Since Roll'em If You Got'em started in fall 2013 a couple things really stand out.  First is how much better the courts roll now.  Thanks Mike, Dave, Ryan, DRip and all the others for making this happen.  Second is how much better the competition has become.

Roll'em came on at the end of the season but we're going to have to get a lot more consistent moving forward.  We left way too many potential three or four spots on the board, usually walking away with one or two.  We also left way the court way to open allowing other teams those three and four spots.  Hopefully in the coming season we can capitalize on our opportunities and minimize the others. 

On a great day for Bocce in the 'boro Roll'em If You Got'em took the courts attempting to get their first much wanted beer mug trophy's.  In the first game Roll'em had the Rowdy Cougars who were noticeably much quieter.  In one of our best games of the year we got on them quick and stayed on them for a 9-2 win.  In the second game we played 2 Boobs and 2 Girls who had the leagues best record.  2 Boobs were short handed with only three players and after a slow start we were able to take care of them for a hollow victory.  At this point we knew we were going to advance as the winner of our pool.  In the third game of pool play Roll'em had a massive let down and lost to the short handed Bocce Kong who played very well.  Roll'em was never in the game and I was worried it would carry over into the single elimination final.  In the first playoff game we played I'll have another and my long ago softball rival Chris.  Roll'em played arguably our best game as we moved on the the quarter finals.  All four Roll'ems made good throws with the key being a long corner shot by Clutch that knocked them out of a point.  The next game was against Big Headed Monsters and we laid a humongous egg losing 9-0.  The few good throws we made were topped by the Monsters who ended up being the overall tournament champs.  Overall the Glue and Clutch played really well and Clinker and myself made enough good throws on the day to be encouraged that we are getting our mojo back.

Roll'em's quest for another towel came to a sudden halt last night.  With three teams no showing it was a nine team single elimination tournament.  In our first game we gradually pulled away from Mission: Imbocce and the birthday boy (and today's birthday girl).  Highlight of the game was that Clutch found her stroke.  The second game against Holy Balls Batman had a lot of really good throws by each team.  We had a chance to end the game with a point on the board and three left  but alas I shorted one then Clinker shorted another before getting one in.  Leading 7-5 we didn't get any shots close and they were able to close the deal in a defeat I'm not going to get over for awhile.  Holy Balls went on to defeat Muddy Rollers in the championship.  The only good thing is the neither of the loud mouth girls were there to rub it in. 

Roll'em If You Got'em wrapped up the spring season with a come from behind victory over the Marauders.  After a back and forth start the Marauders pulled away with several good throws that knocked us out and them in, the last of which put them up 8-4.  Things were looking grim for the good guys but the Glue and Clutch Cargo came through with a tight four banger to even the score.  At this point Dusty and Clinker made a strategic change with Clinker going first.  With the pallino on the wall Clinker put a good shot.  The Marauders first shot was a little short then the next two shots hit it but were unable to get inside Clinkers ball.  Their final ball looked good but hugged the wall which got the Judge so upset he started stripping.  Thankfully he stopped before causing any vision damage.  Roll'em has to tighten up our game with inter-pool tonight and season tournament Saturday.

On a cool and very windy day The Glue and I joined forces with Cheryl and Jess and ventured over to Herrin for a benefit tournament.  After both Glue and I received phone calls in the bathroom telling us we were up we faced our old buddies the Eclectics featuring Micks wife Jan.  Both teams had a lot of very closes misses but we played a little better and were able to walk away with a 9-5 victory.  We then played Chevys who had just lost to the Eclectics.  A potential close game was blown up when we were sitting on two points with one ball left and knocked their ball in for a point thus a potential 6-4 or 6-5 game was 7-2 instead and we were unable to recover.  Afterwards we met some other Boro Bocce players at Frenchmans Widow for a quick snack and a beer before heading home for some much needed R&R.

Friday the 13th got the Roll'em team on a night of upsets last night.  The B-iotches had an answer for all the good opening throws made by Clinker and The Glue.  Clutch and myself had trouble making any good throws.  Afterwards we went to Mi Patio for an equally disappointing late supper then on to Brews Brothers for an ill advised nightcap.  We're starting to have more trouble with kids messing up the courts and it will only get worse once schools out.  Very aggravating.

The spring season ended with a bang last night as storms blew through the area causing a tornado warning which caused our games with the B-iotches and Mauraders to be cancelled.  As stuff was being put away Clutch was already in her jeep ready to go.  Clinker turned off the lights and was barely able to jump in as Clutch was rolling down the alley :-).  The storm out will create problems with the standings for next weekends tournament.  The obvious solution is to award Roll'em two victories and everyone else two losses.

A much needed sweep by Roll'em minus Clutch and Herbster.  Luckily we still had The Glue to keep us together.  Everett and super sub Fred filled in for us and threw well.  In the first game a tight 5-5 game against Muddy Rollers was blown wide open with the most wide open four banger I think I've ever seen.  After Freddy had put a really nice ball, Muddy went for four straight hits none of which were successful.  All me and Fred had to do was not drop the ball and not hit the back wall.  The second game against Boccilism was a close fought game that was marred by controversy.  Fred put the pallino off the back wall and then too close the side wall which was followed by the 'lisms throwing the ball too short.  I said the pallino should go on the green line (I meant the 10' red line) and Big Ed said the mid court white line.  After some discussion the ball was placed at the white line because after all no one wanted to argue with Big Ed :-)   Everett looked the rule up and it was the 10' line but we went on with us getting the point and eventually winning the game. 
One week left in the spring season which has gone real fast.