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