This column is directed to college lacrosse fans, especially those who are disappointed the college season is over. Whether you were at M&T Bank Stadium this past weekend or watched on TV, Championship Weekend is always a celebration of the sport. It’s the weekend many fans circle on their calendars and look forward to, only to have an empty feeling when it’s over.
Leaving the stadium following Duke’s championship game victory over Notre Dame, you can tell yourself, “just over eight months until the 2015 season gets underway.” Instead, I urge you to catch some Major League Lacrosse. Remember Jordan Wolf sealing Duke’s second straight national title with 23 seconds remaining? Just because he graduated doesn’t mean you’ll never be able to watch him play again. His career isn’t over and you can watch him play for the Rochester Rattlers, potentially as early as this coming weekend.
There are many reasons to follow the MLL this summer. If you haven’t typically followed, now is the time to see what you’re missing.
First and most importantly, Major League Lacrosse features the best of the best. Just think of this season’s first team All-Americans. In the MLL, you’re watching All-Americans all over the field. There are so many of them in the league, it’s almost a prerequisite. Teams can only dress 19 players per game. Multiply that by eight teams and there are only 152 players who suit up each week.
I urge fans to latch on to your local team. Watch some games on TV (more to come on that) and be sure to catch at least a game or two live. The players don’t get paid much. They play for the love of the game, which is what sports is all about. The players are very humble and down to earth who almost always sign autographs and meet fans after games.
If you don’t live near one of the eight MLL teams (and even if you do), Major League Lacrosse is a great way to follow alums of your alma mater or favorite college team. You can get that nostalgic feeling of seeing Tom Schreiber ripping a shot just over a goalie’s shoulder or Rob Pannell working his magic around the goal. Even though they’ve graduated, you can still watch them, whether you’re physically at games or watching on television.
Speaking of television, Major League Lacrosse is growing, evident by increased coverage. You can watch every MLL game in some fashion, whether it’s on CBS Sports Network, ESPN3 or YouTube. The league has done a nice job of putting its product in front of you in so many different ways.
The MLL is also a different type of lacrosse. The league features a 60-second shot clock and a two-point arc. Because of the much smaller rosters, players have to play both ends of the field. You may see a defensive midfielder in Major League Lacrosse, but he must also have an ability to contribute offensively. Sometimes you see an offensive-minded midfielder who has worked on his defensive game so he won’t be a liability on that end of the field. The shot clock is the most noticeable difference, which adds to the pace of play. It’s a good change of pace from the college game and is a preview of what the college game could be with a shot clock. You can see for yourself if you’d like the college game to ever employ a shot clock.
When the college lacrosse season ended on Monday, I had that empty feeling. Lacrosse has meant so much to me and it’s like anything; when it’s over, you don’t know what to do next. But then I thought about the MLL. There are so many storylines to follow. Will Denver ever lose? Will Florida keep up its winning ways? How will Jordan Wolf’s game translate to the professional level? Will the ageless Casey Powell continue to lead the league in scoring?
While the 2015 college lacrosse season is in the distance, get your lacrosse fix with the best of the best, the cream of the crop… Major League Lacrosse.
