Bocce?

[Hamish]

I'm afraid I had not heard of Bocce until now. Petanque and Bowls (not that I have ever played either), yes, but not Bocce.

Having been brought up tout seul, and having spent much of my life similarly unencumbered, I suppose the opportunities for such things have been very few and far between.

I tried Frisbee once ......... but that is no fun on your own either!!

[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!