It’s a long, long while from May to September for over 700 Bocce Ball participants

Pat Milich

In his hit September Song, Frank Sinatra croons about it being “a long, long while from May to December.” But for the 700 plus PebbleCreek Bocce Ball enthusiasts it can seem like an equally long, long while from May to September!

The beautiful Bocce Courts at Eagle’s Nest have not seen much action since last May when league play was suspended for the summer. Thankfully, cooler temperatures are on the horizon, with a brand new season of Day and Night League competitions set to get underway beginning Tuesday, September 27.

Registrations have been accepted throughout the summer by PebbleCreek Bocce Association Treasurer Mollie McErlean, who reports that over 30 new players have signed up since the end of the 2015-2016 season. But, not to worry, registrations are still being accepted and Mollie urges anyone wanting to jump aboard the Bocce Bandwagon in time for the 2016 fall season to get their paperwork in to her ASAP. She can be reached at [email protected] or 935-2822.

To further encourage everyone to act quickly if they want to assure a place for themselves on a fall team, Mollie explained that there is only enough time to schedule one tier of play for the teams competing in the popular Tuesday and Thursday Night Leagues. This is due to HOA regulations that require the Bocce Complex lights to be turned off by 10:00 p.m. There is only room for 16 teams per night and there already are 15 teams signed up for Thursday night play. Players will be accommodated on a first come, first served basis and, if there is a need, the Association will add a third night of play on Wednesday.

There are no time restrictions on the Wednesday and Friday Day Leagues, when two tiers of competition, accommodating up to 32 teams, can be scheduled.

The very last opportunity to register for the fall season will be Tuesday, September 6 and Wednesday, September 7 when in person registrations will be accepted at the Eagle’s Nest Kiosk from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.

The fall season Captain’s Meeting will be held on Friday, September 23 at 9:00 a.m. in the Tuscany Falls Ballroom.

A Bocce Clinic for all new players, as well as returning players, will be held on Monday, September 26 at 9:00 a.m. at the Bocce Complex at Eagle’s Nest. Carol Gwilt, the PebbleCreek Bocce Association Statistician, will conduct the Clinic, at which time Bocce Association By-Laws, Rules of Play and How to Play will be reviewed.