week one

The Rockaway Beach Volleyball League kicked of the 2012 season Wednesday night at Riis Park with an opening night that featured 74 teams, a new league record. Nine divisions of different levels of play battled fiercely on the beach on a perfect evening, whose moderate temperature and still skies made for long, contested, competitive volleys. The RBVL Committee does a lot of work and tries to cover many contingencies but weather is out of their control so the first ace of the season goes to God, who gave players a perfect night with perfect weather. Keep it up, Big Guy.

New teams said they were happy to be in the league and they showed it by assisting Denise and Rocky in distributing hundreds of uniforms to players. Thank you for getting off on the right foot and keep up the good work. We need that assistance weekly. We’ll see you at Riis Park every Wednesday until 8/11. Sands Point Physical Therapy did not start where they left off when we last saw them on a hot Saturday in August. Then they were a five seed playing in the championship against Sal’s Auto, the top seed and the class of the league. On that Saturday they upset the injured Sal’s Auto for the championship. This week Sal’s Auto returned to form and swept Sands Point away 5-0. Despite the loss, Jake played well to celebrate his 23^rd birthday. Once again the Point is thankful to Tim for his generous support of the team throughout the years. Tom was there to cheer them on as he awaits shoulder surgery so he will be ready for the playoffs, if he is not in Florida.

The rivalry continues for the Blackwater Boarders and the Cabana, Long Beach NYC. They are best of friends off the court and the worst of enemies on it. Every year they usually battle every point, every game and every match. Tonight was no different. Cabana were amazed that the season had to start this way, battling for every single point. Well not every point, not the ones Blackwater let drop between themselves harmlessly into the sand. Rita and Christine missed Mary who is nursing an injury. New addition Bobby Butler was solid, and young reliable Dylan Smith was in mid-season form. In the end. Cabana won 3 to 2.

It was a quiet week for league officials because of the great job done by the refs, and everyone else doing their part to pitch in. W. J. Lachner Painting moved up a division and held their own, losing 3-2 to the Social Yachties. Laura Tsais painted the corners with her shots, and Brendon Gallagher introduced himself proudly with his hustle and good all around play. The man who cannot be named got off to a “Rusty” start. Colleen would like to thank the RBVL committee for giving her and her team uniforms the color of red, red wine. The team’s new coach, John Davis vows to have them in shape next week. But not tomorrow, since the meeting was in the Kerry Hills after the game. The White Horse Tavern Beach Posse were happy to be back on the beach to pass the ball around and enjoyed playing with the Land Sharks. The Tavern won 2 from the Sharks. Fancy Nancy was missed. This year Taco’s new name is Blocker. Bottle Rocket, though, is in search of new name. Suggestions are welcome. Zack, next time use SPF 50. Until next week, three and over. Connolly’s won the first game of the year. Connolly’s won the first game of the year. That’s it. Big Jim McDonough’s fatter, older brother looked good in the camouflaged tanks the league gave them this year. Steve didn’t look too bad for the first week. However he looked bad for someone who has played in the league for over 30 years and has a net in front of his house. The Stanii say thanks to Team Margarita for a great match. And thanks to each other for a nice first night. The server of the day was Casey from the Bungalow Baranha's who ran off 16 straight points.

If you don’t come to the post-game party you don’t know what you’re missing. Just ask Theresa from Lachner Painting. This season’s new corporate sponsor, Corona Light, came to Kerry Hills for their second promotion of the season. With every Corona Light purchase, a player received a raffle ticket. When the bar ran out of Corona Light, the raffle was held. Joe Abbracciamento casually predicted that the winner from week one would win the bicycle again this week. The winning number was called and the bike went to Theresa and her Erstwhile Husband, the winners from week one. How did he know? Maybe the large stack of tickets the family earned through excessive imbibing had something to do with it. Or maybe because her last name is Corona. Just kidding about the name, not about the winning. Everyone loves a winner, but not this night. Corona spokesman, William, says there will be bikes raffled off each and every week of the RBVL season at the sponsoring bar and occasionally other goodies, too. Here is the trivia question of the week: What do Tax City Suns of Beaches, Sand Spikers, Breakaways and Sal's Auto Sandstorm have in common? Answer: After one week of play they are the only four undefeated teams in the RBVL. That means 70 out of 74 teams won at least one game. (And 57 won at least two games.) Can you say “parity?” Our annual top home cooker, Carmel, outdid herself once again as she put out a spread at the Kerry Hills Pub that just wouldn’t quit. Of course, a highlight, as always, was her Shepherd’s Pie but the Irish Italian meatballs were not too shabby either.

It is a sure sign of summer when hundreds of volleyballs invade Riis Park and then stroll over to the Kerry Hills for the delicious buffet. Commissioner Patty enjoyed seeing so many happy faces. Between the players and the refs, everyone was glad to be on the beach once again. Welcome new refs (Go Aviator Girls!) and welcome back veteran refs. Veteran ref Mike Peraino said, "It’s amazing that some of these guys were kids when I started reffing here and now they have their own kids!” A special welcome back to veteran ref, Al Zawada, who is six weeks post-op. Now that’s chutzpah. And, when you think about it, that’s what the RBVL is all about Chutzpah. Let’s have another great season in 2012.

Everyone was reminded again of three rules that will be enforced this year at every level of play without exception: 1. ALL net violations must be called – no exceptions 2. NO underhand lift or reverse underhand throws are allowed 3. NO reaching over the net to interfere with a ball unless your opponent is directing the ball to your side of the court. For those players who think that this results in too many whistles and say, “We just want to play,” get used to it. Remember, we all just want to play - - - volleyball! Not jungle ball! And this year a player can receive a serve with open hands as long as they do it properly. The Rules Committee has decided to adopt the standard volleyball rule on a trial basis for 2012. Hopefully, it will lead to better overall volleyball and not an increase in illegal carries. We shall see. We have many new refs, some of whom are learning on the job. Some are young and some are not as young but they all are trying their best to call the games fairly. Believe me, they do not have an ax to grind with any of our teams and we need you to treat them with respect. (There has been occasional slippage in this department the last two seasons.)

Just a reminder, the RBVL has gone “green” and the Rules and 2012 Schedules are posted on the website. This saves the printing of thousands of pages of copies. Captains who have handed in unsigned rosters must now get them signed. SIGNED rosters must be in by week three (6/13) at the latest. However, there is really no reason you can’t take care of that at the beach before your first game. All six people on your RBVL Committee are willing to help you with any problems that come up; just take care of matters in a respectful manner. For new players, the RBVL Committee is made up of President Patty Moule (The Stanii), Steve Gifford (Connolly’s), Denise Brunner (Thai Rock Island), John Sica (Blackwater Water Boarders) and Rocky and Joe Abbracciamento (Casino Towing). You can find them every week, playing ball on the beach. They are always available to help out on any matters and answer your questions but especially: Steve and Rocky for equipment issues, Denise and Joe for referee items, John, Rocky and Joe for articles for the Wave, Denise and Patty for uniforms and schedules. As always, if you have any questions before then please call Patty at 917-613-0908. (Be sure to call between 10 AM and 9 PM. Remember, Patty has a life outside of VB, too.) 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!