CHAMPIONSHIP & AWARDS

Once again another Bocce season has come to a close. This has been a milestone year, as we celebrated our five -year anniversary. Players have come and gone, captains and teams change from year to year but still the spirit remains. Good Food, Good Fun and Great Bocce.

This year Clay Lingo a CBL regular for the past 4 seasons returned just in time from “combat duty” to serve as a much needed substitute. We were also joined by two new players June & Rich Weaver who both learned the game quickly with Rich even making the Championships.

We have had a great season of competition, exciting games and wonderful meals, a combination that makes for an outstanding league, the one and only Campbell Bocce League.

Tonight’s Championship match was as exciting as they come…. But before we get to that game and announce this year’s Champion, it is time to acknowledge certain players with some very special awards.

TOP SCORING SUB

Formerly part of the regular roster, this substitute attended every game and was at the ready whenever called. He admirably filed the role of missing players for several teams this year and was instrumental in helping our two “Ball” teams, Ball Breakers and Balls Deep reach the Championship. In appreciation and acknowledgement of his contribution, Clay Lingo is awarded CBL Top Scoring Substitute.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Our Rookies don’t have the advantage of a few seasons in a minor league before stepping onto the Campbell Court. It can be a brutal experience leaving them bewildered by the rules, strategy and skills displayed by veteran players. In a few short games this rookie displayed ball skills and an innate understanding of strategy that helped bring his team by season’s end to a Championship berth. Truly a remarkable year, and the Campbell Bocce League is pleased to award Rookie of the Year to Rich Weaver.

MVP

Our most valuable player has most typically been a seasoned veteran with an excellent skill set. This season our MVP not only demonstrated outstanding Bocce skills, more importantly he was an invaluable asset to both his team and the league when he filled in as substitute for several teams in multiple rounds, with all the Captains clamoring for his help. Strong, steady and deadly accurate, I don’t think anyone will be surprised to learn Jim Leon is Campbell Bocce League’s 2016 Most Valuable Player.

O CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN

Captains play an important role in CBL. They have significant responsibility to organize their players, to direct strategy and promote teamwork while the game is in progress. It is a position that indicates honor and respect from one’s teammates and recognition as a leader by one’s peers. O Captain, My Captain is one of the most recognized works by poet Walt Whitman and honors the accomplishments of his Captain while lamenting his loss in battle. Though not every Captain can take home The Teddy after winning the Championship, we still wish to call attention and say thank you to a Captain who exemplifies the sport of Bocce and the spirit of Campbell Bocce League. As a player her first three seasons produced two unremarkable fifth place finishes and one dead last Wooden Spoon. Since becoming a Captain she led her team to both a championship berth last year, and a respectable fourth place finish this year. Carla for all your accomplishments you are recognized and awarded the League’s O Captain My Captain trophy.

25 GAME PIN

After 5 years we have hosted 25 regular season games, plus playoffs and Championships. Our five year anniversary is the time to say thank you to everyone who through their participation contributes to making this league a success. For consistent participation as both a regular and a substitute we are awarding the 25 game pin to:

Chris Coates                                    Rupert DePhillips                        Bobby Corso

Jack Campbell                                 Chris Cattich                                 Carla Brouillette

Leslie Degiere                                  Jim Leon                                         Conor Pullman

Clay Lingo                                         Ted Lusher

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, harassing all players with pointed comments, confusing the scorekeeper with his yell of “4 points, 4 points”. He has been with us for every game insuring that the Campbell Grounds are if not perfectly level, are at least artfully decorated. And this year he put both his wallet and his back into creating an exceptional venue comparable to none. Please raise a glass in recognition and in honor of Man of The League- Jack Campbell

THE WOODEN SPOON

It hardly seems fair that this year’s last place team is receiving the Wooden Spoon. They played some outstanding games and with only a single exception early in the season, lost each subsequent game by a only a small margin. And more surprisingly they were led by our two-time League Champion Captain Conor Pullman. Captain Conor, Lori Burke, Deborah Garcia and Carl Alderete please come forward to accept your Wooden Spoons.

THIRD PLACE GAME

Captain Carla with her Cozzie and the Hot Rollers down two regular players, relied on substitutes Conor Pullman and a welcome Kay Missin. The Hot Rollers got off to a very slow start against Game of Throwns with Clay Lingo filling in for GOT’s missing Captain Jill Milliner. With Carol Lingo rolling with what can only be called magic fingers, very quickly GOT was poised to shutout Cozzie. Yet as determined as always Carla and her north end partner Moshia Smith battled back scratching a few chalk lines on the scoreboard. Not to be outdone by his Mom, Clay and partner Rupert answered that challenge bring GOT within one point of closing. Finally once again Magic Fingers Carol rolled the winning ball, leaving partner Chris only to drop a couple balls at her feet. Game of Throwns winds up the season in third place winning 12-3 over fourth place Cozzie and the Hot Rollers.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Wow, what a game!

Balls Deep has the led the league the entire season, losing only once in the fourth round. They looked to be the easy favorites for taking home the Teddy this year.

Very impressive however has been the performance of Ball Breakers led by Captain Chris Cattich. The BB’s Rich Weaver, Lynne Missin and Michelle Smith were in dead last place after losing their first two games of the year. Relying heavily on substitutes, Captain Chris strategically led the Ball Breakers to win after win, earning first a playoff opportunity and then a Championship berth.

So, the game began quickly with Jim Leon and Captain Ted of Balls Deep and Captain Chris with Lynne of Ball Breakers dug in at the south end trading rolls and challenges. The north side was anchored by the Michelle and Rich of BB, and Balls Deep’s indomitable Jack and Leslie.

Balls Deep was in trouble early when Ball Breakers took an early and commanding lead 9-3. The much anticipated Championship match looked primed to be a washout, potentially ending much too soon (the steaks weren’t ready!) but then the Bocce gods descended, as did the famous Campbell Court topography and Balls Deep started their march to victory. Unstoppable they claimed point after point, with captain Teddy beginning to grin in anticipation of taking home his eponymous trophy. Finally Ball Breakers succumbed, allowing Ball Deep to win a place in Campbell Bocce league history with a final score 12-10.

Congratulations to Campbell Bocce League’s 2016 Champions!

Balls Deep Captain Ted Lusher, Jim Leon, Leslie Degiere and Jack Campbell