Monday, May 14, 2007

Bocce: Nostalgia, Skill, Hugs & Kisses, Marital Togetherness

The ANNOTICO Report

 

Phil Ferrari, also known as "America's Mr. Bocce," is offering up a fun and irresistible challenge to anyone who is interested.

As part of the first Bocce Invitational at Colonial Park on June 3, in Somerset, NJ. Ferrari will spot the novice player 11 of the 12 points needed to win a match. And he figures he'll still return home unbeaten.

The U.S. Bocce Federation says there are more than one million players in the US, and attributes the re growth to:

(1) It revives a sense of Italian ancestry Nostalgia in so many.  

(2) It is Easy to Learn, (bu t takes time and patience to Master)  

(3) It is the perfect blend of Social acti vity and Sport, But it's the social aspect that is absolutely fantastic. It's nothing but hugs and kisses. 

(4) "Husbands and wives can play together -- equally. I'm not going away six hours to play golf and be away from my wife. You play this game, you're together."

Bocce Players let the Good Times Roll


Bocce enthusiasts find joy in introducing the game to others.


Bridgewater Courier News

Bridgewater,NJ,USA

By Bob Considine

Monday, May 14, 2007

FRANKLIN (Somerset) -- Phil Ferrari, also known as "America's Mr. Bocce," is offering up a fun and irresistible challenge to anyone who is interested.

As part of the first Bocce Invitational at Colonial Park on June 3, Ferrari will spot the novice player 11 of the 12 points needed to win a match. And he figures he'll still return home unbeaten.

To Ferrari, this isn't a boast so much as a boost to the game's appeal.

"As I always tell people, bocce is an easy game to learn, but a tough game to master," said Ferrari, who, in 1992, became the first U.S.-born bocce player to win the U.S. National Singles Championship.

"Now if I go out and play you or anyone in basketball, I can still score a point by shooting a basket. But bocce is different. You may never get that point. It's a different challenge."

And one that many are still discovering.

Anywhere from 300 to 500 players are expected to compete in the Bocce Invitational on eight professional bocce courts and four recreational courts, with proceeds going toward Operation Shoebox New Jersey.

In growth mode

Around the world, there are three professional Bocce leagues and countless recreational leagues, such as the Somerset Run Bocce Club in Somerset.

In fact, the U.S. Bocce Federation says there are more than one million players in this country. And while Ferrari has done much to promote the sport's charms to a wide cross-section of people, the Bocce invitational promises to acknowledge the sport's roots.

"We're here to bring all people together for a great cause," said Frank Valanzola, tournament director and Operation Shoebox board member. "But it's also for Italian-Americans who have a unique history with the sport. It's somewhat of a cultural event where we can honor the heritage and come together."

While some history records state that the most primal roots of bocce -- using polished rocks -- date to the Egyptians in 5200 B.C. and then to the Greeks in 800 B.C., the Roman influence of the game can not be denied. In fact, the word bocce derives from the Vulgate Latin "bottia," or boss.

But most of the game's enthusiasts don't need to go back that far to remember why they like the game.

"I find in my conversations with a lot of people that everyone says, 'You know, when I was a kid my grandfather played it,' " Valenzola said. "People say, 'It's a shame I haven't played it in so long.' There seems to be a great sense of nostalgia with the game."

How to play

Much of the game's simplicity remains from its origins. A game can be played between two players or two teams of two or four on a 60-foot court. It is started in its most basic form when a random player throws a smaller, white ball -- called the "pallino" or "jack" -- from one end of the zone to the other. Each team rolls four balls in a frame and a point is scored for each ball that is closer to the pallino than the other team's closest ball.

Games can go up from 11 to 16 points, depending on the league or region. But you must always win by two.

Some compare the game to bowling, horseshoes or some form of billiards, although curling -- that ice sport you see during the Winter Olympics -- is probably the closest to bocce.

"It's an easy game to get hooked on," Ferrari said.

It's also seen by many as a golf alternative, as far as recreational events go. In fact, Valenzola thought of having a golf tournament to raise money for Operation Shoebox."But then I thought, 'How many golf tournaments can people go to?'," he said.

That change from the golfing norm was fine for folks at the Somerset Run Bocce Club.

"Husbands and wives can play together -- equally," said Marvin Greenstein, a member of the Somerset Run club. "And now I'm not going away six hours to play golf and be away from my wife. You play this game, you're together."

At Somerset Run, there are two well-kept bocce courts that basically serve as a social hub during spring and summer months.

And at many active adult communities, they are becoming more commonplace.

"There are over 750 families here, so you really can't have the courts any time you want," said Frank Lofaso, president of the Somerset Run Bocce Club. "So we started a club about 2 and a half years ago."

Now there are 207 members in the club -- full capacity, says Lofaso - with two pre-requisites. One, of course, you have to be a resident.

And two?

"You don't have to be Italian," Lofaso said.

A social sport

The club, according to its members, is the perfect blend of social activity and sport. League games are played three days a week. Statistics are kept. Conversations are had. Plans are made. Nicknames are given, easily achieved when you have three older gents named Frank.

"We're known as the three Franks with no buns," Lofaso said.

"Some of the guys get competitive about it, but it's tongue-in-cheek," Greenstein added. "We do play a 20-week season and keep statistics, almost like baseball. But it's the social aspect of it is absolutely fantastic. I mean, it's nothing but hugs and kisses. That's all it is."

Ferrari said the popularity of bocce might not reach the masses, but the sport continually proves its staying power with clubs like the Somerset Run Bocce Club and events like the Bocce Invitational tournament.

Bocce courts continue to pop up. Bocce equipment sales have reportedly done well over the past 10 years. Ferrari said he is even trying to get a Bocce story on the silver screen.

But ultimately, Bocce enthusiasts say the sport remains because it is passed down from generations.

"I started playing recreationally with my uncle when I was 17 or 18," Ferrari said. "And I became the American-born U.S. National Singles champion when I was 55. My Dad would have never imagined that could happen."

"You can be older or younger, it doesn't matter," Greenstein said. "I play with my grandson. He's 10 years old and can't wait to come here and play. Maybe he'll be playing when he's my age."

Where to play BOCCE  in Central Jersey:

·  Berkeley Heights: Lower Columbia Park, off Plainfield Avenue.

·  Bernards: Southard Park, off North Maple Avenue

·  Gillette (Long Hill): Recreation fields on Valley Road

·  Raritan Borough: Behind the Somerset County annex, First Avenue

·  Scotch Plains: Brookside Park, Hetfield Avenue

·  South Plainfield: Spring Lake Park, Maple Avenue

·  Stirling (Long Hill): Elm Street Park, Elm Street

·  Woodbridge: Warren Park, Florida Grove Road

 

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