It was soon to be a dark and stormy night.
The fame of the town’s own bocce team had spread throughout the county – even the entire region. They were the defending champions of the spring bocce tournament and they were undefeated at 5 wins in this fall season. They were known for the volume of their brash play – we could hear them every week from the other side of the field, loud and clear. They loomed large, mostly because of the size of their team members.
We were an affable group, the Boccers, not known for our size or our volume, but mostly for our desire to not have to endure the tournament at the end of the season. At 5:30 Thursday we had a 3-2 record, tying for 6th place.
But that was about to change.
The Townies came out of the gate strong with 3 frames of 3 points each to our 1 point. They increased their lead to 14-4, putting them in reach of winning with one of their infamous 3 point frames. At this point their characteristic boasting, nay gloating, was in high gear. But wait, the Boccers would have none of it. With a remarkable series of 1 and 2 point frames we found ourselves on the high end of a 16-15 score – unbelievable!
It came down to one last frame – we would win with one point, they would win with two. We bested them by scoring two for a final reckoning of 18-15.
We had scored 14 points to their 1 point, shutting down these bumptious, overweening public servants once and for all. And the rain came at sundown.
Long live the Boccers
Marty Stetson says
On any given Thursday any team can win. That goes for Tuesdays when it comes to playoffs, Townies lost last night. To some we may sound loud and brash the way we play, but to us it was just having fun and after all that is what Bocce Ball is all about. We will be back again in the Spring and try to get our Tuesday night championship back – and yes, being loud and fun loving again.
Marty Stetson says
I forgot to add to my original comment that I thought it was mean spirited bragging on the part of whomever wrote this article or provided the information. It was totally out of character of the teams that we played. ( I thought ) They must not have not noticed when we lost we congratulated them and smiled while we were doing it. We truly meant our congratulations and I kind of feel sorry for them if they hold such mean and petty feelings about a team they oppose in a Bocce game.
Ed Minch says
Marty
I wrote the piece and for some reason my name is not on it. I had no intention of being petty or mean, just using a bit of license to convey a feeling. We had no idea we had a chance of winning against the Townies on that Thursday night, and I thought a bit of good-natured ribbing was in the spirit of whole affair. None of us are professionals, and none of has anything but respect for the amount of fun that we have. I was certainly not bragging – we finished with 3 and 3 record, and have never finished much higher – but we come back every season. Sorry if you felt that way, it was deliberate.
Marty Stetson says
Ed,
I accept your apology, but you did offend all of the members of my team. ( If what you wrote was an apology ) We may play a little louder than some teams but it is never done in anyway to demean the other team.