Surprises?
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yes, it will stop raining -
When will the schedule be posted? I need to get a pedicure and plan my Starbucks trip.Comment
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That's a prediction, not a surprise (but will be welcomed).Originally posted by Unregistered View PostComment
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All players and their families playing this weekend should be proud to have made it this far. There are many who wish they were here. Enjoy the games! Be good sports win, lose or draw.Comment
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Weather reports are looking OK, especially for Sunday, but we shall see. As long as there is no lightning in the area, expect Mass Youth to play the games. Even the grass fields at Lancaster do a pretty good job of holding water so conditions should be fine. Here are a few thoights on the RR... sort of an introduction to the uninitiated and refresher for others:
1. PARKING> Traditionally, Mass youth has required most participants/family to park off site and have used a bus system to transport to the games. Mass Youth has added a New On-Site Lot with space for up to 800 additional cars. SO there will be no buses this year. But it could make traffic within the site a little dicey. MYSA will have lots of volunteers (and local police) present to direct traffic, but as with anything new, expect some bugs and inconveniences. Basically if you are playing on Fields 1-10 you will park in the Old Lot. If you are on the back fields 11-18 (called upper fields by MYSA) you will be directed to a new lot behind those fields. This will require an extended drive around the fields and out to the old quarry area. Walk distances will be 3/10 of a mile to those fields, but MYSA is allowing drop offs by the field (and an "Express Lane" for direct travel to the new lot). You can still pay the $10 and park at the Toyota dealership, actuakky a great option if you are on the front fields.
2. WARM-UP/ PRE-GAME> Usually, all of the fields at the Lancaster facility are scheduled with games. So there is no designated practice/ warm up area. Teams have created some space on the edges of the fields but typically it is small and cramped.
3. TEAM TENTS AND BETWEEN GAMES> Unlike U Mass Amherst, which had areas that afforded space so teams could set up a tent and wait in-between games together. Lancaster tends to be more crowded. There are some spots for a team to get away and avoid the sun (or rain) with a cover, but you have to be there early and stalk out a liitle spot to call your own. There is a small, but cozy, picnic area off of the back fields (with some picnic tables and shade) but it is very small.
4. RAIN/ LIGHTNING COVER> MYSA spent considerable money to build protective structures in the event of heavy rains and/or lightning. They take lightning safety very seriously and it would be atypical if you didn't see at least one stopage during the weekend (lets hope not). If there is a delay get to one of the structures or hit your car.
5. ON SITE CONSESSIONS> Are on average pretty good. MYSA contracts out with vendors who do a decent job of providing typical fare, hamburgers, hot dogs ect. It isn't cheap but in a pinch it is OK. Try the ice cream stand which is usually the best option.
6. OFF-SITE FOOD> Head west on Rt 2 one exit and there is a shopping plaza with some sit-down options. Next stop is Lunenburg and the Aviatoor Mall which has some other spots. Further west is Fitchburg with more.
7. ON SITE ACCESIBILITY> As was shown above with parking, you can walk an easy mile just getting to and from the fields, and to restrooms (there are lots of porta johns) If you have never been to Lancaster, expect to walk, a lot, on gravel and uneven surfaces. There is a decent amount of stairs to get from the Main Lot to the front fields as well. If you have grandma or grandpa with you TAKE ADVANTAGE OF DROP OFF OPPORTUNITIES! Finally, there are NO spectator stands at Lancaster so bring chairs if you want to sit.
Good Luck to all!!Comment
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Nice post, but you forgot the rock looming above field 1. Good spectator stand for 3-4 people. It will come rolling down one day.Originally posted by Unregistered View PostComment
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The turf fields are starting to come up in 5 yard seams.Comment
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Sat on that rock. My team lost the states last year.Sitter bewareOriginally posted by Unregistered View PostComment
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Not a big deal, but MYSA might want to do better job of staggering the schedule for the 2 age groups that will attract the most attention from college coaches (mostly only local schools anyway). If you are going to schedule the U-16 and U-17 girls at the same time- at least put them on the same set of fields (rather than putting one age group up top and the other on the lower fields). And for those of you who think I am just another whining parent- I heard this comment directly from a college coach.Comment
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MYSA is not there to appease the college coaches. Now go back to the sidelines and yell at the ref even though you have no idea what the rules are.Originally posted by Unregistered View PostComment
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Your posts are so lame. As trolls go, you're not even a clever one. Just generic nasty. Don't t bother.Originally posted by Unregistered View PostComment
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