Bringing each team together as one group to discuss the procedures, Picard began by congratulating all the participants and welcoming them to one of the best days of their year: "I've used the same speech every year, but the moment is a special one for me," he said. "I welcome them, congratulate them, and explain what is expected of them. On one hand, it is an exhibition game—so we expect them to put on a good show and play hard. On the other hand, it is an exhibition game—and we don't want to see anyone get hurt or suffer from a needless penalty."
The players then collect their belongings, hear one final message from their head coach, and make the walk from the Fieldhouse to the imposing gates of Gillette Stadium. Whereas the walk from the practice facility to the turf at Harvard takes about six minutes, the trek from the Fieldhouse to the stadium was
closer to twenty. But as tired, hot, and achy as the athletes were, the gravitas of stepping on to the Gillette
Stadium turf erased any and all distaste from the mile-long trudge.
Exclamations such as, "Whoa, this is where Gronk spikes the ball," and "Here's where Edelman threw that TD pass against the Ravens!" could be heard from the benches from the delighted youth athletes. Or perhaps it came from the moms and dads who were right on the field with the athletes and just as awestruck.
Each game was action-packed, cleanly contested, and competitive. Of the
four games that after-noon/evening, three were decided by one goal or less and the fourth by only three goals.
"It's all we could ask for," said Picard. "I know the kids might not love a tie, but for a game like this, we sure do."
The 8th Grade Game had the unique distinction of being played after the Cannons game. The Cannons fought hard against the Ohio Machine with playoff implications on the line. In the end, they came up short [later clinching a playoff spot on
the road], but thanked the crowd for a season of support and fandom and cleared the path for the "seniors" of MBYLL to play their final game as a youth athlete.
All of these All-Stars will assuredly go on to tremendously successful high school careers. Most will lace-up for their college team. Some may even have the privilege of playing on this turf for a professional team immediately following a future installment of these great youth games.
The league's hope is that they reflect back on days like this and all of the spring Sundays from 1st grade through 8th in which they left the field happier and slightly better than when they stepped onto it. But any youth player who can recognize the importance of their lacrosse education and the enjoyment of playing this great sport gets the distinction of being called an MBYLL All-Star, whether they were there on July 11th or not.
-HLP
32 The Scoop / Summer '15