CHESTERTOWN — Ye Olde Town Bocce League crowned two champions for its spring 2026 season, the Blue Herons and Los Vatos Locos. Both teams, in separate divisions, played on Thursday nights.
The championship games were played June 6 in Wilmer Park.
In a battle between two up-until-then unbeaten contenders, the Blue Herons defeated the Lawn Legends, 16-7.
Then, Los Vatos Locos defeated Bocce Blasters, 17-12, in what was dubbed the “Premier” division final. This was the sixth championship for the team led by Freddy Araujo.
Los Vatos Locos never trailed in the closely contested title game.
Lou Costanzo was the announcer for the Premier championship game, and Bob Moores was the tailor.
Spring 2026 marked a change in league play with two divisions — A [also known as Premier] and B, so to speak, based on records from the previous season.
There was no playoff. Instead, the teams from Tuesday and Thursday nights within their respective division with the best records during the eight-week regular season advanced to a championship game. The Blue Herons, the Lawn Legends and Los Vatos Locos all went 8-0, while the Bocce Blasters were 7-1.
“We wanted more teams involved in the picnic/championship day,” league commissioner Jim Mason told The Evening Enterprise in explaining the change in format.
Before the first bocce ball was rolled for the Premier championship, Ye Olde Town Bocce League held a moment of silence in honor of Ran Crawford, a member of the Holy Rollers and former league registrar.
Championship Saturday included a picnic lunch prepared by husband and wife Zack and Martha LeDoux of Happy Chicken Bakery & Catering, ice cream courtesy of Jacqueline Lockwood of Lockbriar Farms, and music and audio from Stuart Gray.
Ye Olde Town Bocce League started in the fall of 2013 with a modest goal of attracting 25 players.
Instead, the turnout was 66 — enough for 10 teams.
Today the league has nearly 50 teams and more than 400 participants, playing on Tuesday and Thursday nights in Wilmer Park in both spring and fall seasons.
Frank Hurst is credited with founding the league and serving as its first commissioner.
He stepped down after the spring 2024 season, handing the reins to Jim Mason but continuing to champion the league and serving as commissioner emeritus.
In wrapping up the spring 2026 season, Mason thanked all the volunteers, team captains and others who made things run smoothly, with a special shout-out to Frank Hurst.
Mason also thanked his leadership team of treasurer Kathy Blyman, technology officer Jenny Freebery and registrar Jane Nightengale.
Others who received special acknowledgment included Kate Mason and Nancy Bennington who helped with tickets and Ellen Hurst who dished out food at the picnic.
