November 4th, 2026
Ain’t So Funny When the Goat Has the Cleaver
written by BBN Staff
TONIGHT, the Bucktown Billy Goats take on the Fulton Market Butchers in a battle for first place in the South Division! The Billy Goats enter the match in third place, two points behind the first place Beverly Jacks, while the Butchers sit in second place, just one point out of first. All three teams in the South have played four matches this season and the race for the division title could not be any tighter. The Billy Goats would need a sweep to take sole possession of first place, while the Butchers just need a match win to do so. Four weeks ago, these two teams battled in a 43 frame match, the longest of the season, with the Billy Goats eventually prevailing in a 17 frame Game 3 to finish the match by scores of 12-7, 10-12, 12-10. We expect tonight to be no different as every match is sure to be crucial when it comes to playoff seeding at the end of the regular season and both of these teams still have a chance to win a pennant and earn the playoff advantage that goes along with that.
For the Billy Goats, who enter the match after a Week 6 win over the previously undefeated Elmwood Park Eagles, the starting lineup looks the exact same. Billy "Lover Boy" Stripeik will take the pallino in the lead pointing position, coming off of a spectacular 91% (31/34) pointing performance against the Eagles that ultimately earned him the Week 6 Player of the Match award. He will be backed up by "The Jellycopter" Keith Young, whose spectacular full court pallino shot in the final frames of Game 3 propelled them to the win against the Eagles. The usual suspects round out the starting lineup for this Goats team, who has nothing but momentum coming into this match. Andy "Mrs." Zimmerman gets the start at first shooter and Alex "Mr." Gara will anchor the lineup in the hammer position. If the Billy Goats are able to continue their upward trajectory, they are on track to get themselves right back into that title conversation after falling just short in Season 1, losing in the championship match to the Highwood Stallions.
The Butchers are another team who has nothing but momentum as we enter the home stretch of the regular season. They enter the match having won their last two over the Park Ridge Penguins and the Beverly Jacks, completely reversing course after dropping their first two matches of the season. They look to exact revenge on the Billy Goats after their match loss in the marathon Week 3 battle. Most of the starting lineup looks the same tonight for the Butchers, but after a foot injury to Vito "Watch Your Step" Buonsante, "Need for Tweed" Linderman will get the start at first shooter and Patric "Bone Marrow" Gerstmayr will slide into the hammer position. Lauren "Cheez Its" McDermott will lead point, entering the match with a league-best 84% rolling average. Rob "The Rulebook" Schroeder will point second tonight for Fulton Market. The biggest lineup news this week for the Butchers comes from their bench, where the Buonsante injury prompted a HUGE roster move. Sean "Airbender" Tovson was dropped and replaced by Brian "Simmer Down" Simmerman. Simmerman will be immediately available off the bench for the Butchers and seems positioned to fill a shooting role on the team when called upon.
This will be the last regular season meeting between these two teams and considering how close this division race is, tiebreakers could play a huge part in determining division winners and playoff seeding. Every game is extremely consequential. Both teams have a chance to take first place tonight. Expect another hard-fought battle. Tonight's broadcast will begin at 6:45 CT on BBN.
November 3rd, 2026
Injury Puts Butchers’ Player on the Chopping Block
written by BBN Staff
The Fulton Market Butchers have officially terminated the contract of Sean "Airbender" Tovson and selected the contract of Free Agent Brian "Simmer Down" Simmerman. Tovson joined the Butchers roster in Season 1 after the termination of Maurizio Perrelli's contract. Tovson saw court time in just 1 game for Fulton Market, recording 1 shot attempt. The move comes on the heels of a lower body injury to Player-Manager Vito "Broken Toe" Buonsante and less than a week after Simmerman knocked Highwood Stallions pointer Timmy "Two Times" Tolari out of the Chicago Bocce Club singles club championship tournament.
Simmerman will join the team for their Wednesday match vs the Bucktown Billy Goats. He spoke to BBN, saying "I’m thrilled to join the Fulton Market Butchers at such a pivotal moment in their season, and I’m grateful to Andy, Vito, and the organization for the opportunity. This team has built something special on its run toward the playoffs, and I’m ready to put in the work to help carry that momentum all the way to the finish. My goals are to represent the Fulton Market name proudly, roll good balls with my teammates, and contribute towards our shared goal of a CBL Championship. Chop-chop!"
Tovson, ever the team player, had the following to say when asked about the move: "Brian is a rising talent and very accurate shooter. I've been fortunate to play with him in the Sunday (rec) league, and am excited to see his game develop with the best talent in Chicago. The Butchers' success is still the mission. They're still my team."
The injury to Buonsante ultimately forced the hand of the Butchers, as they make their final push towards a potential South Division pennant, but this move did not come as a surprise to all those within the organization. "We as a team felt like this move was coming for a bit," Buonsante told BBN. "We are still committed to Seans development as a player and he will always be a Butcher. This move was made to increase our arsenal and scoop up an in demand free agent who is opening eyes. We look to continue the great momentum we have built towards an ultimate goal of winning a championship. We feel like this move gives us the most put together team front to back and we are as excited as we could be."
Here's a look at the updated Fulton Market Butchers roster:
Vito Buonsante
Lauren McDermott
Patric Gerstmayr
Rob Schroeder
George Dousmanis
Tweed Linderman
Brian Simmerman
November 2nd, 2026
A Winning Career Comes to an End
written by BBN Staff
Today, the Highwood Stallions announce the retirement of "Good Times" Steve Thornberry. Thornberry played 8 games in his career with the Stallions and was a member of the Season 1 Championship team. In his 8 games, he posted a 55% (35/64) rolling percentage and a 75% (6/8) shooting percentage. "Steve has been part of something very special with the Stallions, and we’re grateful he’s been on this journey with us," Stallions' Player-Owner Tom Holleman told BBN. "He’s been a wonderful teammate, a supportive friend, and an important part of our team’s success. We’re genuinely sorry to see him go. As we continue our pursuit of another championship, Steve will remain part of the Stallions family, and we know he’ll be cheering us on."
Thornberry's retirement frees up a roster spot for the Stallions. They have yet to announce who will fill that spot but that player will be selected from the Free Agent Pool. "While it's always a little sad to see a player announce their retirement, this is going to be an incredibly exciting opportunity for one of our Free Agents to join a championship roster that is looking to repeat in Season 2," said CBL Commissioner Michael Scialdone Sharkey. "Whether or not this soon-to-be newly rostered player is positioned for immediate playing time or not, they're gonna have a chance to learn from some of the most talented players we have here in Chicago and they'll get to see how a winning team operates from the inside."
The Stallions are expected to announce their new acquisition live on the BBN broadcast of the Aldo Della Croce Tournament, this coming weekend in St. Louis. Keep an eye on social media for when that announcement will take place and be sure to tune into the Aldo, as we have more than 50 players making the trip to represent Chicago. Good luck to all prospective Free Agents and congratulations Steve on a winning career! Once a champion, always a champion.
October 28th, 2026
WEEK 6 MEGA-PREVIEW: Don’t Let Your Destiny Escape You
written by BBN Staff
Match 1
Wednesday 10/28 at 6:45 CT on BBN
Fulton Market Butchers (1-2) vs Beverly Jacks (2-1)
In a clash of two South Division pennant contenders, the Fulton Market Butchers will host the Beverly Jacks in the first of THREE CBL matches this week. The Butchers currently sit two points behind the Jacks in the South Division standings, meaning that a match sweep for Fulton Market would guarantee them sole possession of first place in the South. In a league that seems to be separating itself into two tiers, with the Highwood Stallions and the Elmwood Park Eagles sitting head and shoulders above the rest of the competition, the Jacks and the Butchers seem like the two teams who are currently most poised to be able to break through into that top tier and enter the title contender conversation. Wednesday’s match will be an extremely consequential one between these two teams, who will meet again in the final week of the regular season.
The Butchers are coming off of a Week 6 match win against the reeling Park Ridge Penguins. That was the first match win of the season for the Butchers and it came in a 12-2, 12-10 sweep. Lauren “Coors Lights” McDermott rolled 19/20 in that match on her way to earning another Player of the Match award for the Butchers. 6 players saw playing time in that match and timely execution from the back half of the lineup allowed the Butchers to put together a total of 5 three point frames over the course of those two games. They will run it back with that same starting lineup and hope to be able to execute at the same high pace that vaulted them into second place in the South Division.
“Stacking extra points, mitigating when needed and capitalizing on any openings will be essential in securing wins,” McDermott told BBN. Butchers’ Player-Manager Vito “Big Toe” Buonsante added “We need to continue to apply pressure with consistent pointing. Especially in the back quarter of the court. I’ve got a feeling that the pallino will be flying in this game.”
For the Jacks, they will be forced to replace the productivity of the league’s 2nd best shooter, Lio “The Godfather” Giannotti. Giannotti will not be available for Beverly, who dropped their last match to the Elmwood Park Eagles in a three game battle. That match did not end well at all for this Beverly team, with that Game 3 loss coming by way of shutout to the undefeated Eagles. The Jacks will ask “Downtown” Aaron Brown and Lilia “Hits and Giggles” Zaparaniuk to fill out the starting pointer roles and they will absolutely need Courtney “Strickland Propane” Strickland to return to her usual form if they are going to have any hope of holding onto their South Division lead.
THURSDAY DOUBLEHEADER MATCH 1
Thursday 10/29 at 6:15 CT on BBN
Highwood Stallions (3-1) vs Park Ridge Penguins (0-4)
The oddsmakers have the Stallions entering this one favored to win the match in a sweep, making the Penguins the steepest underdog that the league has ever seen. Park Ridge has yet to win a match and with their most recent loss coming in a sweep vs the Butchers, things are not moving in the right direction. The Stallions also enter the match off of a loss, although they find themselves in a much different position halfway through the regular season. With a match sweep against the Penguins, the Stallions would become the first team in Chicago or Ohio to clinch a playoff berth. If the Penguins don’t find a way to win at least one game in this match, their destiny will no longer be in their hands.
Park Ridge will turn to Dave “Loudmouth” Krone to handle the lead pointing duties. The older of the Krone brothers has only appeared in 5 of 11 games so far this season for the Penguins. They will look to find stability and consistency in the rest of their lineup, two words that would be hard to use when describing the performance of this Penguins team that finds itself fighting desperately to earn a spot in the playoffs, as we enter the back half of the regular season.
Speaking to BBN, Penguins’ Season 1 MVP Vanessa “Sorry!” Garippo had a lot to share, saying “Adapting to the new format has been more challenging than we anticipated, especially since we thought our roster flexibility would work to our advantage. While we weren’t wrong to think that- it hasn’t translated into what we have expected in season 2 and I think part of that comes from overcomplicating things rather than trusting our game plan. We need to simplify, stay committed to our strategy, and avoid making unnecessary adjustments that disrupt our rhythm.”
For the Stallions, their first loss of the season came in a Week 5 match vs the Eagles, in which the Stallions were without their star first shooter, Tom “Tommy Tulips” Holleman. Every other player on the team saw playing time in that loss but the undefeated Eagles were able to sweep the Stallions’ depleted lineup and take over first place in the North. Holleman, the league’s best shooter in Season 1, currently holds the 5th best qualified average at 73% in Season 2 and will be returning to the starting lineup for this Stallions team that is looking to be the first team to clinch a playoff berth. They will need a sweep to do so. The oddsmakers have the sweep slightly favored at -110 going into Thursday night.
For Garippo and the Penguins, the urgency is clear and so is the message: “We respect the Stallions,” says Queen V, “but we’re certainly not showing up to hand them another win.”
THURSDAY DOUBLEHEADER MATCH 2
Thursday 10/29 20 min after Match 1 concludes
Elmwood Park Eagles (3-0) vs Bucktown Billy Goats (1-2)
In the only inter-divisional competition of the week, the Elmwood Park Eagles will host the Bucktown Billy Goats in a late-night battle on Thursday. The Eagles hold onto the only remaining undefeated record in Chicago, entering Week 6. Elmwood Park is fresh off of a victory over the Highwood Stallions, which vaulted them into first place in the North Division. They aim to maintain their position atop the division, as the playoff race continues to heat up. The Bucktown Billy Goats, meanwhile, find themselves at the bottom of the South Division, entering the week three points behind the first place Beverly Jacks. Bucktown will seek to return to the South Division pennant conversation as their regular season makes the turn towards the homestretch.
Elmwood Park enters the week having handed the Highwood Stallions their first and only loss of the season and they will be making a change at the lead pointing position. Danko “No Vowels, No Problem” Dykyj is into the starting lineup after having gone 6/7 pointing in that victory over the Stallions, including a crucial stretch during the Game 1 comeback. For the rest of the team, the lineup remains the same. Robert “Bert 2 Bert” Bertoncini gets the start again at 2nd pointer, coming off back-to-back POTM award wins. The backcourt of Julian “Sopramano” Batula and Anthony “Raging Bull” La Barbera remains the same for the first place Eagles.
“Everyone knows the Billygoats are capable,” Eagles’ Player-Owner Anthony “Toch” Martocci told BBN. “And I’m sure the opportunity to beat us motivates them. But we simply don’t have time to be anyone’s stepping stone right now.”
“It’s pretty easy to keep us motivated.The taste in our mouths is still sour from last year. We’re here to prove we’re in our own league,” said La Barbera. “We’re still figuring out the flow of the roster. Once we hit our stride, watch out.”
For the Billy Goats, they still control their own destiny despite sitting in last place in the South. They are entering Thursday’s match with the Eagles off of a double-bye. Their last match was a victory in Week 3 over the Fulton Market Butchers. The Billy Goats seem to be a team that is also still figuring out what the best version of their lineup looks like. “We found a solid rhythm in our last match against the Butchers and after a two week bye we need to pick up where we left off,” Billy Goats shooter Andy “Andew Gordon” Zimmerman told BBN. Fresh off a trip to Brazil, where he represented the USA in Men’s Precision Shooting, Zimmerman slots back into the starting lineup at first shooter for Bucktown. Billy “Cotton Candy” Stripeik and Alex “The Plunger” Gara will flip-flop positions, with Stripeik taking the pallino at lead pointer and Gara handling the hammer duties to anchor the lineup. Keith “Jelly-copter” Young gets the start at 2nd pointer after his 26/39 (67%) performance in the Week 3 victory over the Butchers.
“With the Eagles, I see a team with probably the two best pallino shooters in the league,” Gara told BBN. “So we can’t fall behind frames with lazy points, and we can’t allow them to have multiple balls behind. We’ll be prepared, but ultimately our strategy will come within the flow of the game.”
“We’re at our best when we’re relaxed and having fun. We’re going to try and do that too,” added Zimmerman.
October 22nd, 2026
Someone’s Gonna Win… Right?!
written by BBN Staff
Tonight, someone is going to win a match! The entirely defeated Park Ridge Penguins will host the equally defeated Fulton Market Butchers in the only regular season meeting between these two teams. Both currently sit at the bottom of their respective divisions, holding similar records and point differentials. For the Penguins, who are 4 points out of first place in the North, this will be their 4th match of the season. The Butchers meanwhile are 5 points out of first place in the South and will be playing their 3rd match of the season tonight.
The Penguins, who have captured one game win in each of their matches so far, will remix their lineup again in hopes of a better result. Their reigning regular season MVP Vanessa “Sorry Guys!” Garippo will take the pallino at lead pointer. She will hope to find consistency in the pointing role, where she has struggled so far to start the season, posting just a 57% (39/69) rolling percentage through three matches. Behind her in the second rolling position will be Mickey “Pearly Whites” Niewierowski, who has rolled just 9/20 (45%) so far in Season 2. The Penguins as a team have rolled 61% through three matches and confoundingly are not starting their best pointer by average, Brigid “Vitamin B” Reidy, whose 70% (26/37) average leads the team.
The shooting duties have not been handled consistently well enough for the Penguins either, posting just a 62% average as a team so far this season. Raul “Spicy” De Leon will get the ball again in the first shooter position, where he has been solid at times and struggled at others. Early in his career, the Penguins are going to continue to show confidence in his ability to settle into his role and provide the consistency that they so desperately need as a team. De Leon will be backed up in the hammer position by the man who has by far been the brightest spot on the season for Park Ridge, Chris “Semi” Prokop. Prokop enters the match fresh off of his first career Player of the Match award win and boasts a team best 73% shooting average, to go along with a 69% rolling average. The Penguins will lean heavily on him to execute the high pressure shots at the end of frames.
Speaking to BBN before the match Garippo said “I believe in our squad. We have the talent, and we’ve had plenty of opportunities to get wins. At this point, it’s come down to some strategic missteps and missed execution that we can’t afford to repeat.” Expect to see some energy tonight out of Garippo, a player who is notoriously very hard on herself but loves to let her teammates know how much she believes in them. Penguins’ Player-Manager Sean Krone added “Winless or not, we aren't taking them lightly. Expect a more aggressive approach. We’re going to be shooting a lot more to force their shooters to point.”
For the Butchers, who are coming off of a bye week in week 4, they are also searching for consistency in their lineup as they adapt to the new format of Season 2. In week 3, the Butchers took the Bucktown Billy Goats to the wire in a three game, 43 frame, 3.5 hour match that they ended up dropping. As a team, they struggled to shoot consistently, going just 33/52 (63%) for the match and failed to capitalize on several opportunities to shoot for big frames. For them, the bright spot has been Lauren “McDizzle” McDermott, who posted an incredible 36/42 (86%) rolling stat line in that loss to the Billy Goats, eventually earning herself the Player of the Match. Her 83% average for the season leads the league in the rolling category and she will again get the pallino as the lead pointer for Fulton Market tonight. Into the starting lineup in the second pointing position will be Rob “Bobby Big Balls” Schroeder, who has only rolled 14 balls this season. Schroeder has handled the game-calling duties for the Butchers, so we will see how that aspect is affected by his insertion into the starting lineup.
To handle the shooting duties for the Butchers, Patric “I Was Up There” Gerstmayr will get the start at first shooter, where he has posted a 75% (36/48) average, good enough for 3rd best in the league this season. Rounding out the starting lineup for the Butchers will be their Player-Manager Vito “Travertine” Buonsante. Buonsante has hit just 1 out of 6 shots so far this season for Fulton Market, well below his Season 1 average of 65%. He will need to provide consistency tonight in the hammer role for the Butchers to be able to capture their first match win of the season.
The Butchers statistically have gotten top tier performance out of their lead pointer and first shooter roles this season but have really struggled to capitalize on opportunities late in frames. Buonsante addressed the issues leading up to the match, saying “As far as changes we are still dialing in how we use our roster in this new format. So some better situational subbing and more aggressive game calling to take better advantage of the opportunities we get to score points in bunches.”
For the Butchers, McDermott added “Our game plan is to effectively utilize our deep bench for sub opportunities while also capitalizing on opportunities for extra points in every possible frame. This is only our third match of the season and The Butchers have so much more to show out there!”
“This is easily the most important match of our season. If we don't start closing out matches now, it’s going to directly impact our playoff hopes,” said Krone for the Penguins.
With the new playoff format making it so that one team will not play beyond the end of the regular season, these two winless teams are feeling the importance of tonight’s match. It feels like a matter of who will hit their stride first, as these teams continue to try to adapt to the challenges of the new format. These players are way too good to not find their stride. Expect big gambles. Expect energy. Expect a battle. Tonight’s BBN broadcast will start at 6:45 CT with a player interview. Tune in early to hear from one of Chicago’s bocce pros. See you in the chat!
October 21st, 2026
The Mid-Season Playoff Match: Stallions vs Eagles Preview
written by BBN Staff
The race for the North Division crown is heating up as we approach the halfway point of the regular season and after tonight only one undefeated team will remain in the league. The first place Highwood Stallions will host the second place Elmwood Park Eagles in a battle of land vs air on the feature court. The Stallions currently sit at 7 points in the standings, with a 3-0 match record, while the Eagles hold 4 points in the standings and a 2-0 match record. This will be the first of two regular season meetings between these two teams.
The Stallions come into this match short-handed as they will be without their first shooter Tom “Tommy Tulips” Holleman. Holleman led the league in shooting last season and holds the 6th best percentage in the league this season, through the first four weeks. He will be replaced at first shooter by Todd “The Farmer” Mikell, who is shooting 83% (10/12) on the season. Returning to the starting lineup at lead pointer will be Jessie “JMVP” Morris, whose 75% pointing percentage is currently 4th best in the league for Season 2. Backing up Morris in the second pointing position will be Dave “High Cheese” Silvani. Silvani holds a 61% (14/23) pointing percentage on the season. Rounding out the Stallions starting lineup will be Timmy “Twisted Teas” Tolari, who has shot 4/5 so far this season and holds a 4th best +24 plus/minus.
When speaking to BBN about tonight’s match, Tolari said “Wednesday’s match should be great. As always, Anthony will bring his game as one of the best players in the country. It all depends if his Eaglets are ready to jump out of their nests and fly with him. If they do and contribute, the Eagles are dangerous. If they don’t, Highwood Stallions in 2!” The Eagles’ La Barbera commented on the recent success and recognition that the Stallions have been receiving nationally, saying “To some of the county a lot of the guys on the Stallions weren’t household names, so it’s great they are getting recognized. But we’ve known for years how good these guys are, so it’s no news to us.”
Those undefeated Eagles will be fully-staffed tonight and they will have a chance to tie the Stallions for the lead in the North Division if they are able to pull off the match sweep. At first pointer for the Eagles will be Anthony “Toch” Martocci, owner of the 6th best pointing percentage and the 3rd best plus/minus in the league. He will be backed up in the second pointer role by Robert “Bert 2 Bert” Bertoncini, fresh off a 10/13 pointing performance in week 4 that earned him the Player of the Match award. The Eagles will look to their regular shooting duo of Julian “Battle Bots” Batula and Anthony “Bull in an Italy Shop” La Barbera to keep them in flight. Batula’s 74% season average is 4th in the league and La Barbera enters the match on a 10 hit streak.
Speaking to BBN about the continued success of this first place Stallions team, Martocci said “They deserve all the credit they’ve gotten and I think the world of them and the Highwood Bocce Club and Highwood community. But what they “have won” matters about as much to us as a flea on an elephant’s ass. A horse can only stand on a pedestal for so long. So.. best of luck. Lets get it.”
La Barbera added “Someone had to win season 1. It wasn’t us. We’re pissed. End of story.”
After tonight, only one team will remain undefeated in Chicago and the Stallion’s North Division lead may grow considerably or disappear entirely. Tune into the BBN at 6:45 CT for what is sure to be one of the best matches of the regular season.
October 15th, 2026
EVERYONE CAN’T BE UNDEFEATED: Jacks vs Eagles Match Preview
written by BBN Staff
TONIGHT, the undefeated Beverly Jacks host the Season 1 North Division champion Elmwood Park Eagles in the first and only regular season meeting between these two powerhouses. Through their first two matches of the season, the Jacks (2-0 match record) have posted a 4-1 game record and sit in first place in the South Division. The Eagles are entering the week coming off of a double bye and also own an undefeated (1-0) match record.
These two teams have the top 3 Season 2 shooters on their rosters, with the Jacks’ Player-Manager Lio “The Godfather” Giannotti holding the top spot at 83%. Giannotti has a chance to put together another strong performance as he will start the match at first shooter. He will be backed up again by Miles “The Professor” Russell in the hammer position, who posted a serviceable 58% rolling, 57% shooting stat line, along with some timely shots on the back end of frames in the Jacks’ recent 3 game win over the Park Ridge Penguins. The rest of the starting lineup also looks the same for the Jacks, as Alicia “No Days Off” Harvey earns another start at lead pointer and Courtney “Strickland Propane” Strickland will slot in at second pointer. The Jacks will have a chance to extend their two point lead in the South Division and carry their hot streak into a week 5 bye.
For the Elmwood Park Eagles, they will look to play the role of spoiler versus this Jacks team, that early in the season looks poised for at least a South Division title run. The Eagles also enter this week’s match undefeated, having only played one match so far this season. That was a week 1 victory over the Park Ridge Penguins, in which the Eagles shot 74% (26/35) as a team and rebounded from a 12-1 game 2 loss to take down the match with a 12-3 game 3 victory. All seven Elmwood Park players saw action in that match, including Franco “Fingers” DeLuca who pointed 4/6, consequently earning himself the start at lead pointer for this week’s bout against the Jacks. DeLuca will be backed up by Anthony “Toch” Martocci (15/22 68% rolling week 1) in the second pointing position. Aiming to continue their strong start to the season, the two men who own the CBL’s 2nd and 3rd best shooting averages in Season 2 will round out the Eagles’ starting lineup. Julian “Light Shoes” Batula will start at first shooter and Anthony “Lats Barbera” La Barbera will anchor the lineup at the hammer position. Batula and La Barbera combined for a 22/29 shooting stat line in their week 1 match against the Penguins.
Two teams enter tonight undefeated. One will be handed their first loss of the season. The Beverly Jacks have a chance to extend their South Division lead and remain positioned for a Season 2 division title and the playoff advantages that come with it. Meanwhile the Elmwood Park Eagles aim to close the gap in the North Division between themselves and the Highwood Stallions. The Stallions currently sit 5 points ahead of the Eagles in the standings, but the Eagles have played two fewer matches than the Stallions have. In a matchup that we may see again come playoff time, one team will emerge looking like a top contender and the other will be licking its wounds. Tonight’s broadcast will start at 6:45 CT on the BBN.
October 14th, 2026
MUTINY IN THE NORTH DIVISION: Penguins Look to Topple the Undefeated Stallions
written by BBN Staff
Week 4 of the Chicago Bocce League regular season starts TONIGHT with a clash of North Division rivals, as the Park Ridge Penguins host the Highwood Stallions under the bright lights at the Chicago Bocce Club. Having started the season with two match losses, the 0-2 Penguins currently sit 3 points behind the first place Stallions in the North Division standings.
The Penguins enter the week off of a week 3 loss to the Beverly Jacks in a match where the Penguins had won the first game 12-2, before mustering up only 8 total points across games 2 and 3 of the match. As a team, they rolled an abysmal 53%, with the lone bright spot being “Frigid” Brigid Reidy’s 19/27 (70%) rolling performance out of the lead pointing spot. Reidy gets the nod again in the starting lead pointing position and will be backed up this week by Chris “Locks of Love” Prokop, who earns the start at second pointer. Prokop’s 68% Season 2 rolling percentage is 8th best in the CBL. To address the Penguins’ shooting woes that seem to have carried over from last season, Raul “Spicy” De Leon will start again at first shooter and Vanessa “Empress Penguin” Garippo will find herself in the hammer position. De Leon holds a team best 68% shooting average through his first two career matches and has showcased his versatility and ability to shoot overhand and underhand, depending on what the situation calls for. He currently holds the 8th best shooting percentage in the league for Season 2. Garippo, meanwhile, has only shot 6 balls through the first two weeks of the season and will look to find some consistency in that department. For the Penguins, they will need Reidy and De Leon to continue their solid performance leading off the first half of most frames. If they can keep up the pace, Prokop and Garippo will have a chance to execute some big shots and steal a match victory from the first place Stallions.
For the Stallions, who are coming off a bye in week 3 after sweeping the Fulton Market Butchers 12-6, 12-6, tonight feels like business as usual. Their 2-0 match record and 4-1 game record is tied with the South Division’s Beverly Jacks for the best in the league. However, notably missing from the starting lineup will be Timmy “Two Times” Tolari and Jessie “JMVP” Morris. Kyle “King Kong” Kuebler will get the start at lead pointer, having rolled 8/12 in 2 games this season for the Stallions, and Dave “High Cheese” Silvani will point second for the North Division leaders. Silvani enters the match having recorded just 3 roll attempts thus far on the season and only 28 total for his career. Both players will look to keep that Stallions train moving down the tracks, as they will be joined by Tom “Tommy Tulips” Holleman at first shooter, with “Muay Thai” Todd Mikell anchoring the team at the hammer position. Holleman’s Season 2 shooting average of 70% is 7th best in the league but sits well below his incredible Season 1 average of 83%. Once Holleman is able to get back to elite form, this undefeated Stallions team seems poised to make another potential title run in Season 2. Mikell enters the match having shot 8/10 on the season. Mikell has recorded 40 pointing attempts to go along with just 10 shots.
The Stallions will enter this Wednesday night matchup versus the Penguins as the heavy favorite and it seems like the playbook is out there on how to take down this Park Ridge team that has really struggled to shoot, especially when it comes to the hammer position. They are going to need Garippo to hit some big shots and show why she earned Season 1 Regular Season MVP. Meanwhile, Highwood has a Finals MVP of their own in Todd Mikell and the Season 1 shooting champion in Tom Holleman but they will have to rely on Kuebler and Silvani’s pointing to apply pressure to these struggling Penguins. The broadcast for this North Division grudge match will begin at 6:45pm ET on BBN.
October 8th, 2026
BATTLE FOR THE BASEMENT STAIRS: Billy Goats and Butchers Look to Step Things Up
written by BBN Staff
TONIGHT, the Chicago Bocce Club hosts a South Division battle, as the Bucktown Billy Goats and the Fulton Market Butchers square up under the bright lights of the feature court. Both teams are coming off of match losses in which they were swept by their opponents and both teams are currently looking up at the division-leading Beverly Jacks who currently sit 4 points ahead of second place in the South Division standings.
Player-Managers for both teams have almost completely reworked their starting lineups coming into this match. The Bucktown Billy Goats will see their heads of state at the forefront of their lineup, with Alex "The Oracle" Gara starting at lead pointer and Andy "Obrigado" Zimmerman starting at first shooter. Gara has struggled to point consistently in other lineup roles thus far this season, sitting at just 61% through two matches. The switch to lead pointer looks aimed to get him some more run at being a pure pointer on ideally wide open courts with no traffic. For Zimmerman, the switch to first shooter will position him to be able to capitalize on what seems to be the most consistent stick shot on the team. Keith "Kung Fu" Young then slots into the starting lineup at second pointer, while Billy "Ballgame" Stripeik rounds things out for the Goats, starting at the hammer position for the first time in his career. The Billy Goats will be hoping that these lineup changes can earn them their first match win of the season. It can't go any worse than last week's 15 frame match sweep loss, right? ...right?! Mom???!!!
Player-Manager Vito "Handshakes" Buonsante has also put the Fulton Market Butchers' starting lineup into the scrambler and what came out was a role change for himself and a first career start for Tweed "Mustache" Linderman. Buonsante will slot in at second pointer, a position that will allow the veteran to shoulder the load of some of the more high-difficulty shots, while also creating more opportunities for two of the Butchers' strongest stick shooters to do what they do best. Patric "Girthmaster" Gerstmayr earns the start at first shooter after shooting 10/13 in their last match, while Tweed Linderman's first career start will come at the hammer position. Linderman struggled in his debut, shooting just 1/5. Expect him to get a long leash in this match, as the Butchers look to give the highly talented rookie a chance to get his sea legs under him on the feature court at the CBC. As usual, pointer extraordinaire Lauren "Coors Light" McDermott gets the nod at lead pointer. McDermott sits at a very strong 76% going into the Butchers' second match of the season.
This is the first of two regular season meetings between these South Division rivals. With only 5 of 6 teams making the playoffs and division winners getting two shots at playing in the championship series, this one shapes up to be a highly important early season match with likely playoff implications come December. Tune into the BBN at 6:45 CT for pre-match analysis, featuring Danny "Whispers" Catullo, Mike "Positivity" Scialdone, and Matt "The Professional" David. See you in the chat!
October 7th, 2026
CITY VS SUBURBS, BUNNIES VS PENGUINS
written by BBN Staff
TONIGHT, the Beverly Jacks host the Park Ridge Penguins in a battle of city vs suburbs. After a 15 frame match sweep against the Bucktown Billy Goats in week 2, the Jacks currently sit atop the South Division. The Penguins meanwhile dropped their week 1 match to the Elmwood Park Eagles in three games and find themselves quickly in a hole, trailing the North Division leading Highwood Stallions by 4 points in the standings. If the Penguins are going to have any hope of catching the Stallions and securing the North Division pennant, they're going to have to get to work sooner than later.
The Penguins continue to struggle with their shooting, averaging just 61% (23/38) as a team in their first match. They'll turn again to their newest acquisition, Raul "On the Prowl" De Leon, for help in that department. After a solid 70% (16/23) shooting debut, De Leon slots in again at first shooter. The only change in the lineup this week for the Penguins will be in the lead pointing position, where Brigid "Queen Bee" Reidy will replace "Saratoga" Dave Krone. Reidy posted a 56% (55/99) pointing percentage in season 1. Krone was a serviceable 67% (16/24) in week 1 for the Penguins.
The Beverly Jacks are off to a hot start in season 2, shooting a blistering 94% (17/18) in their week 2 sweep of the Billy Goats. Lio "The Godfather" Giannotti led the team with a perfect 12/12 shooting performance and the Jacks took a total of only 15 frames across two games to dispatch the faltering Billy Goats. The Jacks currently sit two standings points ahead of the second place Billy Goats in the South Division. Alicia “312” Harvey returns to the lineup for the Jacks, where she replaces Lilia “The Medic” Zaparaniuk as lead pointer. Harvey pointed 67% (28/42) in season 1 for the Jacks, which was the 5th best qualified pointing percentage in the CBL. Miles "The Professor" Russell will make his season debut at the hammer position. Russell shot 72% (84/116) in season 1, good enough for the 6th best qualifying percentage in the league.
We'll see if this lineup change for the Park Ridge Penguins will be enough to shake off the early season rust against a surging Beverly Jacks lineup that looks to have gotten even stronger with the return of Russell at the hammer position and Harvey at lead point. Tonight's broadcast will start EARLY and feature a couple of very special guests. Tune in at 6:30 CT on the BBN and join the fun.
October 1st, 2026
A CLASH IN THE SOUTH DIVISION
written by BBN Staff
TONIGHT the Beverly Jacks make their season debut against the current South Division leaders, the Bucktown Billy Goats. The Jacks and their powerhouse lineup look to improve upon an inaugural season that did not live up to many projections.
With the nationally revered trio of Courtney "Strickland Propane" Strickland, Miles "The Professor" Russell, and Lio "The Godfather" Giannotti spearheading the attack, expectations are high. Season 2's format change will see these three involved in every single frame. With one of the stronger benches in the league, we expect an early season battle for that fourth spot and Miles Russell's absence tonight will mean that at least two players will get an immediate shot at filling that spot. Lilia "Tennis Shoes" Zaparaniuk gets the nod at lead pointer to start the match and "Big Time" Aaron Brown will slot in at 2nd pointer.
On the Billy Goats' side of the coin, "Barcelona" Billy Stripeik makes his season debut at lead pointer, while Milan "Punctuality" Tomic looks to build on a hot start. Tomic enters the match shooting 22/27 (81%) on the season, having set the early season CBL hit streak record at 12 in the Billy Goats' unsuccessful week 1 bout versus the Highwood Stallions. They are backed up by the ever-steady presence of Andy "Cheeseburger Walrus" Zimmerman and Alex "The Motor City Shows No Pity" Gara. While the Billy Goats do currently sit atop the South Division, it won't last long if they don't start stacking some wins.
With only 5 of 6 teams making the playoffs this season and the division winners getting two shots at getting to the championship, this inter-divisional matchup is an important one that will almost certainly end up having playoff implications come week 10. Tune in TONIGHT at 6:45 ET on BBN to see who will take the lead in the South... the bunny or the goat?
September 30th, 2026
FULTON MARKET BUTCHERS MAKE THEIR SEASON DEBUT AMIDST CONTROVERSY
written by BBN Staff
TONIGHT the reigning South Division Champion Fulton Market Butchers make their season debut against the defending champion Highwood Stallions, who sit atop the North Division after our first week of play. This one is shaping up to be a little personal, as CBL rookie Tweed "Just Doin' My Job Ma'am" Linderman is set to make his debut after his highly contested contract negotiation this past offseason.
Rumors swirled after a story broke on the @boccnonymous Instagram account, reporting that the Highwood Stallions had tried to override a handshake deal that would have sent then free agent Linderman to the Butchers. After several days of high level contract chess between Stallions Player-Owner Timmy "Two Times" Tolari and Butchers Player-Manager Vito "Leather Bound Books" Buonsante, Linderman ultimately signed under the red and black and will make his professional debut as a Fulton Market Butcher.
When speaking about the offseason drama and the early season meeting between the two teams, Tolari told BBN "the Stallions won't take the Butchers lightly after Vito and Tweed made their BS handshake deal. We are going to shut them down like Jordan and Pippen shut down Kukoc when the dream team played Croatia."
Linderman is not slotted into the starting lineup but if and when he gets a chance to situationally sub in -- maybe to use his stick shot to execute a big frame -- expect fireworks between these two sides.
"This is personal!" said Tolari. Do we smell a rivalry brewing? Tune in tonight at 6:45 CT on BBN to find out.
August 19th, 2026
CBL Season 2 Schedule Released PLUS All Star Game and Banquet Date
written by BBN Staff
The Chicago Bocce League has released the official Season 2 match schedule. The season will kick off on Wednesday, September 23rd with a rematch of last season’s championship match between the Highwood Stallions and the Bucktown Billy Goats. Preceding Opening Day, the Battle of the Benches game, All Star Game, and 2026 CBL Banquet will be held on Saturday, September 19th at the Chicago Bocce Club (CBC).
Scheduling Change
The major scheduling change from last season is that matches will be played on Wednesdays and Thursdays this season. The CBL will be playing one best-of-three match per night on these nights, which will start at 7pm CT. Live attendance is very much encouraged and more information on attending matches live at the CBC will be released in the coming weeks. By virtue of only one match being played per night, two teams per week will have a bye. This means that the season will be extended to 10 weeks. Each team will play in 7 of the 10 weeks, with 3 bye-weeks each in the regular season. Doubleheaders will be played Thursday 10/29 and Thursday 12/3.
Playoff Format Change
This season will also see a major change in playoff format. Only 5 of the 6 teams will be advancing to the new double-gauntlet playoff format, with the division winners also gaining a significant advantage.
The first round of the playoffs will see the overall 4 seed vs the overall 5 seed in a best-of-three series on Sunday 12/6. The winner of that will advance to play the overall 3 seed in a best-of-three series on Wednesday 12/9. Then, on Sunday 12/13, the two division winners will face off in a high stakes best-of-three series with the winner punching their ticket directly to the championship series. The loser of this series between the division winners will NOT be eliminated and will have a second shot at reaching the championship series! They will drop back down into the bracket and on Wednesday 12/16 they will face the winner of the series between the overall 3 seed and the 4 or 5 seed. The winner of that will then advance to the best-of-five championship series on Saturday 12/19.
The attached graphic should make this format a lot easier to understand. This novel format will give a significant playoff advantage to the regular season division winners, elevating the importance of the divisional race and will make the entire regular season meaningful because the bottom team overall will not qualify for the playoffs. The Ohio Bocce League will also be adopting a similar format for their playoffs.
All Star Game / Battle of the Benches / Banquet
The Season 1 All Star Game, Battle of the Benches, and CBL Banquet will be held at the CBC and broadcasted live on BBN on Saturday 9/19. This event will be open at least to all Season 1 and Season 2 CBL players, franchise owners, volunteers, and sponsors. Information on the RSVP process and guest attendance will be shared in the coming weeks. Further details on times and what to expect will also be shared when it becomes finalized with the CBC.
First, the Battle of the Benches Game will feature CBL’s newest rostered players, as well as some prospective free agents. The singular game will be played to 16 points in the new Four-Player-Walk format and it will feature 6 players representing each division. First on the divisional rosters will be any players who are new to their team’s active roster for the upcoming season – think call-ups, free agent signings, all of the posts that you’ve seen about roster moves in the previous weeks. Then, to fill out the remaining spots on the rosters, the Season 1 division winners will be drafting from the Free Agent Pool! This means that some of you unsigned Free Agents will have a shot at showcasing your talent on the feature court in front of the CBC audience, the BBN audience, the franchise owners, and all of your peers.
Next, after a short break, will be the Season 1 All Star Game. The Season 1 All Stars were selected via a voting process that involved fan votes, media votes, and player votes. The rosters for each division are available on CBL social media, as well as the homepage of the CBL site at boccebroadcast.network/cbl. The All Star Game will be a single game played to 16 in the new Four-Player-Walk format.
Finally, the evening will culminate in a banquet in the beautiful lounge at the CBC. This will be a chance for us to celebrate a successful first season, cheers to an even better second season, and thank the players, volunteer staff, franchise owners, and sponsors that make this all possible. As stated previously in this article, the event will be open at least to all Season 1 and Season 2 CBL players, franchise owners, volunteers, and sponsors. Information on the RSVP process and guest attendance will be shared in the coming weeks. Further details on times and what to expect will also be shared when it becomes finalized with the CBC.
There you go! Mark your calendars, set your reminders, and plan on tuning in on BBN or attending live at CBC on Wednesdays and Thursdays this September thru December!
August 11th, 2026
PARK RIDGE PENGUINS SELECT THE CONTRACT OF “SPICY” RAUL DE LEON
written by BBN Staff
In only the second free agent signing of Chicago Bocce League history, the North Division's Park Ridge Penguins have selected the contract of “Spicy” Raul De Leon. De Leon joins the team as an elite shooter, poised to contribute immediately to a Penguins lineup that finished with a league-worst 61.4% shooting average for Season 1.
Speaking to BBN, Penguins’ Player-Manager Sean Krone said “Raul was our singular focus from the start because his specific skill set and attitude align perfectly with our championship goals.” When asked about his decision to register as a free agent after Season 1, De Leon told BBN “What made me want to join after the first season is seeing all my friends compete and just wanting to be out there to test my skills through friendly competition. I've watched every single game and–for lack of a better term–had really bad FOMO.”
De Leon–who plays out of the Log Cabin Bocce Club in Des Plaines, Illinois–enters the league as a locally well-known player and a player who has national tournament experience but has yet to make his big splash on the national scene. Speaking about his desire to make his mark in the sport, he said “My motivation for dedicating time to be a great bocce player is I’ve always been an athlete and love competing at the highest level I can and this is a game you can play for life.”
“Spicy Raul” joins a Penguins team well known for bringing the energy and the passion to the feature court at the Chicago Bocce Club. A lot of that noise and “psycho” energy–as it was put by their North Division rivals–has come from their friends and family in attendance courtside. From the looks of it, we can now expect the De Leons to be a part of that noise. “My son is 16 and starting to really get into (bocce) as well and it's something me and him can always have together,” De Leon wrote to BBN. “The best part is what the game of bocce does in terms of bringing people of all walks of life together. I've met so many awesome people I probably would've never crossed paths with if it wasn't for bocce. This game is way more than just rolling a ball. It's a lifestyle.”
With the addition of De Leon, here is the current Park Ridge Penguins roster:
Vanessa Garippo
Sean Krone
Dave Krone
Brigid Reidy
Chris Prokop
Mickey Niewierowski
Raul De Leon
August 10th, 2026
BEVERLY JACKS SELECT THE CONTRACT OF “BARSTOOL EDDIE” FARRER
written by BBN Staff
In breaking news out of the South Division of the Chicago Bocce League, the Beverly Jacks have selected the contract of Eddie Farrer, aka Barstool Eddie. Farrer, who owns a stake in the team, spent the first season of his career on the Jacks’ practice squad and will now be elevated to the active roster. Farrer has yet to see playing time in his young career.
“Eddie has been around the game of bocce his whole life. It is in his blood,” said Jacks’ co-owner Nick LoMaglio when speaking to BBN this past week. LoMaglio also added that “Eddie is a great teammate and highly respected as a competitor.”
Most CBL fans are most familiar with Farrer as the internet/podcasting/social media personality “Barstool Eddie,” as seen on the mega-popular Barstool Sports platform. Farrer was born and raised in Chicago and is an original member of Barstool Chicago, dating back to 2013. He currently hosts two podcasts on Barstool Sports, called “The Dog Walk” and “The Stretch.” He has also been co-host of “Red Line Radio” and “The Dave Portnoy Show with Eddie & Co.”
Farrer is a co-founder and co-owner of the Beverly Jacks franchise and looks to bring a unique perspective to the CBL, not only as a player but also as a professional sports personality with a lifelong love for bocce and access to one of the biggest sports platforms in the world. “Beyond his play, he represents the game of bocce at the highest level,” LoMaglio told BBN.
“We have always been excited to have Eddie involved in the CBL,” Commissioner Mike Scialdone wrote to BBN. “His dedication to the growth of the sport is undeniable and admirable. We are all looking forward to getting to know him more as a player and seeing what he is able to add to this loaded Jacks roster.”
BBN reached out to Farrer for comment but at the time of publishing had not yet received a response.
With the addition of Farrer, here is a look at the current Beverly Jacks roster:
Miles Russell
Lio Giannotti
Courtney Strickland
Alicia Harvey
Lilia Zaparaniuk
Aaron Brown
Eddie Farrer
August 6th, 2026
FULTON MARKET BUTCHERS SELECT THE CONTRACT OF ERIC “TWEED” LINDERMAN
written by BBN Staff
In one of the more highly contentious moves of the offseason, the Fulton Market Butchers have succeeded in signing the highly sought-after free agent, Eric “Tweed” Linderman. Linderman is the first ever free agent signing in the history of the Chicago Bocce League. It would seem that he is positioned to join the Butchers’ shooting squad, currently led by Vito Buonsante and Patric Gerstmayr.
In an unconfirmed story broken by the “@boccnonymous” Instagram page, it was reported that a bidding war of sorts had broken out between the Butchers and the Highwood Stallions, with both teams looking to sign Linderman for the upcoming season. Whether or not there was truth to the rumor, the roster move was submitted to Commissioner Scialdone minutes after the FA Pool became accessible to teams on August 3rd and with that, the Butchers had officially signed seemingly the hottest free agent on the market.
Linderman made his splash in the Tuesday night league at the Chicago Bocce Club, helping lead the Shocknessy Triple Trucks to a combined 23-5 regular season record over his two seasons with the team. When asked about the move, Linderman said “I’m beyond thrilled to be in the CBL! It’s great to have hard work recognized, but that’s just one part of the journey though. I’m looking forward to continued growth in the sport, stay tuned!”
Butchers’ Player-Manager Vito Buonsante added “We noticed his drive and potential to be a weapon in the CBL. We felt like his compatibility with our team was a great intangible to get along with raw talent and dedication. Feels great to be able to get this done and focus on season preparation."
Linderman added “The Butchers are a talented squad. I’m hoping to add some shooting depth off the bench and contribute in any way that helps the team win.”
With that signing, here is the current Fulton Market Butchers Roster:
Vito Buonsante
Lauren McDermott
Patric Gerstmayr
Rob Schroeder
George Dousmanis
Sean Tovson
Tweed Linderman
August 4th, 2026
ELMWOOD PARK EAGLES SELECT THE CONTRACT OF KENNY DACIOLAS
written by BBN Staff
The Defending North Division Champions have officially selected the contract of former practice squad player, Kenny “Rivers” Daciolas. Daciolas spent the majority of Season 1 on the Eagles’ practice squad, being called up for a short stint mid-season in which he recorded 4 good rolls on 10 attempts. He aims to make an impression, however, in his first season on the active roster.
When asked about the decision to call up Daciolas, Eagles’ Player-Owner Anthony Martocci said “Unfortunately Kenny missed most of the preparation time leading into Season 1 recovering from some health procedures. So putting him on our practice roster at that time made the most sense for the Eagles. But we have no doubt that Kenny will be one of the best pointers in the league. He’s been putting in the work and looking real good. Be ready to say his name.”
No stranger to these Eagles players, having played tournaments under the GEM Bocce team name, Daciolas added “My first thought when being called up was I’m very honored to play with the Elmwood Park Eagles and I’m very excited to prove that I belong in this league and that I can compete with the best and I’m here to bring the Eagles a championship. I played in a lot of tournaments and on a lot of teams with Anthony, Julian and Tocchi, these are some of the best guys that I know both on and off the courts and I can’t wait to contribute as best I can.”
With the addition of Daciolas, here is a look at the current Eagles roster:
Anthony La Barbera
Julian Batula
Anthony Martocci
Danko Dykyj
Robert Bertoncini
Franco DeLuca
Kenny Daciolas
July 28th, 2026
CHICAGO’S DEFENDING CHAMPS SELECT THE CONTRACT OF JESSIE MORRIS
written by BBN Staff
The Highwood Stallions have officially selected the contract of Jessie Morris. The elite pointer is coming off of an incredible performance at the 2026 USBF Nationals, where she earned herself a gold medal in women’s doubles. She joins a roster packed with talent and seems slated to have a shot at earning herself the role of starting lead pointer. She will see competition in the two starting pointing positions from the Stallions’ Tim Tolari, Steve Thornberry, and Kyle Kuebler but Morris is well known as one of the top pointers in Chicago and looks to continue to build on her already much-improved shooting skills, in her quest to contribute to a Season 2 title run for the defending champions.
When asked about the decision to promote Morris, who had spent the previous season on the Stallions’ practice squad, franchise co-owner Tim Tolari said “Jessie has earned this opportunity through years of hard work and outstanding performance. She brings an exceptional combination of precision rolling, accurate shooting, and the poise to perform in key situations—qualities that make her an outstanding addition to our roster. With the league expanding to seven players this season, we had the opportunity to add another outstanding player, and Jessie proved she was ready for that role. Her recent USBF Women’s PRV Doubles National Championship is just the latest achievement in an impressive career, and we’re excited to welcome her to the Highwood Stallions.”
Morris echoed that excitement when talking to BBN, saying “I couldn’t be more excited about joining the team as a rostered player. There’s a lot of added pressure joining a squad that’s already proved themselves to be the best of the best. It’s a huge vote of confidence that they see me as a player who can contribute to the goal of winning back to back championships. I’ve watched the way Tom, Todd, and Tim played over the last few years. I really admire the way they see the game and how they play. It’s an honor to be one of the Highwood Stallions.”
With Morris’ elite pointing leading to her being seen largely as a specialized player, the format change for Season 2 played a role in the Stallions’ decision to elevate her to the active roster. “In the switch to the 4-person walk format, you only get one ball to do your job each frame,” said Morris. “It adds another layer of precision and pressure to the game that I’m looking forward to. I think my ability to stay calm and put good points on the court under those constraints will be my biggest contribution as a rostered player.”
Come September, Morris will look to continue to climb the ranks of Chicago’s bocce elite. Before then, you can watch her play LIVE on BBN at the upcoming ABC Open, September 10-12 in Lake Orion, MI.
July 21st, 2026
BUCKTOWN BILLY GOATS CALL UP DUSTIN HOLSINGER
written by BBN Staff
The Bucktown Billy Goats have officially selected the contract of Dustin Holsinger. The lefty hybrid player spent the first season of his career on the Billy Goats’ practice squad but this fall, he will begin the season on the active roster. When asked about the decision to call up Holsinger, Billy Goats owner Scott Altpeter said “Dustin has shown a dedication to improving his game that deserves to be rewarded with more opportunities. His history and relationships with several of the Billy Goats made it a natural move when rosters expanded to put him on the official squad.”
With the format change that was announced on July 10th, every team’s roster expanded by one spot. Subsequently, we will see a lot of roster moves being made in the coming weeks as we prepare for the roster finalization deadline on August 23rd and eventually Opening Day on September 23rd.
When asked about his call-up, Holsinger said “It means a whole lot to me, and, truthfully, I'm just excited to get to spend more time alongside a great group of people that I grew close with in the previous season. Whether or not there's a ball in my hand, I'm happy to do whatever the team needs and I think that feeling is shared amongst everyone on the roster.”
When speaking to BBN, the Billy Goats’ newest addition also said “Having watched every game from the bench last season, I'd say I was able to get a different perspective on things. High-pressure moments felt a lot less stressful knowing you won't be the one rolling/shooting. The pace of play is quick, and watching from the bench slowed the game down for me. That'll undoubtedly help me to be more ready and level-headed when I need to come in for high-leverage shots in the new format.”
BBN also spoke to both Altpeter and Holsinger about Holsinger’s offseason work and its effect on the decision. “His whole skillset has improved steadily with access to the (Chicago Bocce Club) courts and participation in the house leagues,” said Altpeter. “His shooting, in particular, is an area where we see potential for him to get on the court and make his presence felt next season.” Holsinger added “Since the Chicago Bocce Club opened, I've simply been determined to become a better bocce player. While I still have a ton of room to grow, being added to the Billy Goats' roster affirms that I've made some progress. I couldn't imagine a better team to be on, particularly with leadership and expertise of Alex and Andy, to help me maximize my potential.”
When asked about the roster move, Billy Goats’ Player-Manager Alex Gara said “What are you talking about? Is Dusty on my team?”
Yes. Yes he is, Alex. Now let’s see what he does with the opportunity.
July 11th, 2026
CBL FORMAT CHANGE, ROSTER EXPANSION, FA REGISTRATION
written by BBN Staff
It’s official! All 6 franchises have voted unanimously in favor of a format change for Season 2 of the Chicago Bocce League. Our triples no-walk format served its purpose of getting us off the ground and through Season 1. It made for some interesting storylines and some high stakes singles matchups but it is now a thing of the past.
For Season 2, we will be playing Four Man (and Woman) Walk! This is a format that is familiar to most. You’ve seen it played in the first two seasons of the Ohio Bocce League, as well as at high profile tournaments across the country, including the World Series of Bocce (broadcasted live next week on BBN) and the Cleveland Challenge Cup. It’s a simple format. Each player will throw one ball per frame and play from both sides of the court. After much consideration, this change was approved unanimously for several reasons. Four Man Walk optimizes player performance, team cohesion, exciting strategic substitutions, and elevated energy, among other elements.
Along with this format change, rosters will be expanding from 6 players to 7. Teams now have until the 17th of July to make roster changes, utilizing the current pool of free agents and practice squad players. Any player not selected to an active roster by the 17th will drop to the Free Agent Pool. At that point, Free Agent registration will open up to the general public and remain open until the 31st of July.
To register as a Free Agent, fill out the form on BocceBroadcast.Network/cbl. If you had already previously registered prior to Season 1, there is no need to re-register. If you would like your name to be removed from the Free Agent Pool, send us an email at chicagobocceleague@gmail.com.
During this registration period, teams will not be able to make any roster moves. On August 1st, the updated Free Agent pool will be posted publicly. On August 3rd, rosters will be unfrozen and teams will be able to make moves again. Rosters for Season 2 will be set on August 23rd and the Season will begin in late September. The Season schedule has not been made official yet, but that will be published by the end of July. Season 1 All Star Game, Battle of the Benches, and banquet will be held at CBC on a date TBA, shortly preceding Opening Day of Season 2.
July 10-17: Rosters expand to 7 players and teams can make moves.
July 17-31: Free Agent registration opens to the public. Rosters are frozen during this period.
August 1: Update Free Agent Pool is made public.
August 3: Rosters are unfrozen and teams can make roster moves, utilizing the updated FA Pool.
August 23: Season 2 rosters are set.