SOME players have learning disabilities, some are in wheelchairs, others are amputees, others have artificial limbs and some suffered effects of Thalidomide.

Yet one of the hardest aspects of running a cricket league for the disabled is checking whether players are in fact disabled.

That - and then assessing the extent of disabilities - has proven to be tricky for the organisers of the official County Championship for disabled teams.

One of those teams are the Yorkshire Terriers, whose player-secretary is multiple sclerosis-sufferer James Rossdale, of North Duffield.

"There is this thing about who should be eligible," said the former Pocklington player.

"I'm not surprised that one or two players query my involvement because I look okay, but I am officially disabled and tomorrow I could wake up blind and in a wheelchair.

"I think it should be down to all of us to be sporting and if need be query someone's disability or lack of.

"Anybody who's disabled is welcome to try out and play and it's up to the good sense of everybody involved to say if someone is not really that disabled.

"For example, someone missing just the tip of his little finger is not really disabled. But it can be difficult to judge some disabilities and it's hard to write down guidelines."

The actual cricket rules adopted by the league, meanwhile, are no different to those used by able bodied teams.

"The only thing is, we use 'Incredi-Balls', which are the same weight as cricket balls but are not as hard," Rossdale said.

The Terriers - who boast ex-Test umpire Harold "Dickie" Bird MBE as their vice-president - formed four years ago and officially registered with the English Cricket Board before signing up to the county championship - itself still in its infancy - last year, competing in the 40-over competition for the first time this season.

They are one of five teams in the Northern section of the championship, the others being Shropshire, Wales, Cheshire and old enemies Lancashire. The top two go into semi-finals with the best two teams from the south section.

The Terriers got off to a flying start in their campaign when they hammered Wales in their opening match of the season in Colwyn Bay, as half-centuries by Glenn Dickinson and Shaun Smith, who put on 100 in only 14 overs, saw Yorkshire reach 184 all out, their last wicket falling in the final over. Wales were bowled out for just 124.

The Terriers - whose second league match, versus Lancashire at Blackpool, was a wash-out - have home games against Shropshire and their Red Rose rivals coming up this month, and will play those matches at Old Modernians' Leeds ground or Bawtry Road, Sheffield.

However, they are set to discuss the possibility of playing at York University's ground, which is to have a new pavilion complete with disabled facilities, next season.

In the meantime, they are keen to hear from clubs with disabled facilities who are willing to host their county matches.

They are also wanting to build the profile of the club and of their league.

Rossdale said: "Trying to get disabled people who want to play is not easy. One advantage we've got is this vast catchment area of Yorkshire, but a disadvantage is that same catchment area, as it can be hard as regards transport.

"However, we have a regular first team squad of 14 or 15 and we are going from strength to strength.

"The spirit in the team and between the teams is superb. In the end, everybody shakes hands - if they can! - but you do play to win when you're on the field.

"The humour among the players, though, is hysterically funny. Until you get used to people's disabilities and you realise it's second nature to them, it can be difficult and you can feel awkward. Anybody who is not disabled feels terrible when you laugh at certain things, but things are done and said that are terribly funny.

"But I can understand that it can be hard for an able bodied person to talk and write about without making it sound patronising."

Anyone willing to host a Yorkshire Terriers match or wanting further details on the club should contact James Rossdale on 01757 289319.