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The Hershey Haymakers are the newest professional team in Hershey, Pa. This is not just another professional team, but something new for the central Pennsylvania sports scene.
The North American Lacrosse League will hold its first season in 2012, starting in January and ending in April. There is no word on if, when or how a playoff structure would work in the new league. NALL was formed in 2011 with the intention of bringing lacrosse to a wider audience. The league has plans in place for exhibition games to be played against the United States and the Ireland national teams.
NALL will hold the league’s first draft on Oct. 12, 2011. This draft will allow teams to choose players that are from NCAA lacrosse programs. Each team will get to select six players for the new teams. Fans will be able to attend local draft parties to celebrate the occasion. There will also be a supplemental draft to fill out the teams with players that are not in NCAA lacrosse programs. No date has yet been set for the supplemental draft.
There are four other teams in the league. The Wilkes-Barre Shamrocks, Charlotte Copperheads, Jacksonville Bullies and Kentucky Stickhorses are the other teams. No schedule has been officially released yet, but each team will play six home games and six away games. Although there was speculation that Cincinnati, Ohio, would receive a franchise, ultimately it was decided to have only five teams the first season.
It will be exciting for local fans to have a new sport to root for. Currently, there is only one other Pennsylvania professional lacrosse team. The Philadelphia Wings play in the National Lacrosse League. This league is also an indoor league. From 2004 until 2008, Philadelphia also had a Major League Lacrosse team, the Barrage. It will be great for fans and local college players to have a professional team so near by.
Watch for game day hotel packages at nearby SpringHill Suites Hershey Near the Park including admission tickets!
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