week 11

In the Rockaway Beach Volleyball League, the top 8 teams (or 4 in the Ocean division) in any division make the playoffs. For the Ocean, Ocean Breeze, Wave and Moon Divisions, that means everyone. For the Beach, Boardwalk, Sun and Star Divisions, that means the top 8 teams only. To increase the excitement and pressure of the final regular season match of the season, those four divisions had a position week scheduled for the last day. This pitted together many teams fighting for their playoff lives and the results were electrifying. Unfortunately, although the 9th and 10th place teams do not make the playoffs, they are still most welcome to join the playoff festivities at Riis Park tomorrow. And they should feel free to play grudge matches on any open nets against their friends and rivals or intra-squad games to settle personal team bragging rights. Some of this year’s races were as tight as ever, being decided in the last game or two of the season. Here are the results of some key match ups.

In the Beach Division, Ocean’s 12 came from 3^rd place to take the regular season title with a 5-0 whitewash of Kerry Hills Pub. Kean Inc. nosed out 3^rd and Long NYC 3-2, enabling Ocean’s 12 to squeak by. At the backside of the division, the legendary Land Sharks won 5 games after having only won 12 games all season to edge past the Irish Circle It’s 5 PM Somewhere gang into 8^th place. The White Horse Tavern Beach Posse also missed out on the playoffs but would like to thank Patty, Denise and the rest of their crew for admitting them into the league this year. They had a great time meeting a lot of great people and hope that next year they will be a little more competitive in a different division. Good luck, Land Sharks! In the Boardwalk, Miley Home Improvement Posse beat the first place Average Joes 4-1 but fell a single game short of catching them for first place. It doesn’t get any closer than that. Five teams vied for the final three playoff spots in the league’s closest race. When the smoke cleared, It’s All Good had dropped from 6^th place to 9^th and out of the playoffs where they will watch with the 10^th place Riviera Raiders, who are nonetheless thrilled to be in the RBVL and vow to come down Saturday for a few grudge matches on the side. Can Bugsy’s job as manager of It’s All Good be safe? Has any sport ever fired the entire team for non-performance? It’s usually the leader who must take the fall. The Sun Division saw IFMA’s add 5 games to their previous total of 13 to slip by the veteran Harbor Light squad for the last spot at the big dance. Otherwise, there was little change in positioning after Wednesday’s action, including the Beach Bums remaining on top. The Star Division had five teams within two points of each other fighting for their lives. Then Servpro NW Brooklyn beat Grassy Point Wii not Fit 5-0 and the Big EZ spanked the Beach Orphans 4-1 to secure their spots and eliminate both of their opponents. Each team held their fate in their own hands going down to the wire. This is the first year the Beach Orphans have failed to make the playoffs. That is not an easy task and it would be hard to repeat in 2011 but they’re working on it. Watch out for division winner, the Comeback Cats, on Saturday. The other four divisions named the following regular season champs: Ocean – Freedhand’s; Ocean Breeze – Fillmore Insurance; Wave – JG Electric and Moon – Sal’s Auto Sandstorm.

Eddie from It’s All Good is really all good as he once again was the first one to pay for the end-of-season awards dinner and George from Connolly’s gets honorable mention for being a close second. The league finished the 2010 season with its traditional finale at the Belle Harbor Yacht Club and it might have been the best finish ever. The crowd was the biggest of the season for a post-game party and the BHYC was up to the challenge. With the DJ playing great tunes, the festivities ran late into the evening, a perfect climax to a near-perfect season. Patty and Denise and the men of the RBVL committee would like to say “Thank you” to all the well-wishers for their kind words, hugs and kisses on Wednesday night and all along the way. Patty is getting a bit verklempt just thinking about the season coming to end. As you look across the party each week an interesting pattern is noticed. The old school players who have been around for a few decades come straight to the bar, no shower, no change of clothes, proudly displaying their, “colors” their rbvl uniform. Some might say it’s because if they went home and showered they would probably see their bed and fall asleep. Others think if they were young they would take a shower and dress up to pick up a member of the opposite sex. However this theory is shot down by the fact that back in the day when they were young they still didn’t shower or dress up. That is, the old hippy days.

The RBVL 2010 Playoffs will be held tomorrow, Saturday, August 14^th at 10:30 a.m. sharp (10:30 is both the start time and the forfeit time for game #1.) Nets will be available for set up & practice at 9:45 AM. All matches are best of 5 games to 21 points – win by two points and no cap. Round 1 begins at 10:30 AM with Round 2 scheduled for approximately 12:00 PM followed by the CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES at about 2:00 PM. Some sandwiches will be provided for lunch. Please bring any beverages you require but remember that officially, alcohol and bottles are not allowed on the beach. And in case that weren’t enough for you, our very own Tommy Tunes will be spinning music all day for your enjoyment. Bring your kiddies; bring your wife; you’re guaranteed to have the time of your life. This year’s annual RBVL awards party extravaganza will return to Jameson’s, which did a great job in hosting last year’s affair. And Tommy Tunes will be back again providing more of the songs you love. In the past, many people have asked that the awards dinner be held right after the season and this year that’s the way it’s going to be. August 20^th is the big day. That’s the Friday after the playoffs. Mark it down on your calendars and make your plans accordingly. $50 will get you food, music and 4 ½ hours open bar. Denise and Patty will accept deposits or payments in full starting now. Space is limited so the party is “First come – first served.” Dress casual and wear your best Hawaiian shirt.

The Beach Bums lost a season high three games, limping into the playoffs at 44-6. It was the first time they lost a match all season. It came down to game five as Paskoff, Ry-guy, Elfant and Ellen played well in the crucial fifth game. For the Bums, Kim and Mark played well. The Bums are hoping that Kim is able to call in sick on Saturday for the finals, from her undisclosed illness and undisclosed job. Happy Hour is looking forward to a Happy Hour at 5 PM on Saturday when they celebrate. Donna played the whole last game to carry her team to victory. She dug out a crucial late point and served the last two as Robin Shapiro Realty took three from the Bungalow Bar Flies. She used John’s back to dive and spike one ball over the net. It was a site to behold. The Bar Flies were amazed by her return. The Sugar Bowl had more important priorities than starting the volleyball games, like one of their girls, Katie is a lifeguard and was searching for a lost child long after six o’clock. They took two time outs to start the game and when she still wasn’t there the Flip Cup All Stars took their two time outs as she ran from the parking lot to make the start of the match, long after everyone else on the beach had started. That would explain why their fifth game was played in total darkness, except for the golf course lights in the distance on one side, and Murph’s lantern on the other. The Sugar Bowl took the first three as the All Stars adjusted to their new 2011 system that they are working on for next year since this year is over. Any chance they had for an upset ended with a broken ankle suffered by Kenneth Kearns the night before in a soccer playoff game in Long Island. Ouch! Jamie Agollia carried the Margarita’s into the playoffs winning three to secure their third place position. Jamie is used to carrying Margarita’s into many things, mostly his mouth. Congratulations to LeGreann's Sean O'Grady on his engagement to Melissa Ward. After getting down on one knee, Sean reminded Melissa he had to leave for volleyball.

The Mahooshkas beat Coppersmith’s 4-1 in a tune up for the much anticipated playoff push to play Fillmore in the finals. The Mahooshkas have not fared well in the win column against Fillmore this season but the games were close. Their division has been considered the most competitive in the league the last two years and Saturday will tell if it bears out again. There are many good teams in the division though and it will be interesting to see who makes the finals. The Irish Circle Screaming Seagulls were down and out the whole season, yet held on to a sixth place playoff spot. They are ready to make their move and send a message that will be heard all the way to Minnesota and Mr. Jim Benson. The refs in the Sun Division are amazed at how the players expect perfection from them, since after all, they are in the Sun Division. Let’s get better together. See you in the Ocean one day. The league leading Federation lost the final week 2-3 against Safe Sets. The team was finally relaxed as their leader Tom Ford Sr. returned to put the team in his usually tranquil state of mind. As the tension lifted from the team so did the victories. Let’s hope Tom can find an edge for Saturday. The Side Out Babes faced off against their good friends and rivals, Connolly’s. The match was closer than the score, but the Babes won 4-1. The Babes won despite an injury to Big Steve in game two but he hopes to return for Saturday. The newbie’s, Kara and Alex held their own in the victory. The Babes hope to rise on Saturday. Once again, Patty got her story in just before Tommy Touhey. Nevertheless, Sands Point beat Arverne Avengers 5-0 to prepare for their assault on the playoffs. Jessica, Neil and Donna played outstanding and are ready for the playoffs. Maybe Big Steve and Kenneth should head to Sands Point and check on those injuries.

When the RBVL season is over it doesn’t mean volleyball is done. You can 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. Flyers and entry forms will be available the next two weeks on the boardwalk. Check www.pathwaysforpeyton.org for forms and details.

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 (one last time) - TOMORROW!