Year one of the North American Lacrosse League could not be titled as a failure, despite the fact four teams left and the league played in just one stadium. They were able to get all of their games off and they had a turf along with all the other things needed to be a professional league.
Year two is going to begin with four teams. Two of them you will remember from last season, the Kentucky Stickhorses and Boston Rockhoppers, and they will be joined by the Baltimore Bombers and Rhode Island Kingfish.
“I am confident that we will not experience the breakdown in follow through that we experienced last year due to teams not being ready and/or choosing not to participate as expected.” said Tony Chase, owner of the Stickhorses. “We have released our schedule and I am 100% certain that all games will be played and that the Championship Weekend will be an enormous success.”
One thing that has been oft questioned is how teams will handle the expansion. In the NLL or MLL, normally there is an expansion draft where teams lose their players. Will this be the same in NALL?
“The two teams that played last year (Boston and Kentucky) will not be required to disperse players to the expansion teams. There will be some cooperation in assuring that the teams have parity, but the 2012 teams certainly will not be required to disperse players.” says Chase.
With that out of the way, how will teams get players? Kentucky and Boston already have rosters of the best American lacrosse players in the world. Will Baltimore and Rhode Island by assured the same?
“The goal of the draft is to unilaterally allow teams to complete rosters in the most efficient and effective manner possible.” Chase said. “With a total of 92 roster spots to fill and many players from last year having signed multi-year deals, the target is to, again, achieve parity and assure a high level of competition.”
I spoke to one player who was at the combine, and he said this about the league; “The upcoming season, if the combine was any indicator the talent pool will be deep and the organizations will be run very well! I wasn’t surprised by anything all parties were very translucent, all questions answered, and we received great coaching!”
It is well documented that NALL had road bumps before their inaugural season. Since then, things have seemed rather smooth. Chase feels confident that NALL being able to handle adversity and still fulfill their promises makes the league different than others.
“WE are different in many ways, not the least of which is that we have done everything that we said we would do. “Say what you are going to do, and then do it”. We are focused on the American players and the development of talent from grade school to the Pros. We are requiring all teams have all the requisite equipment and facilities to conduct a professional game. We will assure that all leases are in effect, that all teams have their venues in order (including turf) and that all players and coaching staff are paid timely. Ask any Stickhorse from 2012 and they will echo my sentiments.”
The American players approach is what makes NALL unique and an important part about the future of lacrosse. How will NALL fare in 2013? If the off season is any indication, very good.
“The past is the past and we will not take the time to dwell on it.” Chase wrapped up saying. “We are moving forward and feel like we are better off for the trials we all endured. WE have four solid teams for 2013 and at least 4 to 6 STRONG prospects for 2014.”
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