Get Outside - Bocce Ball Fun

THIS SUMMER, TRY HOSTING A BOCCE BALL TOURNAMENT
by Kim Walker

Team lists were hung by clothespins from the old clothesline in our backyard, as we prepared for our first Bocce Ball tournament last summer. Was I worried about the size of our small urban backyard, with its uneven turf and spotty grass? Sure, but in the end, it just made the game more unpredictable and fun. In fact, we played so late that we had to drag out lamps from inside the house to illuminate the yard.

	Bocce Ball Tips
the magic formula mix and match teams know the rules have a tape handy great drinks

The magic formula

So, what's the magic formula for a successful Bocce Ball tournament? You need a Bocce Ball set, a piece of paper for keeping score, enough fun-loving friends to make up a few two-person teams, and lots of refreshments and snacks for your guests.

Bocce Ball sets are available from a number of sources such as retail stores that carry outdoor games and equipment, and through various web-sites. A standard set includes eight large balls, about the size of a five-pin bowling ball, and one smaller ball, called a pallino. Each team of two people gets four of the balls, which will be a different colour than the other team's four balls. In addition, a pattern on the balls allows individuals to distinguish their own two balls from their teammate's balls.

Mix-and-match the teams

At our first tournament, we had 20 guests divided into 10 teams of two. If nobody is particularly shy, try mixing up the team members by drawing the names out of a hat or bowl. We scheduled five matches (posted on a piece of paper that was hung from the clothesline), of which the winning team continued against another team in subsequent rounds of play until we had a winning team.

There are many ways to play Bocce Ball, so check the rules in your Bocce Ball set or in a rules book of outdoor games. In Italy, where the game originated, you will see walled areas in most towns, dedicated to the game. Elsewhere, however, people play "open" Bocce Ball, which can be played on any surface (we've even played on wet sand at the beach).

How to play the game

To begin the game, all four players stand at one end of the yard (or any other space) One player tosses the pallino and then throws the first ball, aiming to get as close to the target pallino as possible.
We play nearest ball rules, which means that a member of the other team then tries to get his/her ball closer and that team continues throwing until they are the nearest ball. Each time there is a new nearest ball, a member of the other team then tries to get their ball closer, or knock the competitor's closest ball away from the pallino (which usually moves the pallino, too). Alternative rules would have each team member throwing both balls before the next player takes a turn, alternating from team to team.

Have a tape measure handy

Yes, it looks like lawn bowling but, it is scored like curling, if you've ever watched that sport on television. After all balls have been thrown, the one closest to the pallino gets one point for that ball and for all other balls that are closer than any of the competitor's balls. Have a tape measure handy for disputes over distance, as it's sometimes hard to tell which balls are closest to the target pallino. You can decide what will be the winning score, but we usually play to 12 or 16, depending on how quickly we want the games to go.

I'm thirsty!

Now, let's move on to the refreshments! How about some good old fashioned lemonade or limeade. Maybe you'll put some beers in the cooler or offer a cool glass of white wine? Or try some of our highlighted "frozen drinks" featuring margaritas, daiquiris or any of our "Blender favorites" and make the game fun no matter who wins..
Looking for snack idea for the Bocce "athletes" try out our summer cooking menu.