Independence Play

The freedom America declared on July 4, 1776, included the freedom to develop a national pastime. Still, it wouldn't be cricket to ignore the charms of the British game.

1
The Brits' bat is wider, so it's easier to hit the ball.

Cricket bat: 4�" wide—and flat.

Baseball
bat: 2�" in diameter.

2
Cricketers run between two wickets.
And they don't have to run so far to score. In cricket, 1 run is 66 feet. In baseball, 360 feet.

Cricket run totals can reach a hundred or more...

...even though the batsman must carry his bat when he runs.

3
Cricket fielding positions have interesting names.
Gully
Long off
Silly point
Silly mid off
Short fine leg
Short third man
Deep square leg
Backward short leg
Plus dozens more for the captain to choose from for his 11-man team.

Then again, the game does go on a bit.

Some international cricket matches, called tests, last for five six-hour days, including breaks for lunch and tea.