?Expanding Summer League?

[Chris Larson]

HI guys,

There's some thought about expanding summer league.

The advantage to two nights is that we could start later and require less lighting.

The disadvantage is that it would be difficult to staff two sites and (for some of you) remember the site where your game is scheduled.

[Dulax31]

Tough call!

Advantages:
1. More players involved
2. Less players on a team = more playing time
3. Play at a better time

Disadvantages:
1. One site might not be as nice as the other
2. Confusion on where games may be
3. Lose the lacrosse atmosphere to a degree, its great to see all the lacrosse community at one place on one night

If we were to move to a 2 site set-up, the season will have to do one of the following to make playoffs happen:

1. Make the season long
2. Not play every team
3. Cut playoffs short

I really enjoy the playoff feature of summer league, the more playoff games possible the better!

[Pinball]

I know Holy Angels is nice because of the turf, but what about the option of going to some park- locking down two fields and going from there?? What about Hopkins, Edina, Armstrong etc that has side by side turf fields. Could still keep the atmosphere and open it up to everyone that wanted to play.

One other thing that I always found a to be a annoying/cumbersome is to drive out to HA (which is always hell during peak hours) to turn in checks. Maybe we could setup setup a website where we can use a CC or even easier just use paypal to pay for it. Dont pay by a certain time and date, you lose your spot.

[Chris Larson]

I know Holy Angels is nice because of the turf, but what about the option of going to some park- locking down two fields and going from there?? What about Hopkins, Edina, Armstrong etc that has side by side turf fields. Could still keep the atmosphere and open it up to everyone that wanted to play.

I live on the east side of town. 'nuff said.

One other thing that I always found a to be a annoying/cumbersome is to drive out to HA (which is always hell during peak hours) to turn in checks. Maybe we could setup setup a website where we can use a CC or even easier just use paypal to pay for it. Dont pay by a certain time and date, you lose your spot.

We've moved the dispersal to after rush hour. I admit it was awful when we did dispersal right before the first game, but I think that part has improved.

Websites, credit card options and paypal cost money. Why don't you mail your check to your captain to save the trip?

[Chris Larson]

If we were to move to a 2 site set-up, the season will have to do one of the following to make playoffs happen:

1. Make the season long
2. Not play every team
3. Cut playoffs short

I really enjoy the playoff feature of summer league, the more playoff games possible the better!

I agree. We're at the mercy of the sites for length of season though.

Probably have a random draw for sites. Play 5 games against the teams at your site, play 2-3 cross site matches. Have a 2-3 week playoff in which top 4 from each site play in a cross site bracket (eg. A1 vs B4, A2 vs B3).

[Npaulseth]

Great poll. I was hoping someone would bring this issue up.

[Rob Graff]

I am not in favor of 2 nights.

1. Many of our players help youth lacrosse. It is hard enough "protecting" one date for those coaches in the youth lax schedule. Protecting 2 at random intervals will be bad/impossible. Players should not have to choose between playing summer ball and coaching youth.

2. Too many guys will have difficulty with work schedules.

3. The community aspect of the league will be over. This is the last event where we can come together as lacrosse players with a common love of the sport rather than with pre-determined loyalties that tear at us. Explain to me why we should end that?

4. I still saw too many teams last year with 1 or two subs. We also had at least one forfeit last summer.

I can be persuaded to discuss 2 fields, one site, one night.

Rob

[Chris Larson]

The forfeit was an early game shortly after the bridge collapsed and no one really knew how to get around.

We usually have more demand than spots available. One team ended up very short-handed but they were scheduled for many 5:30 games (something I hope to do a better job of recognizing when making the schedule) which led to less success and so on. I think teams need to consider dedication when drafting as well.

The balance is: do players drop out because they aren't getting enough field time with 24 man rosters and would they be more likely to stay if we went to 20 or 21 per team? Or is the attrition irrespective of the roster and more a function of priorities that change over the summer?

If we had two sites, they would be on the same night if possible.

I'll offer that the community aspect declined once we left Calhoun. Nothing better than Summit or Schell's at the field after the game

We really only end up with spectators at the middle game times. With two sites, we'd have all our games during that more popular time-frame. I assume certain coaches <Rob> would prefer to have oversight of their players so as to perform some evaluating over the summer and this would be challenging at 2 sites.

[TexOle]

I personally like the current format. I played on the team that had all its games at 5:30, and the problem was not just the schedule. We had players get hurt or just decide never to show up. Every year I think about how I want more playing time, but then at the end of the year I am one of 12 guys on my team that show up for the game. I would like to go to a city park and use two fields. Someone mentioned using the grass field next to the stadium for games. I kinda like that idea. I don't want to go to multiple nights or locations.

I have always thought we should have people pay when they sign up. Overall though I like the structure of the league.

[horn17]

I'll offer that the community aspect declined once we left Calhoun. Nothing better than Summit or Schell's at the field after the game

I'd have to disagree with you here Lars, on both points.

1 - I think the community is alive and kicking. This is probably the only place you can show up, talk with friends from around the entire community. Egos stay fairly in check, and your always greeted with a hand shake, or a how ya doin'? I dont even look forward to playing, I look forward to getting away from the world, and just watching lax and talking with guys that some times we dont always see once some of us step off campus for the final time.

2 - New Castle......

[Kribtakkle]

I would definitely like to see more teams and a longer season if possible, but I think it would have to be one night at one site with two fields. I wouldn't mind playing on grass if necessary, or playing half of the games on the grass next to the HA stadium.

[TexOle]

I used to play in the Dallas league. All of our games were at a city park, and I loved it. We used the outfield of two baseball fields. Everyone had their beer in the brown paper bag. It was great. I am a big fan of going to a city park if possible, but I also prefer to play on grass. I think the one night and one location makes for an amazing night of fun in the summer. The lacrosse community in Minnesota is very close and we need to keep that.

[LaxRef]

Everyone had their beer in the brown paper bag.

I'm assuming the league organizers know enough about liability to avoid that scenario.

[Frank Clark]

Form my experience as a captain most forfeits occur in the earlier games due to summer jobs and work. I think any option that allows for later games is huge. 2 fields one site one night, one field two nights, one field two locations. If we can get ride of early game it will help attendance.

Personally I would love to see teams be able to submit their own team and then have singles put on their additional teams. That is how it is done in the big boy leagues.

HA is not easy to get to but seems to be pretty central to most areas. Moving it to a suburb farther out may impact attendance. I know it would affect me.

Tailgating would be a great addition. I miss that from the philly summer league days. Hey its summer league!!!

[shep]

Form my experience as a captain most forfeits occur in the earlier games due to summer jobs and work. I think any option that allows for later games is huge. 2 fields one site one night, one field two nights, one field two locations. If we can get ride of early game it will help attendance.

Personally I would love to see teams be able to submit their own team and then have singles put on their additional teams. That is how it is done in the big boy leagues.

HA is not easy to get to but seems to be pretty central to most areas. Moving it to a suburb farther out may impact attendance. I know it would affect me.

Tailgating would be a great addition. I miss that from the philly summer league days. Hey its summer league!!!

Outsider's opinion: I have to agree with Frank....I don't live in MPLS anymore but played in the summer league for a few years. I always thought it would be a lot more fun if you brought your own team....Detroit has a great summer league where high school and college alumni teams play, and there's a couple "house" teams for other guys that want to play but don't have a team.