About Boccé: Two teams of two people play each game. We
have two courts to play on and usually play eleven point games to facilitate
continuous play for all. First there is the Pallino. This is the target.
The Pallino is a much smaller ball then the Boccé ball and is the
object of the game. One member of one team will throw the Pallino down
the court. The same person will then throw a Boccé ball trying
to get it as close to the Pallino as possible. That's the point! No Really!
Now the opposing team will throw they're Boccé ball trying to get
closer then the team first up. The team that is closest to the Pallino
has the point and the team that is not must keep throwing until
they make a point. When all the Boccé balls have been thrown a
count is taken. Did I mention measuring? Oh Boy, there is a lot of measuring
as this can have a profound effect on the score. Arguments maybe…Naahh
actually it can be hilarious fun to play and watch.
History: The evolution of Boccé seems to have been lost
in time. Possibly the Egyptians played something like Boccé. So
the game has been around a long time in various forms from the Greeks
and certainly the Romans. The Romans would play the game using coconuts
brought back from Africa. Later hard olive wood was used to make Boccé
balls. As the centuries passed it grew in popularity in Europe. In a Quote
from Sir Francis Drake (Great Britain) who refused to interrupt the game
during a military crisis "First we finish the game then we take care
of the Armada!". Well, I couldn't agree more. We all have our priorities!
For Columbia: There is no question that Boccé is part of
our heritage. Ever go to a family picnic? Then I rest my case! It is one
of the threads that binds us, but in a tangible way. We can remember playing
or watching a game at some kind of family outing. Even today most of the
public at large will relate the playing of Boccé in the USA with
Italian Americans. Though you don't have to be Italian American to play,
most organizations or facilities that have Boccé in someway have
a relationship to Italian America.
Ciao
Joe Geraci
Boccé Capt
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