Get in the Box

Those of you that have been reading my ramblings since I joined Walax know that I’m not a lacrosse player, merely a fan of the game.  The extent of my lacrosse playing has come during a rousing game of catch or in the midst of warm-ups at Stealth practices and shootarounds.  And to be quite frank, I’m terrible.  I get excited when I successfully catch and throw without the ball touching the ground a few times in a row.  



But one thing has always torn me up inside as I watch games being played: I have no idea what it’s like to be on the field.  That is, until I jumped in a pick-up indoor game at Arena Sports in Redmond on Tuesday night.

Normally, I reserve my Tuesday nights for trivia night at my favorite bar and grill or a night on the couch with “Dancing with the Stars” (just kidding).  But for the second straight week I received an invite from Washington Stealth player Jason Bloom to join him for some “drop-in” lacrosse (I’m guessing that’s Canadian for pick-up games).  Despite my hesitation to jump in with a bunch of experienced laxers and take a solid rubber ball off the dome, this week I decided to go for it.

I walk into the arena (or barn for our Canadian readers) with nothing but a stick in hand.  And it’s a beginner stick.  I then bum a helmet from Bloom and elbow pads and gloves from Overlake coach Henry Valentine.  Immediately, I realize how out of place I am as I ask for help dressing myself.  Much to my embarrassment, that got a few laughs from the guys getting ready nearby.  This is going to be a disaster.

I ask Valentine if I am going to get killed to which he replies, “probably” (I don’t think he realized my inquiry was serious).  Snohomish coach Chris Sherman attempts to comfort me saying, “you’ll get a few bruises, but rarely are there any broken bones.”  Excuse me while I go get a clean pair of pants.

I take my place at the end of the bench (trying to delay my impending death) as guys on the bench assure me there is very little contact in these pick-up games.  Apparently, I am the only guy they were telling, because I very clearly see guys going in with a lowered shoulder.  As guys exit the floor for substitutions, I creep closer to the front of the bench and taking the floor.  Here we go.


A few minutes into my first ever lacrosse shift, I pick up a loose ball on the defensive end (that’s one GB for Mike, for those of you scoring at home).  I turn to go up the field and immediately face two defenders that check the ball out of my stick with ease.   Being a competitive guy, it was the beginning of a frustrating night as I turned the ball over way too often and felt out of place at times.


Even though the pick-up games have “very little contact”, there was plenty of physical play.  Pushing and shoving for loose balls and violent stick checks left a few bruises on my arms and a rug burn or two on my knees.  I can’t imagine what it must be like playing in the National Lacrosse League.

Looking back, I’d like to think I improved as the night went on, but my teammates might have a different opinion.  I caught most passes thrown my way (the ones I dropped I blame on the lighting - that’s my story and I’m sticking to it).  I made a few somewhat accurate passes.  But as the game wore on, my respect for those that play this game continued to grow.

My first playing experience gave me a bit of insight into what Washington’s youth are going through right now as they learn to play this great sport.  And the fact that 25 guys came out to play lacrosse until 11:30pm on a school night is a testament to the growth of the sport in the area. 

I can see why this is the nation’s fastest growing sport even more now that I’ve taken the field.  I can see why so many kids pick up a stick for the first time and never want to put it down.  And I can see why so many who have played this game consider lacrosse the greatest sport in the world. 

But despite my frustrations, my bruises and my rug burns, I had a great time. I am already chomping at the bit to get out there again and improve my game.  Granted, I’m going to need to hit the wall to work on my stick skills, but I’m even excited to do that.  While I don’t expect to be playing at the highest level anytime soon, at least next time I’ll know how to put on my elbow pads.