week two

Week two of the Rockaway Beach Volleyball League started off with high winds and low expectations. Then things got worse. The high winds turned into lightning and heavy rains. It was game, set, match at that point. The RBVL Committee does a lot of work and tries to cover many contingencies but weather is out of their control so the first blip on the radar rolled in Wednesday when the nearby lightning strikes halted action only minutes from the conclusion of the night’s play. An air horn sounded and all players wisely and quickly headed the warning. Nets were broken down swiftly and players left the beach immediately, retreating to the storage cave en masse. Not so dissimilar to the Morlocks in The Time Machine. It was a mad rush to turn in the nets and shovels, something akin to “Attention Wal-Mart shoppers.” Coolers were dragged to the protection of the Riis Park buildings and the party began a little early. Kirby Korner at Cubby Cove was wet and empty and apparently Cubby and Jimmy Mack lost their legal squatters rights on the Cove due to their no-show week two. They are thinking of relocating to a side-by-side refrigerator box on Beach 21^st street. It’s not quite as roomy as the cove but it has better access to Long Island.

The ever tough and scrappy JG Electric prevailed over Casino Tow 3-1 as the winds played to the advantage of the shorter quicker team. Casino was led by perennial mesomorph, Charlie Brady, who is always on the short list for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy. As always, Briana Johnston, Lauren Ganun and Sarah McCarthy provided steady, unflappable play while the old men of Casino were totally flapped and very unsteady. Winds were strong and the ball had a mind of its own. The White Horse Tavern tried their best serves but Serves You Right took the first two games before succumbing in the next two. Nancy, you were missed again, and not just because you pack the cooler with the skill of the Santini Brother’s. Spike, Chris and Bats, thank you. Jean and Lori, well done (just like I like my burgers). Just a friendly reminder to out of borough players - this is a Rockaway League and, as such, wearing sandals with socks is banned for official and visual reasons. Talk about gentrification, the Bungalooney domain has become hipster central. Who woulda thunk? Once again, the only games Thai Rock lost were the games Denise played in. This is an amazing two year record, albeit a negative one. Jacqueline needs an abacus to keep score but is hesitant to purchase one due to her technological limitations. Jack B. is missed, not for his ability on the court but his skill in setting up the net. Denise and her team would like to say that their ref, Mike Peraino, was stellar. Although never attending Stellar Maris, he could be considered and honorary Stellar Fellar.

Sands Point played the Breakaways to a 2-2 tie. Some intrepid players actually played in their tu-tu’s while wearing a tie. Welcome back Eddie Lynch who broke his leg last year. That’s a good thing on Broadway but it doesn’t play as well in the Rockaway Volleyball Theater. Jessica and Tracy delivered tonight like a seasoned obstetrician. Tom Touhey is off to Sands Point Physical Therapy for his shoulder and then to Dr. Freud for his head. Host bar and first time sponsor Rockaway Seafood played to a 2-2 tie due to the luck of the Irish Monsoons. Everything was good until Binger fell and busted his coccyx on a garbage can lid. I guess you could say his can got canned. At this point Rathbones was up 1-0 and determined that it was an official win. It is the first time a Brooklyn team is in first place in a division. Jim McDonough’s older “larger” brother showed up and so did Richie’s liquefied younger brother. Happy Birthday Jim. We love ya! The Stanii showed their true colors when they were all on the court together. Too much laughing interrupted true volleyball playing. Welcome back Kathleen. Captain Steve of Connolly’s served in the last winning point cheered on by some of the third grade soccer team - Kathleen, Olivia et al. The Bungalow Baranhas presented their new uniform design at Riis Park - blue and white reverse tie dye so hot it brought the thunder and lightning. As the bar heats up and the dancing begins, the Baranhas smoke (and sometimes dance).

Murph and Dickie were a complete no show. Statisticians are checking league records to see if that has ever happened before. It probably has something to do with new liberalized marriage law recently passed in New York, not that there is anything wrong with that. Or maybe Ziggy Marley was a bad influence on the boys Tuesday night. And they are both well known mudders, often playing their best ball in rainy conditions while lesser men fall by the wayside. Seal, your shoulders must ache from carrying the team the best you could. Was that Georgey Johnson blocking Alex for the game winning point? And on the way down from his blocking leap, no less. Tax City Suns of Beaches won 7 games in all of 2011 and have already won 8 games after two weeks of 2012. Have they moved to the head of the class in the Star division? Time will tell. Here is the trivia question of the week: After two weeks of play there is only one undefeated teams in the RBVL. That means 73 out of 74 teams have lost at least one game. Parity rules, which is a good thing. Answer: Sal's Auto Sandstorm.

Since Theresa and her erstwhile, long-time husband won the bike the first two weeks, the Corona rep William considered just dropping this week’s bike off at their house instead of bringing it to the Seafood House. They were the odds on favorites to win again until they did not make it to the RSC due to medical reasons. Surprise, surprise, Joe (Taco) Bello of the White Horse Tavern won the raffle. Amazingly enough, he was sitting in the seat right next to John and Colleen McHale in the spot that Theresa would usually occupy. The McHale’s were forced to walk home, bikeless. The bar ran out of Corona Light, making it three weeks in a row that the league has met its obligation to our corporate sponsor and drank them dry. William is very happy about that turn of events and he will continue to raffle off a bike each and every week of the RBVL season at the sponsoring bar. The Rockaway Seafood Company is a new sponsor to the RBVL and they did a good job hosting the post-game festivities. The RSC never had so many customers inside their doors and they handled the mob scene well, constantly refilling their food trays. Many players raved about a few of the unique touches on the menu, which included mashed potatoes and broccoli rabe as well as several pasta dishes and meats. Thanks to RSC for bringing some classy food to the league. 12 hearty players bumped away at The Steve Gifford roofless Thunderdome on Monday night as players anxiously sought out a second evening to play some ball. There are no teams, refs, officials or sponsors just lots of fun. Friday night, 6/8, Aviator will hold the finals of their spring volleyball league at 7 PM and the final four include many members of the RBVL. JG Electrical; the Nice Guys; Bump, Set, Over-served and the Flying Tigers will battle for indoor supremacy. If you are available, Aviator has a 2^nd floor bar that overlooks the courts; it is a great place to take in the action.

Remember, 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. Right now, the reviews are mixed. 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. 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. That’s this coming week. Teams will not be allowed to play on week 4 if their signed rosters are not in. 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!