Sport has evolved since Peterborough entered senior game
It was 73 years ago, in 1949, that Peterborough entered the Ontario Senior-A, now Major Senior Lacrosse league.
Over the nearly three-quarters of a century, there have been major changes in how and where the game is played.
When the Peterborough Lumberjacks entered the OLA Senior-A league in 1949 there were six other teams. Five played in outdoor bowls including Peterborough.
Travel was by car. Weather was always a concern. Often storms would come up after the travelling team had left for the game and, with no cellphones, there was no way to have them turn around.
Other travel problems in the days before four-lane highways included major traffic tie-ups around Toronto and the swing bridge at Burlington over the channel entering Hamilton Harbour before today’s Skyway. Many a game was delayed in St. Catharines because the team waited for boats in Burlington.
All players used wooden sticks with leather lacing. Protective equipment included padded arm pads with fibres out of hockey pants taped to the bicep area to protect against the cross checks. Some players wore kidney or rib pads, but most did not.
There were no lacrosse gloves, so players used the hockey gloves with the high cuffs with wooden slats. Most players cut the palms and fingers out of the gloves to have a better grip on the stick.
There were no helmets other than the occasional player who would wear one to protect a stitched cut or broken nose, and all players wore high-cut canvas running shoes.
Goalies would often have steel safety toecaps put in the shoes for protection. Netminders wore strapped-on hockey shin pads.
There were no leg pads made for lacrosse.
They would wear hockey goalie chest protectors and either hockey or football pants. Their masks were custom made by a local welder.
There were no offensive and defensive designated players. There were usually three units of five players each, required to play both ends of the floor.
All sweaters were heavy-knitted, designed for hockey played in unheated arenas. Often lacrosse games were played in mid-30 C temperatures.
With the heavy sweaters, padded arm pads and rib pads, overheating was a constant concern.
On the plus side, in some of the outdoor games in the early spring or late fall, those heavy sweaters were appreciated.
In those days, water on the players bench was frowned upon. The coaches would alert players not to drink too much of it or they would get cramps. Dehydration was never mentioned.
Teams would usually have one taped-up ginger ale bottle for the players to rinse their mouths out. There were problems if one was caught drinking the water. There was often a pail with a wet towel to run over one’s face to cool off.
There were no shot clocks in those days. In fact, the outdoor bowls had no visible time clock. The timer would time the game on a stop watch and clang a bell to end the periods.
Games emphasized the physical aspect more than running. Beating men one-on-one was a regularly practised skill.
Ball possession was imperative. Erratic shooting or missed passes would often lead to some extra time on the bench.
On the other hand, slashing and cross-checking were condoned. If it became too violent, often a warning from the referee would precede a penalty. There was usually a number of fights in each game and occasionally a bench-clearing brawl.
Goalies protected their crease and behind. If you ventured into the crease area, you were likely to receive a swat from the big goalie stick. Linger behind the net with the ball and the goalie would often attack you.
DON BARRIE IS A RETIRED TEACHER, FORMER BUFFALO SABRES SCOUT
AND A MEMBER OF THE CANADIAN LACROSSE HALL OF FAME AND
THE PETERBOROUGH AND DISTRICT SPORTS HALL OF FAME. HIS COLUMN APPEARS EACH SATURDAY
IN THE EXAMINER.