Welcome to the Santa Ynez Valley Bocce Ball Association

2010 Calendar

Qualities of The Game of "Bocce"

The following is extracted from a Federation International De Boules booklet printed in the 1960's titled "Un deporte que divierte" or "An amusing Sport."

Athletic Aspect

It is clear that, considering the weight of the balls and the distance they are thrown, apart from ability and precision that are the basis of the game, the game of "Bocce" also demands a certain amount of strength and stamina. The physical effort is notable above all for the "bowlers". But for everyone – bowlers or pointers – the activity of "Bocce" revives all muscular movements throughout the body and particularly the arms, legs, and main trunk – constituting an excellent basic sport.

Social Aspect

The game of "Bocce" is a crucible in which ages and social class fuse and disappear. On the court there are neither young people nor old people, neither workers, nor managers, neither labourers nor students.

The beginner can play with the veteran and the mechanic with the lawyer.

The exceptional democratic spirit of the game of "Bocce" is the basis on which its deeply peaceful character is founded. It is often the beginning of long friendships.

Bocce is actually thousands of years old. It has been and is played today around the world on sand, grass, concrete, clay and many other custom or simply available surfaces. It is called by different names and played with different rules, different types of pallini, balls and throwing styles. It is played by old and young, women and men. Despite all of these variations, its essence remains the same: GET YOUR BALLS CLOSER TO THE OBJECT BALL THAN YOUR OPPONENT'S BALLS.

There is another dimension to Bocce that makes it even more enjoyable than simple competition and that is the society of people who are fun to be around, love wine and good food and each other. It provokes a kind of revelry that is jealously held and embraced by the players, as if they belonged to a special club with a secret handshake.

In the Santa Ynez Valley Bocce League, we eagerly look forward to the next game and create legends about the last. We gain weight from the wonderful food and wine each player contributes, we look to the stern authority of our rules governor to solve our complex problems on court and we wish the matches could be played every night.

Welcome to those who are now members of the league and to those who would be members. Our view of the future is that the lights of courts throughout the Valley shall shine everywhere.