Freddie P's Blog

September 5, 2011 @ 18:51

Oh yea, he bent it, he twisted it, he made the goddamn thing dance and that's why Dan Boncheck, my good friend and trailer neighbour is the 2011 Jeff Laird Memorial Bocce Champ.

Bonchek started the day by beating my wife, and then me and then plowing through the rest of the opposition before capturing the crown that he oh so desperately wanted.

Bonny has played in every park bocce championship since its inception in 1996, but up until Saturday and never even placed.

It may seem silly to an outsider than grown men and women (mostly men, by a long fuckin' shot) care so much about a goofy little game that involves water filled plastic balls.

But not only does the tournament recognize a great friend that we all lost seven years ago, but it gives you bragging rights for a year.... And Bonchek wasted no time.

During the post tournament party on Saturday night, he was seen actually dancing with the trophy, and then Sunday morning Queen's "We are the Champions" could be heard blasting from his trailer before he walked out wearing the Golden Shoes around his neck.

Oh yea, the Golden Shoes are a pair of size 13 Nikes that were spray painted back in 1996 as the first actual emblem of the championships.

Bonchek had a lot of fun through Sunday and the early part of Monday rubbing it in.

As a former two time champion, who doesn't let anyone forget it, Bonchek tried to have some fun with me. I told him he was stealing my act.

Although I have to admit, I can be pretty nauseating when it comes to the bocce championship. I'm a lot like a Hab fan. I haven't won since 2005, which is ancient history in bocce years, but I talk like I won yesterday.

All in all it was a great day. And I should mention that Bonchek beat Jason Woolley in the final. Last year, Jason not only failed to win a game, he failed to score a point, and this year he almost zooms to the top.

A great day, a great tradition and a great group of people.