Southampton - It was only fitting that the Southampton Bocce League, which has built tremendous interest and momentum since its inaugural season last summer at the Southampton Town Recreation Center, was punctuated with a dramatic finish in Tuesday's championship game. "The Pallino Crushers," one of 12 teams to go toe-to-toe the last two months, hoped to defends its SBL title against "The Upper Crust" but the challengers proved to be up to the challenge, coming from behind to win game one and then reeling in the title with a tight victory in the second game.

Only in its second season, the league grew from eight to 12 teams from its first season in 2008 to the second go-around this summer. Next season, President Steve Marciw said he is hoping to expand the pool to 16 squads. Overall, the league's addition to sporting life on the East End was a welcome one.

"The courts have been a really great complement to the facilities here," said Councilman Chris Nuzzi as he welcomed players in the opening ceremony. "It's really gratifying to see them be so well utilized and bring people throughout our community together."

Bocce games were played from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday night at the North Sea Community Park, with the champions from each night settling league supremacy this past Tuesday. Legislation to build courts at SYS passed in 2007 and the courts were created in time for the league opening last June. Last year, the Pallino Crushers, named after the smaller of two balls featured in the game, ousted the Founders, formed by Marciw.

For those who are interested in playing or learning more about bocce, informal games will continue at the North Sea courts for the next several weeks every Sunday at 2 p.m. Applications to join the league next season, as a single member or a full team of five, can be obtained at SYS or the Southampton Town Parks & Recreation office in Hampton Bays.

For further information on the Southampton Bocce League, contact Membership President Sal Ficara at 631-725-0120 or President Steve Marciw at 631-283-1290.