Cribbage League Builds Community on the South Shore

By Paul Cherchia

Being a parent with young children, it becomes seemingly impossible to find time to engage in hobbies for yourself, especially in the dead of the winter. The game of cribbage, often referred to as, “I think my grandparents used to play that”, was not an easy sell for some busy Dad’s who do not have much free time, regardless of the time of year. However, what started as a way to get through this past harsh winter quickly turned into something many people lack nowadays, in person, technology free, connection with friends. 

The South Shore Competitive Cribbage League, commonly referred to as the SSCC, only had six inaugural members. Some had a lot of cribbage playing experience, and some had none. The rules were taught, players had some chances to practice, and then the actual games began. Points were scored, points were missed, points were stolen, players got skunked, and even doubled skunked. Games could be played on any day or at any time, but mainly the group met at the same table at their local pub, The Tinker’s Son.

Four out of the six players made the playoffs and then ultimately competed for the top prize, the right to be called the SSCC champion. While the outcomes of the games varied immensely, there was one constant throughout the entirety of the league: connection. 

As the league wrapped up this week, only one member came out victorious, congratulations to Nina.  However, during those cribbage games, win or lose, every player had a chance to slow down the fast pace of life we are in. Most importantly, they had a chance to belong to something much bigger than the cards themselves, a community. 

While the spread of technology seems to only get faster each day, cribbage offered an opportunity to slow down. An opportunity to be out in our local establishments, grow friendships, and build connection one peg at a time.