Born 72 years ago within 50 yards of Flatts Cricket ground, it comes as no surprise that C.V. (Jim) Woolridge has maintained a passionate love of the game he describes as "a wonderful sport'' from the moment he could tell the difference between a bat and a teddy bear.

With the geographic die cast, he naturally spent much of his early childhood either listening to the thwack of leather on willow, or making it happen himself on the postage-stamp sized playing field off Fielder's Lane.

By the time he was 15, Mr.Woolridge's prowess impressed the selectors sufficiently to earn him a coveted place on the Flatts Victoria Cricket Club team in the Eastern Counties competition.

Today, the memory of his glorious first game remains as fresh as ever.

"I made 36 not out,'' he smiles. "You don't forget things like that.'' In fact, the keen teen spent that night just looking out of the window in a state of sleepless excitement.

While his highest-ever score in Eastern Counties games occurred in 1952 when he was 83 not out against Bailey's Bay -- "I was forced to retire hurt'' - his proudest moment occurred a year later in 1953 when, as captain of Flatts Victoria, he led his team to victory, and lifted the coveted ECC trophy from arch rivals Bailey's Bay, who had held it for many years.

"That was a very important event as far as my cricketing career was concerned,'' he notes.

Moving to the United States to study, one could be forgiven for assuming that the Woolridge willow stayed behind -- but then that would be without acknowledging just how ingrained cricket was in his sporting soul, and so it was that he wound up playing in the New York American League (NYAL) at then-Courtland Park and Randall's Island.

"The NYAL embraced a lot of former players from all over the world who were residing in New York at that time, and I played every Saturday and Sunday,'' Mr. Woolridge recalls.

It wasn't until he stopped playing that Jim Woolridge, later to be dubbed The Voice of Summer by a Royal Gazette reporter, set out on the path that would make him something of a local legend.

Working at the Bermuda Broadcasting Company as Director of Sales, Mr.

Woolridge noticed how important the broadcasting of cricket was to all those who could not attend the games in person -- the ill, the elderly, shut-ins, service personnel and more.

At the time, radio coverage of such events was limited to an hour in the morning, and approximately one and a half hours in the evening.

"That wasn't good enough because there was so much that happened in the interim,'' Mr. Woolridge recalls. "So I decided that we should endeavour to broadcast as many of the County fixtures as possible to the people of the country.'' And so it was that 34 years ago Jim Woolridge, along with the late Mr. Ronnie Evans, gave their very first commentary on a full game of cricket at Lord's in St. David's -- from a schoolroom window side on to the wicket, and sponsored by Mr. Lee Rankin, then-owner of the Knick Knack store.

"From then on we broadcast all of the major County fixtures on the Island, and this year marks my thirty-fourth year of broadcasting cricket into homes, the work place, and the community of Bermuda,'' he says proudly. "The significance and importance of these broadcasts cannot be over-emphasised when one considers the number of people who are unable to get out for various reasons, as well as people who are involved in many of the service industries.'' Indeed, he says that the positive feedback from his many listeners is a great source of satisfaction. Certainly, his commentary is unique, and apt to include a host of non-essential information on what he sees around him.

"You'd be surprised at what I see from the commentary box -- some really strange things ...'' The voice trails off, to be replaced by one of his famous laughs.

Ah yes, the laugh. Infectious to many, annoying to some, and often a source of mystery.

Pressed for enlightenment, Mr. Woolridge simply says: "There are spontaneous events that cause laughter, but unfortunately we are unable to explain them.

Some really funny things happen -- really good stuff -- but I'll never tell!'' Like all sports commentators, and particularly those who have been in the business for as long as Mr. Woolridge, there are ardent fans who love his style, and equally ardent critics who don't.

While the fans enjoy the broad ranged colour pictures he paints with words, purists who listen solely for the sports aspect maintain that he fails them.

"Jim doesn't do his homework. It is part and parcel of what the radio commentator's job is -- to be on the ball, and know who everybody is. Like most sports, cricket is about detail. For example, he will say, `Oh, that's a biggie' when someone hits a six, but he never tells you where it went -- straight drive or pulled through mid-wicket, for example.

"Nor does he give enough details on scores as he goes along. People tune in at different times, so he should refresh their minds -- who's out, batsmen's 50s, how many minutes they have batted, et cetera. Commentators elsewhere throw facts and figures at you all the time.'' As expected, the veteran commentator has answers for fans and critics alike -- and those who don't want to listen to Mr. Woolridge on VSB can always switch to former Somerset stalwarts Randy Horton and Colin Blades on ZBM.

"I am not there as a critic of the game, because as a critic you are either taking one side or the other, and that is not my job. If a man is not batting well he will eventually be out. If a bowler is not bowling well, the captain will soon be forced to take him off because there are too many runs being scored off him, or he hasn't taken enough wickets.

"I am a commentator. My job is to call the game to the people as it happens, and to relay the technical points and any other important information, and that's where I leave it.

"Everybody has their style, but I like to think that we do it in a very entertaining fashion so that the people can `see' what's happening through our eyes. That's what's important to me.'' Referring to the commentaries of former British Test cricketers, David Gower and Ian Botham, during the recently-televised World Cup Cricket games, Mr.

Woolridge expressed disappointment in the way they criticised umpires' decisions. He does not believe such remarks are a commentator's province, and firmly refuses to follow suit.

"It is important that I don't become an adjudicator,'' he stresses.

The purists, however, beg to differ.

"Those English commentators had the benefit of slow motion replays, and they were on television. It is a totally different set-up. With slow-motion replays you can see if an umpire has made a bad decision. With radio you are looking with the naked eye.'' Whatever the plusses and minuses of the former Government minister's style, he remains resolutely convinced that his approach is not only valid, but provides a valuable service -- he has a large and loyal following to prove it.

"The significance and importance of these broadcasts cannot be over-emphasised when one considers the number of people who are unable to get out to the games for various reasons,'' he says. "They are able to have their favourite sport broadcast to them, and it is of great satisfaction to me when I hear some of the wonderful stories of people who continually enjoy and look forward with great anticipation to these broadcasts on a regular basis.'' And then there's the human factor, which he also considers important.

"These so-called critics don't understand human nature,'' Mr. Woolridge protests.

"Recently, a lady came by and said her sister was at home whose husband was not expected to live. She asked me to say hello to them. That's all part of it. It becomes a community thing. It's all wonderful stuff.'' Like the legendary British cricket commentator, the late Brian Johnston, Mr.

Woolridge has nothing but admiration for all the fans who bring gifts of food to himself and Sean Tucker, with whom he shares the mike. Otherwise the duo would never eat.

In particular, he remembers his birthday two years ago when a group of ladies brought him a huge birthday cake with the legend, "Happy Birthday Voice of Summer.'' Touched and appreciative though he was, he chose instead to deliver his gift to the Brangman Home.

As one might expect of a man who has spent a lifetime in and around his favourite sport, Jim Woolridge believes passionately in its wider benefits.

"I think cricket is the greatest character-building sport there is,'' he enthuses. "It teaches you sportsmanship, discipline, team spirit, and above all it is a game where you need to have the competitiveness and cooperation of your fellow players in order to be successful.

"I think anyone who has excelled in all aspects and particulars of the game and been able to abide by the rules is automatically prepared to handle all aspects of life. That is the message I try to get across to the youngsters when I am broadcasting.'' As a grandfather, he is already beginning to deliver the message to his adored five-year-old grandson, Jonathan Woolridge Marion, with whom he plays cricket every evening.

"He has a natural ability, and amazes me how coordinated he is, not because he is my grandson but because I can detect in him that quick eyesight and his approach to the game,'' the proud grandparent boasts.

"My time with him is an investment in his future so that he will develop into not only a good sportsman but a good citizen.'' Asked if he was Jonathan's hero, "Papa'' as he is known to the child, replied: "I am his friend, and I am also a disciplinarian. Discipline must be taught at an early age as it is a very, very important ingredient for success.

Fine feathers don't make fine birds. You have to be disciplined in order to be good at cricket or anything else.'' Jonathan and his grandfather also attend church together on Sundays -- another aspect of life on which the elder Woolridge places great emphasis.

"Once children have that background they will understand there is real meaning to that early teaching, and I think they will find it helpful.'' With his seventy-third birthday coming up on August 29, the question naturally arises: Is "The Voice of Summer'' thinking of retiring? The response is unequivocal.

"I am doing something I like and enjoy, and I am also providing a service for all those wonderful people who helped to give us the good life. I hope that the Lord spares life so I can continue.'' See Page 42 for Jim Woolridge's favourite Cup Match recipes Taking it to the people: Popular cricket commentator C.V. (Jim) Woolridge is a regular sight at the VSB microphone during the Island's major cricket games.

`The Voice of Summer' has become a local legend bringing matches to those who cannot make the game themselves, the ill, the elderly, the shut in or those who simply have to work.

It's a tie: "Papa'' Jim Woolridge shows grandson Jonathan the art of spiffy dressing, sprinkling his fashion sense with a little common sense: "Fine feathers don't make fine birds. You have to be disciplined in order to be good at cricket or anything else,'' he counsels.