Take a Shot!

by Jake Steinfeld and Dave Morrow

[Beth C.]

Americans are drawn to speed - one only has to look at NASCAR to see that. Yet we also like games that can be a little rough - Hockey and football, anyone? Mental agility is also important, because watching players adjust constantly to changing conditions on the field is fascinating...soccer demonstrates that best. And yet, there is one sport that combines all of these things into one amazing game - and while it is the fastest growing sport in America, it also happens to be the oldest sport in America. Lacrosse is that game.

I was drawn to read this book because my son plays. He is now in 6th grade and has been playing since 1st grade. My husband, who grew up on the East Coast, played when he was in high school and wanted our son to be able to play as well. I informed him that Oregon (where I grew up and where we planned to settle) didn't even *know* what lacrosse was. How wrong I was - leagues are springing up all over the place, for both girls and boys. High schools are getting better and better. And for a while, Portland even had it's own MLL team.

Take A Shot! is the story of how the MLL (Major League Lacrosse) got its start. From one college player who reinvented lacrosse sticks, to the Body by Jake guy who was an unstoppable force of nature, to the son of a televangelist, Take A Shot! defines the hopes and dreams of all sports enthusiasts who invest themselves in their players, their teams, and their leagues. The book starts off a little slow and seemed more about Jake Steinfeld than about lacrosse. However, it picked up speed fairly quickly and ended up a very interesting look at the stress, the craziness and the cost of starting a major league sports organization. From the seemingly-insane people they had meetings with, to the naysayers, to the players who just wanted to play, starting MLL was not an easy task.

If you are unfamiliar with the game of lacrosse and just want a primer to learn more, this is not it. But if you are familiar, or even just appreciate an incredible sport with some of the most amazing athletes out there, then this is worth reading. It's a light and fairly quick read, and is written with humor and guts to spare. As Jake would say, "Take A Shot!".