If These Walls Could Talk
A look InsideThe Italian American Bocce League at Guerin Recreation Center
By Mike Cornaglia
Bocce is a game that has been enjoyed by many for centuries. Whether you play it on a beach in the Summer, or in the World Bocce League, the game has been played in many different ways and levels of competition.
Bocce was originally developed in the Roman Empire, which today is Italy. Aside from Soccer, Bocce is arguably the second most popular game in Italy.
The Italian-American Bocce League has been playing every Tuesday Night during the winter for over 50 years. Players of all ages ranging from guys in their early 20s and 30s, to their late 70s and early 80s come together as six teams to play the game that generations have played.
The league spans from the end of September through the middle of April. Currently, the league has six teams, each playing two games per week. As of the writing of this article, the teams are: -The Italian Boys -Mr. Tee’s -Oregon Steaks
-Pine Nuts -Grassia’s Catering -St. Edmonds
Within that range of plyers, there is a theme: family. There are currently two father/ son duos, a set of brothers, and countless best friends who play this great game together. But it goes further than just that. There is a bond between these players that is hard to replicate. Many players and their families vacation together and enjoy spending time with one another, regardless of what team they play for. No matter the weather conditions or any other obstacles that life throws at you, these guys do whatever it takes to make sure they are at Guerin by 7:00 pm every Tuesday to play.
This project will take you into the Bocce Hall at Guerin Rec Center in South Philadelphia. You will be introduced to some of the wonderful individuals that keep the tradition handed to them from generation to generation.
Ron Massey is one of the most decorated captains in the league’s history. His team is the defending champions after completing an improb able Cinderella run last season. Mr. Tee’s, (who went by Bocce Balboa last season) was the fifth seed out of the six teams that made the playoffs. During their championship run, Bocce Balboa beat the top three seeds to win their second cham pionship in three years. But it was a bitter sweet.
Nevio Lombardi was a member of Bocce Balboa for years and one of the best players in the league well into his 80s. During the 2019-2020 season, Lombardi took a fall when attempting to kick a ball at the end of the night. He fell, broke his left hip and elbow. “It was one of the worst things I ever witnessed,” Ron Massey said. “Nevio was one of the most loved and respected members of the league.” He passed away on September 9, 2022. He was 88 years old.
When Bocce Balboa was playing in the championship game last season, Massey continued to tell his team “we’re gona win this for Nevio.”
Bocce Balboa wound up defeating Oregon Steaks in a best of three series to claim the title in Lombardi’s honor. They will now defend the same championship with Lombardi’s memory living on.
“I’ve been playing this game for a long time, man. I’ve won a lot of champonships here, but winning it all last year was bitter-sweet since we lost Nevio.”
-Ron Massey, “Capo”, Mr. Tee’sRon Massey prepares himself to shoot during his team’s game gainst Grassia’s catering on October 25, 2022.
Cornaglia, Sr., Mr. Tee’s
Michael Cornaglia Sr. essentially started as a walk-on when captain Ron Massey needed an extra player for his team to start the 2019-2020 season.
At the time, the two worked together at Hahnemann Hospital. “One day, Ron came up to me and asked if I wanted to go play on his bocce team. I really didn’t know what I was doing when I first started. I think he was just looking for another body. I was in. I went to watch the championship the year before when his team was playing. It’s a crazy environment to be a part of, but I love every minute of it,” Cornaglia, Sr. said.
Now, Michael Cornaglia, Sr. is one of the best players on his team. He is well-kniwn to hit a lutch shot with the game on the line and his team.
When Mr. Tee’s was in the the playoffs last season, Cornaglia Sr. had three game winning shots in his team’s various playoff games. “My shot to win the firt game against Oregon Steaks in the championship is one I will always remember. Before I took my shot, my son told me ‘come on dad, this is so important.’ After that, we had a 1-0 lead in the series and went on to win it all.
“Mike Sr. is one of our best players.When he’s not here we tend to not play as well. He will always right the ship when we need it,” Ron Massey said.
“I originally started playing because Ronnie needed an extra guy. Three years later, I look forward to Tuesday nights more and more every week.”
-Michael(Above) Michael Cornaglia Sr. takes a shot during Mr. Tee’s first game of the season against the Italian Boys while Billy Yocco looks on at Guerin Rec Center on October 18, 2022.
-Andy Blando, Mr. Tee’s
Andy Blando returned to the ItalianAmerican Bocce League for the 2021-22 season. Blando had been absent from the league for a few years, but continued to play the game. “I was gone for some time, but I still played on Wednesday nights with some friends,” Blando said. “We each put in $5 a week to play, just us friends, nothing competitive. At the end of the year, we use that money to go out to a nice dinner with all of our wives. It’s a nice evening.”
When Blando returned to Mr. Tee’s, he meant business. Blando is the team’s best first shooter, meaning he throws the Pallini then takes his shot. He rarely has a bad shot and always leaves teams with very little to no room for failure when he has the Pallini. “I’m just trying to make a good shot. Most of the time, I make a decent shot. I’m just trying to get them to shot as many balls as possible,” Blando said.
The game requires the team with the Pallini to shoot their first shot, then the opposing team has four shots to beat that shot. If they beat them in under four shots, the team that the Pallini has to try to beat them. This goes until all eight shots are taken, then whomever has the most balls closest to the Pallini, get the points. You can get a maximum of four points per frame.
“One day, I was sitting at home and I got a call from Ronnie. A couple guys had quit and he was down a few men. I hadn’t played in the league in a few years but was excited to come back.”’’(Above) Andy Blando takes his shot against Grassia’s Catering with his team needing to score a point on October 25, 2022. (Above) Andy Blando looks to take his shot against Grassia’s with his team in the lead on October 25, 2022. Bocce balls in play at in a game between The Italian Boys and Mr. Tee’s at Guerin Rec Center on Octoer 18, 2022. Perry Coco, Commissioner, Italian American Bocce League/ Mr. Tee’s
2022.
Perry Coco is a retired Union worker in the City of Philadelphia. He is married with a wife, two daughters, and twin grandsons. He serves as the commissioner of the league and is also one of the senior members of Ron Massey’s Mr. tee’s Team. Coco once served as the captain of the team. Once Coco was named commissioner of the League, he stepped down as captain and gave the role to Massey.
Coco is well known for “spotting a Pallini.” This is needed when the opposing team’s shot is very close to the Pallini, the little white ball that everyone aims to get closest to. Coco throws the ball as hard as he can in an attempt to knock the opposing team’s ball away from the Pallini and give his team an opportunity to score some points.
“I’m the commissioner of the league, but I also play on one of the most successful teams in the history of this league.”
-John Fierello, Mr. Tee’s
John Fierello is one of the hardest workers in the league. When he isn’t playing bocce, odds are you’ll find him laying marble in someone’s home. “He’s a great addition to our team, but an even better marble guy,” Ron Massey said.” He does great work both on and off the bocce court.
Fierello immigrated to the United States from Italy when he was a young boy. “My father came over first, then about a year later my mother, brother and I made the trip over,” he said. “It was a long trip, very taxing, but looking at the life I have made for myself here in America, I wouldn’t change a thing.
John Fierello tell Pasquale Tropea not to help him with is shot on October 25, 2022.
John Fierello joined Mr. Tee’s after their championship victory this past season. Before joining the defending champions, Fierello enjoyed much success as a member of Pine Nuts.
“I won three straight championships with my old team. We were the best in the league from 2014-17. We were unbeatable,” he said. “We weren’t very good after our last championship. We were the last place team from 2018-2019. Since we didn’t play the year after that (2020-21) I decided to give it one more go.
When we came back for 2022, we were the two seed and got knocked out by the fifth seed. So I knew that I wanted to join Ron’s team the second they won last year.”
“I watched you guys beat us last year. You have fun while you play and I wanted to be a part of this team and help win another championsip.John Fierello prepares to thorw the Pallini, but first throws a jab at the other team on October 25, 2022.
(Above) Pasquale Tropea looks on as Perry Coco successfully “spots a pallini” at Guerin Rec Center on October 25, 2022.
(above) Pasquale Tropea holds a pose after another great shot against Grassia’s on October 25, 2022.
Pasquale Tropea was another one of the reinforcements Ron Massey called in when his team was losing members. Like Andy Blando, Tropea played in the unofficial Wednesday night friends league, so it didn’t take long for him to shake off the rust.
Since his return, Tropea is one of the most lethal shooters in the league. He consistently gets his shots close to the Pallini and strikes fear in opponents when he is up.
Tropea immigrated to the United States from Italy when he was a child, throughout all the changes his life brought upon him, Bocce was a main stay.
“I have been playing the game since I was a kid In Italy. I learned it from my father when he would play. It really is a great game that brings generations together, much like we continue to do today,” Tropea said. “I will sometimes play with my grandkids. It’s the best watching them play and being able to share that time with them.”
“I was excited to come back when Ronnie asked me. I was always playing the game, but there’s something about being on a team that keeps you coming back.”
-Pasquale Vanore, Mr. Tee’s
-Rocco Colontuano, Italian Boys
Rocco Colontuano is a multiple time MVP of the Italian American Bocce League at Guerin. He has won numerous championships with his team, The Italian Boys.
The Italian Boys are easily one of the best teams in the league.
“We always know we’re going to be playing in the championship each year,” Colontuano said. “If anyone gets lucky enough to beat us, they deserve to win the whole thing.”
Colontuano is married with two daughters. One is a senior in college, the other graduated recently. “My family is everything to me. They are my number one priority in my life, nothing will come between that,” Colontuano said.
That sentiment is mirrored throughout the entire league. Many men are husbands, fathers, and even grandfathers.
There are many disagreements when it comes to who actually has a point rather than who any team believes has a point.
But even after a somewhat hostile game, many players will all meet at a local bar, The Philadium and enjoy a night out. No matter what happens, this group of guys is a tight knit one.
“We may be a little crazy at times, especially when we disagree on who has a point, but that’s what makes coming here interesting.”Rocco Colontuano leads off for the Italian Boys in their game against Mr. Tee’s on October 18, 2022. 8 Cornaglia Rocco Colontuano (middle) and Michael Cornaglia Sr.(right) look on as Billy Yocco’s shot completley misses the Pallini on October 18, 2022.