MD may be the worst, but last year they changed the rules for WSYL after clubs try outs and made finalized rosters.- but lets not pretend that NJ,NY,PA,VA,DC,NE,FL,TX don't all have holdbacks. This is a fact. Teams hold separate tryouts and have completely different teams that they send to this 1 tournament. Every other tournament in the country allows the age differential . Not condoning it but its fact, what is not factual is MD can't compete without holdbacks. API made it to the final 4 with a weak team and beat the champion in earlier round. Maybe you should come down and watch some MD fall ball and see the high level of lacrosse from Elite, A,B and Rec teams. MD REC teams can compete against all 37 teams at WSYL. Just because they choose not to participate in 1 tournament doesn't mean they can't compete. Lacrosse in MD is stronger than ever at every level.