Will South Brunswick Get A New Cricket Field?

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — The possibility of having a new cricket field in South Brunswick was discussed during the Council meeting held on Tuesday.

South Brunswick Township Manager Bryan Bidlack told council members that the director of the Recreation Department was seeking council approval to repurpose two ball fields into cricket fields in the township.

The two facilities earmarked for this purpose were underutilized ball fields. One is located in Scenic Park, Summerfield Development and the other in Sondek.

“This one would be the first ballpark in Sondek as you're going through the drive entrance from New Road. It'd be the first field on the right,” Bidlack explained.

With the T20 Cricket World Cup going on in New York, there is a need for cricket fields in the community, Councilman Ken Bierman said. However, he expressed concern about the field in Sondek being too close to the road.

“If we do change it, if we do put a cricket field there, would we be having cricket balls going up to East New Road?” Bierman asked. “I just don't know if that fits that specific location”

Councilman Joe Camarota agreed with Bierman, saying he was ok with a pitch being laid out at Scenic Park but was apprehensive about Sondek Park.

“Scenic is fine but Sondek concerns me. How do you align the pitch where it is so close to the road?” he asked.

However, Mayor Charlie Carly has another reason to reject the idea of a cricket field on Sondek.

He reminded the council that last year, a local group approached the Council saying they wanted to grow the girls' softball program and use Sondek as a “home base.”

“So I would like to honor that contract,” he said.

Council agreed to have the cricket pitch and field at Scenic Park but decided to give Sondek to girls' softball program.

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