This morning while cycling down Bode road, I saw these guys playing Bocce ball.
The fact is, I didn't even know the name of the game until I looked it up on the internet.
It is one of the ball sports under the boules family.
This game can be conducted between two players or two teams.
The small white ball known as the Pallino (also known as Jack) is thrown first.
Then each member throws their individual ball, to get it as close to the Jack as possible.
All throws have to be made underhand.
Once all have thrown their balls, they make a visual study to determine who is the closest, and points are decided.
If there is a dispute, a measuring tape is used to determine the distance from the Jack.
The rules are flexible as long as all participants agree to it.
After observing them, I realised that the rules they were following were similar to the game of goti (marbles) that we used to play during our school days.
The scores are updated after each game.
The history of this game is interesting.
Bocce Ball spread throughout Palestine and into Asia Minor. . . . . .
In 600 B.C., Bocce was picked up by the Greeks and passed to the Romans. It was played everywhere, from the churches and castles to the city streets. People from all walks of life could play the game; young or old, man or woman.
In 1319 A.D., Bocce Ball was actually prohibited to people of lesser nobility because it was felt that it diverted attention from more important tasks, such as archery and war training.
As of today, it is an event in the Special Olympics, and is being proposed to be in the Olympics.
