Toronto Rock defender Chris White has been suspended one game by the NLL. The one game ban is for an alleged hit that violated rule rule 63.3 which earned White a match penalty upon league review and the subsequent one game suspension as per rule 41.2. There was no penalty originally assessed on the play.
The Professional Lacrosse Players Association (PLPA) has appealed the suspension and White will be able to play until appeal is heard or is withdrawn.
The hit in question occurred with 0:22 left in the first quarter of Saturday night’s game in Rochester against the Knighthawks when White and Rochester forward Casey Powell came together in front of the Rock goal.
Below are excerpts from the NLL rule book that apply to the penalty and suspension that was assessed.
Rule 63: ILLEGAL CROSSCHECKING
A legal crosscheck shall be a check on the arms below the shoulders and above the waist rendered with both hands on the stick, on an opponent with possession of the ball. The extension of the arms while the check is being delivered is permissible.
An illegal crosscheck shall be a check on an opponent above the shoulders, below the waist or on the back. The League may at their discretion, review any penalty assessed under this rule.
A defender who crosschecks a player, who is in a stationary position and not in possession of the ball shall be assessed a penalty.
A player who uses excessive unequal pressure and force to cross check a non-stationary opponent not in possession of the ball, shall be assessed a penalty.
63.1 MINOR PENALTY – The referee, at his discretion, may assess a minor penalty, based on the degree of violence of the check, to a player who illegally crosschecks an opponent.
63.2 MAJOR PENALTY – The referee, at his discretion, may assess a major penalty, based on the degree of violence of the check, to a player who illegally crosschecks an opponent.
63.3 MATCH PENALTY – The referee, at his discretion, may assess a match penalty if, in his judgment, the player or goalkeeper was reckless or endangering his opponent by illegal cross checking.
RULE 41: DEFINITION OF MATCH PENALTY
41.1 MATCH PENALTY – A “Match” penalty involves the suspension of the player for the balance of the game and the offended shall be ordered to the dressing room immediately. The “in home” player is to replace the penalized player for the full five (5) minutes of playing time regardless of the number of goals scored.
For all Match Penalties, regardless of when imposed, or prescribed additional penalties, a total of ten (10) minutes shall be charged in the records against the offending player.
41.2 MATCH PENALTY AUTOMATIC SUSPENSION – A player incurring a Match Penalty shall automatically receive a game suspension and shall be subject to further fines and/or suspensions from the League Office.
41.3 MATCH PENALTY ASSESSED IN TEAMS LAST GAME – If a player receives a match penalty in their team’s last game, they shall receive an additional one (1) game suspension at the start of the next regular season.
41.4 REPEAT OFFENDER – Any player who is assessed a second match penalty or a second Dangerous Contact to the Head penalty (rule 77) or combination thereof, within the same year, shall be assessed an additional game suspension.
Any player who is assessed a third match penalty or third Dangerous Contact to the Head penalty (rule 77) or combination thereof, within the same year, shall be assessed an additional two game suspension.
Note: The same year shall be determined as multiple infractions occurring within a 365-day period with the starting date being the day of the first infraction.
