Meathead's World

Meathead's World

This story originally appeared in The News Tribune.com:
Lacrosse in the Tacoma Dome for $200, Alex

JOHN MCGRATH; THE NEWS TRIBUNE
Published: June 28th, 2006 01:00 AM

One of the perks of my job is I get to learn something new all the time.

The other day, for instance, I found out Tacoma could land a team in the National Lacrosse League, which plays an indoor version of North America’s oldest sport.

I did not know about the National Lacrosse League. For that matter, I did not know lacrosse was played indoors.

Maybe I need to get out more, so I can discover all the other sports that are in.

It’d be one thing if the National Lacrosse League – or NLL – was as new to the table as all those poker faces sitting around Chris Moneymaker. But the NLL has been in existence for 20 years, long enough to boast a Hall of Fame.

This year’s inaugural class included NLL founders Russ Cline and Chris Fritz, players Paul and Gary Gait, and the late Les Bartley, a coach. See what I mean about learning all the time?

A few days ago, I did not know the NLL from the MLL – the Major Lacrosse League, which plays, I presume, outdoors – and yet now I can rattle off the entire roster of NLL Hall of Famers.

I’ll take indoor lacrosse legends for $200, Alex.

Tacoma’s connection to the indoor circuit remains tenuous. A wire-service story released last week suggested either Seattle’s KeyArena or the Tacoma Dome could be home for an expansion team whose application was submitted to the NLL by Bob Whitsitt, the former president of the Seattle SuperSonics, Portland Trail Blazers and Seattle Seahawks.

The team would debut in 2008, and while the bid awaits formal approval, Whitsitt’s credibility in sports business circles commands attention. Besides, as commissioner Jim Jennings has pointed out, a Seattle-area franchise would create a Pacific Northwest rivalry.

Portland’s newly conceived Lumberjax were one of 11 teams in a 2006 NLL season that concluded this past spring with Colorado’s 16-9 victory over Buffalo in the championship game.

The NLL will expand to New York in 2007, and also to Chicago, where the franchise founders already have completed the heavy-lifting work of a cool nickname: Chicago has been christened the “Shamrox.”

Other nicknames that might look good on a T-shirt: The Toronto Rock, the Rochester Knighthawks, the Edmonton Rush and the Colorado Mammoth.

I’m not sure about you, but I’d be inclined to check out the details of a game wrap-up headlined under “MAMMOTH-RUSH.”

On the other hand, what’s with the Philadelphia Wings and Buffalo Bandits? Wouldn’t those nicknames be better if they were reversed – the Philadelphia Bandits and Buffalo Wings? But as I just found out about the NLL, I guess it’s not my place to second guess.

Indoor lacrosse is played on a surface that has the dimensions of a hockey rink, replete with boards and unbreakable glass panels. But the operation is far from rinky-dink.

Average attendance last season was a respectable 10,804. Games are scheduled on weekends – Fridays through Sundays, usually at 7:30 p.m. – with some matinees mixed in on Saturdays and Sundays.

One intriguing aspect is of the NLL is its cable-TV contract on OLN. (In September, to showcase its new emphasis on sports programming, OLN will change its name to VERSUS.)

Another virtue of the NLL is its compact season: The schedule is similar to football – eight home games, eight away – between January and April. Playoffs are single elimination, as is the championship. There’s even an All-Star game.

Rules and terminology are virtually identical to hockey, except there’s a lot more scoring, and the sheet of ice is covered by a turf carpet. Games are divided into 15-minute quarters, with a 12-minute halftime.

And then there are some subtleties about indoor lacrosse that require, well, being there. In a Feb. 5 game between the Toronto Rock and the Calgary Roughnecks, a Rock player was credited with collecting his 2,000th loose ball in a 14-10 victory.

I’m skeptical of the Tacoma Dome’s history with alternative sports leagues. OK, I’m skeptical of alternative sports leagues in general.

But the building could use a tenant, even if it’s only for eight home games a year, and the NLL’s network-television contract indicates stability. Whitsitt’s turbulent reign over the Trail Blazers – and his less-than-regal exit from the Seahawks – cannot obscure the fact he’s still a sharp dude who wouldn’t invest $5 million foolishly.

If KeyArena doesn’t prove to be a prudent match for an NLL franchise, it’d be kind of fun to watch lacrosse in the Dome, no?

Put it this way: Any league that keeps statistics for loose balls is a league that could prove to be a refreshing diversion to a relentless menu of basketball during February and March.

By the way, the name of the Rock star who became the first NLL player to reach the 2,000th loose-ball milestone?

Jim Veltman. His nickname is “Scoop.”

I think I’ll stay with indoor lacrosse legends for $400, Alex.

My favourite soprt is getting press! Positive press! YAY!