Are You a Bocce Baller?
At first glance, it may appear to be wanna-be croquet or bowling gone wrong. However, upon further investigation the game breathes of a history rich in Italian flair and austere. On the plains of Italy, old men stood around surveying the field, speculating. They have a knack for the throw, a feel for the weight of the ball, and an eye for placement. Today the game of bocce ball has crossed oceans and borders and is gaining popularity in backyards next to sandboxes and grilles. And to join in, you don’t have to be Italian.
Bocce ball is played with anywhere from 2 to 8 players. Each team or individual chooses a different color bocce ball. The game begins by one team throwing the jack, a white golf-ball sized ball, toward the end of the playing zone. A team is then given the opportunity to throw their bocce ball as close as they can to the jack. Throws are normally more like under-handed lobs or rolls, but you can get creative. The teams then alternate trying to throw their bocce balls as close to the jack as possible, with the team that does not have the closest bocce ball to the jack having their turn until they throw all of their bocce balls or get one closer to the jack then the opposing team(s). Once all of the bocce balls have been played, points are awarded for each bocce ball closer then the opposing teams bocce balls.
If you haven’t played its time you stop judging and get off your high-horse to try it. You may find you are a baller after all.




