Campbell Bocce League 2018 Championships

2018 Teddy

2018 Wooden Spoon- Deboccery

What can we say about this year’s Wooden Spoon recipients, Lords of the Rolls? Led by three time league Champion and our 2016 MVP Captain Jim Leon, with teammates who between them owned seven previous championships. And three of these players were on last year’s championship team! LOTR won only one game in regular season play when they managed to defeat The Incrediballs in Round 4, 12-8. With a shot in Round 5 of moving up into the playoffs if they could just beat Cozzie & her Hot Rollers, LOTR showed exceptional skill and focus, but narrowly loss 13- 10. With a final defeat to Captain Carol Lingo’s Honor Rollers, The Lords have ended up in last place and have won the most dubious of awards, The Wooden Spoon. An “honor” it must be mentioned previously bestowed twice on Leslie deGiere. Captain Jim Leon, Leslie deGiere, Barb Kutschinski, Chris Cattich, and Kay Missin please come forward to accept your Wooden Spoons.

2018 Top Scoring Substitute -Leanne Gershong

This substitute attended nearly every game and was instrumental in the successful outcome time after time of both The Honor Rollers and Cozzie and her Hot Rollers. With her accurate rolling, great enthusiasm and ability to be at the ready whenever called, Leanne Gershong is CBL’s 2018 Top Scoring Substitute.

2018 Master Stagehand- Bobby Corso

Many of us have attended Broadway productions so immersed in the story on stage that we forget we are even in a theatre. Productions like that only happen when the team backstage has executed their part flawlessly, never forgetting a prop or lighting cue. Well CBL nights may not be Broadway but the fact they do go off so smoothly is due in no small part to the preparation that takes place beforehand. Bobby Corso has reliably arrived at the CB grounds 2- 3 hours before each game to ensure that everything is in its place. So when we all arrive the games are ready to be played. For his dedication over many seasons, Bobby Corso is awarded the 2018 Master Stagehand.

High Steaks

The Awards

2018 MVP- Lynne Missin

To go from wooden spoon to an undefeated regular season is quite an accomplishment. We have all witnessed this player’s growth in consistency, strategy, and dead eye accuracy. Assisting her team by wildly running up and down the length of the court behind every ball she rolls, and cheering her teammates every play through 5 undefeated games, this player has no doubt has earned our Most Valuable Player Award. Lynne Missin you are CBL’s 2018 MVP.

2018 O Captain, My Captain- Jamie Milliner

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 a 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 has the true spirit of CBL in his veins. Jamie Milliner you are CBL 2018 O Captain, My Captain.

2018 Golden Ball Award- Michelle Smith

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 is such an award. We recognize the contribution of a player, with the best performance over seven seasons. Championships in 2014, 2017, and 2018 Plus one second place finish and two thirds, this player statistics outrank all other players over seven seasons.

Michelle Smith you are the recipient of CBL 2018 Golden Ball award.

2018 Championship- The Incrediballs

This year was another great Championship match, hotly contested, passionately played and expertly rolled. The Incrediballs hanging near the bottom of the standings during the season had squeaked into 4^th place by the conclusion of regular play. Having to face the undefeated 1^st place M$ney Balls in the playoffs no one (least of all The Incrediballs) anticipated the incredible upset that sent The Incrediballs into the Championship round to face Cozzie and her Hot Rollers.

The Hot Rollers’ season was a slippery slope, starting in first then second place they were soon hanging in third by their fingertips. Facing a risk in the final season game of moving into 5^th if they were defeated by the Lords and both the Incrediballs and Honor Rollers had won their match, Captain Carla with her amazing competitive spirit rallied her troops to win and entered the playoffs in third. With a defeat of Rupert’s second place Sausage Rollers in the playoffs, Cozzie and The Hot Rollers were off to face The Incrediballs in the Championship.

Captain Carla, it must be noted has taken each of her teams to the playoffs in 2015 (Easy Rollers), 2016, 2017 and 2018 (Cozzie & The Hot Rollers.) She has led her team into the Championship with two heartbreaking second place finishes in both 2015 and now 2018. 2018’s Hot Rollers players along with Captain Carla are Jack Campbell- Wooden Spoon in 2012, Man of the League in 2016, Champion in 2016, Nate Castillo four seasons with a 4^th or 5^th place finish, and Gail Gilbert with just two seasons in the League are once

Our 2018 Champion The Incrediballs led by Captain June Weaver, a 2017 Wooden Spoon Recipient defeated Cozzie and the Hot Rollers 12-6. Accompanied by Rich Weaver 2016 Rookie of the Year, Michelle Smith 2014 and 2017 Championships plus this year’s 2018 Golden Ball Award, Clay Lingo 2015 Championship and Top scoring Sub in 2016, and Chris Coates 2012 Wooden Spoon.

Congratulations to The Incrediballs this year’s recipient of the coveted Teddy and 2018 Campbell Bocce League Champions!

2018 The Incrediballs Captain June Weaver, Rich Weaver, Chris Coates, Michelle Smith, Clay Lingo

2018 The Incrediballs

Captain June Weaver, Rich Weaver, Chris Coates, Michelle Smith, Clay Lingo

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

Due to my scheduling mistake, we are cancelling Bocce this Friday and postponing Round 4 until August 3rd. This means we will have Bocce two Fridays in a row, August 3rd and August 10th. The schedule then resumes as normal every other week through the Championship.

Last week’s bocce matches were inspiring. We saw some new talent emerge, a couple upsets and some very looooong games. A shoutout to new Captain Jamie Milliner and his M$ney Balls, they are currently undefeated, a great start for rookie Captain Jamie. We had guest roller Olivia Lingo stepping in for Cozzie’s missing Captain Carla. This young woman continues to amaze us each summer with her guest appearances and fabulous skills. And quiet but deadly has been Mo, he sits silently along the sidelines then steps into the court and unleashes with deadly accuracy. Jamie and team were wise to tap Mo as their sub for the vacationing Kelly. For brevity, I am just going to list the individual results and the new standings.

Game 1  M$ney Balls 12 – Lords of the Rolls 9

Game 2 Sausage Rollers 12 – Cozzie & The Hot Rollers 11

Game 3 The Incrediballs 12 – The Honor Rollers 6

STANDINGS

Menu for Round 4, August 3rd will be Asian Luau. Once again please let me know what you can contribute and I will post:

• Eggrolls- Lynne & Jim
• Potstickers with Dipping sauce -Michelle & Mo
• Maui Onion potato chips- June & Rich
• Asian Ribs- Chris & Jack
• Teriyaki Chicken- Chris & Jack
• Fried Rice- Cris
• Tropical Fruit Salad- need volunteer
• Asian Salad- Leslie
• Coconut cupcakes- need volunteer
• Asian Beer- Travis & Kelly
• Wine- need volunteer
• Pina Coladas- Chris & Jack

It really was the sweet life Friday June 29th for Round 2 of CBL. With numerous guests, a gorgeous Italian meal of antipasto, grilled sausages,warm pasta, summer tomatoes, salad and garlic bread all washed down with Aperol Spritzes and Carl’s bubbly the beautifully warm night was the classic example of “Noi non possiamo avere una vita perfetta senza amici.” Look it up!!

Bocce was also nearly perfect, at least for the three teams who won their night’s game.

Game 1 featured Carla’s Hot Rollers assisted this round by British import Alex Moody in excellent form. A reprise of the Hot Rollers first round win showed them quickly defeating June Weaver’s Incrediballs. Rich Weaver and Chris Coates managed to place several points on the board for the IBalls but the effective rolling of Jack and Nate suppressed the scoring potential of the Iballs Clay, Michelle and June at the north end of the court. Cozzie & The Hot Rollers 12, Incrediballs 5

Lords of the Rolls and The Honor Rollers truly battled out the evening’s second game. Jim Leon’s Lords displayed their true potential with Leslie, Barb, Chris Cattich and Kay effectively rolling point after point to capture the win over Captain Carol’s Honor Rollers. Despite their eventual loss, The Honor Rollers made a very impressive showing assisted by Travis, Jill and Leann substituting for Jim Woodcock. The long game finally concluded with Lords of the Rolls 12, The Honor Rollers 10. Correction from our scorekeeper, the Honor Rollers impressive showing was a rally near the end of the game that resulted in a win for the Honor Rollers!  The Honor Rollers 12, Lords of the Rolls 10. Congratulations Captain Carol, Travis, Jill and Leann. The standings have been updated and Honor Rollers are now in third place.

Our evening concluded with another interesting match between M$ney Balls captained by Rookie Coach Jamie Milliner and DePhillip’s Sausage Rollers. When we spoke of the fine ball skills displayed by Sausage members, Conor, Ted, Carl and Mo, Captain Ru said if they were all that good they would have won. Alas, so true, so true. However, with Missin at the absolute top of her game, ably assisted by Milliner and a really hot Corso there was no stopping the inexorable mounting tally of M$ney Balls as they slowly but surely reached the magic 12, deflating the Sausage Rollers drive and hopes. Final score M$ney Balls 12, Sausage Rollers 8.

We now have standings to report:

Friday our theme will be Viva la Mexico aka Holy Guacamole. First teams playing at 6:30 are Lords of The Rolls and M$ney Balls. The menus is:

• Chips- June & Rich
• Salsa, green, red, fire roasted-  Lynne & Jim
• Guacamole- lots of guacamole! –  Gail, Bobby
• Grilled Adobo Chicken- Chris
• Chipotle Flank Steak- Chris
• Tortillas , corn 6″-  Michelle & Mo
• Cheese, shredded or crumbled-  Jill & Jaimie
• Beans-  Rupert
• Rice-  Barb
• Black bean corn, and tomato salad –  Carol
• Mexican fruit popsicles-  Lori
• Margaritas- Chris & Jack
• Mexican Beer-  need volunteers

Let me know via this website, email or text what you can bring and I will post.

Round 1 of Campbell Bocce League was played like an All Star mid-season showcase for the league’s top players. It certainly wasn’t the slow tentative rolling we have witnessed in previous season openers. Accompanied by ballpark franks, popcorn, peanuts and plenty of beer it was a fine night to start our seventh season. A surprise appearance by 2014’s Captain Courageous John Costa and his talented offspring certainly added to the evenings fun and very competitive play.

Game 1 ran overtime as Lord of The Rolls and Sausage Rollers strategically blocked extra point opportunities and limited scoring in each frame to an absolute minimum. Sausage Rollers led by Captain Rupert DePhillips narrowly clinched the win,  11- 8.

The Incrediballs with newbie Captain June Weaver did not have as much luck through a protracted and carefully measured scoring battle against Jamie Milliners M$ney Balls. Game 2 was truly dominated by M$ney Ball player Lynne Missin who showed outstanding accuracy and perseverance despite or perhaps inspired by several glasses of Carl’s finest bubbly. Final Score M$ney Balls 11 – Incrediballs 6.

Captain Carla may have finally put together her dream team. As Game 3 progressed her Hot Rollers were down a disappointing 6 points to The Honor Rollers led by seasoned Captain Carol Lingo. However with Jack Campbell, Nate and substitute Johnny Costa, The Hot Rollers rallied to victory 12-8.

Tomorrow Round 2 begins at 6:30 with Cozzie and the Hot Rollers facing off against The Incrediballs. Our theme is Bocce Italiano, and the proposed menu is:

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

The Captain’s dinner and team selection was a fun evening with a  chance to get together with good friends, enjoy some lively conversation,  a wonderful dinner and wine. A shout out to June and Rich Weaver’s talented #1 child Katie Weaver for some extraordinary ribs. Thanks Katie for stepping in, shopping and cooking our best ribs yet. Also Gail and Rupert thanks for some great appetizers. Gail send in that recipe for your artichoke  dip and it will be published under our recipe section.

The evening’s purpose was to anoint this season’s captains, Jim Leon, Rupert DePhillips, June Weaver, Carol Lingo, Carla Brouillette and Jamie Weaver and have them draw their teams.  With Clay Lingo acting as official recorder, the teams for 2018 are:

Team 1 –  Captain Jim Leon, Leslie deGiere, Barb Kutschinski, Chris Cattich, and Kay Missin

Team 2 – Captain Rupert DePhillips, Conor Pullman, Ted Lusher, Carl Alderete, Moshia Smith

Team 3 – Captain June Weaver, Clay Lingo, Rich Weaver, Michelle Smith, Chris Coates

Team 4 – Captain Jamie Milliner, Kelly Simmons, Bobby Corso, Lynne Missin

Team 5 – Captain Carla Brouillette, Jack Campbell, Nate Castillo, Gail Gilbert

Team 6 – Captain Carol Lingo, Jim Woodcock, Jill Milliner, Travis Simmons

Teams and Captains, please select your name by Friday June 8. Also per last year’s new rule, teams that have five players are required to play all team members attending that evening. Captains are responsible for selecting the starting line up and deciding when to make the substitution.

First match of the season is Friday June 15. Team 1 will  play Team 2 starting at 6:30 pm.

Our menu for Round 1 is Take Me Out To The Ball Game. Please let me know what you can contribute and I will post.

The Playoffs were an outstanding success with competition fierce and banter high. There was no change in the standings. First place team The Rolling Stones defeated fourth place   Game of Throwns, and second place Holy Rollers defeated third place Cozzie and The Hot Rollers. Labor Force retained fifth place by defeating Deboccery and so have avoided the Wooden Spoon. which will be awarded to Captain Conor et. al.

Friday nights festivities will begin at 6:30 with Cocktails and Appetizers while Cozzie and the Hot Rollers battle Game of Throwns for 3rd and 4th place. Once the BBQ is lit and the ribeyes are sizzling , the main event begins with The Rolling Stones playing Holy Rollers for the 2017 Championship.

The night will conclude with the Award ceremony and one team having their name emblazoned on our Campbell Bocce League Perpetual Trophy. But who will win the MVP, Rookie of the Year, or Ace Bowler?

Please everyone call or email to let me know if you will be attending. As always your contributions towards the night’s menu will be appreciated.

RSVP to Chris 415.722.7067 or cmcoates@aol.com

Menu “High Steaks”

• Veggies and dip – June & Rich
• Chips and dip – Kelly & Travis
• Cheese Plate  – need volunteer
• Salami & Olives –need volunteer
• Ribeyes – Jack & Chris
• Twice Baked Potatoes – Jack & Chris
• Classic Green Salad- Leslie
• Tomatoes with Basil – need volunteer
• Chocolate Cupcakes– Cris MacKenzie
• Champagne –Nate & need additional volunteers
• Red Wine – Carol & Clay