AZ HS: EDITORIAL: AYLL Sanctions Strike Perfect Balance
April 4th, 2010
By Nathan Max
WSL Executive Editor
I would like to congratulate the Arizona Youth Lacrosse League for its handling of the Mountain Pointe-Desert Mountain bench-clearing brawl.
On Saturday, the league handed down its ruling on the matter, and it struck the perfect balance between sending a strong message that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated, yet not being overly draconian as to being unfair. Furthermore, I love the language it chose to use in its press release to announce the sanctions.
“The players who were ejected for participating in the brawl at the end of the game noted above brought dishonor and embarrassment to their teams, their families and this league,” it says.
Now, I’m not sure if fighting during a sporting event really rises to the level of disgracing one’s family. That might be a little over the top. But aside from that small detail, the league is right on with every one of its sanctions.
To review.
1. All 19 players who were involved will be suspended for two games.
2. Both teams forfeit the game and take a loss.
3. All goals scored and stats accumulated during the game are removed from the record.
4. All players who took part are on probation for the rest of the season and could be suspended again for the remainder of the season if they get into another fight.
5. Both teams are placed on probation for the rest of the season and could be suspended if they continue to get in fights.
I agree with everything. Bench-clearing brawls during high school lacrosse games are very rare. In the five seasons I have run WSL, this is only the second time I can remember it happening. When it happens, it must be dealt with severely, and in this case it has.
Good job, AYLL.
typical
Call me whoever u want THE ACTIONS of this team speaks for itself...always trying to blame someone else because NOONE on Desert Mountain coaching staff understands that CHARACTER COUNTS and they totally lack it...they are not interested in the game or the kids....just for themselves like a bunch of middle aged soccer moms...I will await the next classless act by classless coaches
george
I was wondering when you were going to crawl out from under your rock and blast them. You will never change.
coaches
The board of desert Mountain should suspend these coaches and replace them immediately ..they have no respect for lacrosse.
Why are the coaches not suspended the entire incident is their fault!!Because the coaches and league officials are buddies...easy to blame children when it is the adults that should be suspended!!!
desert mountain
These coaches are arrogant and further promote this type of behavior..They are the most classless team in the entire country
Some clarification
To review your points:
1. There were more than 19 players suspended from the four teams involved. 19 players were suspended from DM and MP.
2. Only DM and MP have had their games forfeit. To date, The ND/Gilbert game was not a forfeit for either team.
3. Only the goals scored and stats accumulated in the DM/MP game are currently being removed from the records.
4. Accurate.
5. Accurate.
Some points of clarification regarding the DM/MP game:
-Both organizations support the decision of the AYLL to suspend the players involved for two games. This was not a "bench clearing brawl." 8 players from MP and a like number from DM were involved in the altercation. Many players from both squads showed good judgment and stayed away from the altercation. Several players from both teams were trying to pull their teamates out of the altercation. It is unclear why the MP/DM players are being penalized 3 games while the ND/Gilbert players are being penalized for 2 games. It is also unclear why the MP/DM penalty is being posted on the AZLAX website and the ND/Gilbert game is not.
Mesquite "Incidents"
Mesquite has a history of fighting/suspensions for both players and coaches. Obviously, past sanctions have had little effect, and it is past time for the AYLL to take more substantial measures.
Game management?
Did the AYLL santion the refs? It's pretty unusal to see a game ignite all of a sudden. There are typically plenty of little incidents that lead up to a problem like this. Refs have to control the game early and vigorously.
Sanctioning Refs
To my knowledge the refs have not been sanctioned nor do I think there are any grounds for sanctioning. There was no "event" or warning that the Refs had prior to the altercation itself. In fact, one of the officials was moving towards the two players who sparked the altercation in an effort to stop the event from escalating.
At the time of the incident there were zero penalties in the book for MP and zero personal fouls in the book for either team.