Originally Posted by Anonymous
Originally Posted by Anonymous
Originally Posted by America's Game
Originally Posted by Anonymous
Originally Posted by Anonymous
Originally Posted by Anonymous
US Lacrosse and NXT events have this in motion. Already looks like Igloo has participated in qualifier tournaments and will be making a run at this summer’s age-based national tournament.


It's in August in Delaware and its U12, U13, U14.

https://www.uslacrossenationals.com/qualification-events-and-scoring


There is not one NY-based event for boys (and only for girls and that is in Lake George!), which speaks volumes to the fact that age-based play is not taking hold on LI yet. I don't see how Igloo or any other LI teams can take their regular roster if they have even one holdback/reclassed/whatever boy unless that boy or boys won't compete in those qualifying tourneys or the national tourney if they qualify. This is just like the WYSL - how do you field a grade-based team AND play in age-based tourneys without player issues?


The only ones that can stop it are the tournament organizers. USA lacrosse has not mandated a universal id card for players and as a result players play wherever their parents register them. If like soccer the kids that were playing lined up with their id cards in the center of the field and the referees checked them then it would eliminate the issue. This will not happen because its about getting as many teams to register for your tournament. Why as many teams because its a business. If a tournament put in the restriction of validated age per year born not graduation year many teams would be unable to play. Issue is if one tournament is asking for age verification there are 5 others on the same day that are not and as a result teams and whole programs will go to the tournaments not requiring the proof of age. Whats interesting is that USA lacrosse has something in place but are not willing to implement it. Most kids have USA lacrosse id numbers. So if a player is registered with US lacrosse they already have an id# and a means to create a system to monitor birth year play. Its that simple. If parents held US lacrosse accountable maybe they would not turn a blind eye to it. Most tournaments and events are US lacrosse backed with insurance so it would be simple to do.



Exactly - USL can force the issue by revoking insurance for all non-age-based play. The counter that will be the defections from USL and that tournaments can secure insurance on their own. I think that would be short-sighted by teams and tourneys to perpetuate a grade-based system for no other reason than that it is the status quo (there is zero rationale for grade-based play beyond that).


The majority of parents want age-based but they don't know it's bad. But the clubs (and their tourney-running divisions) and showcases have a system based upon no age restrictions. They have no incentive to change. They are on top now and they don't intend to give up their position. Of course, it's nearsighted. Like fishermen taking too many fish now and screwing their future, they won't be the ones to sacrifice for long-term prosperity of the sport.


It's so funny. Every comment on this topic argues for age based rules, including US lacrosse, never have a I seen a person argue for grade based. And yet we have it. Please PAL change it on your end. It will be good because nobody really values PAL as they once did. Town lax is for tourneys not meaningless boring games.