The Wide World of Bocce
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August 8th, 2026
Blockbuster Trade: Hitmen and SVBC Swap Bobby Mittal and Nick Capogreco
written by BBN Staff
The Mahoning Valley Hitmen and Steel Valley Bocce Club (SVBC) have officially agreed to a major roster swap, sending Bobby “The Natural” Mittal to the Hitmen in exchange for Nick “Cruisin’” Capogreco.
Hitmen owner Joe Palumbo expressed that moving Capogreco was a difficult choice for the franchise. "It was a really tough decision. We had no intentions of trading Nick. It was not something we were actively looking to do," Palumbo stated, noting that Capogreco is one of the better players in the league. However, the team was approached with an offer they felt they had to entertain, leading to a couple of weeks of deliberation before they ultimately pulled the trigger. Palumbo explained that Capogreco could only be traded for a player with similar positional versatility and talent.
The Hitmen found that talent in Bobby Mittal. Palumbo described Mittal as a versatile, highly experienced player who remains steady, quiet, and decisive under pressure. "Has all the shots. His championship pedigree and history with Freddy made it a decision that we felt comfortable with in the end," Palumbo noted. Mittal's ability to play any position and call the game alongside Freddy will put the Hitmen in a strong position to win. This structural shift also relieves Palumbo of play-calling responsibilities, allowing him to play loose and focus on shooting, which fills the void left by Danté's departure last year. Palumbo wished Capogreco the best, anticipating a fun year and noting that Capogreco will likely have future Hitmen versus SVBC matchups circled on his calendar.
Addressing his departure, Mittal kept his outlook focused and professional. He expressed love for the players and the owner he spent the last two seasons with, while preparing for his new role. "As for my new team I will try and bring whatever is asked of me," Mittal said, adding that he is looking forward to the new challenges ahead.
On the SVBC side, owner Jim Fisher expressed both gratitude for his outgoing strategist and excitement for his newest addition. "First, I want to thank Bobby Mittal for being a great teammate, game strategist, and a true gentlemen of the game," Fisher shared. "Bobby has forgot more about bocce, than most of us know. I wish him all the best moving forward. I’m hoping I don’t end up regretting trading him to a rival team within the South Conference."
However, Fisher is thrilled to bring Capogreco onto the roster, pointing out a historic milestone for the team: "We welcome Nick Capogreco to the SVBC along with all his talents as a player and love having the first father/son combo in semi-professional bocce!!"
Capogreco is eagerly embracing the change. "Honestly, I’m feeling really good about it," Capogreco shared, highlighting his excitement for the new opportunity. He aims to bring energy and competitiveness to SVBC, hoping to help the squad make a championship run and hoist the trophy. While he expressed nothing but love, respect, and gratitude for his time with the Hitmen, Capogreco stated that he is ready and excited to start his next chapter.
Danny “The Commish” Catullo weighed in on the league-wide impact of the move: "This is the exact type of roster shakeup that makes the offseason so compelling for the Ohio Bocce League. Both franchises are filling very specific structural needs. Mittal brings a calm, championship-level game management back to the Hitmen, while Capogreco is going to inject a massive wave of energy and pure pointing talent into SVBC. When these two teams meet on the courts this season, it is going to be absolute must-watch TV all exclusively on our broadcast partner, Bocce Broadcast Network."
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 10th, 2026
BBN EXCLUSIVE: THE FALL OBL DRAFT RECAP
HELLHOUNDS RELOAD, GAMBLERS REUNITE, AND THE NEW ERA BEGINS
written by BBN Staff
YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO — The highly anticipated OBL Fall Draft is officially in the books. With front offices feeling the pressure to lock down the final pieces of their rosters, the late rounds (5 through 7) delivered a mix of surprising reunions, massive free-agent acquisitions, and an influx of fresh talent eager to prove themselves on the courts of Lorenzino’s Bocce Club.
Here is your official BBN Draft Recap, a look at the returning veterans' career numbers, and first-look reactions from the newest pros in the league.
Cleveland Hellhounds: A Massive Roster Haul
Holding three crucial picks in the late rounds, the Hellhounds executed a full-scale rebuild. They kicked off the action in Round 5 by selecting “Sweet” Lou Nocera with the 1st pick, followed by taking Angelo “Big Ang” Catullo in Round 6. They capped off their draft class by taking Luciano “The Voice” DeSensi with the 1st pick of Round 7.
The energy coming out of the Hellhounds’ camp is electric. When asked about stepping up as a pro, "Sweet" Lou made it clear he is bringing a new culture to Cleveland:
"Through the Grace of God and my family, I have been able to refocus! This has been key for me to have this opportunity in the OBL. Not onlu do I get to participate in the OBL, but I get to do it with my cousin/best friend Jimmy P! There is alot of work to do in order for the hellhounds to be championship contenders. I am looking forward to bringing my hard work no excuse mindset to this team! My message to the Hellhounds is: Attack each day with an enthusiasm unknown to Mankind!!!!!"
Meanwhile, Luciano DeSensi is taking a highly focused, grounded approach to his 7th-round selection:
"I've truly appreciated all the love and support I've received from the bocce community. But at the end of the day, I know I have a lot to prove, especially after being considered a surprise pick in the 7th round, which I completely understand given the amount of great talent across the league and among the free agents. Honestly, being a pro in the OBL hasn’t fully crossed my mind yet. Right now, my only focus is getting ready for the upcoming season and helping the Hellhounds bounce back by contributing in whatever role is needed, both on and off the court. I’m sure once the OBL matches begin at Lorenzino’s, everything will start to sink in. Until then, I know the work we put in off the court will have the biggest impact on what happens when the season starts in September."
Mahoning Valley Hitmen: Re-Tooling for a Run
Following the retirement of veteran Freddie and an indefinite leave of absence from Dante’ DeLisio, the Hitmen’s newly minted GM needed to hit on these late draft picks to keep the team competitive. In Round 6, they grabbed Mike “The Law” Christman, and followed it up in Round 7 by selecting Dante’ “The Kid” Micaletti.
Both players are coming in hungry. Mike Christman expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to join the franchise:
"With so many accomplished, deserving bocce players, I feel especially blessed to be part of the OBL and its positive effort to grow the sport of bocce. I am thrilled to be a HITMEN and promise to work as hard as I can, and put team first by doing whatever is asked of me."
Micaletti kept it short, confident, and straight to the point regarding the level of competition ahead:
"I am very excited to compete with and against some of the best players in the game."
Koppel Gamblers: The Return of the Rain Delay
In one of the most stunning storylines of the night, the Koppel Gamblers used their 3rd pick in the 7th round to draft Jonathon “Human Rain Delay” Vivo. What makes this so wild? The Gamblers had just decided not to retain his contract during the retention window, only to turn right back around and snatch him up in the final round. Koppel clearly knows his value as an established league veteran and couldn't bear to let him walk to a rival squad.
Vivo's OBL Career Stats:
Hitting: 77.3% (51 Hits / 66 Attempts)
Rolling: 72.0% (18 Good Rolls / 25 Attempts)
With an elite 77.3% career hitting accuracy, Vivo brings guaranteed production back to the Koppel roster.
Steel Valley Bocce Club (SVBC): The Final Piece
With their lone pick of the night (Round 7, 6th pick), SVBC secured league veteran Frank “Pope” Popio. With Rocco DeLisio retiring, Popio will be stepping into a high-pressure environment for a team that historically has serious championship aspirations.
Popio's OBL Career Stats:
Hitting: 65.2% (15 Hits / 23 Attempts)
Rolling: 68.9% (111 Good Rolls / 161 Attempts)
Coming over from the Wickliffe Barbarians, Popio brings heavy rolling experience, boasting 111 career Good Rolls. His ability to consistently place the ball will be a massive asset as SVBC looks to make another deep playoff run.
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
August 4th, 2026
BBN Offseason Tour Breakdown: Back-to-Back Glory at Mt. Carmel and the 35th Annual JAC
Written by Danny Catullo, BBN
As the Ohio Bocce League prepares for its upcoming season, OBL stars, free agents, and top-tier talent have been putting on absolute clinics across the regional tournament circuit. From unbelievable lower-bracket comebacks in Lowellville to deeply emotional back-to-back triumphs in Little Italy, the summer action delivered maximum drama.
Here is the full BBN feature breakdown of two premier summer events: The Lowellville Mt. Carmel Festival and the 35th Annual JAC Tournament.
35th Annual JAC Tournament: Produce Place Retains the Crown in Little Italy
With 60 teams packed into an open bracket at Cleveland's historic Alta House, the 35th Annual JAC Tournament showcased elite competition from top to bottom. But when the dust settled, Produce Place stood tall at the top of the mountain for the second consecutive year.
Led by OBL Star Mike “Triv” Trivisonno alongside Cleveland powerhouses Frank “Lethal” DiCillo, Pino “How’d you do?” Rosati, and Joe “Long Legs” Zdesar, Produce Place dominated 5 out of their 7 total wins. That run culminated in a championship performance against runner-up Alta House (Mike “Chippy” Cipullo, Anthony “Kinda Fit” Croce, Dennis “Stare Down” Strnad, and Dom “Pretty Boy” Aveni).
For Joe "Long Legs" Zdesar, repeating as champions came down to trust, depth, and undeniable team dynamic:
"Going back-to-back at the JAC is a great feeling because we know how many good teams play and how competitive that tourney is every year. We're fortunate to have a group of experienced players who trust each other's game and know how to get the job done. We have confidence that anyone can step up and make the shots we need from the start to the end of tournament, and that consistency has been a big part of the success.
Most importantly, we genuinely enjoy playing together. Although if you ask Frank and Triv about playing with Pino, you may get a completely different answer 😂. In all seriousness, we have great chemistry, and I think that's one of the biggest reasons we've been successful there. Of course, having a lot of talent doesn't hurt either."
An Emotional Victory for "Triv"
For Mike Trivisonno, the victory capped an unprecedented summer streak—marking back-to-back titles at both the JAC and Rome for the second straight year. But this championship ran far deeper than trophies. Playing in the heart of Little Italy at the Alta House, the win carried immense personal significance:
"Any opportunity to win a bocce tournament is a great achievement… but JAC is more than a tournament. Playing in Little Italy where my entire family lived and grew up, at the Alta House where I got to meet, hang out and work with some of my closest friends, at an event to honor the memory of a man whose family is like my own family is a different feeling. It’s hard to put into words, but just being a part of this fantastic legacy is an honor, but being able to win in front of family and friends and playing on the court with and against family and friends is the best part. It’s a very unique feeling and one that hits ya right in the heart.
It’s the first time I cried after winning a tourney. Just with my mom passing a few months ago, it meant a lot."
Lowellville Mt. Carmel Festival: Policaro & Co. Complete the Ultimate Comeback
Over in Lowellville at the 131st!!! Mt. Carmel Festival, 32 teams faced off in a bracketed format with a "keep your loss" structure. The story of the weekend belonged to Policaro & Co., who took the hardest path possible to defend their crown and lock in back-to-back Lowellville titles.
The champion squad featured OBL Stars Levi “Silky Smooth” Policaro and Jeff “Pap” Policaro, teaming up with OBL Star and Free Agent “Bad News” Ben Diaz alongside OBL Hopeful Free Agent Matt “Murphy Dog” Murphy.
After dropping their very first match of the tournament, Policaro & Co. were pushed straight to the brink. What followed was an absolute masterclass in grit: the squad clawed through bracket play and engineered an epic comeback in their final bracket game just to earn a spot in the finals.
Waiting for them in the championship was MVR 3—a stacked lineup consisting of OBL Stars Carl “The Surgeon” Greenaway and Cory “Witt” Wittway, OBL Hopeful Free Agent Nick “Tito” Horvath, and Youngstown’s own Darren Landis. MVR 3 had battled all day Saturday without losing a single game, but Policaro & Co. rode their lower-bracket momentum to victory, winning both games of the championship set to complete the back-to-back repeat.
Tournament Summary & Final Results
35th Annual JAC Tournament (60 Teams, Open Bracket)
1st Place (Champions): Produce Place
Roster: Mike “Triv” Trivisonno, Frank “Lethal” DiCillo, Pino “How’d you do?” Rosati, Joe “Long Legs” Zdesar
2nd Place: Alta House
Roster: Mike “Chippy” Cipullo, Anthony “Kinda Fit” Croce, Dennis “Stare Down” Strnad, Dom “Pretty Boy” Aveni
3rd Place: Just Under 4
Roster: Tony “T-MEL” Melaragno Jr., Marco “Chess Master” Orlando Jr., Sergio “Gorgeous” DiFranco, Dan “Trip” Trippepi
Lowellville Mt. Carmel Festival (32 Teams, Bracketed)
1st Place (Champions): Policaro & Co.
Roster: Levi “Silky Smooth” Policaro, Jeff “Pap” Policaro, “Bad News” Ben Diaz, Matt “Murphy Dog” Murphy
2nd Place: MVR 3
Roster: Carl “The Surgeon” Greenaway, Cory “Witt” Wittway, Nick “Tito” Horvath, Darren Landis
With the OBL draft and free agency right around the corner, these summer tournaments highlight just how deep the regional talent pool really is. Stay tuned to the Bocce Broadcast Network for continuing coverage, roster tracking, and draft night analysis!
July 31st, 2026
BBN Exclusive: Live Draft Special Set for Monday Featuring Deep Analysis, Highlights and Live "Bocceverse" Look-ins
written by BBN Staff
YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO — The stage is officially set for the Bocce Broadcast Network’s biggest offseason event. This coming Monday, the BBN will air its Live Draft Special, giving fans and players front-row access as the league’s general managers make the 7 critical picks that will define the upcoming Fall Season.
The Broadcast Desk
When the cameras roll at 6:00 PM, the BBN desk will be anchored by "The Commish" Danny Catullo and "The Godfather" Giuliano Romeo. Joining them in the booth for this special event will be Lee “Queen Bee” Christman, bringing their insight and analysis to the draft floor.
Draft Night Schedule & Features
The BBN production team is delivering a full-scale sports broadcast experience for draft night, expanding coverage far beyond the desk:
6:00 PM – The Pre-Show: The broadcast kicks off with a comprehensive breakdown of the league landscape. The desk will dive into team analysis, breaking player news, potential draft pick rankings, and a deep-dive evaluation of what each franchise needs to secure a championship.
Prospect Spotlights: The pre-show will feature exclusive video packages from promising draft picks, letting fans see the future of the league before their names are called.
Live "Bocceverse" Watch Parties: BBN will be tapping into the community energy, featuring live look-ins at watch parties happening across the bocceverse as teams and fans react to the board in real time.
6:30 PM – The Draft Begins: The clock officially starts. With only 7 picks available on the board, every single selection is a franchise-altering decision.
Looking Ahead to the Fall Season
The draft is the final hurdle before the highly anticipated Fall Season officially kicks off on Monday, September 28th.
This season will feature the league's 6 founding franchises battling it out over a grueling 10-week schedule at Lorenzino's. With the introduction of the brutal, newly ratified "Double-Path Gauntlet" playoff format scheduled for the week of December 6th, the margin for error is nonexistent. The gauntlet format ensures that EVERY regular-season game counts, making Monday night's draft selections more crucial than ever.
Tune in this Monday at 6:00 PM exclusively on the Bocce Broadcast Network to see exactly how the chips fall.
If you are a draft hopeful and would like to send a 10-20 second clip of a highlight to be used for BBN exclusive content, please email the highest quality version to ohiobocceleague@gmail.com
July 29th, 2026
BBN EXCLUSIVE: ROSTER SHAKEUPS, RETIREMENTS, AND RELEASES AHEAD OF THE FALL DRAFT
Danny Catullo | Bocce Broadcast Network
The retention window has officially closed, and the landscape of the league is shifting drastically ahead of the September 28th opening night at Lorenzino's. Several franchises made hard choices this week, resulting in high-profile retirements, unexpected front-office transitions, and a fresh crop of talent hitting the free-agent pool.
Here is the official breakdown of the roster moves and the resulting draft order that will define the upcoming season.
Mahoning Valley Hitmen: A Changing of the Guard
The Hitmen are undergoing a major structural shift this offseason. Veteran player Freddie has officially announced his retirement from active play, but he isn't leaving the franchise. In a major move, Freddie is transitioning into the front office, stepping up as Part Owner and General Manager.
Additionally, the team will be without Dante DeLisio, who is taking an indefinite leave of absence due to family reasons. These moves leave significant holes in the Hitmen's rotation that Freddie will now be tasked with filling from the GM chair.
Steel Valley Bocce Club (SVBC): A Key Piece Steps Away
SVBC will be losing a core piece of their roster, as Rocco DeLisio has officially announced his retirement. Rocco's departure will force the squad to look to the draft to maintain their competitive edge and replace his production on the courts.
Cleveland Hellhounds: A Full Rebuild
Holding the #1 overall pick in the upcoming draft, the Hellhounds are clearing the deck. The franchise has opted not to retain the contracts of Tony Donofrio, Ben Diaz, and Ray Brooke. By releasing these three to free agency, Cleveland is securing maximum flexibility and positioning themselves to make a massive splash on draft day.
Koppel Gamblers: Parting Ways
The Gamblers have also made a definitive roster cut, officially deciding not to retain the contract of Jonathon Vivo. Vivo will now test the free-agency waters, while Koppel looks to utilize their open roster spot to bolster their lineup for a deep playoff run.
Official Draft Order & Mechanics
Because each retained player counts as a draft pick in the earlier rounds, teams with higher retention rates automatically bypass the beginning of the draft. Due to the high number of retained players across the league, the draft will officially commence in the 5th Round.
Based on the recent roster drops and the overarching worst-to-first standings, here is the official draft order for the available picks:
Round 5
1st Pick: Cleveland Hellhounds
Round 6
1st Pick: Cleveland Hellhounds
5th Pick: Mahoning Valley Hitmen
Round 7
1st Pick: Cleveland Hellhounds
3rd Pick: Koppel Gamblers
5th Pick: Mahoning Valley Hitmen
6th Pick: Steel Valley (SVBC)
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 22nd, 2026
F4TAL SURVIVES THE UPSTARTS TO GO BACK 2 BACK: The 2026 Women’s World Series of Bocce Recap
By Danny Catullo | Bocce Broadcast Network
If anyone thought the Open Division had a monopoly on dirt-court drama, Championship Sunday proved them dead wrong. The 2026 Women’s World Series of Bocce bracket started with 50 teams on Thursday, but it culminated in a record-shattering live broadcast on the Bocce Broadcast Network that delivered an instant classic.
Peak concurrent viewership climbed past 700 live devices during the Women's Championship—making it the most-watched women’s bocce match in United States history—and the action on the courts justified every bit of the hype. It was the ultimate dirt-court story: an established dynasty surviving an 11-1 gauntlet versus a fearless, undefeated challenger pushing them to the absolute brink.
1st Place: F4TAL (11-1) — The Back-to-Back Crown
F4TAL (Fatal Four) entered as heavy favorites to defend their title, but their path was anything but comfortable. After suffering an early setback on Thursday night to 7 Hamlets Brewing Company (a team that’s had their number before), Fatal Four was forced to embark on an unbelievable 11-game winning streak through the losers' bracket to claim the trophy.
Led by captain and lead pointer Lee Chrisman—the "Queen B"—alongside veterans Jen “Got It” Hardy, Tiffany "T-Bone" Zarilla, and tournament MVP “Sleeveless” Tess Romeo, Fatal Four displayed the ice-cold composure that defines champions.
After dropping Game 1 of the Championship 14-11 to an electric Ale House squad and their hometown fans screaming on every ball, the field’sFatal Four found themselves locked in an agonizing 14-13 Game 2 battle for all the marbles. In the final frames, Ale House had multiple balls back with a chance to win the entire tournament outright and Tess had to make a pressure roll to force them to make a play. Their cool, calm captain Lee slowed down the frame with a measurement that was more about slowing the game down than actually seeing if they were in. Tess would end up hiding a ball in a great spot and after two close misses, F4TAL was able to exhale and celebrate their repeat championship.
In the post-game interview, the champs didn't hold back about the sheer stress of those final moments:
"I was ready to vomit... My heart was pounding, and they said on the sidelines, all our fans, 'It is what it is... you just got to wait and see.'"
"Our hearts were pounding because we almost gave it away... but Tess came through in the clutch. That was amazing. She was just doing Tess things, you know."
Reflecting on how they regrouped after dropping an early match on Thursday, the team credited their past gauntlet runs and relentless trust in one another:
"You know how we regrouped? We did it in the Legends at Wickliffe. We lost and we had to win nine straight games for the championship. So we knew we could do it. We just had to buckle down and focus. Never give up."
"We back each other up. I mean, if I miss, she's got me. If she misses, I've got her. Or one of these two are going to roll a beast ball in on the pill."
When asked about coming back to Rome in 2027 to chase a historic three-peat, the message was unanimous:
"Oh, we're definitely back. We're keeping coming back. Yeah, they can't get rid of us."
2nd Place: Ale House (6-2) — Fearless Challengers
Playing out of the basement of a tire shop, Ale House was the story of the tournament heading into Sunday. Coming through the winners' bracket undefeated at 6-0, they played with zero fear against the defending champions.
Led by their dual-sunglasses-wearing leader ad lead roller "Action Jackson," alongside roller Jessi “You already Know” Faso, shooter Dana “Shia” Labouef and play maker Tracy “Da CaptIAN” Solon; Ale House threw high-pace attacks at the pallino and forced Fatal Four to earn every single point. They stunned the Rome crowd by capturing Game 1 of the finals 14-11. In Game 2, they rallied from behind to tie the match at 13-13, coming within a single roll of capping off an unbelievable championship upset before ultimately falling 14-13 in the sudden-death finish.
3rd & 4th Place: Deep Sunday Runs
3rd Place: CA Kaplan 4-2 — Put together a heroic Sunday run with close games throughout the tourney ultimately losing their last two games to the champs F4TAL and second place Ale House by a combined 3 points.
4th Place: Liquor Express 6-2 — Showed incredible consistency all weekend, earning a spot in the Final Four before being eliminated by the Fatal Four gauntlet.
Final 12 Women's Sunday Standings
Out of 50 teams that started on Thursday, these 12 teams made Sunday's cash round:
1st F4TAL (Fatal Four)
2nd Ale House
3rd CA Kaplan
4th Liquor Express
T-5th 7 Hamlets Brewing Company
T-5th Eye Care Center of Rome
T-7th Copper City Brewery
T-7th LC Photography
T-9th Sports Unlimited
T-9th Bostwick Liquors
T-9th D and D Carpets of Rome
T-9th Pro Quality
1st Place - F4TAL
Tiff Zarilla, Tess Romeo, Lee Christman, Jen Hardy
2nd Place - Ale House
Jessi Faso, Danielle Jackson, Dana Labouef, Tracy Solon
photography courtesy of Dennis Grimaldi Sr.
July 21st, 2026
B2B for BSB: The 2026 World Series of Bocce Open Division Recap
By Danny Catullo | Bocce Broadcast Network
The 52nd running of the World Series of Bocce at the Toccolana Club in Rome, New York, brought 128 open division teams into a four-day dirt-court gauntlet. Between late-night heartbreakers, controversial calls, high-pressure measurements, and a record-shattering live audience crossing 1,000 concurrent devices on the Bocce Broadcast Network, Championship Sunday delivered pure drama.
When the dust settled, BSB (Big Shot Bobs) with all 4 players coming from the first professional league in American Bocce (Ohio Bocce League) ran the table with an unblemished 8-0 record, earning their second consecutive WSOB title and cementing their status as the modern dynasty of Rome.
1st Place: BSB (8-0) — The Back-to-Back Dynasty
Going undefeated through a 128-team bracket in Rome is nearly unheard of, but BSB made it look routine—marking their third consecutive appearance in the WSOB Championship game. The powerhouse squad of Matt "Jackie Moon" Taylor, Anthony "Capo" Capogreco, Mike "Triv" Trivisonno, and Robert "Stuey" Stuart relied on unmatched depth, picking each other up whenever a single frame faltered. As other teams like North Country Graphics with Tino Emmanuelel and DeSalvo’s with Nico Fox added younger superstars to take down the champs, BSB proved, once again, why they are the best team in the tourney.
World Series MVP Anthony "Capo" Capogreco—who secured his third career WSOB title—reflected on the team's mindset following the championship win:
"I had a feeling coming in this weekend, all the pressure was off. We're just here playing bocce, and that's exactly what happened... Everybody had a bad game this weekend and everybody picked each other up. It's a team game."
Capo also shared the deep personal connection and family legacy that drives his play:
"My whole family grew up playing the game. If it wasn't for my dad, I wouldn't ever started playing this game... and my grandpa stays with me above my visor in my truck everywhere I go."
Player-owner Matt "Jackie Moon" Taylor acknowledged the sheer grind required to survive Championship Sunday:
"I felt like this Sunday was like brutal. We played North Country Graphics, DeSalvo again... So we played some really good competition to win this thing again."
When asked what makes BSB click on the biggest stage in the country, Mike "Triv" Trivisonno pointed straight to off-court chemistry:
"We're friends. We have fun together. We could sit at someone's house, we could go to dinner, we'll have just as good of a time as we do on the court. And you put that on the court with the skill level that these guys possess... I'm just happy to be a part of it."
Veteran Robert "Stuey" Stuart summed up the rapid growth of the sport after playing in front of over 1,000 live streaming devices on BBN:
"10 years ago plus I started... we could barely get 16 people in some tournaments, let alone 16 teams to play. But I think bocce has a bright future and it's just going to get bigger from here."
2nd Place: Cashman (11-2) — The Losers' Bracket Gauntlet
If BSB was the unstoppable force, Cashman was the immovable object that refused to die. The squad—comprising Mikey "Rome Dog" Paolillo, Frank "Lays Down The Law" Mellace, Zach "Smooth Papa" Cortese, and Jimmy "Not Just a Shooter" Meyers—battled through a staggering 13 total games over the weekend.
After dropping their third game of the tournament and finding themselves down big (11-2) to Club Molisani 8 in the losers' bracket, Cashman made a game-changing tactical switch. Captain Mikey "Rome Dog" Paolillo stepped up to lead shooter, moving Frank Mellace to second shooter and shifting late addition Jimmy Meyers into second pointer. The move ignited an 9-game winning streak through the losers' bracket.
Looking back on the roster adjustments and the grueling comeback, Mikey "Rome Dog" Paolillo noted:
"Jimmy usually is second shooter. Two days before the World Series, we decided I was going to hit second, Jimmy was going to point second. We got to adapt, overcome. I ended up hitting first, Frank hit second. It worked... Hey, Next is Cleveland Challenge. We're coming."
Zach "Smooth Papa" Cortese emphasized the trust required across 13 high-stakes matches:
"Every time I felt like someone needed to pick someone else on the team, they did exactly that. If I fell short, Jimmy picked me up. If Mike missed, Frank picked him up... everybody did their job to get here."
Frank Mellace, who hit massive clutch shots throughout the tournament including multiple game-savers, emotionally added:
"This is just amazing. It's special... All these guys are great: Jimmy and Zach and Mike and our sponsor, Cashman. I'll never forget this... Before every game we prayed, and God was our help."
Jimmy Meyers reflected on stepping into the championship stage on national stream:
"Words can't describe it, man. We had a great time, a great run... We all picked each other up, and it was just a great experience."
3rd Place: North Country Graphics (6-2) — The Local Favorites
Hometown pride ran deep for North Country Graphics. Featuring Nick "Loud Mouth" Scerra, Paul "PL3" Louis III, and the father-son duo of Eddie "Birthday Boy" and Tino "Bandwagon" Emmanuele, NCG entered Sunday with maximum momentum following warm-up tournament victories.
NCG pushed eventual champions BSB to the absolute limit in the Winners' Bracket Championship, falling 14-12 in a dramatic clash defined by back-and-forth single-point frames. After dropping to the Losers' Championship, NCG fought Cashman in an 11-14 slugfest. Finishing 3rd overall with a 6-2 record, NCG proved that their dirt-court style remains among the absolute elite in North America.
4th Place: Jensen 156 (6-2) — Sunday Dark Horses
Jensen 156 proved to be one of the most dangerous and cohesive units in the 128-team field. The lineup of Jeff "Let Him" Cooke, Mike "Not Aaron" Agosto, Aaron "Not Mike" Agosto, and Ryan "Happy Gilmore" Reilley displayed ice-cold nerves all weekend. Playing in memory and honor of their friend and hero, Michael Jensen, this Roman team of friends punched their ticket deep into Sunday by grinding out a 14-13 nail-biter over Team MONeY. Although they fell 14-10 to North Country Graphics in the Winners' Semifinals and were halted by Cashman's surging momentum in 4th place, Jensen 156 proved they can battle head-to-head with any major roster in the country.
Final 16 Sunday Standings
Out of 128 teams that entered on Friday, these 16 survived double elimination to play on Championship Sunday:
1st BSB
2nd Cashman
3rd North Country Graphics
4th Jensen 156
T-5th MONeY
T-5th DeSalvo’s Catering and Restaurant
T-7th Ponte drunken lines
T-7th Franklin Hotel
T-9th Tripepi Consulting, LLC
T-9th Hamden CT
T-9th IMBS
T-9th Ponte Vivo il Lupo
T-13th Way Outsiders
T-13th Matrice Club #2
T-13th Lucca’s Deli
T-13th Dirtbox Cowboys
1st Place - Big Shot Bob’s
Mike Trivisonno, Matt Taylor, Anthony Capogreco, Robert Stuart
2nd Place - Cashman
Jimmy Meyers, Mike Paolillo, Frank Mellace, Zach Cortese
photography courtesy of Dennis Grimaldi Sr.
July 21st, 2026
BUCKTOWN BILLY GOATS CALL UP DUSTIN HOLSINGER
Chicago Bocce League
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.
2026 WORLD SERIES OF BOCCE TEAM PREVIEWS
written by BBN Staff
TEAM: DESALVO’S CATERING
Roster:
Marco "Sticky" Cignarale
Pete "Smoky" Russo
Natale "Slow Burn" Scala
Nico "The Kid" Fox
For three of the last four years, the DeSalvo's name has been on the scoreboard playing for the WSOB trophy with 2 victories. But after a bitter finals loss to BSB last year, this squad isn't just looking to bounce back—they’ve completely retooled. In a massive roster shakeup, they swapped the calm demeanor and veteran savvy of Felice Scala for an explosive youth movement, bringing in 17-year-old phenom Nico "The Kid" Fox. Don't let his age fool you; Nico already boasts a WSOB trophy and a string of generation-defining victories, including a legendary singles takedown of Jose Botto at Bocce Social.
The chemistry of this new lineup is already undeniably potent. Nico has a proven, winning track record with Marco "Sticky" Cignarale and Pete "Smoky" Russo, with the trio having already captured a tournament win on these very courts at the Toccolana Club this past February. Add in Sticky and Smoky's recent triumph at the Nick Gentile Memorial at Lorenzino's, and this front end is rolling into Rome hotter than ever.
The question mark—and the ultimate X-Factor for this powerhouse—is Natale "Slow Burn" Scala. While he may not log as many competitive frames throughout the year as his teammates, his pure skillset remains one of the absolute deepest out of the 500+ players in the entire tournament field. Can this newly minted foursome survive the loss of Felice's steadying veteran presence in the heat of a big frame? If Natale plays to his massive potential and the team vibes stay high, DeSalvo's is heavily primed to avenge last year's finish and take back the throne.
TEAM: NORTH COUNTRY GRAPHICS
Roster:
Nick "Loud Mouth" Scerra
Paul "PL3" Louis III
Eddie "Birthday Boy" Emmanuele
Santino "Suns Out Guns Out" Emmanuele
It has been 13 long years since Tino, Nick, and Eddie hoisted a World Series trophy together. Now, after a brief hiatus, the father-son duo of Eddie and Tino are reunited on the courts, and they are rolling in smoking hot. Coming off massive victories at the Nick Gentile tournament and the World Series Warm-Up alongside PL3, this family is laser-focused on bringing that championship hardware back to the Emmanule family dinner table.
The firepower on this squad is undeniable. PL3 steps into the lead shooter role, teaming up with Tino to form arguably the most terrifying back-end duo in the tournament. These two are widely considered among the absolute top dirt court shooters in the country, ready to bring the thunder frame after frame. Setting the table for them is the ever-steady Nick Scerra, whose elite lead pointing—especially when pushing the pallino deep down the court—will put relentless pressure on their opponents from the very first ball.
The X-Factor to guide this team to the promised land is undeniably Eddie "Birthday Boy" Emmanuele. Eddie and Nick already share three WSOB titles together, and that championship pedigree shines through when the stakes are highest. Eddie’s late-game pointing and clutch, timely hitting give this squad an incredible edge. He possesses the rare ability to step onto any court, in any given game, and be the absolute best player on the dirt. If Eddie takes over, North Country Graphics has everything it takes to win it all.
July 15th, 2026
2026 World Series Broadcast Schedule Released
This Thursday thru Sunday, BBN will be at the Toccolana Club in Rome, NY for the biggest tournament of the year! This year’s World Series of Bocce will feature 128 Open Division teams and 50 Women’s Division teams competing in the historic 4-player-walk, double elimination tournament. For more information and select team previews, visit our website at boccebroadcast.network. Additional info, including betting odds and instructions can be found on our Facebook page.
Please tune in to youtube.com/@boccebroadcastnetwork this Thursday thru Sunday to catch the biggest tournament of the year and one of the most historic in North America!
See you in the chat!