As Major League Lacrosse is getting set to begin training camps this weekend, The National Lacrosse League is just about to kick off their post season. For the past few years it has become more common for some of the top players to compete in both leagues, indoor and outdoor. Players like The Cannon’s own Paul Rabil who in the “off season” plays for The Washington Stealth in the NLL.
This past season, three out of the top five point getters in the MLL were also on NLL rosters, Matt Danowski, Brendan Mundorf and Paul Rabil. This brings up some interesting questions. What benefit does participating in the indoor league give to MLL players if any?
Take Paul Rabil for instance. In 2010’s regular season he scored 21 goals with 10 assists for The Boston Cannons. In 2010’s regular season for The Washington Stealth he recorded 11 goals and 26 assists. This ends up equaling out to 37 points in both leagues for 2010. So far in 2011 in box play he has 13 goals with 29 assists, 42 points with one more game to go.
The obvious advantage is a shorter off season. Even though the rules of the two leagues are indeed different and the aspect of the boards and added physicality make it a different animal, the fundamentals are still the same. It is still high level professional lacrosse and allows players to keep their skill set sharpened to a fine edge.
The obvious disadvantages are the rules. Indoor lacrosse rules allow for cross checking, fighting and play without a stick. This in theory adds a greater chance for injury within the game. Rabil has one regular season game left and then the Stealth are in the playoffs. If the team were to go on a run and get to the finals Mr. Rabil would find himself playing in a Championship game the day after The Boston Cannons season opener. One fight that ends with a broken hand, one wrong cut on indoor turf or one big hit in to the boards could have devastating results on The Cannons season.
In the end, both leagues are working towards the same cause, the advancement and increased popularity of professional lacrosse in The United States and Canada. Rabil has become one of the major faces of Lacrosse in recent years. Leagues as well as sponsors and fans are benefiting from his participation in both games. Hopefully he does not push too far and in the process burn himself out.
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