week 3

The Rockaway Beach Volleyball League was greeted by perfect weather in week three and players gleefully tossed away their sweatshirts and overcoats, stripping down to playing weight, tank tops and shorts. And the play resembled mid-season volleyball as the action heated up just as the weather did. The only things frozen were the frozen margaritas at Pico afterward. In the Ocean Breeze division, Casino Auto Body beat old rivals, the Federation, 4-1 but the Ford family still had Rocky and Joe running all over the place. Luckily, Rocky and Joe had CB, John, Brianna and Lauren behind them, covering all the areas of the court they couldn’t get to. After a missed shot in game 5, a voice from a neighboring court (TBG) hollered out, “A little light in the foot speed department.” You’d think one old-timer would have a little sympathy for a fellow old-timer. Thankfully for Casino, Charlie showed up in mid-season form his first week down and had a personal best in kills. As usual, the girls were steady throughout and the team was given a lift in game 5 when emergency girl Alana McCarthy started the game off with 3 terrific serves in her first action with the team. She actually had a perfect game going until Johnny spiked a ball just outside the sideline. If that lands in, who knows? Big Stan has been sorely missed by Casino and Rocky says he’d call Stan except he lost his phone number. Stan, get your aging knees down to Riis Park next Wednesday.

Irish Eyes are smiling

It’s All Good Tees beat the Atlantic Service Sandsharks 4-1 and were led by their fearless leader Bugsy. And Bugsy didn’t have to bump, set or spike, he just led. Dressed in his new summer wear of wooly hat, gloves, coat and scarf he put out winning player combinations and barked instructions in the huddles that inspired his gang. Cement Shoes took his game as high as his cement shoes allow and struck 11 service winners to begin a game. (Eddie was worried his record of 21 might be in jeopardy.) He threw in a fair few spikes as well and the rest was history. Afterward, TBG asks a trivia question, “What do Bay Ridge band Gearth, Wind and Fireman, Rockaway band The Gray Riders and the NY Mets have in common?” Wait for it - none of them have any hits. Well, even without any hits, the Gray Rider Band will perform down at Riis Park on Wednesday 6/24 and you can be sure to have a blast hanging out on the boardwalk. That is an open week on the party calendar for the RBVL so plan on staying at the beach and having some extra fun. Now that the concessions are open, food and drink are available for purchase. Enjoy. But don’t forget that next week’s (6/17) party is at the Kerry Hills Pub, often the top food stop on the RBVL tour. And if you have a hankering for Shepherd’s Pie there is none better than Carmel’s homemade version.

The Stanii would like to chastise Susie for scheduling a vacation week and missing a precious week of beach volleyball. She should have consulted with veteran Joe Abbracciamento who vacationed from yesterday until next Tuesday so he would not miss any VB action. And the flights are cheaper Thursday to Tuesday. Happy birthday Jim McDonough! Jim claims to be 49 years young but no one can find a birth certificate to verify. Others claim he was born in Kenya. Stay tuned. Pappy announced his retirement before the season and he is on his last trip around the league schedule ala Derek Jeter. But so far he has not received any gifts or send-off speeches like Jeter. Maybe there will be a big surprise at the end of the season. After two weeks only one team remains undefeated and that team is perennial champ Freedhand’s. And only one team remains without at least one victory. Come on Beach Orphans, let’s get one this week.

Girl Power! Beach House took 4 with these 5 lovely ladies on the court

EZ Company got back into the swing of things with a 5-0 win. Jasmine came straight from Agrabah and made a magical impact. Hipster Fitz rested, but the rest of the clan is looking to put an orthopedist on retainer. Coach Deb wore her Bill Belichik hoodie, only she smiled more. C-Eth and her Serve of Death left Old Danger busting with pride (and jealousy). He Who Wears No Neck Tie and Lady Socks transitioned from bowling champs to the beach without a moment to spare. Double M wanted to order a whole fat juicy pig from the new BBQ joint, but was told they don't cook politicians. There is a rumor that the rugged ruler of the House of Q is in training for the TV show "Naked and Afraid". Watch out.

Connor and Mike celebrate 5 losses

Pico tried something different at the RBVL after-party. They served a plate of 6 tacos. How is this going to feed this huge league, some thought? And then another tray of 6 tacos came out. And then another. And then another. And another and another and another. And it didn’t stop until everyone was filled up and satisfied. They must have been reading about Jesus and the loaves of bread and fish because they delivered a 129^th St. miracle. The beef and chicken tacos, guacamole, salsa and chips were just what the players needed, simple delicious food. And plenty of it. Good on you, Pico.

Gringos are in shock they won two games

We are trying our hardest with refs, but we keep running short. That’s what happens when the league grows as big as the RBVL has. The captains have been informed of this tough spot on many occasions and the general feedback is that everyone wants the big league in spite the referee shortage. Right now each division is schedule to have a night of play without a referee. The Ocean Division went first and this week it is the Ocean Breeze Division’s turn. And that doesn’t mean all of the other courts are covered. Play ball, be fair, have fun. If you know anyone interested in being a ref, please send them out way! The Ocean division worked fine in week one and the Ocean Breeze division went smoothly in week two so there is no reason to think this won’t work for every other division. If the top two levels of play can call the games fairly themselves, everyone else should be able to do the same. Next up is the Wave division on 6/17. Also, captains, if you do not have a referee at your court by 6:30 PM come up to the boardwalk and see Colleen immediately. We may have a standby ref available but you must see Colleen. If there is a clipboard at your court, bring it up with you. Thanks for your assistance.

Big Pappy

Welcome back to all of the returning sponsors and to the newest sponsors of RBVL teams. The league would not flourish without your financial support and is very grateful for your help. RBVL players should consider using some of the many league sponsors for personal items. After all, these businesses supported you when you needed them; why not return the favor and support them if you need services they provide. Your league has become the place to be during the summer in Rockaway. Remember that has happened primarily because of great camaraderie and sportsmanship more than great athletic play, although there is quite a bit of that, too. Eleven teams did not pick up their uniform shirts on Wednesday but they did play their volleyball matches so they must have been at Riis Park. They have one more chance to pick them up next week. After that, you might see them being worn around the neighborhood by strangers and the homeless. Since week one was cancelled due to weather all of those scheduled games will be played on the night we originally planned a position night. Position nights get bumped when the RBVL needs to make up a regular week. So you’ll eventually see that week one opponent down the road.

Rosters are also waivers and must be signed by players. For this reason and reasons of fair play, teams are not permitted to pick up players from the sidelines on nights they are shorthanded, not even if the opposing captain approves it. Captains who have handed in unsigned rosters must now get them signed. SIGNED rosters must be in by the end of the week next Wednesday. Bring them to Patty at the office or court one. If you do not hand in signed rosters, you will forfeit your games on 6/24. You are lucky that Patty has been busy with work and at home or it would have been this week. Patty wants to thank her Committee members for working so hard and making the games run so smoothly so far. The Pre-Season work, which starts around January, is often harder than the actual season itself. Here are your RBVL Committee Members: Rocky Dorogoff- Equipment Specialist, Cub Reporter, Social Director, Parks Liaison and ...; Steve Gifford- Equipment Supervisor, & all things that need to be done..., Joe McGivney- Referee Educator, Cub Reporter, Statistics Keeper and ..., John Sica- Web Site Master & Face book Updater& Cub Reporter and ..., Colleen Mchale- Ref Schedules, and...., Theresa Sutterlin- Shirt Organizer & helper in so many ways.... AKA Keeping Me Sane..., Mike and Liz Sica- The Voices of Reason for all of the Above, Denise Brunner- Tried to retire from RBVL but still very much our RBVL Consultant... And welcome Katie Honan, our new cub reporter, who actually brings professionalism to the job. There are some Wednesdays that Patty feels so stressed at work she wonders why she does this. Then she gets to Riis Park and sees so many people that she considers friends that she is thrilled to see and that wipes away all that day’s stress. Ahh! Thanks to all of the RBVL family. Captains are reminded that they can have team items entered in the weekly Wave article by showing up at the sponsor bar or by e-mailing Joe at jmcgivney2@nyc.rr.com by 11 PM on Wednesday night. The RBVL has a Facebook page and, if you like it, you will receive timely updates, whoever you are, captain or not. Your RBVL Committee members will be around each and every week to help out on any matters and answer your questions. If you have any questions please call Patty Moule at 917-613-0908. (Call between 10 AM and 9 PM.)

See you on the beach!