The key to a Balls Deep championship. The big-game difference maker. Rollers you can build a playoff around.

Don’t look now, but is it possible that the force of September has been under the Captain Ted’s nose all along?

“Right now the way Jack & Leslie are rolling, their stuff plays anywhere,” Balls Deep Captain Ted Lusher said of Jack Campbell & Leslie de Giere, the so-called old timer and stalwart who might be rolling better than anyone in bocce right now.

Pairing that performance with the consistent play of Jim Leon, Captain Ted has brought his team to first place. Ted praising Leon stated, “His stuff is unbelievable. It’s always been unbelievable. Now he’s just really putting it where he wants, and it’s fun to play behind him.”

With Friday’s dazzling performance in a 12-9 victory over Erin Go Bocce, Balls Deep earned their fourth victory in five decisions and essentially retained their league lead by one point in TPS over Cozzie and the Hot Rollers.

With the Playoffs looming, Captain Carla and Hot Rollers Jamie & Woodcock shanghaied this years leading candidate for MVP, Jim Leon as substitute for Moshia in Friday’s face off against Game of Throwns.

The season’s slowest match dragged on in single point frames. DePhillips controlled his end for GOT stating afterwards . “It’s just about simple thoughts and placing balls.” It’s also about command and confidence that seem to get better with every start and a slow ball that looks as accurate as anything Leon rolls.

“We fell behind Cozzie 12-7, and I said, There it goes” Captain Jill said with a laugh. No matter, GOT is ending regular season with a 2-3 record and retains a playoff berth.

With a 3-2 standing after defeating Barbs BB Busters 12-6, Ball Breakers moved up to third place. “It’s a good stat I guess, to have going into the playoffs, but I’m not focused on that,” said Captain Cattich, who tapped Clay Lingo as the night’s substitute for the vacationing Michelle Smith. “When you’re rolling like this you just try to stay in that same mindset,” he said, “and keep doing your same work.” Rookie Weaver and veteran Lynne were essential to the win, “Rich’s known how to roll since he’s come to the league, and you just see his confidence getting higher and higher”.

A win loss record of 1-4 doesn’t tell the heartbreaking story of EGB’s season. Speculation then was two-time Champion Captain Conor Pullman was poised to deliver the League first hat trick with a strong veteran lineup joined by crossover bowler Lori Burke debuting in her rookie year.

Though nearly defeating both first and second ranked Balls Deep and Cozzie & the Hot Rollers, each and every EGB game was just a near miss. Their season TPS of 45  matching third place Ball Breakers neatly tells the story. Just two weeks ago EGB veterans Carl & Deborah stunned the League with spectacular throws we haven’t seen in years. Reviewing his team’s performance, Conor stated “No one promises you anything, it all has to be earned, and this year we just didn’t deliver”.

Captain, O My Captain award winner Kutschinski was hampered by no-shows in her line up. Barb’s BB Busters started the season remarkably strong, defeating second place Cozzie and The Hot Rollers in Round 1 for their only win, and what was anticipated to be a strongly competitive year. Corso, and Castillo never quite got their mojo, though rookie June Weaver showed steady improvement in both technique and strategy. Captain Barb ever kind and gracious, ended Friday’s night game declaring “ no matter the outcome, it is not just a game, its friendship, and when the game is forgotten the friendship endures”.

Entering the Playoffs, there has been just one change in the previous standings. Ball Breakers moves up one place to Third.

Playoffs begin Friday August 19^th at 6:30 pm with the Wooden Spoon match between Erin Go Bocce and Barb’s Bocce Ball Busters. Then second place Cozzie and the Hot Rollers plays third place Ball Breakers. The nights final game is first place Balls Deep playing Game of Throwns. The winners of Game 2 & 3 advance to the Championship.

The top four teams all have an equal chance at becoming the 2016 Champions.

Results Round 4

Cozzie and the Hot Rollers 12, Game of Throwns 7

Balls Deep 12, Erin Go Bocce 9

Ball Breakers 12, Barb’s Bocce Ball Busters 5

Standings                                                                       TPS

Balls Deep                                                 4-1                 57

Cozzie and the Hot Rollers             4-1                 56

Ball Breakers                                          3-2                 45

Game of Throwns                                 2-3                 45

Erin Go Bocce                                         1-3                 44

Barb’s Bocce Ball Busters                1-3                 29

 

The playoff dinner theme will be Southern BBQ. Let me know what you can bring, and I will get it posted.

• Pickled Veggies- Chris
• Pimento Cheese & Crackers– need volunteer
• Southern BBQ Chicken- Chris
• Mac & Cheese- need volunteer
• Coleslaw- Clay
• Corn on the Cob- Lori
• Cornbread-Carol
• Watermelon- June & Rich
• Red Velvet cupcakes-Jill & Jaime
• Alabama Slammer-Chris
• Wine- need volunteer
• Beer- need volunteer