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photo by Steve VanGunda
Tom Scarborough tosses a ball to a group of school children during their lacrosse game.
Lacrosse lesson exposes new world
Published Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Natchez — It’s always fun to learn a new game.
Area students like Emma Hogue got the opportunity to do just that last week at the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians.
Natchez resident Tom Scarborough was on hand to teach the children about lacrosse.
“Where did lacrosse come from?” Scarborough said.
Photo by Steve VanGunda
Children scramble for a ball on the ground during a friendly game of lacrosse at the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians. Students learned about the Native American version of the game called stickball while there.
Hands shot into the air and answers were shouted out.
Lacrosse originated from the Native American game stickball, where teams would compete to strike a wooden fish atop a pole with the ball.
With a shortened history of the origins of stickball shared, Scarborough began laying out ground rules for the lacrosse game. To pick up the ball, bend close to the ground and sweep the lacrosse stick forward. Digging at the ball from an angle will only push it into the ground. Both hands were to be kept on the lacrosse stick. No hitting and no picking up the ball with your hands.
“Also no slashing,” Scarborough said. “That’s where you make a over head chop with your stick.”
With the rules in hand, Scarborough had the children spread out. Goal tenders were chosen and the game was set to begin. As referee, Scarborough made sure no one got hurt.
Children scrambled for the ball tossed into the air. The clatter of sticks could be heard across the old stickball field at the Grand Village.
After a few moments of 20 children digging for the ball, Scarborough called for another toss of the ball. This time, the orange team was ready and after a few nice passes was able to score. That would be the only score of a game that only lasted eight minutes.
“It’s a fun game, but kind of hard” Hogue said.
“I hope by teaching the kids about lacrosse, that it will spark some interest in the school,” Scarborough said.
“Mississippi and Louisiana are kind of the last holdouts for the game. Hopefully, coaches will see that lacrosse is a perfect complementary conditioning sport to keep their athletes in shape during the off season.”
Comments
Posted by NatchezBell (anonymous) on October 14, 2008 at 8:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wonderful game...Keep up the good work and it will become a reality....
Posted by eagleX2 (anonymous) on October 14, 2008 at 7:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tom Scarborough is a man who really cares about the young citizens of Natchez and the world. Wish there were more adults like him. Greed and self centeredness are not part of his character. Area fathers, take note! He is truly making the world better by his positive effect on kids!
Posted by destiny (anonymous) on October 15, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My son tried to draw interest to this sport 20 yrs ago but it didn't take off. It's a sport that has to evolve in it's own time. I felt at that time and still even now, that it would pay homage to our native American's by adopting it in the sports world. I hope to be able to see a game soon. Wish you great luck in getting it started.
Posted by Idefinitelymight (Tom Scarborough) on October 15, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I want to make note that Andy Peabody and I have worked together in the recent past to cultivate interest in the game in Natchez. Andy played college lacrosse against the great NFL running back Jim Brown, who considered lacrosse to be his primary sport. Mr. Peabody and I temporarily shelved our efforts to start a youth team in Natchez, but I'm certain that neither of us has given up the vision. I am currently trying to organize a high school exhibition game at Grand Village featuring teams from schools in Louisiana, to be played sometime in November. Keep an eye on The Democrat for further developments.
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