RBVL Wraps Up Summer Season

By Joe McGivney

Last Saturday the Rockaway Beach Volleyball League concluded the 2009 season with its annual gala Playoff Saturday at Riis Park.  A high level of play made the eight division championships that much more rewarding to the teams that fought so hard for their victories.  Congratulations to the Sugar Bowl, Flip Cup All Stars, Brooklyn Windows and Doors, the Bay House Babes, 3^rd and Long NYC, Sets on the Beach, the Coral Reefers and the Atlantic Service Sand Storm.  A grateful nod must go to all of the sponsors of the record-breaking 60 teams as well as the local sponsors who hosted the Wednesday night parties after the matches: Blackwater, Healy’s, Irish Circle, Kerry Hills, the Harbor Light, Connolly’s, Summer Winds, the Bay House, Bungalow Bar, the Wharf, the Sugar Bowl and BHYC.  All provided a great atmosphere for players to unwind after a pressure-packed night of beach volleyball.  Without their financial support the league might very well not exist.  Special thanks must go out to Commissioner Patty Moule and her hard-working committee members, as well as anyone who volunteered for jobs along the way.  Your help, even with the smallest items, was much appreciated.  Thanks to all of this year’s referees, especially the rookies.  The league is very happy to have you on board.  Keep up the good work; we hope to see you back next season.  And we really appreciate all of you who have constructively criticized the refs each week.  Does it mean they will never make a mistake again?  No.  Does it mean you will agree with every call?  No.  Does it mean we and they are continually striving to improve?  You bet it does.  And thanks for putting up with our e-mails; we try to keep them short, sweet and informative so they don’t take up too much of your time.

Some of our members cannot accept the fact that the season is over.  That doesn’t mean volleyball is done.  Many groups from different teams are still playing on the weekends in pickup games throughout the Rockaway’s.  These games are often followed by impromptu beach parties, enjoyed by all.  It’s amazing how much fun you can have when you remove the high pressure (and referees) of the RBVL.  That's what it's all about, people.  Good on you.  Also, the weekly Monday night pick-up games at Steve’s 127^th St. stadium will continue and expand to Wednesday nights as well. We hope to see many of you on the beach at 127^th St. on Mondays or Wednesdays or both.  Get their as close to 6:15 PM as you can because it is getting dark sooner and sooner.

In case you missed it, Cubby is crossing items off of his “bucket list” in a record fashion.   “Winning RBVL title” is gone and he is getting ready to cross off, “Climbing Mt Everest”, “Roofing Rocky D. at the net” and “Having a frozen drink at Connolly’s while wearing RBVL Championship sweatshirt.”  Earlier this summer he crossed off, “Going to work ever again, in this lifetime or the next.”  Tommy “Moose” Reilly of the Beach House says that the reports of his retirement from volleyball were exaggerated and premature.  In fact, he’s back and he’s better than ever.  How’s this for perseverance?  Two teams that finished in last place in 2007 made it all the way to the top in 2009 – the Coral Reefers (8 - 39) and Sugar Bowl (13 - 34) have come a long way, baby!  Ocean Division ref par excellence, Coach, noted similarities between the Giants upsetting the Patriots in the 2008 Super Bowl with most of the country watching and the Sugar Bowl beating Freedhand’s with most of the league watching.

Captain Chris Morris worriedly watched his Coral Reefers devour six feet of double-stuffed chicken cutlet hero and numerous pasta salads on Playoff Saturday.  He wondered how they were going to be able to play ball after seeing them waddle onto the court.  Shockingly, they somehow managed to stave off a food coma and completed a perfect 9-0 route to victory against the Moon Division competition.  Bravo!  Captain Don Howard rated 2009 as Last Call’s best ever with the team finishing in first place during the regular season. Unfortunately, this could not be converted into a final victory on Playoff Saturday despite a fully stocked, courtside luxury box.  All team members played well throughout the season, giving their heart, soul and liver week in and week out.  Last Call can make the claim as one of the most fun teams, who also seem to have a bit of a volleyball problem.  Soon we will be back to our winter friends but remember next season we will start with a weigh in for you zaftig types.  Captain Rob Schmitt had the Social Yachties socializing after round one of the playoffs, doing what they do best, capping a great year at keeping it social.  Congratulations, Snotty Yachties, for making it to the finals.  Unfortunately, it looks like the socializing has come to end and the Yachties will not be able to make the Awards Dinner.

As you know by now, the date has been set for the annual RBVL Awards Dinner and that date is Friday, August 28^th. This year we will be going to Jameson’s on 129th St. from 7:30 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.  The cost is $40 per person in advance by 8/24 to Patty @ 550 B. 133 St. or $50 per person at the door.  The price includes an open bar, bottled beer, buffet dinner and music by DJ Bobby Joseph.  Jameson’s is a relatively small restaurant and space is limited.  First come, first served!  If you want to make sure you are included, get your money to Patty ASAP.  Dress casual and wear your best Hawaiian shirt; it should be a blast once again.  Last year the fashion ranged from casual beach to elegant chic.  Many outstanding Hawaiian shirts showed up as well as some classy dresses and you can expect more of the same this year.  Maybe we’ll even see some referees for a change.  They’ll be the ones with the striped shirts and whistles.  Continue to check our website (www.rbvl.com) for photos and stories in the upcoming weeks.  If you have any pictures you’d like to have posted, send them to sica@rbvl.com.  We’d be happy to add them to the website.  You can expect that John’s annual video and photo presentation at the dinner will be an Emmy winner once again.  Awards will be given out to the 8 division champs, and some surprise awards will almost certainly follow.  Bring your dancing shoes or your “Cement Shoes”, whatever you need to kick up a storm.  A highlight of the evening should be the final showdown between the Rockaway Breakers and the Bungalow Bar-anhas for the RBVL Dancing with the Stars championship.

The Awards Dinner is the last big RBVL event of 2009.  Then comes Mardi Gras (Breezy Point), Thanksgiving, sleet, dinner at the in-laws house, the Super Bowl, Valentine’s Day, Mardi Gras (New Orleans), St. Patty’s Day, Spring Training, Flag Day and, before you know it, RBVL opening day on June 2^nd and the 2010 playoffs on August 14^th. As always, if you have any questions 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 (but not for league games), around the neighborhood and on the dance floor at Jameson’s!

RBVL Crowns 8 Champs at Riis Park Playoffs

By Joe McGivney

On Saturday, volleyballs flew all day on the sands of Riis Park as contestant’s fought for the fabled winner’s sweatshirts in the Rockaway Beach Volleyball League playoffs.  The weather was an ideal 81 degrees, sunny and windless and the quality of play seemed to match the quality of the playing conditions.  Eight different division champions were crowned by day’s end and the mood was both festive and bittersweet as the 2009 season ended and the joy of another terrific year was offset by the sadness that many friends would go their separate ways over the next 10 months, not seeing each other quite so regularly anymore.  More than a few people were weepy!   Commissioner Patty Moule outdid herself again although she selflessly deflected credit to her committee of Rocky, Steve, Denise, John and Joe for a job well done.  Thank you all for making the season a great success and making Saturday one of the RBVL's most spectacular playoff days ever.  As always, the exciting games, food (Kudos to Beach Bagel for the delicious sandwiches, wraps, macaroni salads and fruit) and music (More kudos to DJ Ryan who rocked the finals) help but you are what make the day so special.  Your camaraderie and friendship elevate the RBVL to heights no other league enjoys. 

Read the Rest:  Playoff Story