The tape measure was out in our very first round of the season. Never have we begun a season with such highly competitive matches, with players keenly anxious to place the ball perfectly, to squeeze every point from any opportunity, to battle fiercely  maintaining a lead or gaining the advantage.

A Game of Inches

Chewbocce led by last year’s Championship Captain June Weaver defeated Captain Conor’s Fugetabocce 12 to 2.  The score certainly didn’t reflect some precise rolling by Fugetabocce’s own Barb K and Travis. Nonetheless, Jim Leon, Lynne and an extremely accurate Mo, assured Chewbocce won with a wide margin.

The evening’s second game featured Luke Skyroller winning by a 4 points against Jamie Milliners’ Bocce Bunch. Skyroller’s Captain Nate along with his teammates Leslie, Bobby & Rich Weaver fought a protracted battle against Bocce Bunch’s Jill, Carla and Chris Cattich finally winning 12-8.

Balls of Steel captured the win in the nights final game, coming from behind to defeat La Bocce Vita 13-10. LBV was severely heckled at both court ends with captain Ted of BOS putting last year’s Substitute of the Year Leanne off her normally accurate game, while Balls of Steels Rupert & Clay successfully dented Jim Woodcock’s deadly aim. With Jack Campbell strategically allowing the visiting Luke Darwin to substitute, Balls of Steel racked up the points and the win.

Round 2 begins Friday June 28 at 6:30 with Balls of Steel facing off against Bocce Bunch. Our theme is Bocce Italiano and the menu will be

• Salami & Cheese- Nate
• Olives, Pepperoncini, Artichoke Hearts, etc.- (antipasto platter)- Jill & Jamie
• Prosciutto & Melon- need volunteer
• Figs with Gorgonzola- Karen & Brooke
• Grilled Italian Sausage- Chris & Jack
• Onions & Peppers- Chris & Jack
• Hot Pasta- Clay
• Green Salad- Leanne
• White Bean Salad– Leslie deGiere
• Tomato with Mozzarella and Basil- Cris Mackenzie
• Garlic Bread- June & Rich
• Italian Cookies- Karen & Brooke, Gail
  
• Beer- Travis & Kelly
• Wine- need volunteer
• Champagne- need volunteer
• Pellegrino- Jim & Lynne
• Aperol Spritz- Jack & Chris

“It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone. You count on it, rely on it to buffer the passage of time, to keep the memory of sunshine and high skies alive, and then just when the days are all twilight, when you need it most, it stops.”  A. Bartlet Giamatti

Today, though is just the beginning, we can leave that impending heartbreak to the future, when the last ball has been rolled and the dust settles, when someone walks off with the trophy and the rest of us look to another spring, another beginning.

We begin with Game One Friday June 14 at 6:30. First teams up are Chewbocce and Captain Conor’s yet unnamed heroes. Remember Captains and Players to have your team names to me by next Monday. Team members please contact your captains by Wednesday to let them know if you will be present or absent.

The Teams are as follows:

Our theme for Round 1 is “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”. Please let me know what you can contribute via email and I will post.

• Popcorn, Buttered – Gail
• Peanuts in Shell – Nate
• Ruffle Chips and Onion dip – Lynne & Jim
• Hot dogs & Polish- Chris & Jack
• Buns- Chris & Jack
• Chili – Travis & Kelly
• Toppings, Onions, sauerkraut, hot peppers, grated cheddar – Leslie
• Condiments, Ketchup, mustard, relish – Leanne
• Old Fashioned Coleslaw – June & Rich
• Potato salad – Michelle & Mo, Karen & Brooke
• Ice Cream sandwiches – Clay
• Beer – Leanne
• Wine – Lynne & Jim
• Adult Lemonade – Chris & Jack