Today, the top three most-participated sports in the world are soccer, bocce, and golf.
The ancient sport, Bocce, has finally begun to take root in the American sports culture. Bocce is a word stemming from the Latin word, "Bottica." Bocce was first documented in a 5200 BC painting of two boys playing, discovered by Sir Francis Petrial in an Egyptian tomb.
Bocce spread throughout Palestine and into Asia Minor. In 600 BC, Bocce was picked up by the Greeks and passed to the Romans. It was played everywhere, from churches and castles to city streets. People from all walks of life could play the game: young or old, man or woman. In 1319 AD, Bocce was actually prohibited to people of lesser nobility because it diverted attention from more important tasks, such as archery and war training. In 1519, Bocce became a public game. It was played in Flanders, Holland and Belgium.
Greek colonists brought Bocce with them to what is now modern Italy. It became so popular that it was once again threatened with prohibition, as people who were playing Bocce in the streets were hitting the knees of passing noblemen with the Bocce balls. Although unfortunate for the humbler people who played Bocce, this problem brought widespread attention to the sport among Italian noblemen, and Bocce immediately became a favorite pastime. Giussepi Garibaldi popularized the sport, as it is known today. Bocce frequently lost and gained popularity throughout the ages. In 1896, during a resurgence of popularity, the first Bocce Olympiad was held in Athens, Greece. Bocce has been a part of international sports ever since.
Bocce has seen many changes throughout the ages. It has evolved from being a crude sport played with rounded rocks, or even coconuts, to the modern game with composite or metal balls. Bocce has been known under many names: lawn bowling, nine pins, skittles, and pentanque, to name a few. The popularity of Bocce in America has been on the rise. There are more than 1,000,000 Bocce players in the United States today. Bocce now is a part of the World Corporate Games and the Special Olympics, and is being proposed to be in the Olympics.
Bocce can be played upon any level surface by anyone who is willing to try. It is a game for all ages, gender, and athletic ability. It is a very versatile game in which the rules may be changed according to the players. Play may range from a nearly nonexistent set of rules to the strictest of tournament rules.
Bocce for the average players is very simple. Each player is given two balls (boccia). Each player must then take turns rolling (lagging) the ball toward the pallino ball (the smallest ball), which has already been thrown onto the field. The players are given points for the balls thrown closest to the pallino ball. Players may also throw on the fly (volo), striking the ball to move the point ball. The balls of other players may also displace balls, including the pallino. Bocce is an inexpensive game of thought and strategy that brings families and friends together with the enjoyment of a game that everyone can play.
