RBVL Wraps Up 2010 Season
By Joe McGivney
The Rockaway Beach Volleyball League concluded the 2010 season
with their annual Awards Dinner on Friday 8/20 at Jameson’s Pub in Belle Harbor.
A rocking good time was had by all, aided by the music of our very own DJ
Tommy Tunes, who also plays ball every Wednesday night and captains the Sands
Point PT club. Good food and cold
beer is the usual formula for a fun time with this group and once again it
proved successful. Attendance was
the lowest ever for a league awards party but the fun meter went as high as ever
thanks to a blend of crusty old veterans, who were eager to party the night
away. If you stayed home, you
missed a good time at the last RBVL awards dinner ever.
Thanks to Eric and Keith and their entire Jameson’s staff, who helped
make the night so pleasant.
Bartenders, Shane & Kenny, kept the drinks flowing all night while the
waitresses, Kathleen & Mary Beth, hustled around the bar to deliver an eclectic
mix of appetizers – BLT’s, sliders, filet mignon sliders and baby lamb chops –
to go with other staples of the volleyball league diet – mozzarella sticks and
chicken fingers. Simple but tasty
cocktail food. When Steve Gifford
gives you the thumbs-up sign you know you’ve made it!
And none of this happens without the work behind the scenes of the cooks
who came through marvelously. Thanks
to Jack and Shane Brunner who delivered five large boxes of sweatshirts to the
party only to be summoned back at midnight to pick up 4 large boxes of unclaimed
goods. That was a duty they didn’t
expect but handled anyway.
It is still amazing that a league of nearly 1,000 people
cannot fill up the smallish Jameson’s Pub for the final party of the year.
Maybe the RBVL players aren’t really the party Supermen they claim to be.
Or maybe they change back into Clark Kent after the season.
Were their GPS systems broken?
Were they afraid of going over the Cross Bay Bridge?
(That seems to be a catch-all excuse used often during the summer.)
Even Jameson’s and the auxiliary Jameson’s teams didn’t make it.
Here are the Top Five Lame Excuses for
missing the awards dinner:
5. I only go to Jameson’s when it’s 2 for 1 burgers
4. Not enough advance notice
3. I don’t think I’ll know anyone
2. I’m having a team party at my house the same night
1. It’s Happy Hour in Broad Channel
And where were the eight new teams that Patty reluctantly
admitted to the RBVL this summer?
All she asked was that they be good sports (which they were) and come to the
weekly parties (which they didn’t) and show up at the awards dinner (which they
didn’t). Some of the younger
players are forgiven because they had a legitimate excuse; they were off to
college, a place Joe Abbracciamento spent nine of his fondest years.
Only one player from the entire Ocean Division showed up and he gets an
asterisk next to his name since he is on the RBVL committee – John Sica.
That ties last year’s number when Frank Ganun was the lone representative
of his team and the top group. This
year’s trivia questions are a variation of last year’s:
Trivia question 1: How many championships does Frank’s team have with him
playing? Answer: One.
Trivia question 2: How many championships does Frank’s team have with
Frank not playing? Answer: One.
Ergo, that makes him mathematically inconsequential although on a
personal level he is highly consequential.
As the hour neared 9 PM, folks were worried that Little Timmy Murphy
mistakenly went to the Knights of Columbus or the Beach Club once again but were
happy when he arrived shortly afterward.
Kirby, period.
Talk about doing it all!
Special thanks go to the RBVL party committee, who toiled many hours
while working on the details of the extravaganza.
Thanks to Chris at It’s All Good Tees, who jumped through hoops
expediting a very big order, championship sweatshirts were delivered in time for
the party and were presented to the division winners who showed up – Fillmore
Insurance from the Ocean Breeze Division led by Jack and the Beach Bums from the
Sun Division led by their captain Bobby.
After bumping, setting, spiking, bleeding and sweating past the
competition these guys really earned their rewards and will surely wear them
proudly. They were happy to claim
their trophies – the fabled championship sweatshirts given out to the victorious
teams. The other six winners did not
send even a single representative to collect their prizes and bask in the glory
of their RBVL titles although Ocean’s 12 at least had an excused absence.
Next year the sweatshirts will be given out on a selected date and any
unclaimed shirts will be hung from stop signs that night around Rockaway – first
come, first served! Amidst the
championship presentations, individual and spirit awards were given out as well
but none had anything to do with volleyball skills or ability.
First up, Eddie from It’s All Good and George from Connolly’s won special
“Show Me the Money” wallets for being the first two players to pay for the
awards dinner. Then the Rockaway
Breakers made it a three-peat as party dance champs and Rusty was heard
muttering, “Dynasty” the rest of the night.
It’s tough to argue with him.
As the top party team, the Rockaway Breakers were awarded the traditional
silk scarves to accessorize their outfits, which were already quite spiffy.
A second party award was given and it had very little to do with dancing
but quite a lot to do with attendance and spirit.
It’s All Good Tees had the best attendance by a non-playoff team and they
were also awarded colorful scarves.
TBG threatens to wear each and every article of clothing he has ever been given
over the years all at once. He
should be an eyeful with his pink shorts, flowered dress, orange doo-rag and
fuchsia scarf. The next award went
to the hard-working equipment managers of the RBVL, Steve and Rocky.
Their new 99 cents bolt lock should come in handy while fighting to
maintain the security of their beloved storage room.
Finally, Tommy Woods has always been much more than a fair-weather friend
and he won the prize for best all-weather friend, the kind who helps out
whenever and wherever he was been needed throughout the years.
For his meritorious service he was gifted a plastic rain hat that must
have set the league back at least a dollar.
The happy looks on all of the recipients’ faces told you all you needed
to know about the good-natured ribbing and sportsmanship that makes the RBVL
people so special.
Here are the Top Ten Reasons for attending the RBVL awards
dinner:
10. Being among the first to see
John Sica with a short hair cut and clean shaven
9. Good time
to suck up to Patty and Denise to get a better court location on the beach next
year
8. Plenty of room
on the dance floor to dance an Irish Jig
7. Seeing
Joe Abbracciamento drunk
6. You can
never get enough of DJ Tommy Tunes
5.
Observing fashion trends other than RBVL tank tops and shorts
4.
Using the unclaimed sweatshirts to fuel the after-hours bonfire on the beach
3.
I will know everyone there
2. You could
keep pace with the Rockaway Breakers without breaking the bank
1. It’s
the last one you will ever be invited to
A variety of terrific Hawaiian shirts showed up again this year and Rocky nosed
out Georgey Johnson for top honors.
They can both be glad that Simon decided to dress casually and comfortably and
he didn’t wear one of his dazzling shirt and shorts ensembles.
The rest of the fashion ranged from casual beach to elegant chic.
In fact, wiping the scrumptious juicy lamb chops on hideous Hawaiian
shirts practically went unnoticed.
Who needs napkins?
Was that Michelle or Jennifer Grey dirty dancing the night away?
Nobody puts Baby in the corner!
And who knew Polish girls could do the Irish Jig?
The investigation into the league’s beginnings has concluded.
The final verdict is that 1989 will be recognized as the first season.
There were seven teams, uniforms, refs, byes and playoffs.
There is talk that a four team “league” played the year before but there
is not enough evidence that they had all the necessities to be called a league.
They had a volleyball, a net and fun,
which is not quite enough to qualify.
That means the RBVL just finished their 22nd season, making
next year the 23rd. (In
case you have trouble in math.) Who
was more surprised than Coach that Riis Park did not charge for parking during
the playoffs last week? He didn’t
have to bike in from Long Beach to beat the parking fee, after all.
At least he saved on the Atlantic Beach toll.
And he got some valuable exercise in.
Does he belong to an “Exercise Club” in his neighborhood?
The Robin Shapiro Realty Island team would like to thank the actual real person
Robin Shapiro for her consistent sponsorship and to apologize for once again not
winning the coveted championship sweatshirts. Robin has generously taken care of
the squad over many years and always enjoys following the group’s antics in the
Wave articles all summer long. Hopefully, next year she can finally make it down
on a Wednesday night for good luck and to cheer her charges on in person. Thank
you, Robin, for making the summer so much fun!
Some of our members continue to play volleyball throughout the Rockaway’s but
the weeknight games are just about done since darkness falls too early to allow
much playing. In fact, Monday 8/30
and Monday 9/6 – Labor Day will be the last official nights of action at 127th
St. Bring a small cooler (not the
one you usually bring to Riis Park during the season) and celebrate the end of
volleyball as most of you know it.
(At least until next summer or perhaps a winter league.)
The action will begin earlier than usual at 5 PM on Labor Day since it is
a holiday. Come early and stay
late.
You can also play ball and help out a
worthy cause at
Peyton's FUN Raiser: Beach Volleyball Tournament, which will be held on
Saturday, August 28th, from 10 AM - 3 PM, Rain or Shine, at Bay 9 in Riis Park
Beach (Beach 155th Street and the Boardwalk).
The Benefit is for the son of Pat and Jacqueline Tansey from Robin
Shapiro Island and it will be a fun, family-oriented event for all levels of
play- competitive 4's and recreational 6's. Prepaid $50 donation (or $300 for
team of 6) includes participation in the games, tank top, food and
entertainment. $60 Donation on the day of the event and it's based on openings.
Players MUST be age 14 and up. Teams will be divided by their requested level of
play. There may be separate divisions for the FDNY and NYPD, depending on
demand. Raffles
and 50/50 tickets will be sold and prizes awarded at the tournament. A Small
Volleyball Clinic for Children will be provided along with other favorite
activities. Children (under 12) are FREE (with a participating adult).
Therefore, please be sure to register your children as well. The donation is $20
for Non-Player Attendees. Bring your coolers, beach chairs, and sunscreen
and have fun as you help raise money for a very worthy cause!
DJ Tommy Tunes will provide the music.
Check
www.pathwaysforpeyton.org
for forms and details.
Commissioner Patty traditionally concludes the RBVL season
with her final thoughts:
"To all RBVL Players, Friends, Family, Referees, Sponsors and
Future RBVL Players - Wow! Another great season has gone by too quickly!
This year we had a good practice night and only one rainout and it still went
too fast! Expanding the league to
68 teams proved to add quite a lot of excitement, both on the beach and on the
dance floor! We are also very grateful for your kind words of thanks and
praise throughout the summer. However, actions speak louder than words.
Many of you know when you thank me, NEW TEAMS IN PARTICULAR, that all I ask is
to come to our sponsor bars on Wed. Nights and come to the awards dinner. Well,
that hasn't happened unless it's an RBVL fave.
What I don't understand is that I'm not asking you to come out for a
community tooth extraction, just to come out and have a few beers and support
the league you supposedly love so much. Enough said.
As usual, I want to thank my fellow committee members for their "blood,
sweat & tears" in coordinating a great season despite increasing beauracratic
complications and many more players. They are: Denise Brunner - She continues to
be a master with all financial, referee, sponsor and awards party demands and
handled all with intelligence & humor. I would have been lost without her
this year. Joe McGivney - #1 Cub Reporter, Rules Official and "Man of
Reason." Steve Gifford - Equipment Manager, "Do Anything That Needs to Be
Done" Meister. Rocky Dorogoff – Equipment Manager, Parks Dept. Liaison,
Cub Reporter & playoff party. John Sica - Web Meister and Cub Reporter.
Without their dedication, this league would not be the amazing entity that it
has become. And without their families' support they would not be
available to the RBVL, so thank you spouses, children and relatives for your
understanding. Patty”
Make sure you check the website at www.rbvl.com for more pictures from the
awards dinner. If you have any
photos you’d like to have posted, send them to
sica@rbvl.com.
The Awards Dinner was the last big RBVL event of 2010.
Enjoy the off-season but mark your calendars for the RBVL’s opening day –
June 1st and the 2011 playoffs – August 13th.
Of course, there will be a captain’s meeting in the winter, as plans are made
for next season.
Make sure you have a current e-mail or two from your team on file with the
league since that is the primary way of contacting everyone in the off-season.
As always, if you have any questions please call Patty at
917-613-0908. (Be sure to call
between 10 AM and 9 PM.) Or just
check our website at www.rbvl.com.
See you on the beach in the summer of 2011!