New Look

It was a new look Chewbocce that took the court last night for our showdown with Brownberry Tigers. Chewbocce has added four (!) new members to its swelling ranks, with Joe, Alex, Nick and Janene all making their season debuts. Paul, Jo and Todd were also on hand (along with Dan, who didn't play but did seem to have fun hanging out with the kids), with Stacy and Phyllis unable to partake in the fun this week. Much like week 1 Chewbocce jumped to an early lead in the first game, only to see a late surge from Brownberry overtake us. The next two games unravelled similarly (except we got beat ever more soundly as they went on). Brownberry Tigers are a no-nonsense, old school bocce team and we certainly got old schooled! They were quite adept at bank shots and knew how to put some nice spin on the balls as well. The real key to their success was racking up 3-4 points on the rounds they did win, whereas we usually scored 1-2 on our winning rounds. That aside it was a perfect night for bocce and there wasn't anywhere else any of us would have rather been. Nick and young Henry Bernhardt did also engage in some public art creation(very appropriate ahead of Art-A-Whirl this weekend), as they each drew spaceships with which to battle. No clear winner was established but my money is on Henry B (sorry Nick). There was also some brief discussion of a possible practice session as well, but no firm plans have been established as of yet. Also Paul was kind enough to set us up a Facebook group. Check it out if you are on Facebook (and if you're not - WTF? get on that shizz). Also, be aware that plans are also being made for us to screen our own t-shirts in the not too distant future. That should be loads of fun.

Well that was interesting.

So, unlike the perfect the weather of last week, we were treated to some early August swelter that segued into severe weather. Luckily we only had a few drops of rain and some lightening in the distance but the tornado sirens did spook us a bit. We were also the last team to finish again. I'm starting to sense a pattern here. But unlike last week we did manage to win 2 of the 3 matches. Yesterday's Chewbocce team was a bit different from last week's edition. Phyllis was unable to play but Paul and Jo made their 2011 season debut. We started slowly, getting beat pretty soundly in the first game by the nice people of Bocce Serra, but rebounded very well in the next two. Our play was hampered a bit by the fact we were on court 6, which is by far the worst court at the park. We did rake and drag it, which helped some but there was a definite slope away from the middle, it's very hard packed and strewn with rocks. It appears to be a favorite place for neighborhood kids to ride their bikes in as well, which really doesn't help. In fact there was a young man who rode his bike up to the court rather expectantly several times before he figured out that yes, these old people will be playing their stupid game here for a long time. But all in all it was a fine night (helped by Stacy remembering to bring some beer)and it points to a bright season ahead.

Oh, there was also a bat flying around near our court. That was fun.

Chewbocce 2011 Northeast Bocce league schedule

Date Opponent Court
05/03/2011 Team Egan 2
05/10/2011 Bocce Serra 6
05/17/2011 Brownberry Tigers 1
05/24/2011 Marino's 5
05/31/2011 Neon Balls of Fury 1
06/07/2011 Uncle Franky's 5
06/14/2011 Brownberry Tigers 2
06/21/2011 Carmel's Kids 1
06/28/2011 Yo Bocce Bocce 2
07/12/2011 Fitness Crossroads 1
07/19/2011 Guiseppe 2

Welcome and first week recap

Well the 2011 Bocce season is underway. It kicked off last night and Stacy, Phyllis and Todd engaged in battle royale with the very friendly and helpful Team Egan. The first game went to the plucky newcomers 11-7 but the wily veterans bounced back in game 2 to win by the same score. As darkness crept up and all he other team finished their games, the 3rd game became a battle of wills, contested 1 point at at time. It was almost 9, the score knotted at 10, when Team Egan's Terry rolled their last ball. If he failed to best Chewbocce's placement, the game would be over but he managed to snuggle right up against the pallino. Chewbocce had a couple of chances to knock him off but just missed doing so and Team Egan were victorious. It was a beautiful and very fun night of Bocce and we are excited about the rest of the season.