It can be a lonely lacrosse outpost, Denver. An East Coast attitude often prevails in the sport, from the college level to the pros. And attention can sometimes skew away from Colorado.
As the only Major League Lacrosse city east of the Mississippi River, Denver has a mighty responsibility. The Outlaws — consistently one of the best squads in the 9-year-old professional outdoor league — are one of only six remaining teams in the unsettled MLL.
The recession has forced the MLL to downsize. The league contracted five teams after last season, killing off the Los Angeles Riptide, San Francisco Dragons, New Jersey Pride and the Philadelphia Barrage.
But the Outlaws remain, an oasis of lacrosse strength in the Western U.S.
The Outlaws return Saturday when they host the Chicago Machine in a season-opening game at Invesco Field. The game starts at 7 p.m.
Denver, a two-time championship game runner-up, may have its most favorable outlook. Last season’s champion, the Rochester Rattlers, relocated to Toronto and faces some upheaval. Two-time champion Philadelphia is gone. And the two-time titlist Washington Bayhawks, who had moved from Baltimore, moved again, to Annapolis, Md.
But the Outlaws remain intact, and their roster reflects it. Denver’s 23-deep roster includes 17 players from last season’s squad, including leading scorers Brian Langtry and Brendan Mundorf.
And newcomers include three players from folded teams — midfielders Greg Downing (San Francisco) and Kyle Harrison (Los Angeles) and defenseman Eric Martin (San Francisco). All three were MLL all-stars last season.
Perhaps the Outlaws’ staunchest point of stability is general manager and coach Brian Reese, himself a four-time MLL all-star who has helped guide the team from the front office since 2005 and from the sidelines since 2007.
The MLL All-Star Game also returns to Denver on July 16.
2009 Outlaws schedule
Home games are at Invesco Field
Saturday, Chicago Machine, 7 p.m.
May 22, at Boston Cannons, 5:30 p.m.
May 30, Washington Bayhawks, 7 p.m.
June 7, at Chicago Machine, 2 p.m.
June 13, Long Island Lizards, 7 p.m.
June 20, Toronto Nationals, 7 p.m.
June 27, at Toronto Nationals, 5 p.m.
July 4, Boston Cannons, 7 p.m.
July 16, MLL All-Star Game, 8 p.m.
July 18, at Washington Bayhawks, 5 p.m.
July 25, Long Island Lizards, 7 p.m.
Aug. 1, at Long Island Lizards, 5 p.m.
Aug. 8, at Toronto Nationals, 5 p.m.
AROUND TOWN
A peek at the Sky Sox.
With the Rockies’ early-season struggles threatening to extend into long-term trouble, now might be a good time for fans to look to the future at Triple-A Colorado Springs.
The Sky Sox this weekend continue an eight-game homestand at Security Service Field. They finish a four-game series with the Iowa Cubs tonight at 6 p.m., then start a four-game set Saturday against the Omaha Royals at 6 p.m. The Sky Sox field big-league prospects include second baseman Eric Young Jr.
Pitcher Josh Fogg, once a regular in the Rockies’ rotation, should be on the hill this weekend.
STAY ON THE COUCH
Rapids face Revolution.
With Chivas USA tearing away from the Major League Soccer field so far this season — its 22 points are far ahead of any other team — the Colorado Rapids are among several other teams looking to jump to the top tier.
If the Rapids are to catch Chivas, they’ve got a good start. Colorado’s defense, anchored by defensive midfielder Pablo Mastroeni, below, ranks second in the league in shots allowed, with 61. In a 2-0 win on May 2, they held Real Salt Lake to no shots. Zero.
After a two-week break, the Rapids travel to New England on Saturday for a 5:30 p.m. game against the Revolution at Gillette Stadium. The game airs on ALT.
GET OFF THE COUCH
Sunshine challenge.
For the runners and cyclists among us looking for a challenge — or, for the maso-chists out there — the Sunshine Hill Climb in Boulder on Saturday should fill a need.
The 5.8-mile run will climb 1,682 feet in Sunshine Canyon. That’s an average ascent of 5.5 percent, ending at 7,191 feet above sea level.
The 9.14-mile bike race climbs 3,200 feet, with a 7.6 percent grade ascent. The only responses to this are “ugh” and “let’s get going!”
The races, which include other shorter distances and multiple divisions, start at 8 a.m.
Check for information.
WHAT WE’D LIKE TO SEE
Baseball and more baseball.
Top-seeded Mesa State and RMAC champion Colorado State-Pueblo highlight a bracket of six teams in Grand Junction this weekend for the NCAA Division II Central Regional, with a spot in the NCAA Tournament the reward.
The Mavericks defeated the Thunderwolves 17-6 Thursday night at Sam Suplizio Field to start action. But with a double-elimination format, it’s possible the two could meet again this weekend. Other teams in the bracket include RMAC runner-up New Mexico Highlands, Minnesota State, Wayne State and Southwest Minnesota State.
Also, Sterling’s Northeastern Junior College is in the National Junior College Western District tourney in Carson City, Nev. The Plainsmen face top-seeded Western Nevada in a double-elimination format Thursday.
With all these Colorado teams playing, the college baseball season could last for a while around this state.
