When it was announced a few months ago that fighting would be illegal in the Western Lacrosse Association, there was an uproar of protests. However, the league has decided that they will be able to allow fighting under the rules with a few exceptions.
The league has decided, according to reports, that they will allow fighting as long as there is no instigator and that the fight is not staged. League commissioner Casey Cook says that he feels giving five minute penalties for these non staged fights is abiding by the rules.
It is unclear if Major Series Lacrosse, the other major senior lacrosse league in Canada, will also use these rules and if the WLA will get away with this. The first WLA games start tomorrow with the Burnaby Lakers traveling to the Victoria Shamrocks.
The rule is listed below on fighting in the Canadian Lacrosse Association.
Rule 45 – Fighting
(a) A major penalty and game misconduct penalty shall be assessed to any player/goalkeeper who fights. A goalkeeper penalty shall be served by a player who was on the floor at the time of the infraction. The major penalty must be served in its duration.
(b) If there is an instigator or clear aggressor in a fight, a major penalty and a game misconduct plus any other penalties shall be assessed to the offending player(s). Where an instigator or clear aggressor penalty is assessed the non-offending player shall not receive a game misconduct under 45 (a).
