This post is a bit wordy, but please take the time to read it because there is a lot of information in there. The Standings are as follows: ORANGE CONFERENCE Division A 1. Pink Panthers (5-0) (2-0) 2. The Law Sharks (2-3) (1-1) 3. Fightin Pierogies (2-3) (1-1) 4. The Bar Down Boys (2-3) (0-1) 5. The Beavers (2-3) (0-1) Division B 1. ECRN (5-0) (2-0) 2. Arrow Head (3-2) (1-1) 3. Magnum Lacrosse (3-2) (0-1) 4. The Gryphons (2-3) (0-1) GREY CONFERENCE Division A 1. The Dills (4-1) (2-0) 2. Trailer Park Boys (3-2) (1-1) 3. The Flint Michigan Tropics (1-4) (1-1) 4. West Alumni (3-2) (0-1) 5. The Old Dogs/Lions (2-3) (0-1) Division B 1. BAFLC (5-0) (1-0) 2. OB Sauce (3-2) (0-1) 3. The Under Dogs (0-5) (0-0) 4. The Wild Cards (0-5) (0-1) The following topic has been addressed a couple of times but it bears repeating. The Playoffs. While the schedule was being made back in May there was discussion as to how we could keep a competitive within the league. We discussed splitting the league into 2 separate leagues according to the performance of the teams the year before. That didn’t prove to be a good idea at the time. The idea was then floated that based on last years records the higher ranked teams play each other while the lower ranked teams do the same. This would keep a competitive balance and ensure that everyone had felt good about their Summer. The only problem that needed to be addressed was playoff eligibility. It didn’t seem fair that a team who played a weaker schedule should get into the playoffs with a 5-3 record before a team playing a tough schedule with a 4-4 record. The answer was to seed the teams, have division play, and have the top 2 teams from each division make the playoffs. At that point, the Teams were ranked 1 through 20 (2 teams dropped out later on). This was based on last year’s performance, the roster they were entering, and just a bit of gut feeling. After the teams were seeded the divisions were formed. Teams 1, 5, 9, 13, and 17 went to Grey D-1 while Teams 2, 6, 10, 14, and 18 went to Grey D-2. Teams 3, 7, 11, 15, and 19 went to Orange D-1 and finally 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 went to Orange D-2. Now that the Divisions were formed every team now had/has an equal shot at making the playoffs by winning within their division. For example, in Orange D-2 BAFLC may be 5-0 overall but they are only 1-0 within the Division. They could still miss the playoffs if The Underdogs and Wild Cards go 3-0 and 2-1 within that Division. I mention BAFLC only because it’s easy to see but when you really look at it, the only team who has mathematically made the playoffs at this point is ECRN who is 2-0 within a 4 team division. Everyone else needs to work their butts off and win to take care of their business, starting tonight…hopefully, weather permitting. THE ALL STAR GAME I admit that due to my working out of town five days a week, coupled with the travel time, poor internet connection, then my work at home, and most importantly my family responsibilities, I’ve been a little behind in organizing the All-Star Game…But I have been working on it and here is where we are at: Why does the Lenape Lacrosse Summer League need an All-Star Game? It’s kind of over-kill isn’t it? Let’s be honest now; it’s a Beer League for College kids to stay in shape and it’s an opportunity for older guys who should just hang it up to stay in the game a bit longer…Right? Wrong! Well, maybe at Unos there is a substantial amount of beer drank following the games and yes, there are a couple of us who maybe should just hang it up at this point but that’s another story…This is much, much better than some beer league and we should treat it that way. We play in this league because we love this game. We also play because of the other people within the league, whether it be friends, acquaintances, or just flat out nasty players that you want to compete against. They say that lacrosse is a true fraternity and I believe that this league is the coolest, most bad-ass chapter out there. The All-Star game is a few things: From me, it is recognition and a Thank You to the best players in the league. Without the caliber of players we’ve had join this over the past few year the growth would be stagnant and this league would be average at best. For me it is a marketing opportunity. It is something that attracts even more teams by the word of mouth and obviously it’s great to have Lenape Lacrosse tee shirts being worn by elite players. For you it is an opportunity to be recognized. We all know that a Lenape Lacrosse All-Star game tee-shirt makes you even more appealing to the ladies. If that weren’t enough, for you Post Collegiate players it is an opportunity to be seen by two ALL Teams in the form of Dane Mangin’s Lenape Lacrosse Club and the Russ Taranto’s Gryphons For the Community there is a benefit as well. Before the game begins, there will be a 1 hour free clinic by volunteers from the game covering various topics from face-offs to shooting. If you are an All-Star and would like to do a 10 or 15 minute talk or are a non participant who would like to help run some drills please get in touch with me. I like the idea of the All-Star game being not only a recognition of the players but a homecoming of sorts for men who have helped build this community. The honorary Coaches of the teams this year are as follows: Archbishop Wood’s Don Mangin will be running the Orange Side Line this year. From ALC to Wood and in many places in between Coach Mangin has prowled the sidelines for 20 years and has helped shape the lives of hundreds of kids. He is a mountain of a man who you were not only afraid of, you greatly respected. Despite being incredibly intimidating this respect was not demanded, it was earned through his knowledge of the game and the fairness in which he treated people. We are fortunate to have him in our community. On the Grey Sideline Art Swiatkowsi, better known to most of you as Ski, has agreed to be part of the festivities this year. Ski was the founder, and to this day, is the heart of the Penridge programs from youth on up to the High School. Unlike Mangin, he wasn’t an intimidating figure on the sideline. He was soft spoken yet still earned a level of respect that most of us can only wish for. Disappointing Ski made you feel poor about yourself because he worked so hard and invested so much of himself into his players. He is one of those big hearted guys who lead by example and we should all grow up to be like him. The game is scheduled for Thursday July 24th at 6:30. Please come out to be a part of it whether as a spectator, a counselor, or participant and please spread the word to the youth about the clinic.
Posted on: Tue, 15 Jul 2014 11:44:11 +0000
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