Major League Lacrosse
From Free net encyclopedia
Major League Lacrosse is a professional field lacrosse league played in the United States. MLL began play in the summer of 2001 as a single-entity-ownership league. MLL was founded by Jake Steinfeld, Dave Morrow and Tim Robertson in 1999. Steinfeld is well-known for creating the "Body By Jake" line of exercise equipment and videos. Morrow is a former All-American lacrosse player and the president of Warrior Lacrosse Equipment.
The season runs from May to August. MLL rules that differ from traditional lacrosse rules include: a two-point goal line 15 yards from each goal, a 60-second shot clock, a limit of three long-stick defensemen per team, the elimination of the restraining box and the release of all players on the face-off. The 60-second shot clock was changed from a 45-second shot clock in 2005.
MLL announced on March 9 2005 that the league would expand to Los Angeles for the 2006 season; the team will play its home games at Home Depot Center and will be operated by AEG, Inc. The league announced on July 2 that Denver, Colorado would also be an expansion city with a team playing at INVESCO Field. The league later added teams in Chicago, Illinois and San Francisco, California and created a western division for these teams, which will all start in the 2006 season.
The league was divided into the American Division — Boston, Bridgeport (moved to Phildadelphia in 2004) and Long Island — and the National Division — Baltimore, New Jersey and Rochester — from 2001 until 2005. The league played a 14-game regular season its first two years; in 2003, the schedule was cut to 12 games.
Contents |
Teams in MLL
Eastern Conference
- Baltimore Bayhawks
- Boston Cannons
- Long Island Lizards
- New Jersey Pride
- Philadelphia Barrage
- Rochester Rattlers
Western Conference
MLL Championship Games
| Year | Champion | Score | Runner-up | Location | Game MVP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Long Island Lizards | 15-11 | Baltimore Bayhawks | Bridgeport, Connecticut | Paul Gait (Long Island) |
| 2002 | Baltimore Bayhawks | 21-12 | Long Island Lizards | Columbus, Ohio | Mark Millon (Baltimore) |
| 2003 | Long Island Lizards | 15-14 (OT) | Baltimore Bayhawks | Villanova, Pennsylvania | Kevin Lowe (Long Island) |
| 2004 | Philadelphia Barrage | 13-11 | Boston Cannons | Boston, Massachusetts | Greg Cattrano (Philadelphia) |
| 2005 | Baltimore Bayhawks | 15-9 | Long Island Lizards | Boston, Massachusetts | Gary Gait (Baltimore) |
League Officials
- 1999-2002 - Gabby Roe (Executive Director)
- 2002-03 - Matthew Pace (Executive Director)
- 2003-04 - David Gross (Chief Operating Officer)
- 2004- - David Gross (Commissioner)
League Office
- 1999-01 - East Rutherford, NJ
- 2001-04 - Secaucus, NJ
- 2004-present -Boston, MA
See also
- Major League Lacrosse All-Star Game
- Major League Lacrosse MVP Award
- Major League Lacrosse Rookie of the Year Award
- Major League Lacrosse Coach of the Year Award
- Major League Lacrosse Defensive player of the Year Award
- Major League Lacrosse Offensive player of the Year Award
- Major League Lacrosse Goaltender of the Year Award
- Major League Lacrosse first overall collegiate draft choice
- Major League Lacrosse Sportsman of the Year Award
- Major League Lacrosse Most Improved Player of the Year Award
- Major League Lacrosse Community Service Award
- List of MLL seasons
- National Lacrosse League - the men's indoor lacrosse league in the United States and Canada
- Sports league attendances