Drawing OOC interest to the Northeast

[Daniel Morris]

We probably could not travel to the Northeast in April, which is when we need to play conference games in the eastern half of our own league. I think Spring Break would be the last window of opportunity. Is there a suitable indoor fieldhouses in the PCLL which could host a tournament in March for 2-3 visiting OOC teams?

I wish that were the case. There are some I believe, I think in Connecticut, but Dan Warren of Bridgewater is the expert. I will find out. I do remember discussing this in the past, and I think cost was the prohibative factor, but I could be wrong. The only true indoor facilities I know of offhand are not even close to lacrosse field standards, mostly indoor tennis and box lax situations.

[Tim Gray]

It is my opinion for PCLL teams that you go with reputable but conservative games during spring break so you aren't throwing the players into the deep end right out the gate, but schedule some of the higher ranked poll teams in April, whether home or away.

I know Spring Break scheduling is something that both Jin at BC and I have been trying to figure out these last two years. It's almost a lose/lose situation. Schedule tough teams and lose, and have to overcome early L's on your record, or schedule not so tough teams, win , and don't get credit for winning "easy" games even though you haven't played outdoors until the start of the first whistle on your tip. This year in FL, we found a random open area about 4 hours before our first game and that was the first time we had thrown outdoors since October. It definitely showed early on in the first 2 games.

[Dan Wishengrad]

We don't have easy access to Dempsey for OUR tourney. We spent months negotiating to use it and pay dearly for the privilege. Budget-conscious universities are usually willing to rent an unused facility if they have one, but won't give you a break on the rate. With hour warm-ups factored in I think our bill for the indoor tourney next week from the university is about $1500. We do not charge visiting teams, and the host team for all games (including neutral site) typically pay for the refs for the OOC visitors (Washington and Oregon State pay entirely for the refs for their games with Rhode Island for example). You fund-raise and factor the cost into player dues if you have to. But the building is lightly used otherwise for softball, golf and soccer practices until spring football gears up in a couple weeks.

It's more than worth it to host OOC feature games, and kick-start your seasons a little earlier, isn't it? I'll let URI speak for themselves, but I will predict they'll enjoy playing in the Husky Indoor next week, and the PCLL could promote itself more prominently if one of your schools like UConn could host a big indoor invitational in '06. It could certainly be held off-campus if there are other venues available.

"If you build it, they will come"

[Gregg Pathiakis]

I just asked my boss, the Commish, who's the authority with lacrosse in this region and as far as he knows, the only true field lax indoor facility in New England is Trumbull(sp), CT. Other than that, closest is NJ.

[Tim Gray]

I just asked my boss, the Commish, who's the authority with lacrosse in this region and as far as he knows, the only true field lax indoor facility in New England is Trumbull(sp), CT. Other than that, closest is NJ.

Yeah, ona google search, I just found that site:
http://www.thesportszone.net/

I just wrote to them asking how far in advance they usually book.

it costs $300/hour for the full field.

[Daniel Morris]

I just asked my boss, the Commish, who's the authority with lacrosse in this region and as far as he knows, the only true field lax indoor facility in New England is Trumbull(sp), CT. Other than that, closest is NJ.

Yeah, ona google search, I just found that site:
http://www.thesportszone.net/

I just wrote to them asking how far in advance they usually book.

it costs $300/hour for the full field.

Dan Wishengrad is right. If we set up invitationals, people will come. Now to Trumbull, CT? Well, that might be a different story. Anyone know where that actually is and if there are any major cities close by? The league is doing fairly well with finances since costs have remained the same but more teams have entered the league. For this season we invested in some MLL game tix for winners of the divisional playoffs, and a PCLL night where players can get a discount and we can promote the league. But maybe fronting the bulk of a cost for a venue to hold an invitational would be a good way to spend money in the future. But we are also going to be looking at a neutral site for playoffs in coming years, and we may not be able to do both. Any thoughts?

[Dan Warren]

I wish that were the case. There are some I believe, I think in Connecticut, but Dan Warren of Bridgewater is the expert. I will find out. I do remember discussing this in the past, and I think cost was the prohibative factor, but I could be wrong. The only true indoor facilities I know of offhand are not even close to lacrosse field standards, mostly indoor tennis and box lax situations.

There are plenty of turf/field turf fields around, but no indoor facilities in Mass...we could maybe look into Gillette's Bubble, but it is not lined. What is wrong with playing a tournament outdoors on field turf? Endicott College in Beverly plows their field after every storm. It is $475 per lax game. MIT rents for $150/hour, but it is astroturf. Hey they play outside in Baltimore in early March every year with the Hopkins/Princeton game (awful this year though).

also, don't forget that Pitt is coming to the Boston area on April 9th and 10th to play Bridgewater and BC. We are playing both Pitt and Buffalo at home, as we travelled to both last year. I think that CCLA teams are a great option for the PCLL. I think we have at least 6 A teams making spring trips this year

[Gregg Pathiakis]

Dan.. you wouldn't believe the arguments I've gotten in about Pitt vs. BSC and BC. The Director of League Operations here is a former Pitt lax player so we're both planning on going to the game (he's going to both, I can only make it to the April 10th game)... should be a great couple games.

I think setting up an early season tournament in Turnbull would be an awesome idea. We won't have to worry about weather at all. Costs could be handled by the league by upping dues slightly. Only consideration is travel. Turnbull is in SW CT... even further than New/East/West Haven. Maybe Gillette is an idea if they would let it be lined with tape or something. Maybe a field turf field a little later in early season. But I would love to set up an invitational with other conferences. 6 games over a weekend?

[Dan Warren]

I think we have at least 6 A teams making spring trips this year

It is actually seven, I forgot to add ourselves. BC-Cali, UNH-Texas, NU-FLA, UCONN- GA, URI- Wash., Stonehill-FLA, and BSC to the Carolinas (3/16 vs. NC State, and 3/18 vs. South Carolina). Also, not really a spring break trip, but WPI is heading to Buffalo this year to complete a home and home started last year.

and yes Gregg, they should be good games vs. Pitt. My guys, and myself, are really looking forward to playing them again. They played us very well last year up at Pitt. We will need to get off to a better start than last years game.

[Daniel Morris]

Well, one good thing about Trumbull is it is close to New Haven and less than 1.5 hours from NYC. If teams wanted to have a cool destination, NYC is about as good as they come. No surf and sand, but plenty of culture and fun to be had. PCLL teams may be put out about the travel, but I am sure we could arrange discounted rates for cheap hotels and at that time of year to play a actual games against top notch opponents where it isn't snowing, the trip is well worth it.

Also, how do you get premium membership? Do I have to give Sonny one of my first born or something? I don't see anything about it on the website.

[Daniel Morris]

I think we have at least 6 A teams making spring trips this year

It is actually seven, I forgot to add ourselves.

Very true Dan Warren, but how many leagues/programs are heading this way? Not too many unfortunately. Couple of the CCLA teams, a couple of the WCLL teams, and that is it. SELC is not far, but I don't think any of them are heading up here. We need to increase the amount of teams coming to this area. Maybe that means renting a facility for an invitational. Maybe it means coaxing some teams to come in April when the weather is starting to get good. Fenway alone is a sweet reason to visit Mass, and I'm a Yanks fan. Dan Wishengrad is right that the home one year, away one year reciprication will bring some teams East, but we need some other incentives as well. Maybe the fact we cannot be ignored anymore based on play early this season and BC's tourney games last season will be enough to bring teams looking for quality games. I'm not sure. This is something to explore and discuss.

[Gregg Pathiakis]

Yankees fan. And you want us to take you seriously on this board?

[Gregg Pathiakis]

Also, how do you get premium membership? Do I have to give Sonny one of my first born or something? I don't see anything about it on the website.

I've never seen such a popular PCLL discussion. This is great!

Dan, here you go: http://forums.uslia.com/viewtopic.php?t=132

[laxfan25]

Also, how do you get premium membership? Do I have to give Sonny one of my first born or something? I don't see anything about it on the website.

I've never seen such a popular PCLL discussion. This is great!

Dan, here you go: http://forums.uslia.com/viewtopic.php?t=132

I suggested to Sonny that they put an ad or banner at the top to encourage more premium members. I think most people are like Daniel and just don't know what it is and how to do it (kind of like Daniel and sex )

[Gregg Pathiakis]

Ooooooh... nice one laxfan!! Who are you???