Shamrox coach says playoffs a possibility
The Chicago Shamrox begin their second season in the National Lacrosse League as they host Toronto at 7 p.m. today at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates. The season was originally canceled on Oct. 15 due an ability to compromise the collective bargaining agreement, but the two sides reached an agreement on Oct. 25 with a seven-year contract. After a 6-10 inaugural season and just missing the playoffs, Shamrox general manager and coach Jamie Batley went out and reshaped his roster and believes they now have the pieces for a playoff run.
In this Q&A with the Daily Herald, Batley talks about the added scoring punch for his revamped team, the growth of the sport, the strike settlement and the "rock and roll" atmosphere at Shamrox games.
Q. Were there any doubts that this season would ever happen with the problems with collective bargaining agreement?
A. When it was announced that the season would be ended, everyone on the management side took it as the season was over. What ended up happening was a lot of people got together and said, 'This is crazy.' For a week and a half, there was doubt. Obviously we wouldn't have wanted to sit out a season after all the work we did last season to get it going here and have a half-way decent record at 6-10.
Q. Is it easier the second season around here with the Shamrox?
A. I'm not sure if it's easier. I guess it's easier that we have a group of players. But we either acquired or traded for eight new players this off-season. We're still a new team so to speak. We're only in our second year and have played 16 games as a franchise.
Q. What are your expectations for this season?
A. Our expectations haven't changed. Our expectation is to make the playoffs. In this league, if you make the playoffs, you have a chance.
Q. How did you feel about the first season?
A. It was disappointing because we thought we should have had two more wins. We thought the game down in Philly and the game in Toronto we should have won those games. That was disappointing. But to come out with six wins on the year was very promising for a first season.
Q. What changes were made in the offseason to make this team better?
A. We felt last year we were the lowest scoring team in the Eastern Division. We obviously knew we had to score more goals. One of the reasons we scored so low was we had no depth. This year it's a little different. We have a little more depth. If we're not scoring, we can manipulate the lineup and create more scoring.
Q. Anyone fans should keep an eye out for?
A. We got a guy name Andrew Lazore who has played in the league for two years, but only has played in two games. We expect Andrew to come out and have a great year. He can shoot the ball and score in close. Our expectations for him are he's going to have a breakout year.
Q. What has been the reaction in the lacrosse community?
A. I thought being at Hoffman Estates and averaging 6,000 for our first year was great. I know most of our Saturday nights there were between 7,000 to 9,000. We were happy to see that. I think the area is good. I think the people are knowledgeable. I think lacrosse is building in the Chicago area in general.
Q. There seems to be a lot going at Shamrox games with the constant music, the boisterous public announcer and such. Does this take anything from the actual game?
A. I totally disagree with that. I think the sport is a great sport to watch. If they're going to add some cheerleaders during timeouts, add music while the game's going on, I don't think it's too much going on.
I've been to many hockey games where it's been 1-0 and sat on my hands the whole time. We're the complete opposite of hockey. There's a lot of scoring. There's a lot of music. I've been to some hockey games and they've been almost silent. We're trying to stay away from silence.
Just for openers
Here's a glance at some of the activities planned for the season opening game of the Chicago Shamrox:
Gates: Open at 6 p.m.
Concert: A pre-game and post-game concert by "Facing Forward."
Giveaways: First 2,000 children 14 and younger receive Chipotle Thundersticks. First 2,000 fans ages 15 and older receive Chipotle Burrito Card. Free game day programs.
Special salute: Illinois High School Lacrosse State Champions from 2007 (New Trier boys, Fenwick boys and Hinsdale Central girls) will be honored
Meet sports stars: Robbie Gould (Bears), Stan Mikita (Blackhawks), Randy Hundley (Cubs), Carlos May (White Sox), Bob McMillen & DeJuan Alfonzo (Rush) and Rudy Glenn (Sting) will attend.
Scouting report
Toronto Rock vs. Chicago Shamrox, 7 p.m. at Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates
Last season: Shamrox and Toronto both finished 6-10 in the National Lacrosse League. The Rock won 11-10 in Toronto, but the Shamrox earned a 15-13 win at the Sears Centre. Both teams made major roster moves in the offseason.
2008 schedule
DATE/TIME/OPPONENT
Jan. 5/7 p.m./TORONTO ROCK
Jan. 12/6:35 p.m./at Philadelphia Wings
Jan. 26/7 p.m./EDMONTON RUSH
Feb. 9/3 p.m./at San Jose Stealth
Feb. 16/7 p.m./NEW YORK TITANS
Feb. 24/2 p.m./BUFFALO BANDITS
Mar. 1/7 p.m./R0CHESTER KNIGHTHAWKS
Mar. 14/7 p.m./at Minnesota Swarm
Mar. 16/TBD/NLL All-Star Game at Edmonton
Mar. 22/6:35 p.m. /at Rochester Knighthawks
Mar. 29/7 p.m./MINNESOTA SWARM
Apr. 5/7 p.m./PHILADELPHIA WINGS
Apr. 12/6 p.m./at Toronto Rock
Apr. 18/6:30 p.m./at New York Titans
Apr. 19/6:30 p.m./at Buffalo Bandits
Apr. 25/7 p.m./at Minnesota Swarm
Apr. 26/7 p.m./MINNESOTA SWARM
Home games in CAPS
Tickets: $13-$37 for Individual tickets at the Sears Centre box office at 888-SEARSTIX or online at www.searscentre.com. For season and group tickets, call 877-SHAMROX or online at www.chicagoshamrox.com. Home games played at Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates.