About Bocce Ball
Bocce is one of the oldest sports around. Clubs and championships have been established for it, and it has become a fun family game. Since the dimensions of the court and surface type may vary, bocce can be played in a number of locations. Lawn bocce evolved because many people now play bocce on grass instead of dirt or sand.
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Invented
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Bocce ball may be considered an Italian sport, but the first form of bocce was played in Egypt. However, instead of balls, stones were thrown at a target. Bocce was made popular by the Italians, who created the first bocce clubs and established the Bocce World Championships in 1947.
History of
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After Egypt, the game spread to Greece, who taught the Romans. As the game spread throughout the Roman Empire, participants began using coconuts, and it is believed that the Romans were the first to play bocce by the rules used today.
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The Facts
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Bocce is played using 8 large balls and 1 smaller ball, called a "pallina," which means "marble" in Italian. The game can be played one on one or in teams of two. Traditionally, 4 balls of one color and 4 balls of a different color are given to each person or team. Players on the same team are given the same color balls, each with a different design. The pallina is thrown at least half of the length of the court and each player tries to throw a ball closest to it. Balls are to be thrown underhand but can be rolled, bounced or tossed. A point is awarded to the team with the ball closest to the pallina after all balls are thrown. If other balls from the same team are closer to the pallina than the closest ball of the other team, a point is awarded for each of those as well.
Size
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Bocce balls weigh approximately 2 pounds and are about 4 inches in diameter. Bocce is played on a rectangular court. However, the size of the bocce court varies. Estimated lengths can be 76 feet to 100 feet in. The estimated width of the court is 10 feet to 13 feet.
Evolution
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Bocce was traditionally played on a level field of dirt and gravel but is now mostly played on grass. Unlevel playing fields are used to create a different challenge. Also, the balls in a lawn bocce set are 4 different colors without a design.
Type
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The number of points needed to win the game should be set before the game is played. This can range from 9 points for short games to 21 points for longer games. Also, what is considered fair territory and foul territory should be established in advance. When a ball goes into foul territory, it is disqualified. Called a dead ball, it should be removed to avoid interfering with future plays.
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