They're Back!

The players are hitting the floor once again all over North America. The NLL open training camps have begun to take place in all but two of the 11 city league. These first tryouts are open to anyone who wants to step up and play with the big boys. A team is allowed to carry a 23 man roster throughout the season and the first step for any rookies or walk-ons is to take part in the open training camps. Most of the veterans do not compete during the first session of tryouts but then are required as more cuts are made to the team. Think you live too far away from Minnesota or Arizona to tryout? Well guess again, most teams' tryouts are held in hotbeds of lacrosse, like southern Ontario, Vancouver or Philadelphia. So no one wants to hear you in the stands telling your friends how you would score on Dallas Eliuk, beat Veltman to the groundball or go toe to toe with Tim, "The Surgeon" O'Brien. These camps will be a first chance for fans to see their favorite players in action since last year. The camps start with a large pool of people and after the first or second cuts, the players are moved to their home city and an open practice is held for the fans. Fan fests as many teams call them include media and fans watching inter-squad scrimmages, give aways and autograph signings.