Guest Commentator: Jeff Little
December 17th, 2008Note: These are Mr. Little’s personal views. The coach neither supports nor condones these sentiments:
“Hello fellow Bocce enthusiasts,
I hope you are all enjoying the off-season and making preparations for the opening Toss-off of the 2009 season.
The 2008 Championship was a glorious day showcasing some of the best talent ever seen on the Cape Bocce Circuit. Once again the team of Yarworth/Zaucha showed resiliency in the face of challenging opposition, ultimately using their experience (and some questionable tactics, again) to snatch the trophy from the young upstart team of Arsenault and Pete. Heavily favored to challenge the defending champs, “Lane 1″ suffered a humiliating loss, and were eliminated in the second round. Tabloids immediately began reporting dissention within the team, and there were even rumors swirling that two may go there separate ways. But, the lock for the Bocce hall-of-fame team of Brannan/Little have reconciled their differences and will return to form next year. I for one am already heavy into my off-season training and strengthening my injured shoulder. And as there are no rules and regulations, or random drug testing for performance enhancing supplements at this time, I fully intend to throw in a cycle or two.
The league made great strides this year introducing the league approved rulebook, but for all its good, it’s limitations were obvious with the seedings debauchery. Were it not for the quick thinking, due mostly in part to the fact that it was only 10:00 AM and they had only had a six-pack in them, the Koritkoski Brothers succeed in establishing order and salvaging the tournament format.
As I’m sure you all will agree there were many highlights to rejoice about this season; however, there were some poor displays of gamesmanship which cuts to core of the Gentleman’s game of Bocce. Words can’t describe the shame the league felt when a contestant, who after being eliminated from the competition, abused the alcohol policies and caused a 5 minute delay in the championship round by taunting an active contestant which lead to a childish round of chase. The Henry Turner clause will be enacted in 2009. Similarly, the timeout policy for relieving oneself was challenged repeatedly by a member of the victorious team. There were some claims of foul play as this was seen as a tactic to wear down the opposition by increasing the amount of alcohol they had to consume. No official complaints were filed, but the league has taken notice.
That being said I would like to propose a winter hot-stove gathering at John Harvard’s with the rules committee to lay the ground work for the upcoming season. I propose we discuss, in a gentleman’s manner, and of course over several micro-brews, a preliminary list of updates. To which we would re-convene at the spring session in May where representatives of the West Coast Division can be in attendance.
Enjoy the rest of your offseason…see you on the beach b*****s.”


