There are good games, there are exciting games, there are even extremely competitive games. All these and more and we have witnessed on the Campbell Bocce grounds, but until Friday’s playoffs we have never seen such a shocker as the night’s final matchup. It began as expected with undefeated first place M$ney Balls quickly posting 4 points in just two frames against fourth place Incrediballs. Then Incrediballs’ Captain June Weaver with cohort Michelle Smith anchoring the north end against MB stars Corso and Missin managed a single point bringing relief that at least there wouldn’t be an embarrassing shutout. Inspired by their teammates, Clay Lingo and Rich Weaver matched that point with one of their own by out rolling M$ney Balls Captain Jamie and ace Kelly Simmons. Missin quickly began her characteristic march up and down the court following every ball as it was tossed exhorting her MB teammates to put down their forks and roll. With Coates on the sideline for Incrediballs pointing out placements and distance, the battle was on. Tape measures were called, chalk marks were struck and as the dust finally settled it was Rich Weaver’s final roll of the evening that resulted in a tremendous, unexpected triumph The Incrediballs 12- M$ney Balls 8. The Incrediballs are in the Championship!

Cozzie & The Hot Rollers led by the ever competitive Carla knew that the winner of their matchup against Sausage Rollers would advance to the Championships. Inspired by the challenge the third place Hot Rollers quickly deflated second place Sausage Rollers hopes for a championship berth. Sausage Rollers DePhillips, Lusher and Mo were assisted by sub Travis but just managed to limp to a disappointing 4 points while sorely missing stalwarts Alderete and Pullman. Congrats to Cozzie and the Hot Rollers, Captain Carla, Jack Campbell, Nate Castillo, substitute LeAnne Groshong, and Gail Gilbert you are in the Championship!

The Wooden Spoon will be awarded as is our custom to the Campbell Bocce League Team who have placed last. After a spirited game Lords of The Rolls will be this years recipient having been defeated by the Honor Rollers 12-7.

And while he lives, he wields the boasted prize
Whose value all can feel, the weak, the wise;
Displays in triumph his distinguish’d boon,
The solid honours of the Wooden Spoon^[4]:98

Fridays Championships will begin September 7 at 6:30pm with a game between M$ney Balls and Sausage Rollers for third and fourth place. Then the premier event will kick off with Cozzie and The Hot Rollers facing off against The Incrediballs. We will wrap up with our award ceremony and group photos.

Our menu for  September 7 is below, please let me know what you can bring and I will post. Most importantly for this evening I must have RSVPs.

Championship – High Steaks

• Cheese & Cracker – Michelle & Mo
• Veggies & dip – Cris Mackenzie
• Salami platter – Lynne & Jim   
• Mixed Olives – Cris Mackenzie
• Ribeye steaks – Chris & Jack
• Twice Baked Potato – Chris & Jack
• Classic Green Salad – Carol & Clay  
• Spinach Gratin – Leslie deGiere         
• Summer Tomatoes & Basil – June & Rich   
• Brownies or Cupcakes – Jill & Jamie
• Wine – need volunteers  
• Champagne – need volunteers     
• Beer – need volunteers  

The nights may be cool, but Playoff Fever is heating up Campbell Bocce Grounds. With a  bit of a shake up after our last full season game, Incrediballs squeaked out a win over the impressive Sausage Rollers to secure themselves a fourth place finish and a bid in Friday’s Playoffs. Remember all four top place finishers have an equal opportunity of securing a place in the Championship round.

The night will kickoff at 6:30 sharp with fifth place Lords of the Roll playing sixth place Honor Rollers for the dreaded Wooden Spoon. Following that match up we will have second place Sausage Rollers battling third place Cozzie’s Hot Rollers for a championship berth. The night will conclude with the Undefeated First Place M$ney Balls facing off against fourth place Incrediballs.  Again the winner of that match will headline in our September 7th Championship.

Our Theme is Mediterranean Nights. Please let me know what you can bring and I will post. Be sure to check this website page to avoid duplications.

• Veggies with Tzatziki – Lynne & Jim
• Hummus & Pita chips – Rich & June
• Mezzo Platter-Olives, Pepperoncini, Artichoke hearts, stuffed Grape leaves (Dolmas) – Chris
• Shish kebobs- Chris
• Arugula & Fig salad- Chris
• Tomato, Cucumber, Red Onion and Feta salad – Carol & Clay
• Tabouli salad- Leslie
• Orzo Salad – Michelle & Mo
• Baklava – Jill & Jamie
• Negronis-Chris
• Wine- need volunteers

Not since Bernadette was visited by Our Lady at Lourdes, not since Shoeless Joe Jackson walked out of the corn onto a baseball field in Iowa, and not since the US Hockey Team beat Russia for the Gold at Lake Placid, has anyone witnessed a greater miracle than the win of Lords of The Roll over The Incrediballs Friday night at the Campbell Bocce Grounds.

Comprised of nearly the same Championship players as last year, LOTR was expected to sweep every round. However with three straight losses this season the battle weary Lord’s barely shuffled into their positions for the night’s third game. Facing off against the Incrediballs fresh off of their first win it was expected to be a reprise of the LOTR past performances. Yet they took off to an early lead with LOTR’s Cattich and DeGiere shutting down Coates and Clay for a surprising 8 points. Finally at the opposite end of the court Rich & Michelle of Incrediball’s successfully held off LOTR’s devastating duo of Barb & Kay to chalk one point for their team. Very soon the Incrediballs rallied to even the score at 8 all and it looked like LOTR as usual, was going down for the count. Well, miracles do happen and we all witnessed one Friday when Lords of the Roll’s Barb & Kay then put three more on the board in the very next frame, followed by deGiere’s one, leaving Cattich to wisely sacrifice his final roll and bring LOTR their first win of 2018.

STANDINGS

M$ney Balls remains undefeated with just one regular season game to go this coming Friday.  DePhillip’s Sausage Rollers have continued their climb in the standings and are now in second place. Cozzie’s Hot Rollers have slipped another notch to third.

Surprisingly we have three teams with matching 1-3 records,  but it is the Total Points Scored (TPS) that determine the ultimate standings.  It will be the outcome of Round 5 that determines who goes into the Playoffs. Remember the top four places all have an equal chance in the Playoffs round to reach the Championship. First place plays fourth and second place plays third with the winners of each contest in the final Championship. The Lords, Incrediballs and Honor Rollers could each come in fourth if one team wins and the other two lose next week. If two the these teams both win or all three win, or all three lose, fourth place will be determined by TPS. Finally Cozzie and the Hot Rollers are at risk of slipping out of Championship contention if they lose this Friday and either the Lords, Incrediballs or Honor Rollers win with enough points to overcome the Hot Rollers’ substantial TPS of 38. Interesting enough with 39 TPS our miracle Lords  are playing Cozzie and the Hot Rollers Friday. If LOTR wins this Friday against the Hot Rollers, they will have jumped from last place after Round 3 to fourth place this week, and end up in third. Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus!

The theme for Friday is Southern BBQ. Please let me know as early as possible what you can bring and I will get it posted.

First game at 6:30 is M$ney Balls vs The Honor Rollers

Southern BBQ

• Deviled Eggs – Jill & Jamie
• Southern Pimento Cheese and Crackers – need volunteer
• Celery and Ranch dressing – Carla
• BBQ Chicken – Chris & Jack
• Corn Bread squares or muffins – Carol Lingo
• Mac & Cheese – Lynne & Jim
• Coleslaw – Cris
• Potato Salad – Rupert
• Corn on the Cob – Leslie
• Watermelon – June & Rich
• Brownies – Chris & Jack
• Tom Collins – Chris & Jack
• Beer – need volunteer
• Wine – need volunteer