With the Glue on a beach in Alabama, Herbster and Clutch vacationing with family and Pete playing on another team Roll'em If Ya Got decided not to play in the summer tournament.  Instead Roberto took the Glues place on Boro City Rollers joining Fred, Cathy and me.  Our pool consisted of three Monday teams and one Wednesday team which was disappointing since those are the two nights me and Fred play on.
In the first game we took on the always entertaining Eclectics who edged us out as Monday night league champions.  The game was close throughout with the Eclectics slightly in front.  They had a chance to close out the game but had to settle for a 8-7 lead.  Roberto put his first ball very close to the pallino and they used three balls before Mick came through and also put one close.  After much looking and measuring our still slightly in.  Any kind of touch on the cluster of balls around pallino would most likely change the scoring so we debated throwing our balls away.  In the end we decided to take a humongous risk and have Roberto go for a knock since Fred hadn't been his normal reliable self.  This could backfire so many ways and give us a first round loss.  Roberto's executed the knock great but when the balls stopped the Eclectics were now in.  The good news was they were about twelve feet away and our last two balls easily got inside of them for the win.
In the second game we played the Elks who won the Monday night league towel tournament.  The game started out close but we made more clutch shots and pulled away for a 9-6 win.  This put us in great position as all we had to do was win our last game and we'd advance out of pool play.
In the third round we played the Usual Suspects who knocked Roll'em out of the Wednesday towel tournament.  The game started out great as we put a four banger on them right of the back.  They answered in a big way with shot after great shot and pulled away giving us a 9-5 butt whooping.  This put us in a position of having to hope the Eclectics defeated the Elks so we'd advance otherwise there would be a roll off.  The Eclectics didn't help us out and we went to a three way roll off.
Captain Fred hadn't really played well so he chose Roberto and me to throw in the roll off.  We were the second team to throw and Roberto's shot looked good until it caught the Usual Suspects ball and knocked them a little closer.  The Elks threw last a put an okay ball which was still in by a lot.  I went first in the second round and made a bad throw which knocked the Elks closer and the Suspects last ball was also off the mark which made the Elks number one in our pool.  In the second round the Suspects first ball was short and Roberto put his shot very close to the pallino.  Their last shot was off the mark and we moved on as the second place finisher.
In the first game of the elimination tournament we faced Here For Beer.  They put a four point frame on us right off the bat but me and Roberto put a three right back on them.  It was about here where Fred found his stroke and we pulled away and got the win 9-5.
In the quarter finals we faced the perennial contenders Big Muddy Monsters.  They got a fast start with a couple points but once again we came back and pulled away, winning 9-4 which advanced us to the finals.  Fred had been there a couple times but lost each time while it was a first for the rest of us.
In the finals we took on Pookies which is the team that Pete was playing for.  We stayed hot while they had a lot of very close misses which started to take a toll on them and the two on mine and Roberto's end seemed to get very frustrated.  I'm not really sure how but we kept pulling away until it was 8-3.  Roberto went short with the pallino which had backfired in the Wednesday towel tournament.  We traded point balls until I threw my first ball just short of their two, one of which was the point ball.  I'd had good luck throwing at our ball and moving them up so I decided to try and hit my first ball and move it inside their point ball.  The strategy was good but the execution was very poor.  I yanked my ball to the left about a foot.  At this point I was just hoping we could hold them to one point but my ball somehow clipped the left side of one of Roberto's ball and pushed it right enough to be the new point ball.  Our ball was protected in front by three other balls so they couldn't really hit it out.  Their next to last ball was on a good line but was too long.  It was at this point where it really dawned on me that if they miss we are champions.  Their next ball was once again on a good line but once again rolled long.

Surreal.  We were the champions.  Credit to Pookies, even though the frustrated and irritated they were sportsmen about it and shook hands like you're supposed to. 
Unbelievable, last thing I expected going into the tournament.  We got more than our share of great breaks and unexpected misses by our opponents.  In the end we won our elimination games 9-5, 9-4 and 9-3.  Not a single one of those games seemed like we were ahead by that much until I looked at the scoreboard after the game. 
Boro City Rollers, 2019 summer league champions.  Wow.

Roll'em received their keychains for their first place finish in the Wednesday night league last night.
We then began our quest for a towel with a bye in the opening round before facing Usual Suspects who had dispatched Coming In Hot in the first round.  The game started off with us getting two points and then the Suspects following up with two points.  The game went back and forth until the it reached 5-4 with the Suspects leading.  We made a tactical error and allowed them to get a three point frame.  They got one close on their last ball but we got a kill shot that couldn't have worked out better and were laying three with a ball to still throw.  We got that in and suddenly it was an 8-8 game.  Their second ball got close and after missing a knock we made the second one count but they got their next on close.  With the game on the line our last throw was on target and moved the pallino but when the dust settled they were still closer and we lost 9-8. 
The Usual Suspect played very well, they had 5-6 times where we were close and they hit us away. 
Can't Be Trusted went on to win the towels.  Congratulations to them.

Yesterday me and the Glue decided to take a road trip instead of my smoking some chuck roast, mainly because it was so hot.
I'd been wanting to try Huckleberry's in Mounds ever since my golfing buddy Rod told me about it some time ago.  We took 51 to 57 and got there in about an hour.  We don't get down in that part of Southern Illinois very often so it was nice to see different scenery.
Upon arrival the place didn't looked a lot smaller than I expected.  It was also very broken up in the interior with a dining area and a separate small dining area.  There was a wall separating these two areas from the bar which was also separated from the gaming room.
They had five beers on draft but none that either of us care for so we went bottled beer.  I ended up getting the catfish Friday special which came with three sides.  I got slaw, cucumbers and onion and fried okra mainly for the Glue.  She went with a shrimp po' boy and a cup of chili.  My catfish was good but the slaw was mediocre and the cucumbers and onions weren't even that good.  The fried okra was good though.  The Glue's po'boy was very good and she said her chili was good but had too many beans.  Just about everyone who was there gave us advice on what to get and were real friendly.  It was good enough we'll go back especially since they have a big, varied menu.
I decided to go over and hit 127 and see Mounds and also Tamms which I don't think I've ever been to.  We also passed through some small towns including Unity, Sandusky, Elco and Millers Crossing most of which didn't list populations.  I kept an eye out for a new place to try out but didn't see any.
We were going to stop at Trails End but I guess it's closed once again.  We went to Alto Vineyards instead and opted for a pitcher of Summer Sangria.  It's very good but by the time we had about half of it the sweetness was getting a little to much.  It's been a while since we've had wine when we were out and my golf game this morning showed me it wasn't a good decision.
Lastly we made a quick stop at Big Muddy Brewing so the Glue could pick up a hat for her brother Mike in California.

On a hot muggy night that turned into a rainy night when a storm rolled in Roll'em finished out the Summer 2019 regular season.  The storm brought some a much needed cool down and a nice breeze to the evening.
We entered the night tied with Too Old To Bowl and we needed to win two and get some help since Too Old To Bowl had the tiebreaker on us.
In the first game Roll'em took on Bertha's Ball Handlers on the middle court.  We started the game with a pair of one point frames but Bertha's answered with a two point frames.  We ecked out another single point and with the score 3-2 the game was blown wide open.  With the pallino just off the side wall Roberto got his first ball about a foot behind the pallino.  Bertha's took all four of their shots before the last one ended up about a inch behind the pallino.  Pete went for one of his infamous knock shots and was dead on.  When the balls stopped rolling we were sitting with two points and they had nothing close.  Roberto and Pete put their last throws on target and Roll'em had a 7-2 lead.  The lead moved to 8-3 and we closed it out on our last throw for the win.
Between games I watched Too Old To Bowl and Muddy Rollers play.  It was a close game but in the end Too Old To Bowl made a few more great shots and won.
In the last game we played Coming In Hot.  We got four points in the first frame and the game was never close with us winning 9-1.
We talked about waiting around and watching Too Old To Bowl play their last game against Corner Bocce Ballers but decided to head home and relax.  Rumor has it that Too Old lost which if true would give us the help we needed.

Yesterday we decided to go get pizza at somewhere besides our normal Quatros, Cummares or Downtown Abbey.  We decided on Pinch Penny Pub but when we got there we found out it didn't open until 3.  Our backup plan was to go to Italian Village so we headed there.  IV's was about the only place to get pizza when I was in high school and college so I spent a lot of time there back then.  They didn't serve beer then but you could bring your own in. 
We hadn't been to IV's in a few years because the last couple times we were there it was ok but just not what I expected from there.  We went with our standard pepperoni and mushroom with a pitcher of Amberbock.  Since it was the middle of the afternoon there were very few people there and it was kind of dead.  That changed when a family walked in after being at the pool.  The kids really livened up the place.  The parents apologized  a couple times but it doesn't bother us and in fact we kind of enjoy it.
The pizza was very good and back to what we expect from there.  We won't wait near as long until the next time we go.  After we left The Glue mentioned how lucky we are to have a lot of good local pizza places within easy driving distance of us.
It was a beautiful day so we decided to take a drive through Giant City.  We then headed down to Cobden and Fuzzy's, another place we haven't been in a few years.  The few times we'd been there it was dead but this time it was very enjoyable.  There were several regulars and the barmaid was great.  Just a great environment.  I got a shock when I ordered a Stag and found out that it and Busch Light are now yuppie beers joining PBR.  I had no idea, I also found out there is a Stag Light.  The yuppie thing was confirmed when a bus arrived with a bunch of young yuppie types arrived and there were several Busch Lights and a Stag or two ordered along with a lot of shots and mixed drinks.  Of course this changed the dynamic of the place and we decided to head out but not until I ordered a Stag Light to go.
We then had a quick stop at our nephews house before we headed home.

On Friday we went to the St. Louis Zoo with our daughter and her family.  It was the first time I'd been in almost 30 years and the first time ever for the grandtwins.
We started by going through the Rivers Edge. We walked in with a couple large groups so it was real crowded there making it hard for the twins to see a lot especially since older kids would just jump in front of them.  Highlights included seeing some elephants and a rhino.  We missed the cheetahs or they were hiding which I'd have like to see.
We then stopped by Lakeside Crossing to get some lunch.  We picked the wrong time and the place was crowded.  I got lucky and found a group just getting up from a shaded patio table.  The meal itself was nothing special.  My hot dog wasn't very good but the Glue's cheeseburger was a lot better.  Twin #1 had a little fit when her mother put her dip (ketchup) in with her meal and apparently she wanted to dip it in the little paper cup.
Then it was time to ride the train and we picked the wrong station to get on.  We had to wait for the third train to stop but it wasn't a horrible wait.  I wish we could have all been together but me and the Glue sat in one spot and the rest sat in another.  On the trip around we got to see a tiger rolling around which was a highlight for me.  We also got a good look at the elephants. 
After the ride it was time to visit The Wild.  It wasn't as crowded as the Rivers Edge and the twins were able to see a lot better.  The gorillas were keeping to themselves and were hard to see.  The orangutans were active and the twins got to see them up close at a couple different windows.  One of the highlights of the visit.  We also got to see a grizzly swimming and playing with a tree branch.  The penguins were a fun place, there were a lot of them inside and out and they were easy to see.
We then went to the Red Rocks part of the zoo.  We got a good look at some giraffes and some antelope types but somehow we missed the lions and the other big cats which I think the twins would have really enjoyed.
By this time everyone was getting tired but we had to visit the Historic Hill section before we left.  We went through the bird house and the monkey house.  Then it was time for the one thing the twins wanted to see:  the snakes.  The twins were really wearing down but they really enjoyed looking at the snakes.  The King Cobra was hiding and you could only catch a little of him.  We got to see a Black Mamba moving around which our friend Valya had some experiences with when she was in Africa.  You hear about the size of pythons but seeing them up close really makes you realize how big they are.
At this point we headed towards the exit but had to make a stop in the gift shop.  I stayed outside with the twins wagon and found a nice shady bench to relax on.  They stayed in a lot longer then I thought they would.  They twins got some shirts and stuffed animals from there.
As headed out the exit twin #1 had another fit because she wanted both stuffed snakes and her brother had the nerve to want one.  It was a long day for me much less both of them and they both walked a lot more than expected especially twin #2.
We decided to forego our normal routes home and just go the fastest and grab something to eat when we got home.  We decided to pick up Cummares on the way home.  We split a spaghetti and meatballs and get an extra side salad.  Boy did it hit the spot.  After we were finished there was still enough for a couple more meals.
If you haven't been to the zoo in a while, go.  It is a very interesting visit and I'm ready to go back especially now that I have a better idea where things are and can have a better plan.

With Roberto unable to make it Roll'em turned to Ted to fill in making it the fourth time in five weeks we didn't have our full team.
In the first game we took on long time nemesis Squatchy Bocce.  They got on the board first but we answered with three points which should have been four but my last shot was short.  With the score 5-4 us Squatchy got a four point frame to go up 8-5.  With a chance to win I missed two easy attempts at knocking their ball off the wall and we ended up with two points instead of four making it 8-7.  We got another single point to tie the game at eight up.  Ted's first ball got pretty close but on their last throw they got one closer and our last three shots were way off the mark and we lost 9-8.  This was basically a battle between Pete and Squatchy Chris as no one else was throwing very good.
In the second game we played New Kids On The Bocce which is relatively new team and is still learning.  Not a lot of excitement except for when I thought the game was over and threw my balls to the other end only to realize we needed two more points.  It was that kind of night.  Excepting Pete we still didn't throw well but won 9-2.
Interesting night as we lost one, Too Old To Bowl lost two and Corner Bocce lost at least one which may end up putting the three of us and possible Muddy Rollers all tied for the lead with one week left.

Yesterday we decided to go back to the Broadway Grille in Sparta since we really liked it the first time.  The Glue decided to go with etouffee again while I opted for fried chicken.  Mine came with two sides so I went with a salad and slaw.  The etouffee was good but I don't think it was as good as last time.  The fried chicken was very good, some of best around.  The house dressing on the salad was real good as was the slaw.  
As we left I mentioned stopping at the White Rooster brewery since we were already in Sparta tried  it out yet.  They were out of their smoked amber which sounded good so we settle on common ale which neither of us really cared for much.  The place itself was really nice but the bartender was very unfriendly so I doubt we go back for a while.
Lastly we stopped by Sis's Bourbon Bar down in the bottoms.  One of my old softball rivals/teammates recently bought the place with his brother.  I was glad to see they don't allow smoking in there any more.  Nice little place but I didn't need the second round that was bought much less the third.