| Lake Keller Bocce League |
Home
Wildcat Chat
"Chippy"| Select an issue: 2 | 3 |
 Issue #2 Alan Smithee |
|---|
Welcome bocce enthusiasts. As the 2001 LKBL season nears the halfway point, the divisional standings are starting to take shape. While the weather thus far has not been too hot , we are happy to report that your beloved Wildcats are smokin'. Thru 6 weeks of play, the Cats sit atop their division with an outstanding league leading record of 15-3. Also worth noting is the fact that they remain unbeaten in the first 2 games of each match. The team focus seems to slip a little in Game 3, possibly due to apathy or maybe one too many trips to the keg. The other top teams in the league at this point are the Outlaws (13-5), the Buds (10-8), and the surprise team of the year, the Fish (10-8). The veteran Junkers (9-9) are the only other team at .500 or better.
The Wildcats faced the Hooligans in a week 4 divisional match-up. Both teams came into the contest with league best 7-2 records, so it was an important early season showdown. The Hoolies jumped out to a quick 7-1 lead behind Larry "Poppins" Gere and Chris "Scratchy" Ennis. What transpired next is still being talked about. Former Hooligan Dan "Dynamite" Brunette showed up with his young son Jake "Fire Cracker" Brunette in search of some player autographs. As you may recall, Brunette left the Hooligans mid-season last year. He either quit or was ousted from the team by Captain Ennis depending on who tells the story. His presence obviously distracted the Hoolies and the always opportunistic Wildcats were more than happy to take advantage. The Cats preceded to score the next 20 points to win Game 1 in a laugher. The classless Hooligans even accused the Wildcats of staging the visit and even paying Dynamite. Wildcat management would neither confirm nor deny these allegations. The Hooligans never recovered as the Cats spanked them in the next 2 games as well to earn the all important sweep. Next on the schedule for the Wildcats was a date with their bitter rivals, the Buds. The Buds have gone an astonishing 71 weeks without losing all 3 games in a match. It is safe to say that the Cats main goal coming in was to end that streak. Lead-Offs Bob "Be-Bop" Boyle and Mike "Skull" Keenan took turns tossing the "P" as the two perennial playoff teams waged their typical battle. Bud killer Terry "Skyler" Donegan continued his dominance over this team with tremendous shooting while teammates Kevin "E-Z Express" Cappotelli and Chaunce "Mr. Bocce" Ball contributed with some great shots of their own. The first 2 games were both very hotly contested but the Cats were able to prevail in both of them. After jumping to a 16-8 lead in Game 3, the Cats were talking streak breaking. The proud Buds would not go quietly though. They stormed back to score the next 12 points and take a 18-16 lead. This impressive run can be attributed to some fine play by Greg "Don't Call Me Pete" Townsend and Bill "Hoagie" Hoag as well as the Cats slipping into their "Game 3 fog". The two teams traded shots until the score was deadlocked at 20. A great shot by newest Bud Brad "Former Fish" Pangrazio proved to be the difference as the Buds won 21-20 and preserved their "no shutout" streak. Many onlookers left the Iroquois lawn convinced they had just witnessed the finest bocce match in LKBL history. That brings us to the Wildcats latest match against the Clippers. While the Clippers are no stranger to the LKBL basement, they can be a feisty bunch. "Hammering" Hank Teed always brings his team to play. This night was no exception as the Clippers took the Cats to a 17-17 tie in each of the first two games. Mike "Blue Man" Roggow was downright unconscious and he was helped along by Dean "Green Thumb" Gardner and "Classy" Ed Chasse, who was called out of a two year retirement at the beginning of the season. The skill and experience of the Wildcats would be the difference as they went on to win Games 1 & 2 before blowing out the dulled Clippers in the third for yet another sweep.
Next up for the Wildcats are the Fish. Dan "Old Daniel" Traber really has his team playing well. Cagey veteran Sonny "The Don" Filio is enjoying a rejuvenation of sorts and Rob "Raider Fan" Rierdon is finally coming into his own in this his third year. We're about to find out what this team is made of. The Outlaws continue on their course to another playoff spot as they lead their division. The Brothers Curts, Stu "F U" Edwards, and Mike "Meatman" O'Marra no doubt have their sights on the Cats who have struggled against them in the past. The Buds jumped back into the playoff race with a sweep of the Hooligans this past week. The slumping Hoolies have dropped 8 of their last 9. The Junkers are still in the picture as they continue to find ways to win. The Wolves and last years champs the Hooters are fading fast. Hooter Captain Dave Hodge and his crew can't seem to reclaim that old Hooter magic, but I wouldn't count them out just yet. The Clippers are already looking to next year's free agent draft, hoping to sign a big name player. Then there's the Knights, who get beat like red-headed step children week after week. Not even Kenny "Saddam" Moyer's donning of Mickey Mouse ears could inspire this team to victory. But, you have to give them credit because they are out there competing every week.
Wildcat Anchor and resident computer geek Chaunce "I have way too much time on my hands" Ball has created the Lake Keller Bocce League web page. You can access it from the link below. The site contains rosters, standings, schedules and tons of useless stats for your perusal and will be updated weekly. Speaking of Ball, he became the first player in the Wildcat's storied history to throw for the cycle in a match against the Hooligans. Now for you bocce novices, throwing for the cycle means that he was in for a point with his shot from each of the shooting spots: Lead-off, Breaker, Hammer & Anchor. Truly an amazing and utterly selfish feat. Just two weeks later however, Ball would break the infamous Cat record of "most points given to the opposing team in a match". Former Wildcat Anchor Mickey Cappotelli said that that was one record he didn't mind giving up. Wildcat Captain Terry Donegan's decision to switch to a version of the West Coast Offense has benefited the Cats in more ways than one. Not only has it improved the team's scoring firepower, it has sped up the games meaning that the Cats are usually the first team done each night which leaves them plenty of time to heckle other teams. On a sad note, we here at the Wildcat Chat were sad to here of the passing of former bocce player Bob Keller. Our condolences go out to his family. That's all from the world of bocce for now. See you in a few weeks.
|
