Invitation to Join Us
FIRST A LITTLE HISTORY:
"The beginnings of the game of bocce are lost in the
darkness of time. Traces of the game can be found among the early Egyptians, and
graphic representations of figures tossing a ball or polished stone have been
recorded as early as 5200 B.C. While modern day bocce bears little resemblance
to these early findings, one thing is certain: that through its evolution the
objective has been constant "try to come as close to a fixed target as
possible". From this early objective, the basic rules of bocce were born.
The popularity of the game reached such a level in Italy that
on 12/11/1576, the Republic of Venice publicly condemned-it, and thereafter
those who disobeyed were punished with fines and imprisonment. Even the Catholic
Church officially prohibited any clergyman from playing the game by declaring
bocce a gambling device. Yet bocce survived and flourished."(1)
Bocce, a little like bowling, which is rolling a larger ball
as close as possible to the target ball or Pallina. Many different rules are
found in other areas of the country, but here at Connestee we have adopted rules
that best suit our needs. We want the game to promote fun to play,
socialization, a certain degree of competition and exercise.
About Us:
We are set up in Leagues which play Spring, Summer and Fall,
on our beautiful bocce courts next to the pool parking lot. Our games are played
on Thursdays in the Spring League and Winter Open, and Mondays and Thursdays
during the Summer and Fall Leagues. There are four person teams set up, who
compete against each other, every week. Newcomers to the game are given a
workshop in which the game is explained in full. Specific rules are distributed
to all the players, who are then assigned to a specific team with a Captain.
Your Captain sets up a team schedule, which takes into consideration your time
constraints. We also have a number of Substitutes who fill in for those sudden
occasions which may arise when you can not play. Our Winter play is open to
anyone who comes to the court on Thursday, at 11:00 a.m. Teams are made up at
the time. It is a good chance to learn the game.
Other fun times include our "Play and Party" which is open to
all Connesteans, and the annual Picnic.
Each year we are host to the Transylvania Co. Senior Games in Bocce. The Land of
Waterfalls Senior Games is open to anyone over the age of 55. Sign up for these
games takes place in April each year, and you will receive more information,
next year. Try it as there are so many activities for your pleasure, including not
only the athletics but the Arts.
As noted before, our main aim is for everyone to come out and enjoy meeting your neighbors in a friendly game, while getting in some extra exercise.
Watch the notices in the Friday Flyer, for the events for the rest of the
season.
DO JOIN US!
(1) "BOCCE" By Rico Daniele
9/23/06