How did George Beers change the rules and equipment of lacrosse in 1867?

In 1867, George Beers of Montreal—often referred to as the "father of lacrosse"—implemented significant modifications to the sport to standardize play and improve its structure. His changes included:

• Equipment: He replaced the traditional Indian ball, which was made of deerskin stuffed with hair, with a hard rubber ball. He also improved the design of the stick to facilitate easier catching and throwing of the ball.1
• Rules: He limited the number of players on a team to 12. These positions were specifically designated as goal, point, cover point, first defense, second defense, third defense, centre, third attack, second attack, first attack, out home, and in home.1

These updates helped formalize the game, coinciding with the formation of the National Lacrosse Association in the same year.1