It was another very hot and humid day yesterday as we played in the league tournament, at least we didn't have canadian smoke to worry about.
In the first game we played on our normal third court against the Tuesday night league champion Rolling Rejects.  We came out on fire and never let off the gas as we cruised to a 9-0 win.
In the second game we stayed on the third court and played Big Muddy Monsters.  Once again we played very well and cruised to a 9-2 win.  This guaranteed that we would make the finals.
In the third game we moved to the first court and played Whiffleboys, a team we always struggle with on a court we always struggle with.  We got out to an early lead but they came back with a four point frame to tie the score at 4-4.  They moved ahead again before we finally got another point but they closed it out with a 9-5 loss for Roll'em.
In the first game of the playoffs we faced Pomona Winery on the first court.  We played much better and adjusted to the court while they struggled a little with it and we cruised to a 9-4 win.
In the semi finals we played Can't Be Trusted on the second court that they'd just played on.  By this time the heat had taken it's toll on our team and we couldn't really get anything going.  Key play was Ted making a nice hit on the pallino sending to the back wall and we couldn't do anything with it.  Final score was 9-3.
We played pretty good but just couldn't keep it going in the heat.

After a 30 minute rainstorm dumped on Murphysboro we played the towel tournament.  As the number three seed we had to wait until another game finished to see who we played.  That game took close to an hour to finish so we immediately played Usual Suspects on the same third court they'd just played on.
We started the scoring with a pair of one point frames then they got hot.  We gave up the next seven points until we scored again making it 7-3.  They closed out the game on the next frame sending us home for the night.  
None of us played particularly well and they were around the pallino all the time.

While if was hot for our week 6 games it was no where close to last Wednesdays scorcher.  Good thing since we played the 6&7:30 games.
In the first game we played Usual Suspects on the 3rd court.  We started off by exchanging 2 point frames then we jumped ahead with a four point frame.  They chipped back and tied the game at 6-6,  With us showing a point but them having a close ball our last ball hit their close ball just enough to move us to a three point frame and a win.
In the second game we moved to the first court and played Mission Imbocceball.  We got a small lead then blew the game open with a 4 point frame and a 6-1 lead.  We moved it to 7-1 and then we ended it with a two point frame and a 9-1 win.  There were a lot of really good throws and it felt like this game was much closer.  In fact I looked at the score board and was shocked they'd only scored once.

On a brutally hot and muggy night Roll'em played the 6&6:30 games.  Did I mention it was hot?
We played Holy Ballz on the first court to start the night.  We ran off three straight single point frames to take a 3-0 lead but they got two point frame,  We scored a couple but a four point frame left us down 7-5.  We answered with two more points to tie the game.  Then them showing one point a really good throw by us somehow left them still showing a point and they made another good throw to win the game 9-7.
We immediately played Bertha's Ball Handlers on the same court.  We started out hot building a 7-0 when Lisa started getting overheated,  I started the car so she could sit in it when not throwing.  This seemed to really rattle us as they kept chipping away and finally getting a four point frame to tie the game at 7s.  They finished us off with two more single points losing 9-7.
Overall a well played night derailed in the last few frames.

We played the 6:30 and 7:30 games last night.  It was rather warm and without the wind from the previous week.
We played our first game against the Militant Gammarians on the first court.  We started the game with three consecutive two point frames to take a 6-0 lead.  They managed to cut it in half in the next frame but we closed it out with another two point frame and then the game winning point.
In the second game we played Boccelism on the third court.  They were using a couple subs including one who hadn't played before.  We jumped on them and didn't let off for a 9-0 win.

On a very windy and warm evening Roll'em played the 6:30 and 7 games with David subbing for Debbie.  The first games were winding down and no Mike I gave him a call.  Good thing, he'd forgot.  He arrived just in time.
Our first game took place on the third court against Dark Side of the Pallino.  While we were warming up the wind knocked my beer off the wall and it broke on the concrete so the first part of the game was getting all the glass swept up and getting another one.  The game started out close with us getting the two points and them getting three.  We did something you can't do an left it wide open and they took advantage with four points making the score 7-2 and we were done losing 9-2.
We moved to the second court for our second game against Blue Collar Ballers.  Once again we started off with a point or two but once again we gave up a big frame.  This time it was three points and was because they made great throws not us leaving it wide open.  This time we answered back with a series of one and two point frames winning 9-3.

Last night was hot and humid but at least there was a nice breeze as Roll'em played it's week 2 game.
In the first game we played Muddy Rollers on the third court.  Both teams scored two points to start the game but then they ripped off 5 in a row before we answered with a three point frame.  Too little too late as they closed out a 9-5 victory over Roll'em.
In the second game also played on the third court we played Mag 4.  Everything that went wrong the first game went right in this one.  We got off to a fast start and never let up winning 9-0.

Roll'em made their delayed appearance of 2026.  The weather was a tad warm but there was a nice breeze and just a great night.  A great night for us to get back at it.
In the first game we played No Beer, No Bocce a team we've struggled with in the past.  We started the year right with one, one and two point frames.  Then in typical Roll'em fashion we gave up a three then a one point frame to tie the game.  They kind of pulled ahead of us 8-6 but then Lisa got a ball in and they left it pretty wide open and we took advantage with three points winning 9-8.
In the second game we played Roll Away the Dew, a team we'd never played before.  Oddly we talked to one of their players at the Farmers Market just that afternoon.  Anyway we started off by having them hit themselves out a point and us into two.  We kept going building a 5-0 lead but once again we squandered that by giving up a four point frame,  This time instead of folding we righted the ship and won 9-4.
It was a lot of fun getting back on the court and also seeing a lot of new faces down there.  Of course winning two is always nice.

After taking the spring season off to deal with some health issues Roll'em If Ya Got'em will be back playing tonight.  We've played in a tournament but myself, Lisa and Debbie haven't played much this year.  Mike subbed on a Tuesday team and has been going to old fart bocce so he should be ready.
Anyway it will be good to get back.

Roll'em If Ya Got'em made their 2026 debut yesterday, at least kind of,  We played as Rolling For A Cure in this tournament.  After a lot of really nice days yesterday was crappy, cool, windy and rainy.  Anyway we were back on the courts.  Our pool played all of it's game on the third court which gave us a big disadvantage in the playoffs since they were on the two other courts.
We played our first game against a team of some players from Tuesday night and my cousins son Josh.  We jumped out to a big 7-2 lead before they came storming back and we had an 8-5 lead but we were unable to get that final point and lost 9-8.
Up next was a team led by Ian.  This time we jumped out to a big lead and kept going winning 9-2.
We played each team in our bracket 2 times so it was time for Josh's team again.  This time we once again jumped out to a big lead and kept going winning 9-3.
Finally it was Ian's team again.  Win and get in but also if we scored over 3 points we would be the pool champion.  This game was more competitive but we won 9-5 so we would be advancing.
In the semi's we played Can't Be Trusted/Brickdust Blues playing as Survivors, an apt name.  This is where the disadvantage happened, we switched to the middle court and they had just finished a game there.  They were also on fire and we lost 9-0 in three frames.  They would also go on to win the tournament.
In the third place game we played Wops on the first court and still could not adjust losing 9-3 for a fourth place finish.  Not too bad considering that three of us hadn't played this season.  We are planning on being back for summer.
Afterwards we went to Middies for Fred, Cathy and Clints birthday get together.  Appetizers galore were bought and drinks were flowing.  Very enjoyable time.  

Sad indeed,  Due to some unforeseen circumstances The Grumpy Shillelaghs will not be able to play in the St Patricks day tournament ending a long string of participation.
Furthermore Roll'em If Ya Got'em will not be playing in the spring season this year due to the same circumstances.  This is the first spring or fall season we haven't played since the team was formed in 2013.  We did take a couple summers off due to other commitments.
Hopefully we can get back on track next season.

After a pumpkin buy trip to Herrin and the grandkids positioning the pumpkins we decided to grab a bite to eat.  I didn't want to go too far so we decided on St Nicholas MDH mainly because the special was italian beef and they had their octoberfest on tap.
When we got there they said their specials don't start until 5:00 but there wasn't anything about that in their post.  Oh well, I mentioned drinking our beer and going elsewhere but we decided to stay.  I ended ordering brisket tacos and Lisa got their taco of the week, a big mac taco.  We both ordered chips and salsa as our side.  The brisket taco was good and Lisa really liked her big mac taco even though it sounds awful to me.  I didn't care much for the salsa and the chips needed salt.  The octoberfest was really good, probably the best local octoberfest I've had.
I probably should have gone for a burger but for some reason the taco jumped out at me.  Overall kind of a disappointing stop but not bad, just really wanted the italian beef,  

Roll'em wrapped up our 2025 fall season last night on a warm humid night.  We were supposed to play at 6&8 but Bertha's Ball Handlers agreed to move our 8 o'clock to 5:30.  Thanks again to them for agreeing to do this.
In the first game we took on Bertha's Ball Handlers.  Ian asked what court and we both agreed the middle court and neither team took warmups.  We were hot right off the bat when we got a four point frame to start the game.  They got one and we got two then finished off a 9-1 win.
In the second game we played Mission Inbocceball on the third court.  Once again we struggled with the speed change and didn't play well and we lost 9-2 taking any hope of making the tournament away,
We've had a lot going on and I was ready for the season to end.  I'm sure in a few weeks I'll really miss it though.

On a rainy night we played the 6:30 & 7:30 games.  
We played Bocce & Brews on the third court.  The game started great when we got a four point frame.  So much for the highlight.  They kept making key shot after key shot and pass us by before we scored again to make the score 6-5.  Unfortunately they hit a three spot to win the game.
In the second game we played Corner Bocce Balllers on the first court.  As always happens we struggle with the change from third to first however we did jump out to a 2-0 lead.  Once again they strung points and made the score 6-5 them.  Sound familiar?  They then hit a three point frame for the win, Deja Vu all over again.
Our chances at making the tournament took a big hit with a three game losing streak.  Big frames once again killed us.

Last night we played the 6:30 & 7:30 games on a warm but nice night.
In the first game we played No Beer, No Bocce on the third court which was rolling erratic.  The game was back and forth the whole game we got a three point frame but they came back and with the score 7-7 and the ball close to the wall they took all four shots and didn't get inside us but they did get one close to ours.  Debbie took her second shot and hit their ball and we won 9-7.  We really owed them, they'd beaten us the last few times we'd played.
In the second game we played Ball Busters on the first court.  It's always tough going from the third to first court but you have to adjust.  They jumped out to a 2-0 lead but we came back but then they did too and with the score 6-5 us we made a giant mistake.  We left a wide open court and they walked in with a four point frame and their first win of the season.
We only had one big score frame against us but it was a costly one.

Week 5 saw us playing the 6&7 o'clock games on a very pleasant night.
In the first game we played Rolling Thunder on the middle court.  We started fast and didn't look back winning 9-0.  
In the second game we played Blue Collar Ballers on the first court.  The game started close but then we gave up a four point frame and were down 6-2.  We came right back with a three point frame to make it 6-5.  We got the game to 7-7.  We went deep with the pallino but couldn't get anything close but neither could they.  We had the point and they were down to their last ball still with nothing inside of 3-4 feet.  Their last ball went long and hit the back wall and suddenly we noticed that their previous ball had moved our back ball enough for it to count too and we got a much needed 9-7 win. 
Me and Lisa couldn't come close the second game but we got the win and we're finally back to .5oo at 5-5.

On a really nice night we played the 6&7:30 games.  Lisas in Florida so Ted subbed for her.
In the first game we played Money Balls on the first court.  We started off with two one point frames then a two point frame for a 4-0 lead before they scored their first point.  We followed that up with a three point frame and a 7-1 lead.  They scored again but we finished them off with a two point frame and a 9-2 win.
In the second game we once again played on the first court but this time against Boccelism.  We got the first point but they followed with a two point frame and a 2-1 lead.  They followed that with a four then a three point frames and we took a 9-1 loss.

Week 3 saw us play the 6&7:30 courts, luckily the weather cooled down and it was almost pleasant out.
In the first game we played Boobs, Booze & Bocce on the middle court.  Our end couldn't score but it wasn't from bad play, every good shot we made they knocked out or made a better one.  Even with this we were tied 5-5 before disaster hit.  Their other end hadn't scored all game but this time it was them that made the great throw which ended up with all their balls in and a 9-5 defeat.
In the second game we played Usual Suspects who had trouble getting their players there and had to use two subs.  I don't remember the score but it wasn't very close and we walked away with a split for the night.
We played a lot better than the resulting split.

We played in the For Pete's Sake yesterday with Ted and David as partners.  It was brutally hot day and we managed to find an open area with a fan blowing on us.  We ended up in a three man pool with the Wops and the Eclectics.
In the first game we played the Wops on the middle court.  We jumped out to a big lead and went on to win 9-3.
In the second game we played the Eclectics on the first court.  We got two points the first frame and then didn't score again losing 9-2.
The third game was played on the third court against the Wops again.  It was basically a win and in game.  We once again jumped out and won by a 9-1 score.
In the forth game we played the Eclectics again.  We played again on the first court but that was all that the same about the game.  We played a lot better and won big but I don't remember the score.  In the final game in our pool the Wops upset the Eclectics giving us first place in the pool.
In the playoff game we played a team consisting of several players we'd played before but not as a team.  I don't remember the name of the team.  The throws we'd been making all day deserted us and we went down to defeat in a game we could have won.  Oh well,
The ac sure felt good when we got home.

Week two was once again played on a hot muggy night.  We played the 6:30 and 7:30 games but the the 7:30 game didn't get started until after 8:00.  Mike and Debbie were in Cali so Ted and Kenny subbed for them.
In the first game we played Muddy Rollers on court 3.  We started off with a three point frame but then it got a lot tougher.  The score moved to 8-7 with them leading when they put a ball just beside the pallino.  We managed to move their ball just enough to put us in for two points then their was ball was short and we pulled out a 9-8 win.
In the second game we played Mag 4 on the middle court.  Lisa put two close to open the game but I made what I thought was a good throw but it knocked her ball into the pallino and gave them a point and that set the stage for the whole game.  They kept one uping us each frame and we went down to a 9-1 loss.

Fall 2025 season kicked off this past Wednesday with us playing at 6:30 and 8.
In the first game we played Holy Ballz on the third court.  In true Roll'em fashion we started out the season by giving up a four point frame.  We managed to claw back and tie the score at 4-4.  A little back and forth and the score moved to 7-7.  We got a ball in with a chance at winning the game but our last throw drifted just wide and the score moved to 8-7.  Lisa managed to slip a ball behind the pallino and inside Fred's ball.  Fred hit his ball and somehow Ian knock moved the pallino and two of their balls in the corner.  My first shot was just wide and my second shot was on target but the result was the same, a 9-8 loss.
In the second game we moved to the first court to play Dark Side of the Pallino.  Once again we gave up a big frame to start the game but only a three this time.  They did score the next point but we managed to tie the game at 6-6 before losing 9-6.
Big frames and not capitalizing were are downfall.

Yesterday was the league tournament and it was brutally hot.  We did get a good pool since none of the teams played on Wednesday night.
First game we won 9-5 against the Naturals on the first court.  Both teams struggled with the court.
In the second game we lost 9-0 to Whiffleboys once again on the first court.  They made some really good throws while we once again struggled with the court.
In the third game we played Knocking on Bocce Court once again on the first court and we once again struggled with the court once again losing 9-0.
I really dislike the first court.

Thud.  That's the sound of Roll'em crashing in the summer 2o25 towel tournament.  I'd say burning too but the weather took care of the heat.
We played Boccelism on the first court.  We had to wait for a court to open and court one opened first.  To start the game I had a pretty easy shot for a point but it came off my hand wrong and gave them two points.  They followed that up with a four point frame and the route was on.  We did score three points before the game ended but it was a weak effort.
We reverted back to our wide open frames, not taking advantage and getting behind in the ball count throwing.  
At least we got out of the heat quick but that's all that was good.

The summer '25 regular season concluded last night with 6:30 & 7:30 games.  In addition to one forfeit because of scheduling mess up there was another team who didn't bother to show up.  Unfortunately we didn't get any of the forfeits.
In the first game we played Blue Collar Ballers on the middle court.  We started out with a pair of two point frames but they followed with a series of one point frames to tie the score at 4-4.  We got a couple more points and the got one to make it 6-5.  They left a wide open shot and with us having two points I shorted the third and game point to make it 8-5.  The next frame they got a three pointer then put a shot close to the pallino and we lost 9-8.  Tough game to lose.
In the second game we played Boccelism on the first court.  We hung with them for a few frames but they made shot after shot and we lost 9-3.
Very disappointing night with none of us playing particularly good.

We went into the night knowing we would get a split at worst because we had a bye our first game.  With that in mind Usual Suspects agree to play us at 6 instead of 7 and everyone really liked the change.  The weather wasn't as hot as last week but was still plenty warm.
We played our only game on the 2nd court.  We started off with a bang and got a three point frame followed by a one point frame and a 4-0 lead.  We stretched our lead to 6-0 before they got a point.  We got a couple more points and then some strangeness occurred.  They were out of balls and thought we were in and the game was over but they were confused and thought we were green instead of red.  We ended up measuring and they were in, luckily none of the balls had been moved.  They ended up getting another point and cut our lead to 8-3 but on the next throw they couldn't get inside a ball about a couple feet away from the pallino and we got a 9-3 win.
We did a good job of staying ahead in the ball count and not giving them many chances to score.