by WaterBoy on Tue Feb 20, 2007 3:02 pm
Ouch.
I will be the first to admit when I've made a mistake or a misread. If you would like an example, please look at the teams that I picked to win this past week in my Picks... we'll just say that I did not fare well.
I'm a little surprised at the opinion that because I never stepped on a field that I don't know the game of lacrosse.
I was introduced to the game while in high school by my cousin, who played and then later coached for the CU Buffs. HIs name was Ryan Colwell and he played in goal.
My freshman year in college, I went to UCSD as a person who had not played lacrosse before, but had spent the summer before intending to play, and was quite excited. One week before the beginning of the school year, I tore a ligament in my ankle and was obviously deemed ineligible to play for the team until I could pass a UCSD physical. I showed up to every practice, suited with the team, and learned everything I could. One week before my scheduled date of medical clearance, I broke the same leg and re-injured the ligaments. I got the news from several doctors that I was out for the season.
The following year I showed up again to start up with the team, and practiced with the team for several weeks until the time of the physical, which I failed based upon the previous injuries to my ankle. I had the option to have surgery upon my ankle, but as the surgery would have required immobility for several months, I put my responsibilities as a student ahead of Lacrosse. It was not an easy decision.
For the remainder of that season, I worked for the UCSD lacrosse team as a volunteer, traveling to all of their games and filming, and starting to get involved in the message boards. My junior year (basically last year) I got increasingly involved in attending as many games as possible in the southern California region and in the processes on the forum, including picking up the volunteer position of moderating the picks on point section and conducting the online poll. These activities continue now.
The fact that I did not play lacrosse is certainly something that will effect my perspective of the games I watch. I don't think I've ever made a claim that I understand things better than anyone else. I have offered my own personal observations, and using those and other information I have available I have tried to make predictions and statements about upcoming games. Comb my picks, if I don't have anything nice to say, I generally don't say anything at all. I can't think of any posts that I have made that are negative in any context (tongue in cheek aside).
I don't ask or expect respect from anyone, I simply try to give things a fair shake. I don't think I understand an attempt to discredit me in general- I love the game of lacrosse and if I could have played it I would have. I've kept myself as involved in the sport in general as is possible and immersed myself in the culture of the game.
If you don't want to read what I write, don't read it. I will continue to volunteer my time until the point in time at which I am asked to step down. The idea that only someone who has played lacrosse can know about the sport is an affront to most of the fans that stand on the sidelines and cheer players on. It's a growing sport, and I, for one at least, hope that it grows faster than players can play it.
I would appreciate it if my credentials were not an issue in the WCLL board. Quite frankly, if you don't put credit into my personal predictions, don't read them. You're not paying for my input- stop acting like you're entitled to a refund.
Last edited by
WaterBoy on Tue Feb 20, 2007 3:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.
