The Buffalo Bandits have announced the return of the newly expanded Jr. Bandits Box Lacrosse League. Starting in November, Pee Wee, Bantam and high school-age players will have a chance to participate in a 12-session program coached by current Bandits players, including Josh Byrne, Chris Cloutier and Dhane Smith.
Cost per participant is $299 for runners with 60 spots available. Goalies can sign up for free, but participation is limited to four spots per division. Sessions will be held at Epic Center in Williamsville. Players must provide their own equipment including stick (no wooden sticks or long poles), gloves, helmet, shoulder pads, mouthpiece and footwear (sneakers only, no cleats).
Coaches will educate participants in the rules and basic skills of indoor lacrosse through practices and games. After two sessions of instruction and evaluations, participants will be placed on teams and compete for the league championship in February.
New this year, all games will consist of three 15-minute running clock periods. If a game is tied at the end of regulation, it will be decided by a three-player shootout. If it remains tied, there will be a continuous sudden death shootout. Each game on the schedule will be officiated by USBOXLA-certified box lacrosse referees and will be played under USBOXLA rules.
Both the Bantam and high school divisions will play seven games throughout the winter and the Pee Wee division will play eight games, with their first four games being preceded by a 25-minute practice. All Pee Wee games and a limited number of Bantam games will played on a boxed 100- by 90-foot field. The rest of the Bantam games and all high school games will be played on a regulation-size rink.
Dates, times and other details can be found below:
Dates:
Nov. 4, 11, 18
Dec. 2, 9, 16
Jan. 6, 13, 27
Feb. 3, 10, 24
Times: All sessions will take place in the evening, but session times will vary by week.
Ages:
Pee Wee – 2008 and 2009 birth years
Bantam – 2006 and 2007 birth years
High School – 2002 through 2005 birth years
Location: Epic Center, 2793 Wehrle Drive, Williamsville
All participants will receive:
- Two evaluation dates, at least seven games and two potential playoff games
- Coaching from current Bandits players, including Josh Byrne, Chris Cloutier and Dhane Smith
- USBOXLA membership and insurance, valued at $45
- USBOXLA-certified referees for each game
- Jr. Bandits Box League practice pinnie
- Jr. Bandits Box League game jersey
- 2019-20 Bandits team yearbook
- Four 2019-20 Bandits ticket vouchers
- Select autographed Bandits player photo
- Championship medals
- League and team MVP awards
- Player of the Game prizes
- End-of-year pizza party
For more information, please visit Bandits.com/BoxLeague or contact Dan Ristine via email at Da*********@ba*****.com.
