Back of THE CAGE Forums NORTHEAST LACROSSE BOTC MAIN FORUM What's Your View? Establishing a Regional Premier League

On many threads on BOTC, you can find discussion on both the boys and girls side as to which team is tops in any given age group. The problem with the analysis is that many teams do not actually face each other on a regular basis so conclusions are drawn in some cases based on thirty minute mini-games during tournament knock-out rounds.

Maryland has led the way with the formation of their NPYLL league which attracts the very best teams in a series of age groups on the boys side. Expect that that NPYGLL on the girls side will gain similar interest.

BOTC believes that we have reached the point where a regional premier lacrosse league, based in the New [lacrosse] metropolitan area, is needed. This league would be a Spring League where the best boys and girls teams would have to apply and then be accepted to the league based on their competitive credentials.

Some of the logistics to be considered would include the months of competition (March/April/May), number of games per season, age groups, overlap with Junior Varsity and Varsity scholastic seasons, and the potential for a Fall Season.

BOTC would like to hear views from our community on this concept.

What's your view?

My thought is that one of the great things about lacrosse right now is that it is not like soccer. It is still a spring/summer sport, with the spring focus on the school team, local town teams, or summer club team practices. Adding the extra expense and travel that would come with being a premier level team, well...i don't think lacrosse needs any more of that especially if the same club team would also have all the summer tournament commitments. Many kids also enjoy doing other spring sports, and fortunately the way lacrosse is set up now it is possible to still play on a competitive lax team while enjoying something else.

Sage,

I think you know I've been a proponent of this type league being established here on LI. It would he great for all the organizations/kids to play weekly against tip competition. The team my son is on traveled last year all over against "top competion" only to find that it is right here on LI for his age group. As for the other poster saying it would cut into other sports or town teams, I disagree. This league can be set up to make sure the games are played on opposite days of the PAL leagues. If you happen to live in a town that doesn't have a rich tradition of lacrosse, and you are looking to play against the better kids this is the type of league that needs to be established. The town/friends thing is a little bit overrated. Once your son/daughter goes to college do you expect them to come home and be with their school buddies? Our experience in being a part of a travel team has allowed my son to gain the ability to make friends just about anywhere he goes. A trait I feel will serve him well once he is out in the "real world". I don't want my son "sheltered" to only his town. It doesn't have to be a year round thing; however, most of the better players do find themselves playing year-round. It's just a matter of whether or not both player and parent are committed to make the time for lacrosse and the other sports. I do understand this is not for everyone, which is why the NPYLL has approximately eight teams per division. The lacrosse clubs should find a way to get this done... It will only help all the boys.

competitive travel league up to 8th grade in the spring (what the OBYLL should have become) premier league over the summer JV and Varsity, week night games with your club team that would not interfere with weekend tournaments

Absolutely 100 percent for it. Games should be played on Saturday and Sunday nights in April and May so as not to conflict with school practice/games. 6-8 game season would probably work best. All the top teams on LI facing each other every week:

LI Express
91
fl$
True Blue
Gladiators
Jesters
Outlaws
Team Long Island
Havoc Dune Dawgs
Team Igloo

Just to name a few. My son is an 8th grader and I know how good the competition is. A premier league would only help the boys get better.

Great idea. This would create some great competetion locally amongst the boys.

What, no Turtles?

The person said LI Express, aren't the turtles express?? You mean the turtles are a separate thing from express?? And aren't all you turtle people screaming your too good for the normal 2017's?

More importunity, I think the league for LI would be awesome. Question is would all the above mentioned organizations join and play nice together?

Turtles and Express = brothers from a different mother...

don't forget riptide, sounds like a great idea!

Never happen. Too much bad blood between some of these organizations.
The Express would never do it unless they could run it and make lots of money on it.

Therein lies the problem. When will it not be about the organizations, but the kids???? I understand the organizations are about making their money. I have no problem with that; however, could they all just put aside their differences for a six to eight week period? We as parents should really put the pressure on our respective organizations to get something done........

Take for example the year 2019. If you were to look at the records from last summer of Team 91, LI Express, True Blue, Havoc Dune Dawgs, as well as a few other teams, they all pretty much had at least a 75% winning percentage. I think three of the four listed were probably at 90%. To me it's a no brainer. The best competition is right here on LI. Understand, at the end of the day this is not one organization pounding their chest about being better, but about allowing our boys to experience the spirit of tough competition.

Rise Above!!!!!!

LaxDad14

http://npyll.com/Page.asp?n=54561&snid=dHMKR1K%3FZ&org=npyll.com

If you build it they will come, this is what the OBYLL could have been ! If a person not affiliated with any club started and everybody joined, express would have to follow

Why couldn't it happen? Express and 91 were both at Santa Jam, even though it wasn't their A teams, they were both represented and that was the day after a holiday. These teams also setup scrimmages against others on the island so there is hope.

They only care about their A teams. And big name tournaments.