If the game can't download the roster from the site, it's possible that this is due to an internet proxy. Item 32 in the JavaBBowl readme details how to get around this. This information is duplicated here.

Downloading Rosters Through an Internet Proxy

JavaBBowl can be configured so that downloading rosters from a website through an internet proxy will work. You will need to edit the "options.nfo" file in a text editor such as notepad. Add these four lines at the bottom of the file:

webproxyhost=<web proxy user host>
webproxyport=<web proxy port>
webproxyuser=<web proxy user name>
webproxypassword=<web proxy user password>

If your web proxy does not require authentication, you may leave off the last two lines.

That's it. You should only have to do this once, unless you delete or replace this "options.nfo" file.