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 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.
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 15th, 2026
Ohio Bocce League Opens Player Registration for Upcoming Fall Season
written by BBN Staff
YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO — The highly anticipated fall season is right around the corner, and the search for fresh talent is officially on. Player registration is now open for anyone looking to enter the draft or be picked up as a free agent for the upcoming 10-week season, kicking off on September 28th.
All league games will once again be hosted at Lorenzino's Bocce Club, Monday nights at 6 and 8pm.
Important Deadlines and Dates
To ensure eligibility for the upcoming draft, players must submit their registration before the deadline.
Player Registration Deadline: July 24th at Midnight
Team Re-signing & Free Agency Period: July 25th to July 28th
Opening Night: September 28th (Games played every Monday for 10 weeks)
Playoff Week: Week of December 6th
Draft Date: To Be Announced (Pending final roster openings)
Draft Mechanics and Roster Availability
Current teams will have the exclusive opportunity to re-sign their players from last season during the designated free agency window from July 25th through July 28th. Because of this retention period, the total number of players drafted this season will directly depend on how many roster spots remain open once the re-signing window closes.
Notice for Returning Draft Hopefuls: If you registered for the draft last year you are still an eligible Free Agent and DO NOT need to re-register for the upcoming season. However, if you had previously registered and would like to be removed from the Free Agent Pool, please send us an email at ohiobocceleague@gmail.com.
How to Register
Go to boccebroadcast.network/obl to register for the upcoming season! You must be 18 years or older to become a Free Agent. Anyone ages 16 or 17 who wishes to register as a Free Agen must request and be granted permission from the League. For questions on signing up or anything Ohio Bocce League related, contact ohiobocceleague@gmail.com