By Karla Hailer-Fidelman/ Correspondent
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
It used to be that kids walked down the street bouncing a basketball or with a baseball bat, ball and glove looking for a game or to practice.
But these days you're more likely to them walking through Newton with a lacrosse stick over their shoulder or using the stick to throw a hard rubber lacrosse ball against the side of a the old Carr school or other building for practice.
Lacrosse teams are not a new thing - there was a team as early as 1968 at Newton High School. This year, over 140 kids from all over the city, between the ages of 6 and 17, signed up to either learn basics or improve their skills Garden City Lacrosse Camp - part of the sports camps run through the Newton summer school program. The teams at the middle and high school level are competitive with a number of regional and state championship nods. In the winter, there is even an active indoor kids league through the Newton Parks and Recreation Department.
Major League Lacrosse, a summer outdoor professional league, has the Boston Cannons - featuring Newton North alum Mike Battista and games are now carried on ESPN2, one of the major national sports channels. Those involved in the sport often say it is the fastest growing sport in America. But just what is lacrosse?
The game is a quick pace, similar to hockey or basketball, has its root in Native American religion - particularly in the Iroquois nation. It was first documented in 1636 by a Jesuit missionary in Ontario, Canada. By the early 1800's, the game was popular among settlers. The standards of the game that determined field dimensions, numbers of players per team and basic rules were first set in 1867 by W. George Beers.
The first organized teams were fielded in the late 1800's at places like Andover, Phillips Exeter Academy and New York University. "It started off as a prep school sport back in the day. It's not only spreading into urban areas but all over the country," said Battista.
Bussy Adam, director of the Garden City Lacrosse camp and the varsity lacrosse coach at Newton North echoes that statement. "Professional leagues help boost interest in the game," he said. "It's a self-esteem booster," he continued, "all kinds of kids can play. If you're big and strong or fast and small, there is a position you can play."
From Needham, MA:
http://www2.townonline.com/newton/artsL ... eid=305469
