FAQ

General Info

Who are the Hamilton Nationals?

The Hamilton Nationals are Canada's first ever professional field lacrosse team.  We began playing in 2009 in the MLL (Major League Lacrosse), and concluded our inaugural season by winning the Steinfeld Cup.  We are named the Hamilton Nationals because of cultural connection to Aboriginals; we represent two nations playing as one team.

What is the MLL?

Major League Lacrosse is a 6 team professional field lacrosse league that was formed in 1999 and began play in 2001.  The season runs from May to August and includes an All-Star game along with a Championship Weekend.  The upcoming season is the 10th official season of the MLL.

What happened in the Nationals inaugural season?

The Toronto Nationals relocated from Rochester before the beginning of the 2009 season.  The team from Rochester known as the Rattlers was comprised of many of the players now on the Nationals.  The Rattlers had been part of the MLL since 2001, and their last season in Rochester (2008) they managed to win the Steinfeld Cup.   There is still a possibility of a team playing again in Rochester; this is due to the great support for the sport of field lacrosse in the State of New York.

The first game for the Toronto Nationals 2009 season was played against the Washington Bayhawks and resulted in a 17-16 victory.  The Nationals first home game was against the Chicago Machine.

The 2009 playoff run saw the Nationals defeat the Long Island Lizards in the semi finals 14-13 moving on to play top seeded Denver Outlaws in the finals in Annapolis, Maryland. With under a minute to go, we took a 10-9 lead with a goal from veteran Canadian lacrosse player Shawn Williams and hung on to win the Steinfeld cup in our first year!

What are the key 2009 statistics and standing I should know?
 

• The Nationals finished last year with a record of 7-5, second in their division.
• The Nationals scored the most goals in the MLL last year with 184.
• The Nationals led the league last year with 410 ground balls.
• The Nationals had the leagues highest shooting percentage (.343).
• The Nationals set an MLL record with 8 short handed goals last year.

What are some differences between the MLL's Hamilton Nationals (Field Lacrosse) and the NLL (Box Lacrosse)?

MLL

• 60 second shot clock (resets on possession change, shots on goal, goals)
• No restrictive boards and glass, much more room to play
• 10 players on the field at once (1 goalie + 9 players) 4 long poles allowed
• 2 point line (16 yards out)
• Four 15 minute quarters
• Poke checking & controlled slashing
• Off ball body contact allowed (within 9 feet of the ball, "9 Foot Kill Zone")
• Played on a soccer field

NLL

• 30 second shot clock.
• Four 15 minute quarters
• 6 players per side (1 goalie + 5 players) No long poles
• Cross checking allowed
• Can only body check a player who has the ball in his possession
• Played in a hockey rink outfitted with astro turf

I don't follow the Nationals or lacrosse, what should I know?

• We won the 2009 Championship (Steinfeld Cup) in our inaugural season.
• The Nationals were formed when the owners purchased the Rochester Rattlers.  Many of our players are former Rattlers.  The Rattlers won the 2008 Championship.
• If you follow the NLL, you will be familiar with many of the players on the Nationals in and around the league.
• Most of the players on the Nationals are from cities and towns around the GTA.  Ontario is a world leader in the development highly skilled lacrosse players, and thus a large contingent of professional lacrosse players are Canadian born.
• Lacrosse is Canada's National summer sport, whereas Hockey is Canada's National winter sport.