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Answers to some Frequently Asked Questions about Britton Falls Bocce |
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FAQ Table of Contents
What is the history of Bocce?There are numerous versions of the history of bocce. The following summarizes several versions found on the Internet. x Bocce is an ancient game, its birth lost in the shadows of antiquity. Some authorities claim it originated in Egypt about 5200 B.C.; others, that the game was started in Greece during the 6th Century B.C. The most reliable sources agree that Bocce, as we know it today, was played between battles during Rome's Punic Wars against Carthage, which started in 264 B.C. Soldiers selected a small stone called a "leader" and threw it first. Then larger stones would be thrown at the "leader" and the stone coming closest to it would score. The game provided exercise and relaxation for the soldiers. Teams were composed of two, four, six, or eight men and the score would vary from 16 to 24 points per game. The game continued to be played until 1319 when Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV ordered its discontinuance as he thought that, because of its popularity, it would interfere with sports of a more military nature. Years later the prohibition was lifted when the Medical Faculty at Montpelier, France, declared that Bocce was the best exercise to prevent rheumatism. An interesting historical note on Bocce claims that the English Admiral, Sir Francis Drake, was informed of the approaching Spanish Armada while playing a game of Bocce. Drake, in his usual cool manner, replied: "First, we finish the game; then we have time for the Invincible Armada." Bocce was played throughout Europe. Emperors, Admirals, Generals, poets, sculptors, scientists and men from all stations of life were active participants in the sport. It was a favorite with Giuseppe Garibaldi. Bocce was a game played in the Italian Alps, early in the Christian Era, in which stones were tossed at a target stone--not necessarily to hit it, but to land as close as possible to it. Bocce was a major amusement for Roman soldiers, who spread it through the empire. Balls were eventually substituted for the stones and they were usually rolled rather than tossed. Three distinct types of the sport developed through the centuries. In France, the game was known as boules, from the Classical Latin word for ball. A different form of the sport became known in England as "lawn bowls". Bocce, also known as boccia, derived its name from the Vulgar Latin word for ball, bottia. Italian immigrants brought bocce to the United States. Its original centers of popularity were New York City and San Francisco because of their large Italian-American populations. But, as newer generations grew away from the sport, bocce declined and seemed in danger of extinction in this country. The sport experienced a small resurgence, mainly in California, during the 1970s and it's grown rapidly during the last decade. The center of the sport in the U. S. is Martinez, California, which has more than a thousand competitors in league play and many more who simply play for fun. The U. S. Bocce Federation says there are about 1 million players in the United States. Outside of California, major centers of popularity include Chicago, Las Vegas, Memphis, New Orleans, Phoenix, St. Louis, and New York. Back to Top
What is Team Play Bocce?Team Play Bocce is competition between teams in a League. Britton Falls residents (men and women) sign up to be a team member or substitute from April 10 to May 10 of each year. Between May 10 and June 1, teams consisting of 4 players each are formed from those signed up to be team players. Teams play a set of scheduled games during June and July. A playoff tournament is held in August. Back to Top
What is Social Bocce and how are the teams formed?There are time slots reserved, open to all Britton Falls residents, to gather for Social Bocce, choose teams, learn about Bocce, play the game, have lots of fun, and meet new friends. Teams are formed by the group present at the start time. Team formation depends on the number and mix of men and women present. Sometimes the men and women play on separate courts or play mixed. Typically, new players are split among the teams and given assistance by an experienced player. Back to Top
Can I play Bocce other than the scheduled times?When the courts are not reserved or being used, the courts are available to all Britton Falls residents and their guests. The equipment is available to check out at the Chateau front desk. Back to Top
Is there a fee or any cost for Bocce?Currently there is no fee for members and their guests to play on the courts or for Social Bocce play. A nominal fee may be charged for Bocce Club members and league players to cover incidental expenses and awards. Back to Top
How are League Bocce Teams formed? Britton Falls residents (men and women) sign up to be a team member or substitute from April 10 to May 10 of each year. Between May 10 and June 1, teams consisting of 4 players each are formed from those signed up to be team players. Based on the any knowledge of current skills of the league players, the previous season team captains form teams as balanced as possible with 4 players each.
What are the Substitution Rules? Team players that are going to miss a match call the Bocce League Substitution Coordinator as soon as possible. If a player calls the team captain they ask them to call or relay the need to the Bocce League Substitution Coordinator. If something happens that a substitute can't sub after agreeing to sub, they call the Bocce League Substitution Coordinator. The Bocce League Substitution Coordinator will draw names from the eligible substitutes who signed up, call them to find a substitute, and let the team captain know who and when.
What happens in case of a rainout?
How are team standings during the season calculated? Team standings have 3 components, 1. match points won, 2. game points scored, and 3. game points yielded to the opponents. Team positions are determined by match points won with most game points scored as the first tie breaker and least game points yielded as the second tie breaker. Since leagues may have a bye team each week the 3 components are calculated as percentages. The match points won percentage is the sum of match points won to date divided by the total match points available to date (4 points per match). Similarly the game points percentages are the sum of game points scored to date divided by the total game points available to date (36 points per match).
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