From the World Series to Professional Lacrosse - Michigan Grows the Game! “Detroit’s The Corner Ball Park gave us more than we could give to Detroit," said one PLL attendee.

One should understand that the gentrification of inner city Detroit comprises not only new housing developments around Detroit’s city, but also a total revamp of the OldTiger Stadium.

Once the downtown vote was cast for change, so did groups like Detroit United Lacrosse, a PLL Verified Partner + Detroit PAL / Police Athletic League coordinate to host the PLL Academy.  They planned player clinics for Youth in the morning and the High School players in the afternoon. Boys and Girls attended and had a blast! Further, this provided stellar opportunities for suburbia and the inner city players to train together. Parents and fan supporters watched the PLL Pros Marcus Holman (Archers Attack), Troy Reh (Chaos Defense), Sergio Perkovic (Redwoods Middie), and Tim Troutner (Redwoods Goalie) train and teach a full day of lacrosse. Detroit United coaches assisted the Pros during the session break-outs with individualized instruction during the day. “Some of the best instructors we have seen,” said Andrew Manning, Head of the PLL Event.

The memories of the glory World Series days in 1968, and the historical days of remembering the Detroit Stars (Norman “Turkey” Stearnes, a Detroit Stars Negro League player and Baseball Hall of Fame member) in the 1920s, were not forgotten. Those memories are pictured on the Walk of Heroes Wall of the new Corner Ball Park - formerly Briggs Stadium / Old Tiger Stadium at Michigan and Cochrane in Corktown. As the new turf field gleamed on that bright sunny Saturday, along with lacrosse helmets shining, we witnessed young faces smiling and background music playing. This was a new day in downtown Detroit with lacrosse hitting the streets where once only Mickey Lolich’s pitching won 3 World Series games in 1968.

The PLL Academy team then headed immediately across state to Grand Rapids for Sunday’s PLL Training stop at Grandville High School. Over 100 players participated in the training, which were highlighted with various competitions to reinforce the skills. The event concluded with a jam-packed VIP lunch and Q&A post-event - the Pros answered many questions on various topics from players and their parents.

The PLL Academy came to Michigan and we felt your warmth. Thanks to all for the memories! It is what we embrace that makes our training with Verified Partners so special.