The National Lacrosse League has picked Rochester as the site of its first All-Star game.

American-born players will take on the league's Canadian stars, on 20 February 1999 at The Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial.

There are tentative plans for a skills competition before the game and a post-game party, with fans invited to meet players and coaches.

"We wanted to make sure that this wasn't a bunch of All-Stars playing a pick-up game," Rochester Knighthawks president and chief operating officer Steve Donner said about the format.

Fans will choose starting lineups through on-line balloting beginning 1 January 1999 at www.be-lax.com. General managers and coaches will fill out the rosters.

The Rochester Knighthawks open the season at home, 26 December 1998 against the New York Saints.

Tickets for the All-Star game -- $10, $16, $19 and $24 -- go on sale 4 January 1999 at the War Memorial and at Ticketmaster outlets.

NLL commissioner John Livsey said the league hopes to have a television deal to broadcast the game in place by mid-December.

Canadians are considered to be more skilled in the indoor game than the Americans, while the reverse is believed to be true of the less-physical outdoor game.

Perhaps at least 10 players who took part in the memorable World Field Lacrosse Championships final this summer, won by the Americans in overtime, could participate in the NLL All-Star game.

"I know they wanted to make their mark at the world championships," American-born Knighthawk Tim Soudan said.