Bocce
Bocce players scoring a match, 2005 | |
| Highest governing body | Fédération Internationale de Boules |
|---|---|
| Nicknames | Bocci |
| First played | 18th century in Italy |
| Characteristics | |
| Contact | Non-contact |
| Team members | Singles and doubles |
| Mixed-sex | Yes, separate tours and mixed doubles |
| Type | Ball games |
| Equipment | Bocce (balls) and pallino (jack) |
| Presence | |
| Country or region | Worldwide |
| Olympic | No |
| Paralympic | No |
| World Games | No |
Bocce (/ˈbɒtʃi/ ⓘ, or /ˈbɒtʃeɪ/, Italian: [ˈbɔttʃe]), sometimes anglicized as bocce ball, bocci, or boccie, is a ball sport belonging to the boules family. Developed into its present form in Italy, it is closely related to English bowls and French pétanque, with a common ancestry from ancient games played in the Roman Empire. Bocce is played around Western, Southern, and Southeastern Europe, as well as in overseas areas with historical Italian immigrant population, including Australia, North and South America, principally Argentina and the southern Brazilian states of Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina. Initially only played by Italian immigrants, the game has slowly gained popularity among descendant generations and outside the Italian diaspora.