Let the Madness Begin!

In Under Armour’s most recent, Under the Armour episode, Brandon Jennings, the starting point guard for the Milwaukee Bucks emphatically said, “The harder you work when nobody is watching, the less you bleed when you go out there and perform.” A sports season can reveal a person character, span a lifetime of emotions- the highest highs and the lowest lows- but in the end; when tournament time rolls around, no matter what sport he/she plays, the team who works the hardest and overcomes those lows walks out on top.

Time to Re-Lax at the Face-Off Classic

It’s really hard to focus on lacrosse when there’s still snow on the ground and in the forecast (as is the case today here at Camden Yards.) But we can’t ignore that the season is already underway, rankings have been released, and the banners are hanging on Pratt Street. It’s almost time for the Face-Off Classic, that early season triple header which has become a favorite of laxers of all ages.

Since its inception in 2007, the Face-Off Classic has featured match ups of the country’s top teams. This year is no exception. Of the six teams competing, five are in the Press Box’s Top 15, including Syracuse, Virginia and Cornell.

Speaking of Press Box, that’s one of our favorite companions at the Turn Ten. The holiday and impending bad weather were a good reason for spending some quality time with both.

If you haven’t seen the current issue, check out all the pre-season predictions and who to look for on March 12th. There is in depth analysis of the top teams and local favorites we’ll be seeing this spring.

You’d better check out ticket availability, too. The good seats always go fast. This event is popular with families and youth leagues because there are so many kid-friendly activities to play and so many new products to see. With three local teams in the mix, that escalates the F&F (friends and family) factor, too.

Then, of course, there’s the tailgating. Last year, there were still mountains of dirty snow piled around the lots with grills smoking between and coolers stashed in them.

This is only the beginning of the season, which will culminate again with the NCAA Men’s Championship tournaments for D-I, II, and III at M&T over Memorial Day Weekend.

So it really must be spring, no matter what the calendar says. Before long, we should be hearing about another boffo sports event coming to our complex. And then, on Labor Day weekend, it will be the Baltimore Grand Prix zooming through our streets.

Forget the snow. Check out Press Box and get ready for the Lax invasion at Camden Yards.

Stix and Sunshine on Saturday

I’m going out on a limb here in weather-weary Maryland, but trust me –it will be sunny and bright when six of the top NCAA lacrosse programs visit M&T Bank Stadium for the 4th Annual Face-off Classic.

That’s right.  There’s still a mountain of slush in the outer parking lots (think of it as refrigeration for your tailgate beverages) but ample room for your first outdoor entertaining of the 2010 season. 

Lots open at 8:00 AM, which gives you plenty of time to fire up your grills before the 11:00 AM face-off between Maryland and Duke.  Princeton takes on Hopkins at 1:30 and, for the first time, Loyola and Notre Dame bring their traditional meeting to M&T at 4:00.

Inside Lacrosse promises lots of activities, giveaways, and attractions.  All I can offer is the sunshine. 

So bring your sticks and see how many snowmen you can level on Lot G.  It’s going to be a great day to celebrate spring — whether or not the groundhog agrees.