Bocce?

[ckelly327]

Every year at my wife's family reunion, they have a Bocce Tournie. Their idea of the rules, throw the little ball any where, (side of a hill, 50 yards away, soft sand, ANYWHERE) and see who gets closest. The winning team gets to take home a matching pair of cups, and put their name on them. Teams are chosen by pulling a name out of a hat.

Navyguy, It's nice to see that you are in Norfolk now. My cousin was an AF officer and stationed in Norfolk when he got married. It's a beutiful place and we had a great time at his wedding but that was about 20 years ago.

I didn't mean to hijack this thread - just saying hi. And we do play Bocce up and down and across the hills in the yard. We also have a sidewalk to the pool and when you throw the pea across the sidewalk it opens up a whole new world of opportunities.

[Fearnest]

I've always thought of the stereotypical Bocce match - the wizened, chain-smoking Italian gents in the park.

I guess it's becoming more mainstream... I actually saw a set of balls for sale in Wal-Mart in the panhandle of Maryland.

Who knew?

(Waiting for the lacrosse gear to show up next...)

[mang1974]

I believe that they have Bocce leagues on the very Italian "Hill" neighborhood here in St. Louis, but I've never checked them out. I have a played a few games with friends at parties during the summer.

I've always thought of the stereotypical Bocce match - the wizened, chain-smoking Italian gents in the park.

I guess it's becoming more mainstream... I actually saw a set of balls for sale in Wal-Mart in the panhandle of Maryland.

Who knew?

[/I]

They sell them at Target as well.

[Colin]

We play bocce fairly regularly in the backyard during summer. I still have no hope of beating the 90 year old Italians that play in parts of Vancouver though.

[Kid Cossack]

I can't believe, as an American, that I'm saying this, but it isn't about the winning. I enjoy playing bocce just because it's fun. (And since the wife and eldest daughter can whip my butt on any given day, that's probably a good thing.)

[haukehaien]

I've been surprised at the recent popularity; I learned to play in France, back in the late 70s, and played it off and on in Africa as well, but had never expected to see sets at Wal-Mart.

The music director for our church bought a set and brings it to all sorts of church functions, and it's never difficult to get a game going. The teenagers and kids especially love it.

I think it's great!