Report Prepared by: Diana Olmos, Administrative Assistant, Parks and Recreation
Title
SUBJECT: Bocce Ball Courts Updates
REPORT IN BRIEF
History of Bocce Ball and status in Merced
The City of Merced is home to several regional parks including the Merced Dog Park. The Dog Park includes a host of amenities including a Bocce Ball Court. Bocce ball, or Bocce, is a time-honored sport that has been played for centuries in parts of Europe. It is commonplace to see groups of people playing bocce in the park. In recent years, bocce has gained popularity in the US and sets are widely available sporting goods stores or online.
Bocce Ball Courts
Regulation bocce courts are elongated rectangles and have a raised barrier around the edge. They are filled with permeable turf, decomposed granite, or compacted dirt. The game can be played in groups, pairs or as an individual. Depending on the surface, courts typically require little maintenance and are typically tended to by players or Bocce Clubs.
Bocce Ball Rules
The game is played with a series of Bocce Balls that each team uses to score points. The game starts when the smaller ball called a Pollino is thrown onto the courts, usually the back 1/4 of the court. If the team that first throws the jack fails to get the Pollino into the prescribed zone, the second team gets to throw out the Pollino. Each team rolls their Bocce Ball onto the court, much like bowling, and tries to get as close to the Pollino as possible. Teams can knock the competitors Bocce out of the area to keep them away from the Jack. Points are scored by the team who gets their Bocce balls closest to the Pollino.
Update
At the request of the Recreation & Parks Commission, staff communicated the maintenance request with our Parks Maintenance partners in Public Works. The Parks staff were able to pull and spray all weeds and water down the course to level it out more evenly. It is encouraged that players bring a rake or heavy bristle broom to brush the cou...
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