Been playing in the league for a few seasons. There is a tryout evaluation to ensure that you know…read morehow to skate and are familiar with the basics of hockey. This is to ensure you don't injure yourself/others. I'd say the overall level of play is mid to low B-C level, with almost everyone having played at least HS hockey. I used to play in the New England Senior Hockey League, but I enjoy this league much more because of the re-draft before every season, less goonery (but just enough chipiness allowed), better gametimes, and consistent rinks (as opposed to driving all over Eastern Mass). The admins who run the league are great guys as well and very responsive if you have any questions. The league Web site with updated stats and standings is also a nice plus. If you've tried various beer leagues and are not happy, check out this league because it's run by hockey players for hockey players.

This is a great league, especially when you are new to the area. New teams are drafted each season,…read moreso you don't have to worry about being drafted by the leagues worst team. Its comparably priced for an adult hockey league. Plus you save since jerseys are provided. The guys who run the league are accomidating to individuals constraints, such as scheduling. The administrators offer ways to lower the cost of the league, such as scorekeeping. Its a fun league to play in, without any worry of fights breaking out (a strict no fighting policy). It is the best adult hockey league I have played in yet.

I discovered MA Hockey League through a good friend of mine and have been able to play ice hockey…read moreregularly in Somerville ever since. It's creator, Matthew P. is a fantastic guy who works very hard to bring affordable, structured clinics, pickup game and even league matches to the masses through a combination of the website and at-the-rink check-ins and I've been able to do all three of those every week and it's been fantastic. And while I've only been doing in Somerville, he also does run the same kind of operation of various days of the week in other towns like Dedham, Hingham, Bedford and Rockland. The quality of the coaches for the clinics is top notch and one of them even played professional hockey out in Germany. They're all very experienced and professional, and I cannot believe how much progress I've made working with them. And even though you're in a group, they will give you individual attention when needed to help fix a few things about your stride, puck handling or game to try and squeeze every bit of talent out of you to make you a better player. As far as the pickup games and league matches go, every single time I've attended such games, it's been great. The teams are almost always very balanced, and there's always been two goalies which is a huge plus (and a rarity in a lot of cases). I cannot recommend MA Hockey League enough and you can find out more about them on their website which includes scheduling information, payment options and much more. I look forward to playing every week and Matt has made this a breeze. Plus I got to meet a ton of great people in the way, from the coaches to the players.

Sincerely run by people who know hockey. A lot of convenient times to play. But their website for…read morebooking games is difficult to work (contrasted with the ez to use StinkySocks league).

I participated in the third annual Tory Row 5K last Sunday and had a great time, despite the 90+…read moredegree weather! For such a small race it was very well organized and just an overall nice event. Here's why this race was so great: - Nice looking, navigable website with all the right information. - Packet pick-up took place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning at the restaurant (Tory Row) and was very well run. - The course was basically flat with some rolling hills and went through a cute little Cambridge neighborhood, starting and ending right in Harvard Square. - Nice drawstring SWAG bag and a shirt that can pass in everyday life! - Used the chip timing system (surprising for a small race). - Text message and email sent to runners with time about 5 minutes after finish. The best part of the race was the after party, which took place in a parking lot right near the finish line. The party featured unlimited (yes, really!) beer and cider for all participants -- and good beer too! There was also tons of orange slices, bananas, granola bars, energy bites and water to go around. I'm surprised how much I enjoyed this race and I look forward to next year's!

I'm going to admit something that will probably get me killed. I don't like baseball. Since my…read moredays in this town may now be limited I will begin my goodbyes and tell you about a sport I *do* like, lacrosse. Back home we used to watch Colorado's professional lacrosse team, Mammoth, and enjoy the sheer ridiculous spectacle that is an NLL game. So. When I heard that Boston was getting a professional team I was psyched. Unfortch that was 2008 and there was a player strike so alas, no games. Waah Waah. Luckily, new year, new team. Welcome 2009 and the inaugural season of the Boston Blazers. There are a few things to know about NLL games: The tickets are CHEAP. They start at $13, no joke. Screw those tickets though, drop the additional $10 and get down near the floor. The arena (The Garden) is oddly empty since people aren't huge lacrosse fans and Boston hasn't quite caught on that there's another team to be maniacal about. Now, this doesn't mean people aren't taking their shirts off and screaming at the ref, cause they are. Also, you might see people in Spiderman masks. I don't get it either. BUT if you hate packed arenas, this is a game for you. The game is *violent*. Like hockey used to be before they softened it up for "safety" and "players health". Bah. The players beat each other with sticks, fists, and whatever is nearby. The shove one another in to the glass with an amazingly satisfying THUNK and only wear padding on the upper half of their bodies (well, presumably a cup but whatevs). So yeah, these games are off the hook. The Blazers thus far have a pretty good record especially for a freshman team. They won the game we saw with two points in the last 10 seconds of the game. The winning point within .5 seconds. Awesome. They also have dancers, The Sparks, if that's your gig and for the kiddies a creepy mascot Scorch. Something for everyone. Hopefully more people will get on board so that they stick around this time. Just not enough to raise ticket prices to ridiculous levels.

FIRED UP! I've…read morebeen to a few Blazers games and I am now a fan. Truth be told, I've never been into lacrosse, but I am now hooked. Indoor Lacrosse is too fun to pass up and this is the first year the Blazers are playing at the Garden. What started as taking advantage of sweet ticket deals to attend a sports game has turned into a love of this team. The Blazer games at the Garden are outstanding. The sport is quick like hockey, only more fighting! Yes! And they play music the whole time, even through game play! Woo! And everyone seems to be having such a great time! Awesome! And the team is pretty good! Score! Captain Dan Dawson is leading his team, along with a great goalie (NICE SAVE, COSMO!). Don't write off lacrosse just because it's Celtic and Bruin season...stick around for Boston's newest team!

My 4.5 yr daughter started skating this year. She has progressed amazingly. The teachers are…read morewonderful. Miss Nicole has tons of patience but at the same time is nonsense. During each lesson you could see the kids confidence building. The class is longer other schools and there are enough teacher assistants that each chlld gets the individual attention she/he needs. The final show is not the main focus and seems to be a low key event. We will be back next year.

I have put both my kids in the Peabody Skating Club and all i can say is -Awesome!…read moreMy wife and i have had nothing but great dealings with Sally (the owner)- she even gave us several lessons to try for our younger daughter for free- to make sure she liked it. The best thing about it was the fact that for group lessons the kids actually get teacher time. Each class has a teacher and teacher helpers, this makes it so the kids actually get taught! This is our second year back and our daughters love it, they also love the teachers, my wife is a little better at remembering names but i think our teachers are Nicole and Patricia- either way everyone there is great- When we were exploring getting our Girls into figure skating (due to their constant asking), my wife checked out a bunch of other schools at the Peabody Rink- They were all hectic and it looked like just a bunch of kids standing around, occasionally falling- This group is clearly well run bun great people who seem to genuinely care about teaching kids. It shows that they have been around for over 30 years, as my wife let me know when i was cutting the check (Which by the way was discounted for having 2 kids sign up) Pro's- Kids get plenty of time with teachers and helpers, Owner (Sally) is great, 2 hours to choose from, Not to expensive and they pro-rate weeks- Free recital at the end of the year (my Girls LOVE this) Con's- Rinks are cold and i have to sit there, when i really wanna be at home watching tv and relaxing........but hey, anything for my Girls!!!!! JOE-O

Great instructors - make for a great experiance. Lots of local rinks for during week and week end…read moreclasses.

My child had a fantastic experience with Bay State Skating School. The teachers were kind patience…read moreand enthusiastic about skating. I would highly recommend this school to anyone.

Attended BU's 2013 Commencement here; not a well-executed event when it comes to only two exits…read morebeing available to viewers, but the proceedings themselves were well-run and the place was in good shape.

This is such a great group! It was one of my favorite parts about living in Lowell. It's a…read morebeautiful 5k down by the water followed by an after party! Who does love that?!?! Best part are the PR medals. Each week you are judged against yourself and only yourself. If your time is a PERSONAL RECORD (PR) you get recognized at the after party and given a rubber Miely award. These awards mean so much to me because it's more than participation, it's pushing yourself and proof you're improving as a runner. These were such good inspiration when you're only half a mile out and feel the tank on empty, knowing you just need to shave off 5 secs from your previous best. I recommend this group to all ages and abilities. It won't disappoint.

On Tuesday evenings at 7pm from April through June, runners compete in 5k road races in downtown…read moreLowell. There are ten races in this Springtime running Series, and runners may sign up online or at the beginning of the race. The Good Times 5K Running Series runs every Tuesday night at 7:00 from at the Hookslide Kelly's located at 19 Merrimack Street, in downtown Lowell, MA. All races begin on French Street near Lowell High School (just 1/10th of a mile from the Hookslides) and ends near the beautiful Boarding House Park. The ten week series will feature a different "theme" each week. Runners compete for weekly prizes based on the theme that evening. Runners will also be competing for weekly points that will be counted towards overall series awards (see series scoring). An awards ceremony will be held each week starting at 8:00 PM at Hookslides.