Chicago Machine set to open lacrosse camp

Thirty-five top lacrosse players will compete for a spot on the 2008 roster of the Chicago Machine as the Major League Lacrosse team opens three weekend training camps starting this Saturday.

The training camps will take place at the Chicago Academy, 3400 N. Austin Blvd., Chicago on Saturday and Sunday as well as May 3-4 and May 10.

The final training camp will take place May 11 at Toyota Park, 7000 S. Harlem, Bridgeview, the site of Chicago Machine home games. The final Chicago Machine roster will be announced May 12, and the season opens Sunday, May 18.

The training camps are open to the public.

"This is another Chicago professional sports team filled with great young players who are rising stars," said John Meister, president and general manager of the Chicago Machine. "We have great expectations from this year's team and welcome people to come to Chicago Academy to watch our training camp, cheer on our players, and support this great sport."

Saturday sessions take place from 9:30 a.m. to noon and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday sessions take place from 10 a.m. to noon.

For younger players: The Machine will host a Youth Lacrosse Clinic on Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. Players interested in participating in the clinic should call (312) 255-1522.

"We want to grow lacrosse in the Chicago area," said Meister. "Watching training camp and participating in our clinic should benefit and inspiring the region's top youth lacrosse players."