They are coming to our area in 2021 and 2022, according to their publicists. The National Lacrosse League (NLL) made public the Panther City Lacrosse Club and its team colors— black, purple, red, and gray.
Playing home games in Dickies Arena, the league’s 14th franchise will be part of an organization that plays “box lacrosse” inside the confines of a hockey rink, including all the glass and boards—indoor lacrosse!
The team’s CEO and President is a man, named Greg Bibb, and he has stated that for nearly a century and one-half, Ft. Worth has laid claim to the “Panther City” name and is proud of it and its heritage. The hopes and expectations are that this addition may help to make the city maintain its semi-small town reputation and continue to thrive!
Mr. Bibb is also a partner in the WNBA’s Wings organization, and its chairman, Bill Cameron, helped to bring this lacrosse team to Ft. Worth. The target date for play to begin is the end of 2021.
LACROSSE: a team (3 defenders, 3 mid-fielders, 3 attackers, 1 goal-keeper) game, using a stick with a mesh or net at the end to pass a ball back-and-forth between teammates, ten on the field at one time per team, with the intention of throwing (shooting) the ball into the opposing goal before “enemy” players can take the ball away by use of the sticks against opponents’ sticks or bodies! Players generally use padding and helmets! Many colleges and high schools play this sport if you wish to watch and learn the game!
Moving on, the 2nd ever Major League Cricket Facility was up for a vote when this article was being “penned,” and if it passes, the Grand Prairie City Council will try to convert the former home of the Texas AirHogs (baseball team) into what they hope will be considered “state of the art” by attendees!
Development of the new facility will run through 2021, and the stadium will be re-named and ready for a new beginning in 2022. Plans are also in the works to add two more fields adjacent to the current structure, which right now seats approximately 5500 fans and sports 13 luxury suites.
There is one other cricket stadium in the U. S. at this time, and it is in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
The baseball team’s lease is set to expire this year, and despite some good seasons, turn-outs of fans left much to be desired financially—so the team folded their membership in any baseball league.
Pushers of this venture hope that it might take off as soccer did about 40 years ago, and, supposedly, the United States “sports” 20 million or more cricket fans! There are week-end matches in the local area, and there is “massive popularity around the globe!”
Mayor Ron Jensen says “that this renovated stadium and its ‘new’ sport could greatly benefit Grand Prairie and surrounding areas, since along the I-30 corridor, we will have Mavericks basketball, cricket, horse racing (Lone Star Park), baseball (Rangers), and football,” plus maybe soccer! If all goes well, the plans support seeing Cricket as a leading sport in the U. S. by 2030.
CRICKET: You will need a cricket bat (to hit the ball and score runs) and ball, stumps, ground, and pitch. A regulation ball is round and made of leather. Stumps are wooden sticks, stuck into the ground, and 3 support 2 bails to form 2 wickets at the top. The ground is spherical in shape, and the batsman plays in the pitch. The popping crease is where the “bowler” (pitcher) remains when he releases the ball. There are usually 11 players per side. I will not continue to try to explain the game, but be assured, if you find a “club game” in progress, you should be able to get someone to explain as the game progresses!
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.