RBVL Concludes Regular Season

By Rocky D. and Joe McGivney        August 8, 2008

The Rockaway Beach Volleyball League finished its 19^th regular season with a bang as many pennant races and playoff spots were decided on the last night, some even in the last game.  That sets up an exciting slate of games for tomorrow to decide championships in six different divisions.  For the playoff extravaganza, nets will be available for set-up at 9:45 AM for the first round matches, which begin at 10:30 AM.  (This is also the forfeit time for game #1.)  The top 8 teams in each division make the playoffs, which follow a basic bracket format of 1-8, 4-5, 2-7, 3-6, with the winners advancing.  All matches are best of 5 games to 21 points – win by two points and no cap.  On Saturday, some sandwiches and fruit will be provided for lunch.  Please bring any other beverages but remember that officially, alcohol and bottles are not allowed on the beach.  Make sure that you bag and clear all of your garbage from the beach and help us out by dropping your bag in the dumpster on your way back to the parking lot.

If you are still around next week and you are over 40 years old, you are invited to play in our first annual Pappy’s Traveling Circus Senior Volleyball Tournament.  You do not need a team; in fact, you can’t play with your regular team.  We are going to choose up sides across all division boundaries and just have some fun.  However, we need you to do one thing for us – please sign up during the day on Saturday so we can set up the teams and courts beforehand.  Then be at Riis Park on 8/13 @ 6:30 PM sharp and we’ll play ball.  There are no entry fees, no prizes, no food, no drinks, no referees, no shoes, no tee-shirts, no problems!  Just one last chance to do what we love to do on Wednesday nights in the summer!  If you want extra credit, wear your favorite old uniform.  If you are still around next week and you are under 40 years old, you are invited to play alongside the old-timers. Grab a net for your own team’s intra-squad game or schedule a grudge match against your neighbors.  Just let us know in advance that you are playing.

The last administrative item concerns the 2008 Awards Dinner.  The affair will be held on Friday night, 9/12 at the Rockaway Lobster House (375 Beach 92^nd St.) from 7:30 p.m. to midnight.  $55 per person in advance or $60 at the door includes open bar, bottled beer, buffet dinner, tax, tip and music by DJ Tommy Tunes.  As always, dancing entertainment will be provided by - - - YOU!  Please deliver payment to your team captain by 9/5.  (Captains - please respond with an estimated head count for your team ASAP.)  To RSVP, call Denise at 347-866-4570 or Patty at 917-613-0908; if you reach their voice mails, please leave a detailed message.

Now onto the volleyball action!  The difference between second and ninth place in the Sun division was only 7 points, making this the tightest division in the RBVL.  When the smoke cleared, the odd man out was Le Greann, who fell two points short of making the playoffs.  In the Boardwalk circuit, the Odd Couples, Brooklyn Transplants, Sands Point PT and Bar 13 NYC all were mathematically alive until Sands Point got swept away by the Transplants and by the pressure of the playoffs.  Great job to Rose Resker and all the girls, even though Denise is only there for the beer.   John Resker (Super Rotten) showed up and made a difference - surprisingly a positive difference this time.  Bar 13 NYC was also swept out of the picture, losing 5-0 to the Blackwater Cheese Fries.  In the Moon, EZ Knights only needed one win to clinch the 8^th seed and they were successful, beating the Rockaway Breakers, 3-2.  Long-time Beach squad, It’s All Good nosed out the Bayview Barracudas for the final playoff spot with a 5-0 victory.  Connolly’s and Sand-Bar Construction were tied for first place in the Wave at the start of the evening but Sand-Bar romped 5-0 and looks like the team to beat for the title.  Connolly’s played like a bunch of day campers on their first day.  No flow, no go!  As Billy Joel sings: PRESSURE!  Laura wants to know where the tyke dye G strings are for Fillmore. Captain Steve (Mr. Happy) has everything under control.   Gifts to the captain are commensurate with playing time.  Other division winners included Freedhand’s, the Big Mahooshkas,JG Electric, the Kerry Hills Pub and Robin Shapiro Realty. 

A recent and popular tradition calls for the last party of the season to be held at the Belle Harbor Yacht Club on the last night of the season.  The biggest crowd of the year celebrated with DJ Tubs, who rocked the house in DJ Teddy’s absence.  The adult musical chairs game was a highlight again and thankfully this year no blood was spilled.  Some of the girls thought the menu at the BHYC reminded them of the 12 Days of Christmas – 12 pans of ziti, 11 trays of red cabbage … and an ice cold bottle of beer!

The Volley Warriors played their second season and added much color, spirit and enthusiasm - a great addition to the league.   A special thanks goes out to the volunteers who supported the St. Camillus Volley Warriors.  Kerry Hills won their division for the first time in many years.  The new rookies, Ella May, Brady and Kerry (No relation to the bar) provided the difference. Mike, formally the mustache, Stone went to great leaps and bounds to win most improved player.  Rob stopped going to the gym on Wednesdays to bump Kerry Hills into first place.  Thanks to the best sponsor of RBVL: Carmel ”Kerry Hills” O’Sullivan.  EZ  Knights made the playoffs, amazingly, solely due to the continued support of the beach 127^th Super-duper-stars.  Thanks to a great coach, Deborah, who is tantamount to the zoo keeper of Animal House.     Continued success will be ours due to direct intervention from the Pope, and a bottle of water from Lourdes.  If that doesn’t work Santa Ria is next.  The Rockaway Breakers saved their secret weapon for the very last game of the season.  Rob McHale did his best “Rudy” imitation by playing for the first time all year in game #55.  Unfortunately they won’t be making a movie about this event because it wasn’t pretty.  Not every story has a happy ending.  Where IS Becky?  No, really, where is she?

Another season of Volleyball has passed like a Ferrari on the Belt Parkway.  An informal early inspection of the Belle Harbor Yacht Club revealed the usual suspects (the refs) gathered in a circle in casual conversation.  Of course, this seemingly random spot was right at the beginning of the food line.  Amazingly enough, when the food was opened they were in perfect position to be first on line.  What a zany, serendipitous coincidence.   As the tin foil was lifted the refs put their lobster bibs on and removed their monogrammed knife and fork sets from their belt holders.  Ref Tony Carty was actually able to pile seven pounds of food on a half ounce paper plate.   Just a reminder that glass bottles and alcohol are still illegal in Riis Park.  It is anticipated that check points may be in place in the morning like last year. 

As always, if you have any questions during the week, please call Patty Moule at 917-613-0908.  (Be sure to call between 10 AM and 9 PM.)  Or just check our website at www.rbvl.com.  You'll find the answers to most of your questions there, not to mention pretty pictures and funny stories.

See you on the beach!