Bocce players still play with gray skies!
Lorraine Wilson
The bocce season commenced with gusto during the week of March 11, with matches scheduled for Tuesday through Friday. However, the unpredictable Texas weather threw in its share of challenges, making for an eventful start to the games.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, matches proceeded smoothly without any interruptions. Thursday’s 6 p.m. Capone Division play encountered a sudden storm, causing the first game to pause. To adapt, the commissioner adjusted the playing time to 20 minutes with a target of nine points for the remaining two matches.
Friday brought heavy rainfall, leading to the cancellation of the 2 p.m. Genovese Division play. Due to the lingering standing water on the turf, the 4 p.m. Gambino Division play also had to be called off. Fortunately, the weather improved, allowing the 6 p.m. Anastasia Division to proceed under clear skies.
The first week of play provided valuable lessons for captains and players alike:
1. It emphasized the importance of staying updated via GroupMe for all game-related updates, especially those concerning weather conditions. A crucial reminder was not to assume that all divisions would be canceled on a particular day due to weather, given Texas’ swift weather shifts.
2. Decisions regarding weather-related cancellations and game duration adjustments (from the standard 30 minutes/11 points to 20 minutes/9 points) are solely in the hands of the commissioners.
3. Captains must make sure score sheets are filled out completely and ensure they match those of the opposing team. Promptly sending the score sheets to John Humphries after each game streamlines the process of determining division standings.
4. There are no scheduled make-up dates for matches canceled due to weather. Matches that are not completed due to a “sudden” weather event will result in the cancellation of the entire division’s play for that date.
Understanding the structure of divisions is also important, with each division comprised of 10 teams designated to play on specific days and times. For instance, the Bufalino Division plays on Tuesdays at 2 p.m., hosting teams named Cannoli, Debocchers, Bocce Per Tutti, Gonna Do About It, Ball Knockers, Burning for Bocce, Cheeseheads Too, Bocce Nostra, Bocce Busters, and Pallino Posse!
The Bocce Club’s popularity is undeniable, with matches being played by 12 divisions every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., and 6 p.m. With a membership exceeding 1400 players, the club surpasses the populations of nearly 1000 towns in Texas! We are practically a town ourselves! Let’s call ourselves Bocce, Texas.
This surge of interest has inspired the creation of a special “Bocce, TX, pop 1400” T-shirt, celebrating the community’s passion for the sport. Available in a light blue mist color and crafted from a comfortable CVC poly/cotton blend, the shirt is priced at $20, tax included, with cash or checks accepted. To place an order, contact Nancy Tastle at [email protected].
As spring bocce play continues through the week of May 6, playoffs are scheduled to begin the following week. Despite Texas weather posing challenges for outdoor sports in the spring, dedicated bocce players will persistently roll out the pallino and bocce!