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.

Hot.  Humid.  Moist.  This describes the weather as Roll'em played it's week 4 games last night.  We played the 6:30 and 7:30 and did I mention it was hot.
In the first game we had a rare opportunity to play on the first court against Dark Side of the Pallino.  In the first frame their last shot knock us up into a point and we were off from there.  We never pulled away but we stayed steadily in front but with a chance to win I made two bad shots but Debbie picked me up with a ball that wasn't that close but they couldn't get inside it.  I think the score was 9-5.
In the second game we moved back to what seems like our normal court, the third.  We played Beers and Bocce.  The scored a single in the first and then they made a great shot that somehow eluded our balls and hit the pallino back for a three point frame.  The pushed the score to 7-0 before we finally got on the board.  We followed that up with a four point frame to move to 7-5.  We got a couple points and they got one to move the score to 8-7 but their leadoff player got one close and we couldn't get inside it for a 9-7 loss.
Hot was the word for the night.  It was brutal.

For the first time since Monday was added as a league night and maybe the first anyway I've played on all the league nights.  Not a big deal for some folks who already do it but I'm of the once a week is enough players and it looks like the tue-thu subbing might last the whole season.  Luckily I haven't played on all four nights in a single week.  It's been long enough since I've played on a non Wednesday that I don't know many of the players and that's been nice meeting and playing against them.  We've been on Wednesday so long it's become kind of routine, same teams same players.  Anyway it's been nice to check out the other nights.

On a warm muggy Wednesday Roll'em once again took the court for our week 3 games.  We played the 6&7 games and ended up on the third court for both.  Greyson opted to come down instead of go to Brinleys ballgame so he was our ball boy.
In the first game we played Money Balls freshly attired in their very green shirts.  Nothing good to say about this game.  None of us could get close to the pallino and we lost 9-1.
In the second game we played Mag 4 and once again got down early with them taking a 6-1 lead but a three point frame put us in the game again.  We kept pace with them until the score reached 8-7 when they inched in front of out point on their last throw.  Down to one ball with the game on the line Mike managed to push his ball just hard enough to get a point and have his other ball measured.  It was in and we managed a 9-8 win.
Not a great night for any of us really especially me and Lisa.

Week 2 was played on a warm muggy night with us playing at 6:30 and 7:30 but getting an early start on game one when a team no showed.
In the first game we played Muddy Rollers on the third court.  We started out ahead with a string of one point frames before finally breaking through with a two point frame.  We followed that up with a series of good frames and a 9-0 win.
In the second game we were once again on the third court against Holy Ballz. Everything that went right the first game went wrong in this game, we got behind in the ball count and gave up some big frames and lost 9-0.
I didn't think court 3 was rolling as good as it had this year.  It seemed slower and more erractic.  Oh well.

Lisa and Mike went to St Louis to pick up their sister Jean but were back in plenty of time to start the summer season.  The weather was rainy and muggy until about half way through our second game.  We played the 6&7 games and since there are only 12 teams playing there are no 8 or 8:30 games, hallelujah.
In the first game we played Bocceilism on the third court.  We made some good throws and moved out to a 7-3 lead but they got a 3 point frame and it was game on.  We got a point and they got a couple to tie the game at 8.  They went deep corner with the pallino but we got one close and they missed a knock and their other throws just missed and we got a 9-8 win.
We played Bertha's Ball Handlers in the second game, once again on the third court.  They had played their first game on a different court and had trouble with the speed.  We jumped out to a big lead and cruised to a 9-5 win.
Nice to get started 2-0.

Our Spring 2025 season wrapped up last night with the towel tournament.  The weather was warm and muggy but not too bad.
We drew Dark Side of the Pallino on the center court for our first game.  We scored a series of one point frames along with a two point frame and all of a sudden we were up 7-0.  We closed it out with a two point frame and a 9-0 win.  We did a great job of staying ahead in the ball count and making them using multiple balls each frame.  We also didn't give up a big frame and took advantage of opportunities when they were there.  By far our best game of the year.
In the second game we played Mission: Imbocceball on the first court.  We had some trouble with the court change and fell behind 3-0 but a three point frame tied it up.  It was all downhill from there.  With the score 5-4 I made a coaching mistake that caused them to get a three spot and they finished it up from there.
So ends a disappointing spring season but in spite of only winning 5 games we were only outscored by 6 points on the season.

Spring 2025 regular season wrapped up last night with 6&7 o'clock games or so we thought.   
In the first game we played Rolling Thunder on the first court.  We started out down 1-0 but came back with a three point frame.  For a good portion of the game I thought we were going to get biotched with them making one great throw in each frame but we managed to get another three point frame and walked away with a 9-4 win.
In the second game we moved to the middle court and we all struggled with the faster speed.  The game was a back and forth game with us moving ahead 8-6 but they came back with a two point frame.  We used all out balls to get in on a easy throw on the wall but they missed and were down to their last ball.  For the second week in a row we were beat by a ping pong ball that barely hit a front ball and took our ball out of the point and them in for a 9-8 loss.
Not one of our better seasons with a 5-11 finish.

Last night was a nice warm night but with a threat of thunderstorms as we played our week 7 games.  We played the 7:30 and 8:30 games and it's well known how much I dislike late games and I'm not the only one.
In the first game we played Usual Suspects on the middle court.  We started out with a point but game up three before scoring a couple to tie it at 3.  We traded a couple points before they moved ahead 5-4.  We got our last ball in but they had two left.  The first one missed.  I'm still not sure what happened but on their last ball they managed to knock our ball out and move the pallino into a cluster of their balls and we walked away with a 9-5 loss.
In the second game we played Ball Busters, once again on the middle court.  We got an early 3 point frame and cruised to a 9-0 win.
Once again a big frame and getting behind in the ball count killed us but overall we played decent.

On Saturday we played in a Wrestling benefit tournament.  Several old wrestlers and a few current wrestlers played along with some of the usual players.
In the first game we beat the Edwards team 9-3.  In the second game we played a team that featured my cousin Roberto.  We couldn't hang with a pretty loaded team losing 9-3.  In the third game we played a team made up with mostly current wrestlers so we didn't have much trouble with them.  In the fourth pool game we played a win and in game against a team headlined by CJ.  We just couldn't make throws when we had too and lost a game that wasn't overly close.
After the game we decided to go to Quatros.  We split a salad and small meateaters pizza.  While we were waiting long time friend Big Gay Al walked in so we went over and talked with him and his some Jacob.  The salad was good but the croutons weren't anything special and there was a lot of them.  Their french dressing is some of the best I've had.  Finally the pizza came and it was very good and looked like Quatros pizza is supposed to look.  Mike and Debbie got a medium pepperoni and it was thin similar to ours the last time we were there.
I hope they get things worked out and back to what Quatros is supposed to be.

Not feeling the best at last nights bocce so everything is kind of fuzzy.  Short sleeves to start and then a hoody so the weather was okay.
In the first game we played Mission Imbocceball on the third court.  I don't remember much about the game but we lost 9-7.
In the second game we played Bocce and Brews once again on the third court.  We got an early lead but they came back.  With the score 7-6 them we had a chance to win but shorted our final throws making the score 7-7.  Next frame our last ball was next to the pallino but they hit is and got two easy points for the win.
We're staying with teams but need to start closing them out when we have a chance.  We did get a win on one of our makeup games when Berthas Ball Handlers said they aren't going to make the game up so even though we lost both games we outscored our opponents.

Playing as Rolling for a Cure we played in the Relay for Life tournament yesterday.  There were 12 teams divided into 3 pools.  Once again we ended up in a brutal pool but that's the way it goes.
In the first game we played the Punishers on the 3rd court.  We outplayed them most of the game but gave up two big frames including one that closed out the game losing 9-8.
In the second game we played a Thursday night team we'd never faced before but I don't remember the name.  We had played against a couple of their players before.  We jumped out a to a big lead and rode that to a 9-2 win on the middle court.
In the last pool game we took on Holy Ballz on the third court.  They had Mike playing in place of Fred.  We had an early lead but once again gave up a big frame allowing them to catch up.  The score got to 8-7 and we had a point but our next throw hit their ball and moved it closer.  Our next throw did the same thing and our last throw was way off.
We continued playing better but have to quit giving up big frames and do a better job of taking advantage of the other teams bad frames.
Lisa made chili and polish sausage for the event and they went over great.  A lot of kind words but for some reason people usually thank me.