News

Wow!

What an incredible season. Way beyond expectations. 2 new beautiful courts. 588 league members, 200+ of you new. 7 Divisions. 56 teams, 17 of them new. New friends made. New friendly rivalries in the making, rising new stars, and late rising old-timers. Beautiful harmony throughout all divisions. Unquestionably, a great success for the league.
The recently completed playoffs were filled with great play and several nail biter matches. 32 teams, 32 matches, topsy/turvey to say the least. Congratulations to 2017 league champion The Steamrollers, runner-up Superfriends, and 3rd place finisher Fuhgettabocce.

Looking Ahead
The planning process for the 2018 season is already underway. Below are some important agenda items for the fall & winter board meetings planned. 

New Board Members Needed - 4 long time board members have retired from the board this season. This was anticipated as many of them said some time back they would see the new courts project through to completion before departing. We have been fortunate to have 2 new volunteers, Gale Sequeira and Steve Pieroni of the Palino Pirates, join the board but are still looking to fill 2 vacancies. If you are interested in joining the board, please email us before the October 17th Fall board meeting.

Last Call for Tile Purchases - You have until November 1st to purchase a 4”x 8” or 8”x 8” tile with your individual, team community group or business name engraved on the tile. The tiles will be permanently placed on the block wall separating the upper and lower courts before the start of the 2018 season. For those who have already purchased tiles, we thank you for your patience. 

Possible League Expansion - Based upon the continual inquiries we get from people wanting to join the league, we think there is demand out there for even more new teams. If so, this will require some additional tweaking of the divisions. We may put out a questionnaire about possible restructuring as we did last year about this time. Keep an eye out for further communications from the league.

Rules Review - As is the case every off-season, the board completes a comprehensive review of the rules to address shortcomings in the league rules as written. If you have specific suggestions to improve them, please feel free to email us.

We are always looking for ways to improve the league. If you have any additional topics you would like to see considered, please feel free to email us at info@beniciabocce.org. 

The highly anticipated BBL Playoffs Schedule has been determined. Similar to last year, we’ll be sending the top four teams from each division to the playoffs. But, as we now have seven divisions, we’ll also have four additional wild card spots to round out a single elimination bracket. All matches except for the finals and the championship match will be held on weekdays.

• Round 1
  • 9/7, Thurs., 6pm
  • 9/8, Fri, 6pm
  • 9/11, Mon., 6pm
  • 9/12, Tues., 6pm
• Round 2
  • 9/13, Weds., 6pm
  • 9/14, Thurs., 6pm
• Round 3
  • 9/15, Fri., 6pm
• Semi-finals
  • 9/17, Sun., 1pm
• Championship (and third place match)
  • 9/17, Sun., 5pm

Which teams and when they will play will be determined by the standings at the end of the season. Playoff results will be available online as they unfold. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch.

The years long effort to expand the bocce courts at City Center Park behind the Library is finally about to be realized with the completion of two additional courts scheduled to open May 20th. Initially envisioned back in 2007 with the construction of the first two courts and creation of the Benicia Bocce League, organizers spent the last six years planning and fundraising for the engineering and construction of the additional courts. After raising $132,500, approximately half of the funds needed, the league partnered with the City of Benicia to acquire the additional funds necessary to make the vision a reality. Those efforts will finally be on display at the Grand Opening of the courts scheduled for Saturday, May 20th from 10:00am - 2:00pm.

All four courts are equipped with picnic benches and new barbecue grills and offer a great place for family, friends and community group gatherings large and small. The courts will be open to the public on a first come, first serve basis whenever league play is not scheduled. For the 2017 season, the bocce courts are available to the public on all weekdays from the early morning until 4:30pm, except Fridays from early morning to noon. The courts will also be available to the public all day on Saturdays. The courts are reserved for league play on weekday evenings and all day on Sundays.

The league expanded rapidly within the first few years from the initial 16 teams and soon reached maximum capacity for the two existing courts, locking out the ability for any expansion beyond the 39 teams and approximately 400 players registered since 2012. With the expectation of new courts on the way, the league opened registration to the community this winter for the 2017 season and has been rewarded with 17 new teams and 150 new members. The league now boasts a membership of 540 players and 56 teams.  It is the largest adult recreation league in the City.
The league will be hosting the grand opening ceremony starting at 10:00am on the 20th and plans to provide hands-on clinics on the basics and finer points of the game along with Italian snack goodies and beverages for all league members and the Benicia community at large to enjoy. So roll on down to the courts to see what Benicia Bocce is all about for yourself. It’s a Ball.

It's finally here. We've completed the schedule for the 2017 season. From there, you can find and click on your team to see a schedule tailored for you. If you need to reschedule any of your matches, capos should send an email to info@beniciabocce.org, with at least 72 hours advance notice. Please note that some of your matches may have been moved to a day of the week you don't normally play on to accommodate for holidays.

See you on the courts.

To all Capos and Benicia Bocce League members, both returning and new, that have not yet done so, there is still time to get your name prominently and permanently displayed on the wall at the center of the courts for all to see for decades to come.

Two tile sizes are available, an 8” x 8” version reserved for team names and the year they were established for a $500 tax deductible donation and a 4”x 8” version for individuals, community organizations and businesses for a $250 tax deductible donation. All proceeds will go toward the purchase of new maintenance equipment and the replenishment of the league coffers after our $125,000 donation to help fund the new courts. We particularly encourage all new teams who have not had this option available until now to show your support for the league and appreciation for those long standing league members whose contributions have made league expansion a reality through years of league service, registration fees and donations.

The construction of the new courts is nearing completion and we’re all excited to see the season begin. If you want your team, personal, business or organization  name permanently etched in the park act now, send a fully tax deductible check, made payable to the Rotary Club of Benicia Foundation along with your team name and contact information to: Benicia Bocce League, PO Box 263, Benicia, CA 94510. Someone from the league will contact you for engraving details. Should you have any questions, please contact us at info@beniciabocce.org. 

Thanks everyone, looking forward to kicking off the new season with you….

Let’s Roll!
The Benicia Bocce League