Swarm's Youth Box League Opens Sixth Season in the Twin Cities this Weekend

March 14, 2014 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Minnesota Swarm News Release


SAINT PAUL, Minn. - The Youth Box League (YBL) is proud to open its sixth season in the Twin Cities this weekend, and will once again provide local athletes with the opportunity to play box lacrosse in a competitive and fun environment. The YBL is the largest youth box lacrosse league in the country, and will feature two formats of box lacrosse this spring from March to May: the YBL Elite League and the YBL Developmental League.

This year, the YBL is excited to launch its inaugural Elite League, which will offer kids the opportunity to play real box lacrosse in a league format for the first time in Minnesota history. Real box lacrosse is played by thousands of amateurs in Canada, and is played professionally in the National Lacrosse League (NLL). Many of the country's best NCAA DI collegiate players grew up playing real box lacrosse, and attribute their success to the sport. The YBL Elite League will be governed by the Box Lacrosse Association of America (BLA), the national governing body of box lacrosse in the U.S.

"Launching the YBL Elite League is a huge step in the right direction for real box lacrosse at the youth level in Minnesota," Swarm Co-Owner and President Andy Arlotta said. "Our goal in the Elite League is to give participants a platform that really focuses on player development in an effort to help them improve their skills in the indoor or field game, and real box lacrosse has proven to do just that. We also wanted to give our participants a tremendous amount of value as YBL members. All Elite players will receive pro-style ProJoy jerseys, the opportunity to attend weekly clinics hosted by Swarm players, and complimentary tickets to home Swarm games."

Rule changes that will differentiate the Elite League from the Developmental League include legal cross-checking, increased player protection, including bicep and kidney pads, a 30-second shot clock, crease dives and the elimination of slashing, spearing, and wrap-around checks. Both coaches and referees in the Elite League also had to pass BLA certification courses in order to participate in games. The Elite League will feature two age groups, U13 and U15. Associations that are participating are Woodbury, Anoka, Oakdale, Jaxx, and one free agent team featuring athletes from throughout the Twin Cities.

"It's really exciting that associations in Minnesota will now be playing real box lacrosse," Swarm assistant coach and YBL Director Aime Caines said. "Growing up, I played real box lacrosse and continued to play my whole life all the way to the pro level in the NLL. I fell in love with the game, and I'm excited to help grow the real box game in Minnesota through the Elite League."

As in the previous five years, the YBL will continue to offer kids the chance to play a modified indoor lacrosse game, essentially the outdoor game played indoors in the Developmental League. Three age groups comprise the league: U11, U13, and U15. Associations participating this spring include Hastings, Edina, St. Michael/Albertville, Minnetonka, Wayzata, White Bear Lake, Hopkins, Woodbury, Maple Grove, Chisago Lakes, Bloomington, and one free agent team.

Both levels of the YBL will have a nine-game regular season, followed by playoffs in early May. Select players will also get the chance to participate in an All-Star Game at Xcel Energy Center on April 19. After the All-Star Game, the Minnesota Swarm will host the Colorado Mammoth for #PlayMNBox Night at The Hive, which will honor local youth lacrosse players.

All athletes that participate in the YBL this spring will receive four vouchers to Swarm games, as well as the opportunity to attend weekly box lacrosse clinics hosted by Swarm players and coaches.

Presenting sponsors of the YBL in 2014 are Blue Line Medical Services and Anderson Insurance and Investment Agency. Supporting partners include Lax All-Stars, Under Armour, EPOCH Lacrosse, Aspire Beverage Company, Play Like Pro Lacrosse Camp, East Coast Dyes, Boddam goalie gear, Burger Moe's and Holiday Inn I-94 East.

"Our partners have helped add lots of value to the YBL, and their support is really allowing the box game take off in the Twin Cities," Arlotta said. "I'd like to thank all of our partners for their efforts in aiding the growth of the YBL, and helping make it the largest youth box league in the country."

Be sure to FOLLOW the YBL on Twitter @SwarmYBL and LIKE the Youth Box League on Facebook at facebook.com/playmnbox. For more information on the YBL, please visit mnboxlacrosse.com. For more information on how your local association can play REAL BOX LACROSSE, visit the Box Lacrosse Association of America (BLA) at blalax.com.



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