Our 2014 season has come to a close and tonight’s Championship game was just as exciting and hard fought as every other match that was played this year. But before we get to that game and announce this year’s Champion, it is time to take a look back at the entire year.

With three seasons now completed Campbell Bocce League has amassed some real history and interesting statistics. Leslie deGiere has been our record keeper for three consecutive seasons, faithfully recording captains and their teams, game scores, and player substitutions. It was time to take a look at those numbers, put them into perspective and acknowledge some of our very talented players.

THE CAMPBELL TROPHY

We have a new award this year, The Campbell Trophy. Like its imitator the Heisman, The Campbell is awarded to the most outstanding player in the league whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity.

Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work. This year we have two players who have both demonstrated these attributes.

They have each had remarkable careers in the short history of our league, coming from a first year start that was at the very bottom of league standings to a championship in Season 2, and once again each played in this year championship. Sheryl Landi & Moisha Smith, in recognition of your hard work and success you are awarded The Campbell Trophy.

The Campbell Trophy/Sheryl Landi

The Campbell Trophy/ Moisha Smith

CAPTAIN COURAGEOUS

Captain Courageous is the title of a famous work by Rudyard Kipling that was immortalized in film with Spencer Tracy playing the Captain. The story is one of an older man who helps a young man reach his true potential, by teaching him through personal example the benefits of a strong work ethic and how to overcome hardships. In our League we have a Captain who exemplifies the same qualities, with a strong work ethic coupled with personal responsibility he has coached his teammates helping them develop into excellent players. Though his teams have not yet won a single season, they have improved from a fifth place finish in Year 1, to a Championship berth in Year 2 and a respectable fourth place finish this year. In recognition of your contribution John Costa you are our Captain Courageous.

Captain Courageous/ John Costa

GOLDEN BALL AWARD

In many professional sports there is an award to recognize the player who over several seasons or even an entire career consistently demonstrates exceptional skill and focus. These players are often instrumental in bringing their teams to Championship rounds year after year. Our Golden Ball Award recognizes the contribution of a player, with the best performance over three seasons. 2^nd place in season 1, 3^rd place in season 2, and this year he was once again in the Championship to assist in a 1st place finish. Statistics don’t lie, this outstanding performance belongs to Bobby Corso who has earned Campbell Bocce League’s Golden Ball trophy.

Golden Ball Award/ Bobby Corso

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

Although Luke Darwin could not be with us this evening, having returned home to resume his university career, you were all here when he was awarded the League’s 2014 Most Valuable Player. Luke put more heart and focus into this game then any other player and contributed to both the court preparation, set up and breakdown for each of our games. In Thanks to Luke and recognition of both his skill and contribution, let’s raise a glass and toast this years MVP- Luke Darwin.

Most Valuable Player/ Luke Darwin

MAN OF THE LEAGUE

This is a very special award to recognize both outstanding skill and personal contribution to the league. It is a pleasure to have an individual who combines exceptional talent with service to the League. Throwing or rolling the ball with precision, coaching his teams to outstanding performance season after season, skillfully grilling outstanding Asian ribs, supplying fine wine and married to our first female captain. This award is for our own Man of The League- Jim Woodcock

Man of the League/ Jim Woodcock

THE WOODEN SPOON

For every winner there must be a loser. Though they played each game with determination and true passion, the season was not kind to this team. With a 0-6 record, Captain Rupert DePhillips along with Carla Brouillette Susie Chaney and Kris Costa have earned the Wooden Spoon.

The Wooden Spoon/ Ru’s Garden of Earthly Delights

THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Tonight’s Championship was played between the No Talent Ass Clowns and Sleeps with the Fishes, coached by two of our most formidable Captains, Clay Lingo and Jim Woodcock.

First a little history:

Captain Jim Woodcock in our 2012 inaugural season led his Woodies with only 2 permanent members, himself and Ted Lusher along with a constant changing roster of substitutes to the first ever CBL Championship.

In our 2013 Season 2, Jim’s team Checkered Napkins ended the regular season tied with John Costa’s Mangiamos, both with a win loss record of 4-1, but with Captain Jim absent for the playoff round his Napkins lost to Conor’s Trinity Plus 12-10 and finished the season in third place.

And this year, Jim and his Sleeps with the Fishes, Michelle, Chris Cattich and Bobby Corso were near unbeatable, until they ran smack dab into Clay Lingo and the No Talent Ass Clowns for a humiliating 12-7 defeat in the final game of the regular season. Yet during the Playoffs, SWT Fishes once again showed their true ability defeating The Minions for a place in tonight’s Championship.

Captain Clay Lingo started his CBL career with an all woman rookie team, The Ramones. Despite the many laughs and constant ribbing, thru Clay’s careful and consistent coaching the Ramones ended the season, not in last place but in fourth losing in the playoffs to the Ru’s Goombas. Clay was awarded Campbell Bocce League’s 2012 Best Captain for that performance.

In Season 2, Clay’s Ramones ended the season with a respectable 3-3 record, though with a hyper competitive year 2 League this respectable record only earned a fifth place finish.

And this Year Clay Lingo and The No Talent Ass Clowns, Carl Alderete, Moshia Smith and Sheryl Landi, rocked the league when the defeated SWT Fishes in the year’s final regular season game. The No TACs lost only their first season game to Conor’s Minions in a very close 12-11 decision. No TAC won every other game to wind up in tonight’s Championship round with a SWT Fishes.

And as expected tonight’s Championship was a battle royal between two highly skilled and fiercely competitive teams. Early on SWT Fishes built a 10-2 lead over No TAC. But with great determination Carl Alderete paired with Sheryl Landi started a comeback drive and SWT Fishes were shut down for several frames bringing the score to 10-6. Yet in the end SWT Fishes rallied one point at a time to clinch the 2014 Championship 12-6.

Congratulations to Sleeps with the Fishes, Captain Jim Woodcock, Bobby Corso, Chris Cattich and Michelle Smith, Campbell Bocce League’s 2014 Champions!