The Ocean City Lacrosse Classic just keeps getting better. This year’s elite field was close to 40 teams and every roster was loaded with talent. Many of the teams looked like a college all-star squad peppered with pros here and there. The others were weathered club teams that usually do pretty well against the all-star squads.

This year a top spring club, Smartlink, added the likes of Ben Rubeor, Kyle Dixon and Maxx Davis, and was literally unstoppable. The final against a Jack Lingo team that topped a spectacular field to get there was a clinic at both ends. The defensive squad is like a barbed wire fence. Any point of entry is painful. And when they strip the ball, they get down the field lightning fast to attackmen Bugsy Combs and Spencer Ford, who have been playing together for ages, pushing each other to the highest levels of the game. These two are good on their own, but together they are a great show every time.

But this whole tournament was a who’s who of lacrosse. Two of my favorite teams were the Mermen, with Bob Shriver coaching some of my favorite college players, and the Hobbit, who were masters of the unsettled situation with a crafty attack and rockets on the midfield. I’m still not sure if Paul Rabil was on that team, but three guys were his size and shot like him. Team Disrespected featured one of my favorites, Tom Zummo.

In the other divisions, Lacrosse Homes edged Li’l Abner’s in the Masters (old guys), while the Grand Masters (even older guys) was won by Team Toyota, which beat Towson Alumni in the final. Glenn Norris (Toyota) and Steve Marohl (Li’l Abner’s) and Spencer Ford (Smartlink) were my MVPs for each division.

I met quite a few people at the tournament that came down to the beach that week just to check out the tournament. It’s always a great time, due to the hard work of Steve Pappas and Bob Musitano, and Robb Sartorio and Dave Cottle in previous years. The bayside park that hosts the tournament is beautiful and you can bike or skate around once inside from field to field. There’s a playground for the kids, lacrosse vendors and food, too.

There’s great food within walking distance for dinner each day. We happened into Babe’s, The Blue Ox, after the games one night and had a massive and perfect rib eye steak while literally watching half the people I know walk through the door over the course of my meal.

Most importantly, the lacrosse is great all week. Be there from about 10 ‘til 5 on Sunday and you will see some of the very best lacrosse games of the summer, one after the other on the main field, surrounded by scenic wetlands, walking bridges, piers, the bay and, of course, the sunset. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience and I highly recommend it. The tournament is held every year on the third weekend of August at Northside Park on the bay side at 125th and Coastal Highway. Check out this video of tournament highlights:

Much more video of the tournament is available at E-Lacrosse!