Lacrosse Shower Thoughts
I don’t know if other people have invasive thoughts but here are some of mine that I have pondered this summer, as it pertains to the sport of lacrosse.
Why and how can Team’s participate in Recruiting events without submitting rosters?
This happens every so often, and as a recruiter it is incredibly frustrating. I don’t understand the reason for it. I should probably explain what it is I’m talking about. So for a coach, we go to events all summer, as is well documented at this point. We usually receive a packet, or booklet, or binder, containing all the rosters and contact information for the participating teams. Now as nice a thought as it is, I am not concerned about the contact info for freshmen in high school and younger, but some coaches might be. But if there are teams playing (rising juniors and seniors) and their roster information is wrong in the book, or isn’t in the book at all, it is very easy for a coach to write that team off and not reach out to their players. Harsh as it seems, but our time spent watching players is calculated and limited. In a one or two day event, and 10-20 given teams we need to see, there are times we watch four teams each hour (first half on one field, second half on another). Some of the well-orchestrated events will cater to coaches but putting the same age groups on fields close together, but some may not, in which case coaches are hustling from field to field to ensure they see every player play. If there is a team with no roster info, I may as well skip that team altogether and spend more time watching another, or extra time on a team only once seen. And I know its not always the team’s fault. There could be a number of reasons for it. But club coaches need to make their players understand that they should be careful to know what uniform number to wear, make sure they bring and wear the correct uniform, and double check the rosters to make sure everything matches up. There is nothing more frustrating than watching a player that looks like a stud, and realizing the player you reached out to was someone different altogether. But hey, we’re talking about teenagers here! Hopefully event directors hold the clubs accountable as well. I know its all about money at the end of the day (he said sarcastically) but if clubs don’t submit their rosters on time, there should be some consequence. It could be not allowing them to participate in the tourney as to not waste the recruiters’ time. Again, I am sure there are always some extenuating circumstances, but coaches want to know who they are watching, and as a club coach your first goal should not be to fatten your wallet but to get your players seen and be scouted.
Why do defenses in the PLL refuse to run a zone?
I think about this way too often, to the point of me wondering if there is some weird bylaw in the PLL prohibiting zones. Now I must admit, this could be my most ignorant thought because I have watched a sum total of 2 hours of PLL games this summer. But based on highlights on social media, etc it doesn’t seem like any teams really go to the zone scheme often. If I an erroneous on this, and a team is known to throw a zone every once in a while, please feel free to comment. To me it makes sense. There is a 52 second shot clock so by the time they get the ball over the midline, they don’t have a lot of time to set up. If it is disguised well, teams might take a few seconds to figure it out, and another few seconds to set up in a zone O. Every few seconds spent figuring out/setting up is a win for the defense. I could see the 2 point arc being an argument against running a zone, because you don’t want to give up costly step downs, but most goalies are going to make saves from beyond 15 easier than slam dunks down the middle. I just think with such a short shot clock it makes sense. Teams will waste time passing the ball around rather than dodging. I just think that with so many of the leagues top defenders getting hounded week after week, it seems like maybe changing the scheme up might not be a completely horrible idea. Guys on offense are so big and physical. It seems like there are so many players that don’t even fear top cover poles, which is terrifying. Guys like Asher Nolting and Zed Williams are so big and strong that they are unguardable one on one. But a zone would take away this dodging threat, at least earlier in the shot clock. But who exactly knows, maybe there’s no stopping anyone at any cost.
How much of the fighting in the PLL is for show?
Again, I don’t watch any PLL games, but I see a lot of fighting on social media. I would go far as to say that it could be almost glorified to a certain extent. I think its something that will be guaranteed to get views, comments, likes, and shares. I just wonder why this is something that is so prevalent in the sport. I must say that I despise the idea of fighting in any sport (unless its agreed upon like boxing or MMA). It is strange to me that this is something in our society that if happened in the context of an altercation in a public or private area, would have real consequences, but somehow if it happens on the field or court it is often celebrated by fans and has little consequence. I get that lacrosse is an emotionally charged game. I understand that tempers flare and boil over from time to time. But that is the very essence of sport, being able to keep your wits and stay as mentally strong as possible under the most adverse circumstances. Giving in to these lesser emotions is not, or should not, be the metal goal of any athlete. It is odd to me that players think they have the right to police a game that already has officials that are meant to do so. I don’t know. Its just my opinion, but I don’t get it. It seems like each year in the PLL the shit talking and inevitable fighting gets worse and worse. I get that its part of the game to an extent, but it will get worse if there are no consequences. I remember a couple years ago I was watching the PLL championship. I believe it was the waterdogs vs Chaos and the waterdogs won. I remember a fight breaking out in the championship game. I don’t think anything was done about it, because no one wants to be the red who penalizes a team during a crucial time in a big game. So guys will just carry on. I understand that things will happen time to time. It happened on a weekly basis in college. But that’s in practice when guys are going up against each other day after day trying to earn a spot and not in a position to cost their team in an actual game, and I’m not condoning it. I just think its getting to the point that its bordering on the edge of turning into hockey, where fans are going to show up in hopes to see a fight break out. Even the announcers seem like they are getting more on board with it. I just don’t get it, but that’s me personally. I don’t remember Jordan getting into too many fights in playoff runs. He was too focused on winning the game.
Are there any foods from upstate, NY that I left out in my last article?
A truly invasive thought indeed. I re-read my last article and couldn’t help but wonder if I did Upstate, NY justice describing the food. I may have left out a couple. Anyone out there ever have a Gianelli sausage? Those are incredible, especially in sandwich form. I failed to mention what a coney was for people who don’t know. A coney is a white hotdog that has more of a kick than a regular hotdog. Coupled with brown mustard is best. Little known fact that Syracuse has the top ranked BBQ in the country in Dinosaur BBQ. That can be fact checked. It is the top ranked, or at least was for a time, and it is located not in Kansas City, the Carolinas, or Texas. That is a personal favorite of mine. Apples and tomatoes are considered some of the best by biased locals, myself included. Pizza and bagels as well. If this is going to turn into a review then Twin Trees, Paladinos, Nick’s Tomato Pies, and Varsity Pizza had the best za in cuse at least from what I remember living there. Bruegger’s had the best bagels. I did not mention garbage plates. That is still an upstate delicacy but famous in Rochester and not something that I had experienced living in Syracuse. Hard to beat Italian food in CNY. Not sure if it is still open, but baked ziti from Antonio’s on the North Side was my favorite. Another place, Aunt Josie’s had my favorite meatballs. Best burger in town was at Zebb’s, and that is without question. Tully’s is something that I absolutely took for granted living in Syracuse. There are a number of places that do sport’s bar food probably just as good, but the Tully’s tenders are top notch. Last but not least, my favorite category of food, breakfast. I can’t tell you how much I miss the diners in CNY. Here are some of my favorites. The Little Gem, the Pelican, Julie’s Diner, the breakfast Depot, Mother’s Cupboard, and last but not least, Stella’s. Stella’s was my Grandfather’s favorite place. He would take my grandmother there probably at least twice a week if not more. The best breakfast food CNY does is what is known as a frittata. I’m not sure if this is strictly an upstate thing, but the “fretta’s” as my dad called them, are my favorite breakfast meal of all time. It’s basically a garbage plate of breakfast food. The base is potatoes and scrambled eggs mixed sort of like a skillet. It also includes ham, sausage, pepperoni, cheese, peppers and onions, broccoli, mushrooms, and basically whatever you want mixed in with a side of toast. They are known to be big. You know a diner is good when the have a “half a fretta” option on the menu, because a full one is usually too much food. When I make breakfast I have to make my own separate because my wife doesn’t like all the chaos that is the Fretta. Salt, pepper, ketchup, and a little tobacco on top really brings it all together, in my opinion. I hope my makeshift reviews provide some enlightenment. I have not lived in CNY since 2014 so please comment if these establishments are still around. For the people of CNY’s sake, I hope they are!
KASEY BURST
The HC at the University of Dubuque, Kasey brings all things college lacrosse to your inbox.