practice

The Rockaway Beach Volleyball League kicked of the 2011 season Wednesday night at Riis Park with its annual practice night. All 70 teams were invited and about 40 took part in the festivities. And the weather was one of the most perfect in league practice night history. More than one player expressed shock that professionals miss much playing time with sore hips and oblique’s while 50% of the RBVL suffers from many maladies and show up every week ready for action. Apparently many pro athletes couldn’t make the grade in Rockaway. Rusty noted that Jose Reyes speaks very little English but he brings up his sore oblique every week. The 2011 season will feature some new team names and several new sponsors. Welcome to all and to any new players as well. The RBVL is happy to have you onboard. We’ll see you at Riis Park every Wednesday until 8/13. On Saturday, 8/13, the league championships will be played, starting in the morning and running through until the afternoon, when nine champs will be crowned. Then the real fun begins as teams try to outdo each other, partying late into the night.

The first night back on the beach ran smoothly with the help of many players, young and old, who pitched in wherever it was needed. That’s the kind of cooperation that makes the league great. Thank you for getting off on the right foot and keep up the good work. We need that assistance weekly. As veterans know, the court layouts change often because of the endangered birds. Come early each Wednesdays and check the information board to find out where you are playing. And bring your GPS system; you’ll need it. What didn’t go as smoothly was the bumping, setting and spiking! It gets harder and harder each year. However, the carrying looked to be in mid-season form.

Cubby is working on re-gaining the title of “The Most Interesting Man in the World” from that weird dude on TV. Remember, he spikes the ball underhand and his bird bath attracts piping plovers. And he doesn’t always drink beer but --- sorry, he always does drink beer. Stay thirsty, my friends. The Rockaway Breakers played a friendly practice match but nothing was friendly about this one. Both teams despised each other. Why? It was a split squad game amongst teammates. How these guys get through a season in one piece is a miracle. But they sure can dance! The Bogatelle Vino Team (formerly "the Stanii" for one week) want to thank our new sponsor and hope to see Chad & Co. on the beach this summer. The Bogatelles had a great time playing with old friends and family, which is what the RBVL Family is all about! Keep an eye on TBG, The Big Guy and his protégé, TLG, The Little Guy.

After the matches, players headed to returning sponsor, Rogers Pub on 116^th St. for a night of celebration to begin the 2011 volleyball season. Old friendships were renewed and new ones sprouted up amidst the good cheer and good food. The league welcomed Rich Rogers as a sponsor and he is happy to be on board. And he’s even happier with his team’s name, Rogers Irish Setters. It’s always good to add another gentleman to the “Friends of RBVL” list. Rich went old school on the menu with simple, home-cooked, delicious meatballs, baked ziti and fresh ham. And plenty of it, too. Next week, our annual top home cooker, Carmel, will put out a spread at the Kerry Hills Pub. We may have to have the two of them “throw down” at the end of the year for the cooking title. The first-night party can often be a little quiet but this one was terrific and well attended. Our sponsors are very generous and they don’t ask much of us in return. Stopping by for free food and a drink or two doesn’t seem like much to ask. All of the new teams from 2010 said they’d do anything to get in the league and they can start by supporting our sponsors every week. Then you’ll realize it’s as important to brush up on singing, dancing and partying skills as well as bumping, setting and spiking.

It was also opening night for the piping plover league, but however attendance was low.

Some of the new refs were shown the ropes by Joe, including where to buy yellow and red cards. They also attended a seminar to review rules and regulations and expectations for the upcoming matches. They even got to do some “student teaching” by working some of the practice games. Everyone was reminded again of three rules that will be enforced this year at every level of play without exception:

1. ALL net violations must be called – no exceptions

2. NO underhand lift or reverse underhand throws are allowed. (The only exception is on a hard-driven ball, like the ones the TV pros hit.)

3. NO reaching over the net to interfere with a ball unless your opponent is directing the ball to your side of the court.

For those players who think that this results in too many whistles and say, “We just want to play,” get used to it. Remember, we all just want to play - - - volleyball! Not jungle ball!

Each year we try to accommodate as many people as we can in the RBVL. Most of you have offered your assistance many times over the years and now we really need it. We have many new refs, some of whom are learning on the job. Some are young and some are not as young but they all are trying their best to call the games fairly. Believe me, they do not have an ax to grind with any of our teams and we need you to treat them with respect. (There has been occasional slippage in this department the last two seasons.) However, we want them to improve their performance, too. To that end, please send us an e-mail (jmcgivney2@nyc.rr.com) on Thursdays with a quick summary of the previous night’s ref. We’ll know who it was because we keep track of that stuff. It can be simply, “Ref was great.” Or give us some detail, “Ref called no net violations,” Ref called too many carries,” or “He called the game tighter than any ref this year.” You get the idea – brief and to the point, both good and bad. Thanks, in advance, for your assistance.

As the league has grown the last few years, many players assured President Patty Moule that they would do whatever it took to help the season run smoothly. They all volunteered in advance to help in any way that was needed on and off the beach. That same spirit will be needed once again. Already, Jimmy Mack has helped out by making extra spikes and plates for the nets and he has provided buckets to clear rocks out of the sand each week. Kaila and Caroline and the rest of their volunteer crew handled the distribution of the uniforms on the boardwalk beautifully as well. New corporate sponsor Bud Light helped finance the uniforms and may run promotions at the bars this season. Stay tuned.

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. Because of the enormous task of running this large mass of humanity out there every week, the league is now officially capped. If you are not on a team and you are looking to play, you should make a friend, date a current player or maybe even think about marrying into the league. On an administrative note, the RBVL has gone “green” and the Rules and 2011 Schedules are posted on the website. This saves the printing of thousands of pages of copies. Captains who have handed in unsigned rosters must now get them signed. SIGNED rosters must be in by week three (6/15) at the latest. However, there is really no reason you can’t take care of that at the beach before your first game.

And now a few words from our Commissioner, Patty Moule: “I am looking forward to another great season of beach volleyball and seeing old friends and meeting new ones. What I am NOT looking forward to is a few people ruining it for the rest of us. This means NO pulling people off the beach for your team and NO arguing with refs. The three simple playing rules will be enforced in ALL divisions without exception. If you don’t like it, don't take it out on your ref! He or she is just doing his job. All six people on your RBVL Committee are willing to help you with any problems that come up; just take care of matters in a respectful manner. For new players, the RBVL Committee is made up of President Patty Moule (Bogatelle Vino), Steve Gifford (Connolly’s), Denise Brunner (Robin Shapiro Realty Island), John Sica (Blackwater Boarders) and Rocky and Joe Abbracciamento (Casino Towing). You can find them every week, playing ball on the beach.

Next week the games and scores count. As always, if you have any questions before then 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. Right now there is a 70 way tie for first place but that ends next week. It will only be five days until the bumping, setting, spiking and carrying begins so loosen up the bones and stretch out those muscles. Let the games begin!