PM Experiment

Net Loss

A first-time foray into lacrosse

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It’s 9:13 on a Sunday morning, so the fact that a few guys are late for practice at Brown’s Meister Kavan Field isn’t really fazing anyone. Today is the first practice of the season for Providence’s men’s over-40 lacrosse team, The ‘Gansett Grays. The energy is pretty muted until we all see a mid-fielder nicknamed Wolfman sprint across the turf with a bunch of half-inflated helium balloons that were bobbing mid-field, presumably from some shindig the night before. He ties each one to a point on the goal where players should aim the ball because they’re the most difficult areas for a goalie to defend. The other men like the challenge; they quickly throw together gloves and helmets, complain about various pains of aging, and then take the field. Practice is on.

Prior to 2010, The Olde New England Lacrosse League didn’t even have a Rhode Island team in competition. It was, in part, the dedication of founders Steve Danyla and Pete Moubayed that led the Grays to the championships in just two seasons. They lost that final game 9-8, but seriously, it was a pretty cool story. Both men credit the “G.G. factor” for the team’s success. While the Grays only take experienced players, skill means little if you’re not a good guy. Pete, who is sporting the team’s gray-haired skull and crossed lacrosse sticks logo as a tattoo on his shoulder, tells me they won’t sacrifice chemistry for wins.

After discussing mechanics while throwing the ball around with Steve, I decide that my level of play is far too pathetic to work in with the guys without forever tainting the sport they so obviously love; so I watch as they roll right into a pick-up game. They keep the lacrosse serious, but the mood light. After an eight-month off-season followed by 15 minutes of full speed play, Steve jokes, “Apparently, working out on the elliptical doesn’t do anything.” Then he runs right back into the action.

Rhode Island lacrosse, Olde New England Lacrosse League, Gansett Greys, fun, older players, over 40,

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