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 Royal
Harbor residents who enjoy playing ball can choose from a number of
different “ball games” that take place on a regular basis in and around
the community. The list includes billiards, golf, bowling, ping-pong,
tennis, and the subject of this article - Bocce.
When the Recreation Center at the Harbor was
completed, 3 carpeted bocce courts were built nearby. Last January one
of the residents, Ralph Esposito, decided to try to form a bocce club.
In no time at all the Royal Harbor Bocce Club had 64 resident players
making up 16 teams that are divided into 2 leagues. There are 8 teams in
the Royal League, and another 8 teams in the Harbor League. In addition,
there are several other players who serve as alternates, filling-in for
regular members as needed.
Bocce (which is Italian for “kiss”) is a
game
in which a small white ball, called the pallina, is rolled down a
carpeted or grass court, which measures 60 feet long and 12 feet wide.
After it stops, players alternate rolling green and red balls toward the
pallina. The closest ball to that pallina after the round gains a point.
If more than one ball of the same color is closest, one point is given
for each ball.
On occasion, it’s difficult to determine
which ball is the closest to the pallina. In that case, a small cup with
a tape measure attached to it is placed over the pallina, and each ball
in question is measured to determine their distance. The game ends when
one of the teams accumulates 16 points.
Ralph Esposito was elected President of the
club, Gene Hagler is Vice President, Jim Anderson is Sec./Treas., and
Bob McGinty is the Activities Director. The club collects annual dues of
$5 to help pay for replacing bocce balls, purchasing umbrellas for the
court, scoreboards and storage. The teams practice frequently, and
on Tuesdays, open play allows other residents to join in the fun and
pick up pointers from club members. This encourages new players to
experience something they may not have tried before. It also provides
another opportunity for the residents in the community to become more
acquainted with their neighbors.
Bocce season usually begins in September and
continues all the way through to the playoffs in May. All of the teams
compete against each other during the regular season, and at the end of
the season the leading teams compete in a tournament that determines a
league champion.
For those who are interested in the game of
Bocce, Ralph suggests visiting the International Bocce Association’s
website. They provide rules and regulations, as well as other related
information.
You are also welcome to join the club for an
“open play” session on Tuesday evenings, or speak with one of the club
members about how you can get involved. It’s a lot of fun, and it’s a
great way to get out and enjoy some fresh air and friendly competition.
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