RECREATION
Lacrosse spotlight focuses on Hawai'i

By Casey McGuire-Turcotte
Special to The Advertiser

Whether a veteran player, a curious onlooker or somewhere in between, there is no better time to get a full dose of lacrosse than this weekend.

"Both games are very rough," says Tony Brown, president of the Hawai'i Lacrosse Club, referring to the men's, above, and women's games. "It's definitely not a game for the timid. Think hockey with less pads." Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

With more than 25 teams expected from Japan, Canada, and throughout the United States, this weekend's tournament at Kapi'olani Park not only will be one of the largest ever, but also the most competitive.

Some of the best professional lacrosse players from Major League Lacrosse, including the three top offensive threats in the game, will be among the athletes at the tournament.

"The semifinal and final matches this weekend will be World Games (akin to the World Cup) worthy," tournament co-director Mark Tarone said. "It will be lacrosse at its finest."

It is part football, part soccer, and just about every other sport you can think of.

Considered the fastest game on foot with high intensity and overall pace of play, lacrosse is a game of skill, speed, strength, and finesse. Its origins date back hundreds of years, when Native Americans in the northeast prepared for war by playing a version of today's game.

Each team is made up of 10 players — three defenders, three midfielders, three attackers, and a goalie — similar to soccer. The ball, which is about the size of a tennis ball, is made of hard rubber and weighs about five ounces. The goal is six-by-six feet.

Each player is equipped with a "crosse" (the stick) about three and a half feet long with a shallow basket attached at one end. The "head" is used to catch, pass, and maneuver the ball throughout the 60-minute game.

In men's matches, players wear protective headgear, knee and shoulder pads, and are free to tackle each other. In the women's version of the game, no protective gear is worn and contact is illegal, although not uncommon.

"Both games are very rough," said Tony Brown, president of the Hawai'i Lacrosse Club and co-director of the Invitational. "It's definitely not a game for the timid. Think hockey with less pads."

The women play without protective padding as checking and contact are against the rules, but it still happens during games. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

"New York and Maryland are hotbeds of the sport," Brown said. "Most of the players on the Hawai'i team are transplants from back East who played in college, but we love seeing fresh faces out here."

This weekend's competition will have 13 teams in the men's division, and 12 in the women's division.

Although the games will be highly competitive, tournament directors have made sure the players experience more than good lacrosse.

"Our attitude is big lacrosse, big aloha," Tarone said. "People skip other tournaments and save money to come here. We make sure everyone has a good time."

Although the tournament only happens once a year, the Hawai'i Lacrosse Club practices year-round at Kapi'olani Park.

Founded in 1989 by a group of former collegiate players, the club is working on building its youth program.

"We've had a lot of interest, and are raising funds to buy more equipment for the kids," Tarone said.

The average cost to outfit one player is about $200.

"We want them to be able to enjoy the sport without their parents having to make it a huge investment," Tarone said.

A free youth clinic is being offered from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, and boys and girls of all ages are invited to attend.

For more information on the Hawai'i Lacrosse Club or the Hawai'i Lacrosse Invitational, visit their Web site.