Benicia Bocce League | News

Website Redesign

2019-12-10T07:28:13-08:00

Hi everybody. We're in the process of redesigning our website. Please bear with us while we get everything in order. If you'd like to keep up to date with what we're doing, subscribe to our newsletter.

New Court Material Donations

2019-12-10T07:27:54-08:00

You likely know that we are pursuing building two new Bocce courts next to the existing courts. We plan to begin building after the end of the league year, assuming all permits are approved.

We'll all benefit from the new courts, with more room, more teams, and more friends playing. The new courts will cost money, and thanks to many of you who have already pledged donations.

One way to reduce the costs of adding the new courts is to provide material donations. Attached is a list of the needed materials. Can you take a few minutes to review the list, and let us know if you, or any of your friends or business colleagues, may be able to provide any of the required materials? If you have an "in" with any source of materials, please let us know - we'll work with you, or provide any information you need, to approach anyone who can help.

2014 Season End

2019-12-10T07:27:46-08:00

Congratulations to the Palino Pirates for their win over the Vet's Club to become our 2014 Benicia Bocce Ball League Champions. Visit the website to see the full results of the 2014 season.

Bocce Italiano Fest

2019-12-10T07:27:40-08:00

The Benicia Bocce League cordially invites you to our 1st annual Bocce Italiano Fest being held April 18th between 11:00 am – 2:00 pm at the bocce courts behind the Benicia Library. Come ready to play! Italian treats and beverages will be provided compliments of Pastabilities, Pacifica Pizza & the BBL. The event is free and open to all. Please see the flyer below for additional details. Learn how to play the game, the league’s planned new courts and additional league membership openings starting with the 2016 season. Spread the word to your friends, family, businesses, community groups and others. Feel free to pass out the flyer. Are you ready to roll with us?

Board Members Needed

2019-12-10T07:27:11-08:00

As we prepare for the upcoming 2016 bocce season, the League finds itself in need of several new board members as some of the members have decided to retire after many years of service. The Board is currently seeking individuals for the positions of Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and 1-2 additional openings. The board typically meets 2-3 times per year, chaired by the League President. Greg Richey has agreed to accept that rotating position, pending the vote at the next Board meeting. With the exception of the Secretary and Treasurer positions, board members are required to sign up for at least 1 committee to ensure the League meets its obligations. The committees currently defined by the Board are as follows: Rules; Shed Maintenance; New Courts Construction; Fundraising; Website/Communications; Sign-Ups; Scheduling & Playoffs. The Secretary & Treasurer positions, as well as most of the committees require a limited commitment. Anyone with expertise or interest in these areas is encouraged to contact the board within the next few weeks through our website contact form. For those of you who are not currently league members and have been placed on a waiting list to join due to the limited number of courts, joining the board would provide a likely pathway to league membership this season.

Many thanks and gratitude to the following retiring and returning board members for their significant contributions to the League’s success over these last several years: Sue Kasson, former League President (retiring); Ron Kane, retiring as League President (returning as board member); Frank Kasson, Scheduling & Standings (retiring); Sherri Bortolazzo, Secretary (retiring); Colleen Williams, Treasurer (retiring); Scott Reep; Fred Railsback; Randy Olson; Jim Aruda; Al Bertelotti; Bob Botti; Nick Martino; Dave Moore; Greg Richey; Matt DeClaire Webmaster (new board member).

2016 Schedule

2019-12-10T07:26:55-08:00

Hi Bocce ballers!

The 2016 Benicia Bocce League schedule is ready for you.

This year, you can get the schedule added to your calendar. At the bottom of your schedule, you'll find a link. Be sure to select your team first, so that only your games show up. Also, be sure to subscribe to the calendar, rather than import, so that you can stay up to date with any changes. Here is a good article explaining the difference.

As always, if you have any questions, please get in touch.

2016 Capo Meeting

2019-12-05T18:24:26-08:00

We're getting close to the start of the season. Caps, remember that the Capos meeting will be held Saturday, April 16th at 9:00 am on the bottom floor of the Vets Hall. All Capos and Co-Capos are encouraged to attend, as there are several changes afoot for the coming season. Please don’t forget your signed team liability wavier form if you have not already submitted one. We also need all shed keys returned as there will be a new security procedure implemented this season. We look forward to seeing you all there.

2016 Playoffs

2019-12-10T07:26:41-08:00

We've worked out the playoff schedule for this season. As usual, the top four teams from each division will enter a 16 team playoff bracket of four rounds:

Sept. 6-9 at 6pm
Sept. 13-14 at 6pm
Sept. 15 at 6pm
Sept. 17 at 2pm: 3rd & 4th Place match
Sept. 17 at 4pm: Championship match

Bracket placement will be determined by division standings, with inter-division match-ups. In other words, you're not guaranteed to play on the same night as you did during the regular season.

If you are interested in the particulars of how the bracket is seeded, we're happy to go into detail. Drop us a line at info@beniciabocce.org.

Fate of the new courts

2019-12-10T07:26:00-08:00

The fate of the construction of the 2 additional bocce courts will be decided at the upcoming City Council meeting next Tuesday, September 6th at 7:00 pm with an up or down vote anticipated. We're prepared our arguments for why this project should be approved. But the best arguments often carry more weight when voiced directly from the heart, and backed by numbers. That’s why we are asking all of you to attend this make or break meeting, to stand up (or at least be seated) to make it clear to the Council that this project is worthy of their votes.

The bottom line is the City has surplus money from Measure C, which we all have paid a share of. They wanted us to take out more loans. The Board has rejected that notion, feeling the bocce community has contributed enough. Looking in to the future, we’d rather see a reduction in registration dues than an additional financial burden placed upon us all.

We are well aware that some teams will be playing the first round of the playoffs that night but for those of us who can attend, please be there by no later than 7:00 pm as we are first on the agenda. We need to fill the chamber. Don’t forget it’s an election year. You can bet that our council members have not. We only need three votes. We think the vote will be close. Please mark your calendars now.

On Facebook? RSVP to the event!

New Courts Update

2019-12-10T07:25:19-08:00

A considerable effort has been taking place over the past few months to move the construction of the new courts forward. The Board solicited new bids from 2 local contractors with the involvement of the City Parks & Recreation department. The low bid submitted by Harold Bray Construction, a contractor well known by the City, came in at $185,246. This amount excluded the cost of building a new shed, which the City estimates will add approximately $12,000 to the project cost. Fundraising has netted a total of a $125,000 to date with pledges for team tile purchases of over $7,500 still unfulfilled.

The Board has also been in discussions with directors of the Parks & Recreation & Economic Development Departments and City Council members to solicit their support in closing the approximate funding gap of $75,000. This issue will be brought before the Council as an agenda item at the September 6th Council meeting with an up or down vote to take place at that time to fund whatever gap remains. By the city’s own calculation, Measure C funds, which Benicia voters approved to fund infrastructure needs for public safety, roads & PARKS, have exceeded original estimates by $1.4mm. We need to fight for some of those funds. We strongly encourage all league members, those wishing to join the league but cannot due to the limited courts and other bocce enthusiasts to attend this crucial meeting to stand as one and show our collective support for this worthy community project. All individuals will have up to 5 minutes to let their voice be heard should you choose to do so. For those who have provided email addresses to the league, reminders will be sent as the date approaches but please tell your teammates, friends, business colleagues, church groups and civic organizations about this critical meeting and mark your calendars now. An article is also planned for the Benicia Herald to reach the community at large.

In the interim, for those of you who have pledged funds to this effort but have yet to fulfill them, now is the time. For those of you who have not pledged or provided assistance as of yet, we need your help now, as well. The more we can close the funding gap, the easier the vote will be for our Council members. Please contact Greg Richey via email at greg@signalsolutions.com or by phone at (707) 974-0612 should you have any questions regarding past pledges or how to contribute to the project.

The board thanks all who have contributed in the past and also wishes to acknowledge the following recent significant contributions to the effort:

$10,000
Paula & Jim Gallagher

$5,000
Sheri & Richard Bortolazzo Jill & Eric Hoglund Peg & Mike Klug
Mittie & Fred Railsback Lisa & Scott Reep Sue & Greg Richey
Ellen & Bob Whitehead Republic Services

$2,500
Coldwell Banker Signal Solutions Corporation Valero Corporation