Harvard Youth Lacrosse is pleased to offer a Fall Ball program in 2020! We welcome boys and girls in grades K-8 of all ages and abilities. No experience is required! The program will begin the first weekend in October and run for 5 sessions (4 weeks total). A practice pinnie will be included with each registration.
Unfortunately we are not able to play games this fall. Instead, practices will be run "clinic style" with a focus on skill development. We will keep it light and have a lot of fun.
Harvard has been approved to receive grant funds from MBYLL (boys league), and we are therefore able to offer this fall boys program at no cost to you. An active registration with MBYLL is required for insurance purposes. (If you registered last year you are covered; if you did not register last year you will need to sign up for the 2021 season at http://www.mbyll.org/; the rate is discounted to $30.)
The Town of Harvard is charging all groups a rental fee for field use this year. There is a modest fee ($35) for the girls fall ball program as the FGLL (girls league) does not have the same grant program as MBYLL. A current US Lacrosse membership (girls who registered in the spring are covered for fall) or an active FGLL registration (new players for fall and for all players next year; $30 fee) is required for insurance purposes for girls.
In order to complete registration, you will be required to sign the Harvard Youth Lacrosse Code of Conduct that has always been a part of any registration, as well as a Covid Waiver new for Fall 2020.
HYL will be following state guidelines for youth sports in Phase 3. A link with descriptions to the state guidelines can be found here:
For boys lacrosse, that means we are able to run non-contact, socially distanced practices with no more than 25 participants per group, and no more than 50 people on a field at one time. This will not be an issue for us based on our numbers and schedules. Masks are required walking to and from the field but not during active practice. All players will be required to space their bags/water bottles at least 6 feet apart. Coaches will be wearing masks.
For girls lacrosse, that means we are able to run regular practices, drills, and games. With no more than 25 participants per group, and no more than 50 participants on the field at one time. This will not be an issue for us based on our numbers and schedules. That being said, HYL has made the decision to limit contact for fall 2020 in girls lacrosse, and we will only be running drills where we can maintain distance. Masks are required walking to and from the field but not during active practice. All players will be required to space their bags/water bottles at least 6 feet apart. Coaches will be wearing masks.
Coaches for the individual teams will follow up with practice schedules. It is anticipated that each group will meet once a week, on either a Friday, Saturday or Sunday. The number of participants will dictate scheduling. It is possible we will need to combine certain age groups.
We look forward to seeing you on the field soon!
Equipment Needed
For Boys: Players are required to have a regulation helmet with chinstrap, mouthguard*, regulation gloves, shoulder pads, elbow pads, and a lacrosse stick. "Long poles" are routinely used by the defense (beginning U13). Cleats are very helpful. HYL is doing what it can to encourage equipment swaps; however, for new players, we strongly recommend you buy a new helmet due to safety concerns around used helmets. Also, the HYL program will make some used or new equipment available to families facing financial hardship.
For Girls: Players are required to have a US Lacrosse approved girls stick (no boys sticks except for Junior Warps legal through grade 2), goggles & mouthguard*. Cleats are very helpful.
*SISU makes a great mouthguard (more thin & comfortable) that is approved by US Lacrosse and all major sports organizations and can be found on Amazon or direct through SISU.
Questions
For registration technical issues, please contact our webmaster Sarah Piekos at sarah_piekos@yahoo.com or 617-504-8816.
For boys program inquiries, please contact Jason Pinney at
or 617-388-3141.
For girls program inquiries, please contact Jen Pinney at
or 617-699-0183.
