It's a tournament that is so popular, organizers had to turn away about 25 teams this year. The ninth annual Southern Tier Shoot Out has become the largest indoor lacrosse tournament in the world. As Emily Lorsch explains, players travel from all over the country and Canada for two days of lacrosse, and to also help a deeper cause.

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- Robert Mack said he loves how the Southern Tier Shoot Out brings people together from all over to play lacrosse.  He said there are about 45 teams that have traveled more than 100 miles.

"It's the largest indoor tournament in the world. It's 98 teams playing over two days, it's just jam packed," said Robert Mack, the tournament director. "We have teams from New Jersey, from Maryland, Pennsylvania, New England, so we really draw them in. The furthest this year is Charlotte, North Carolina."

Players' ages range from 8 to 70 years old.

"The grand masters, these are all guys that most of them were college all Americans and they still like to come out and hobble around and play and support the tournament," Mack said.  

Bob Liegner has been participating since the tournament's first year.

"I like the fact that it's an opportunity to come up in one day, get in three or four games, and see a bunch of friends that I've known for a long time," he said.

According to Liegner, his roles on and off the field are similar.

"I'm an emergency medicine physician so it kind of goes along with being a goalie, you just have to make the saves," Liegner said. "Helping youth lacrosse and getting defibrillators out to the different schools, all came about because of the tragedy with Jim's son," Liegner said.  

Organizer Jim Mack's son, John, went into cardiac arrest in 2006 after being hit with a stick while playing lacrosse.

"I love lacrosse, played it for over 40 years, and it's nice to play in his name," said Jim Mack.

He and his brother Robert are using tournament proceeds to donate AEDs to teams throughout the area.

"Our primary mission is to get them out to sports clubs that may play in remote areas and play outdoors at places where there may not be protection," said Robert. "We have donated over 100 to the community."

Whether it's to save players, or even sometimes their families in the crowd, many say they participate in the tournament not only to have fun, but for its meaningful cause. This makes the tournament one that teams need to register especially early for.

The tournament continues on Sunday from 8 a.m. to about 6 p.m.