / Commonwealth countries, eg India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Australia, South Africa, Kenya, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, etc, and were brought-up playing the sport as a result. I was a member of the Stanford University Cricket Club, where everyone was welcome, - yes even you colonial types! Think about this: If you, as an American, were residing in England, and wanted to play recreational baseball, you wouldn't be treated as a person who doesn't -or won't - assimilate into British culture. Rather, you would be viewed as an American who is away from their native country and wants to bring a sport of their country to a foreign land. There has been a large community of Indian and south-eastern Asian immigrants in recent years to the Diablo and Tri-Valley areas, resulting in the growth of cricket. All they are doing is bringing their sport to a foreign country.

The word is "inclusion," Rick.

Sorry to see that you are so insecure and fearful of people who have tastes that are different from yours.

I'm proud that our kids usually don't share these fears and are more welcoming to their new neighbors.

Tony B, it really makes sense when you explain it that way. It's an interesting perspective and I can see how moving to another country could have me yearning for say a hamburger, fried chicken, Chinese food, or a burrito. Americans are spoiled in that all this diversity comprises our culture.

Dave, your comment about being feerful is the typical response when someone questions assimilation, and sorry if your feelings were hurt from my comment. Everyone is imperfect but we still need to have these conversations. The family line of everyone in America can be traced to a far away land. Most people welcome immigration, including myself.

What I was trying to convey is that sports are typically competitive, so to have these sports in schools, and from the sound of it, the main sport at one or two schools, who will join the competition? Using your wording, "people of similar taste" right? In this case the result will likely be exclusive and not inclusive. Also, how diverse of a team will comprise the kids playing in this particular sport? That is my point. In the end, what we want is an inclusive society. For the most part, I'd say America does a pretty good job at it but we can do much better and should strive to integrate and assimilate.

A good conversation can usually be had by having an afficionado of cricket try to explain the rules and scoring to someone who is only familiar with baseball. Overs? Unders? Who doesn't anybody appear to be running hard? Googly? Such things are quite perplexing to people who have no problem with the infield-fly rule!

I've been asking people for 20 years, and I'm -starting- to understand.

If you are interested in watching some cricket in a fun, social atmosphere, the Marin Cricket Club has a fairly well attended match every August called the Ashes (modeled after the rivalry between England and Australia).

They generally have representatives from the British and Australian consulates attend, and have a big barbecue with beer and lots of spectators. It's a fun atmosphere, and they are always happy to explain to new members.

They play in Larkspur (Piper Park) across the street from Redwood High School. Their website is Web Link

As a kid i lived in Germany. I use to play baseball with other ex-pats, but also learned to play soccer. Part of America being a melting-pot (assimilation) is that people who come here learn our culture, and we embrace and incorporate bits of theirs as well. It doesn't just go one way...