"Unknown" Sports: Part #2

[lmanchur.]

I'm continuing my weekly series of threads on this forum to try to get it a little more active. The series will consist of a new thread every week, each highlighting an "unknown" sport -- one that gets very little popularity, but absolutely no reason to hide in the dark versus major sports like football, baseball, and hockey. Express your thoughts on these sports in this series of threads.

Part #2: Lacrosse

My Take: Anyone watch lacrosse ever?

It is gaining popularity in North America. I'm not sure how long it has been around, but there is the National Lacrosse League (NLL). I think there are around 10 teams in it. Two of them are in Canada, and BOTH have TV deals -- the Toronto Rock with CTV SportsNet, and the Ottawa Rebel with The Score. I did take in a few games, and it's very similar to hockey, but most definitley different!!

It has it all: body checks, fights, penalties, and goals... LOTS OF goals (Rick -- watch this sport!... you said you liked lots of scoring!). We're talking 12-10, 11-9, 16-15 games, here!... the goalies suck, but the skill level of these players is very, very high.

Has anyone tried to PLAY lacrosse!?.. extremely difficult. At school when we play, we use hockey nets, but the guys in the NLL use MUCH smaller nets, and score tons and tons.

I will try to watch the NLL a bit more than the odd time, but it's something you have to ease into because it's very different, but if people would start to watch and the league did some promotion, I'm sure it would catch on.

What does everyone else think about lacrosse? Like or dislike? Do you play? Got any tips for first-time lacrosse players? Do you have a favorite NLL team or player? Never watched it before and need a basic explanation of the game and rules? Get in on the action and start popularizing the "Other Sports forum" today!!!

[Marc]

Contrary to curling, lacrosse is a lot more popular in America - although not near as popular as football, baseball, basketball, and soccer. I briefly played it in gym class and I believe my school has a team. It's not something that gets my attention and makes me want to play it, but it is alright.

[iFroggy]

Yeah, it is more popular and I know more about it. But, like Marc, it doesn't get my interest and I don't really play it.

[Wedge231]

It seems pretty cool. It's very popular by me and my school's team is pretty well known for lacrosse. Alot of my friends play it and are trying out for our school's team in like a month or so.

[HyperBaseball]

Lacrosse is mainly an east coast US sport-- of course, it was developed by the Indians, so it seems like it should be more of everywhere, but over here is where it is mainly popular.

[lmanchur.]

Originally posted by HyperBaseball
Lacrosse is mainly an east coast US sport

Yeah, it kind of is. I went to the official web site of the National Lacrosse League (http://www.be-lax.com/), and the nine teams that make up the NLL are:

Albany Attack Buffalo Bandits Columbus Landsharks New York Saints Ottawa Rebel Philadelphia Wings Rochester Knighthawks Toronto Rock Washington Power

Mostly all the teams are in the East....

[Edited by SC-Lee on 02-17-2001 at 06:20 PM]

[PeterDewar]

Lacrosse is actually the NATIONAL SPORT of Canada, as most people would think hockey is.

It is a very demanding sport with a lot of physical contact and running involved.

I wouldn't say the goalie "suck", it is rather tough to stop a small ball coming at you some 75MPH from entering a rather large goal.

I love to watch the NCAA Lacrosse on ESPN when it is in the playoffs. I often wish it was offered at my school and I very well would play it.

It's a great sport, watch it if you get a chance.

[NickHammy]

My high school OWNS lacrosse. We've won the state championship for more years than I've been alive.
I went to a Columbus Landsharks game, it is so fast, i had no idea where the ball was half the time.

[lmanchur.]

Originally posted by NickHammy
I went to a Columbus Landsharks game, it is so fast, i had no idea where the ball was half the time.

...is it harder to watch live or on the tube?... I find it confusing enough on TV!!!!!!

Originally posted by PeterDewar
acrosse is actually the NATIONAL SPORT of Canada, as most people would think hockey is.

What do you mean?... I don't follow. Do you mean that lacrosse was invented in Canada or what?... I don't follow. By far, hockey is Canada's most popular sport -- you don't see kids playing lacrosse in their backyard in winter months (or summer months), or in the local rink on the weekends -- it's hockey! :confused:

[NickHammy]

idk i haven't watched it on TV

[PeterDewar]

I don't think it is that bad on TV. You get a wide view of the field usually so you can get a BIG PICTURE.

Lacrosse is the "official" national sport of Canada, not hockey. Hockey is by far the most popular (although soccer is growing big now because hockey is often too expensive for families as the equipment is rediculously priced).

[lmanchur.]

Originally posted by PeterDewar
Lacrosse is the "official" national sport of Canada, not hockey. Hockey is by far the most popular (although soccer is growing big now because hockey is often too expensive for families as the equipment is rediculously priced).

Also, Team Canada's (soccer) success as of the last few years has been popularizing that a lot.

Who determine's the "national sport," as you have stated?... The gov't, like they do official languages, etc.?

[PeterDewar]

That's a good question and I honestly have no idea. I would assume its a Federal decision, only seems right. But I don't know that for sure.