At the youth, collegiate, and professional levels, it's clear that the sport of lacrosse has expanded beyond its normal comfort zone in the mid-Atlantic and northeastern United States. Lacrosse is booming at the youth and high school levels nationwide. Major League Lacrosse formalized the Western Conference in 2006. Three GWLL teams made the NCAA tournament this past year. Jacksonville U. is adding a D-I team in the coming years. With all these stars aligning, I did some playing commissioner with a mythical expansion of MLL. Actually, I put this together almost a year ago, before such occurrences as the Philadelphia [sic] Barrage's home-away-from-home season revealed a) potential expansion target cities and b) the harsh reality that they are likely goners from the City of Brotherly Love. I'll address that in the post. But for now. My quite-generous expansion (to 16 teams) and explanations behind the teams I've added.

Northern Conference

a€¢ Boston Cannons

a€¢ Chicago Machine

a€¢ Long Island Lizards

a€¢ Rochester Rattlers

Southern Conference

a€¢ Carolina Crosshairs*

a€¢ Dallas Barons*

a€¢ Virginia Militia*

a€¢ Washington Bayhawks

Eastern Conference

a€¢ Cincinnati Copperheads*

a€¢ Delaware Riders*

a€¢ New Jersey Pride

a€¢ Philadelphia Barrage

Western Conference

a€¢ Denver Outlaws

a€¢ Los Angeles Riptide

a€¢ San Francisco Dragons

a€¢ St. Louis Archers*

So my expansion teams:

-Carolina Crosshairs:

Why Carolina: OK, so a little is because I'm a shameless homer, but it's a spot that MLL has identified, playing a game this year in Cary. The collegiate success of UNC and Duke only adds to the appeal in the area.

Why the Crosshairs: Carolina's got a rich military history, ranging from the Revolutionary and Civil Wars to Camp Lejeune and Fort Bragg. Plus the US Marines are a sponsor of MLL.

-Dallas Barons:

Why Dallas: Another location identified by MLL, who played a gamein Texas Stadium this year.

Why the Barons:The obvious tie-in is oil barons, but it works from a nobility standpoint as well.

-Virginia Militia:

Why Virginia: Specifically Richmond, where my mythical team resides. It's far enough from the Bayhawks in Washington, a growing lacrosse-rich zone, and not far removed from UVA. That said, MLL's match in VA Beach makes the Hampton Roads area an option as well.

Why the Militia: A similar military tradition, specifically with militia organization.

-Cincinnati Copperheads:

Why Cincinnati: Lacrosse is growing in Ohio in general, and a franchise in Cincy could capitalize not only on the home state, but also on Kentucky, which features D-I Bellarmine in the college ranks.

Why the Copperheads: Historically, copperheads were northern--including just over the Ohio River--anti-war symathizers to the confederate cause. More appropriately howerver, a copperhead is a bad-ass venomous snake indigenous to the Eastern United States.

-Delaware Riders:

Why Delaware: I told you I'm a homer! But statriotic motives aside, Delaware is a lacrosse-heavy zone in a state that doesn't currently have any major league teams of its own. Further, with the Bayhawks moving to DC, those in northeastern Maryland were left without a team to call their own--home games in UD's Delaware Stadium could serve this population as well. And with the Barrage on their way out, this team could be the mid-Atlantic's golden boy. In addition to naming the First State, Delaware could double as a reference to the Delaware Valley.

Why the Riders: Commemorating Caesar Rodney's famous ride from Dover to Philadelphia to cast the deciding vote that would lead Delaware to vote for American Independence in July of 1776.

-St. Louis Archers

Why St. Louis: It's a major midwestern metropolis, and another one of the spots identified by MLL.

Why the Archers: C'mon. St. Louis. The Arch. Admit it. You love it.

As I mentioned, Philly leaving gums up the works a bit with the teams I have slated. No matter--let's bring in the Portland Rippers, repping Rip City, for the northwestern crowd. It'll shake up the division a little, but that can be fixed. Besides. It's all in good fun.

Thesis: DCI's Summer Music Game should be regularly televised, preferably on a college sports network.

Disclaimer: While I'm a band dork to the gills, I am not now, nor have I ever been or do I ever plan to be, in the camp that believes that marching band or drum corps are sports. True enough, I post marching content on a sports site but that's because I talk about both in my blog. And the fact is, several sports networks (I'm looking in your direction, worldwide leader) play non-sports content on a regular basis. That said, some facts to support my statement:

-With the addition of Fan Network, DCI and its member corps are used to providing content throughout the summer and broadcasting entire shows.

-College sports channels, by their very nature, are starved for new content throughout the summer months.

-72% of DCI corps members are full-time college students (so says DCI)

Seem like a natural pairing to anyone else? Because it sure does to me.

Last weekend, in Orlando, FL, Carolina Crown accomplished something they had never done before: They defeated the 9-time World Champion Cadets in head-to-head competition, resulting in a gold medal. Later in the week, in Mississippi, they did it once more to prove it wasn't a fluke. The victory in Orlando, combined with a stellar summer record and a little luck of the draw, made them the headliners of tonight's DCI San Antonio, where they will face off against all of the activity's finest. This summer--and particularly this past week--has shown that judges are starting to catch onto what fans have seemingly known for years: Carolina Crown is legit and here to stay.

Crown has long been a fan favorite--formalized last year with the Spirit of Disney Fan Favorite award--and a favorite of mine. I remember falling in love with them and their 2005 show at DCI Orlando, and I don't remember if it was directly related to me being a shameless homer (I knew by that point that I was moving to NC) or because they are that damn good. Chances are it was a combination of both. They've been one of my favorite corps (along with Santa Clara Vanguard) ever since. The last two off-seasons have included moves that I believe are strong steps in the right direction: Already a hornline powerhouse, Crown brought in Lee Beddis as percussion caption head prior to the 2007 season to beef up the drumline. Beddis joined a team that ultimately put forth Triple Crown, the Fan Favorite, Classic Countdown, and ultimately 6th place--Crown's highest ever placement in Finals--show. This past off-season, when DCI rules expanded corps sizes from 135 to 150, Crown used the opportunity to add power to their already stellar hornline, including the much lauded and unprecedented 16 tubas. Part of the result is that this year's show "Finis", at least so far, has been kicking ass, taking names, and perhaps more importantly, pleasing fans all summer long. Because I'm a fan of DCI and Carolina Crown, I'm going to STRONGLY recommend that you check out your local live show or join the DCI Fan Network to get a full glimpse of the show, but for those that care to get their faces rocked off on the cheap, rumor has it that the show is available on a popular video sharing site whose name rhymes with Moo Boob.

This summer I intended to get my drum corps fix early and, at the urging (and they REALLY had to twist my arm) of some fellow drum corps fans and friends of mine, headed down to Columbia for FirstBEAT. Because I was traveling with band directors and other staff members, I actually got the pleasure of attending a clinic series that Crown put on prior to the event. If I didn't love them already, this certainly would have turned me. All of the clinics were led by Crown staff and moderated by their director, Kevin Smith (with whom I had the pleasure of having dinner while trying not to be Stan). The part that really got me is that the corps is focused, starting from the very top, on providing an unmatched experience for their students and for the fans of the activity. Their COO even so much as said that winning the fan favorite award meant more to them than a gold medal. And with that attitude, I see both in their future. Give 'em hell, Crown!

The Ohio State Buckeyes already broke the regular season and on-campus records this past year by pairing a lacrosse game with their spring football game; How big could the attendance be when the opponent is Notre Dame, a name Buckeyes fans know from the gridiron?

So as is absolutely no surprise to anyone who reads this, I'm a Philly sports fan. As such, I'm pleased, essentially in a reflexive manner, that the Soul are headed to Arena Bowl XXII.

Now, do I follow arena football? Not a lick. Do I even watch arena football? I may pause for a few minutes on my way to something else. But will i be riding hard with the Soul on their way to the championship? YOU'RE GOT DAMN RIGHT.

And I sense--no, I KNOW--that I'm not alone. Such is in the DNA of a Philly Sports Fan. While primary allegiances are likely to any or all of the 4 major sports, if it's stamped Philly, it becomes something into which to pour your heart and, as it were, soul. It makes just some guy into a diehard Phantoms fan. It makes Joe Average a Barrage aficionado. (both of the previous have multiple championships in their respective sports, I'm required to mention) Hell, it turned some of us into rabid supporter of Smarty Jones, before he too fell shy of the glory as we've watched so many do before and since. It doesn't matter--sheer love of the city (or in of our cases, the Delaware Valley as a whole) puts these teams near and dear to the heart.

So give 'em hell, Soul. Warm up the championship parade route for October. And February. And June. And... ah, hell, you get it. And if you don't, you never will.

Major League Lacrosse has announced the 2008 All-Star teams. See who will be headed to the Mile High City!

So apparently, on the ESPN Family of Networks it's a huge deal that Pat Riley *might* not select Beasley with the #2 pick of tomorrow's NBA draft. True enough, he's a helluva ballplayer and a consensus top 2 pick. But must there be a reason or an uproar that Riles is considering not picking him? That he dare disagree with the mighty media? Last I checked, isn't that why it's a pick?

The Boys (and Girls) of Summer are back--this weekend, the 2008 edition of Drum Corps International's Summer Music Games, and by weekend's end, nearly every World Class corps will have at least one show under their belt. With this in mind, I offer an early season primer on things that excite me (and a few that don't) about this coming season.

1. World Championships - I took the plunge and went all in--I'm headed to Indiana in early August for the 2008 DCI World Championships. Championships was supposed to have been the inaugural event in the Indianapolis Colts' new home, Lucas Oil Stadium. Unfortunately, the stadium won't be done in time and they moved down the road a piece to Indiana University's Memorial Stadium. While it won't be nearly as apropos to flick off the home team by wearing a Baltimore Colts Marching Band shirt, it still promises to be a great event.

2. New Corps Limits - During the winter meetings of 2007, the DCI directors voted into existence an increase in corps limits, from 135 members to 150. Those new limits go into effect this summer, and I look forward to seeing how each corps uses their new manpower. Some will beef up their hornlines. Others will add to the colorguard. Still others will kick the battery up a notch, either bringing in more drums or bringing back cymbal lines. Either way, expect each corps to take this opportunity to accentuate the positive.

3. Information Overload - This will be the year of those of us at home being up close and personal with what's going on on tour, even if we're not at shows or don't have another direct link. Enter the DCI Fan Network, which both corps and the League will use to keep fans briefed on what's going on on the road, including rehearsals, shows, and vignettes with members and directors. For a small fee--$69 for the year--one can get access to all of the exclusive content on the network. I've got no plans to subscribe just yet, but who knows, as the summer wears on, the bug may get to me yet. Regardless, all of this content out there means more information available for fans all over.

4. Monday Morning Drum Majoring - I've got a friend and fairly new (since last summer) coworker of mine who is a Cavaliers alum and DCI fan, with whom I'll no doubt spend the summer chatting about the latest happenings in DCI. I'm also now a member of the forums over at Drum Corps Planet which gives me a new crowd to talk the latest and greatest with.

5. Tailgating - This was in the plans for my usual most local show this past year, Carolina Crown's NightBEAT. It seems a natural fit, down here in the south, where NASCAR and college football reign supreme, and I've even seen a hockey tailgate, why not fire it up for some drum corps? Especially since fans love being "in the lot" anyway. The weather didn't hold up last year to allow it, but I expect to be back this year with a vengeance.

And now, a few things I'm less thrilled about:

1. The End of an Era - Starting with the summer of 2009, electronics will become the law of the land. It's not a change that I'm thrilled with. I remain optimistic that the majority of corps will be responsible stewards of their new found powers, but I don't look forward to the shows of those who are not, nor the defense that those who may otherwise keep their heads on straight will feel they have to play to keep up with the Joneses.

2. Indy to Infinity - Drum Corps International, who calls Indianapolis home as of this past offseason, has signed a 10 year deal putting the World Championships in Indy through 2018 (with the exceptionof 2014, when it was already booked). I understand DCI's relationship with their new city and how this makes sense, but as a fan, I'd love to see it continue to rotate. That, and what if, once it's held in Indy (which now won't be until 2009) it ends up a bust? Take NCAA lacrosse, for example. There's currently dissension in the ranks because some fans felt that Foxboro wasn't a positive experience and they've already committed to hold it there next year. Imagine the issues with Indy as this is a 10 year deal?

3. Lack of Major Network Coverage - 2005 through 2007 saw a broadcast of the World Championships on ESPN2. This broadcast showed highlights of each of the top shows of each year, but more importantly to me, it put DCI at the forefront, right in front of sports fans, nestled in between Baseball Tonight and SportsCenter. Sometime this past offseason, DCI announced that it wasn't a relationship that was going to continue. From a viewing standpoint, this is no sweat off my back, as I'll be there live, but I loved what the ESPN relationship because of what it did to advance the activity. As of now, I don't think there are any plans to pull down a major network deal before championships, and I don't even know if they'll go back to their long standing relationship with PBS.

Baseball be damned, now it's summertime! Enjoy!

Joe Breschi of The Ohio State University has been named head coach at UNC. With this opening of a nother big name position, where will the carousel stop?

The Drum Corps International World Championships, originally slated to be the first event in Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium were moved to Indiana University's Memorial Stadium when it was announce that Lucas Oil wouldn't be done in time. Flooding and field damage nearly threatened to misplace this year's finals yet again.

Beer Pong will soon be available for Nintendo Wii, the first in a series known as "frat party games". If you thought playing cards on the computer was too virtual, you ain't seen nothing yet!

The Pistons were defeated by the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals... or were they? Some "political" math shows you how the Pistons may have been down, but aren't out!

UNC's head lacrosse coach has been removed from his post... Could Coach Zimmerman be his replacement?

Major League Lacrosse's draft is fast approaching, and Inside Lacrosse gives their take on what will go down tonight on draft night.

The Philadelphia [sic] Barrage played the first of their home-away-from-home matchups this season in the Dallas Cowboys' Texas Stadium to a paltry crowd.