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April 2008
Bocce Ball Time!
By: Brad Reed
Creative Writer
Bocce! Bocce! Bocce! It time again to limber up the arms and start tossing the Bocce balls. Yep, the New Town Bocce League is beginning Tuesday evening, April 22nd, and we're looking for residents to fill out our teams.
If you're not sure how to the game plays, don't fear…it's easier than regular bowling plus you don't have all those gangly pins getting in the way. Our league pits two teams against each other…each with four balls apiece. Another smaller ball, the pallino, leads the way by acting as the target. When the smoke clears, the team with the closest ball to the pallino scores a point...and also a point for each of its other balls which are closer to the pallino than any of the opposing teams balls...in this case, the bad guy's balls. Pretty simple really...and don't let that long list of the rules get in your way. It's there for those obscure moments when a bribe to the Commissioner just won't work!
We play two half-hour games per team, per evening, and continue for seven weeks. This allows for plenty of competitive spirit, and also leaves time for you to enjoy an ice cream stop at Bonnidell's Ice Cream Shop. Or time for your team to discuss your strategy concerning your next week's opponent over a cold one at Ruskin O'Brien's. Pick your poison...
This is the third year for the Bocce League, and it has proven to be a very popular activity here in New Town. We started way back in 2006, with the Bocce Bandits securing the inaugural championship. Commemorative T-shirts and a gift card were the prizes awarded the to Bandits for their final day's clinching. The next two crowns (spring and fall 2007) went to the Odd Balls, who swapped out a few players between their first and second championships. Apparently Karen and Jeremy are a tough combo to beat, and they can do it with whomever they add to their team. Maybe the next championship will go to your team. Of course, you can't win if you don't play! Sounds 'Missouri Lotteryish', don't it?
Among the prizes awarded last year were gift cards, and a commemorative glass noting the victorious achievement of the championship team. Also introduced at this time was the Gerald 'Jerry' Jacobs Championship Trophy. This trophy is on display in the Domain Street Wine Bar, and includes the championship cup mounted upon a column of plaques listing the past championship teams and the names of each team member. The crystal cup, incidentally, is given to the winning team for a month after their victorious event, to do what they want to do with it...ala the Stanley Cup in hockey.
So dig deep for a ten spot, and join us as we kick off another great year of Bocce ball. For more information, check the Mail Center bulletin board or visit www.newtownatstcharles.com. Slide on down the left side of the home page until you reach 'Fun and Games'. Click on it, and then click the Bocce League, and you'll have everything you always wanted to know about the New Town Bocce League at the tip of your mouse.
See ya courtside!
The Duke of Hempstead
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