BALLS (Bocce, that is!)

[perc-o-prince]

So, we're finally gonna buy a real set instead of using the ones we found, you guessed it, at the Transfer Station! Yes, I've checked MA Craigslist with the hopes of recycling a set, but haven't heard back from the owner of the lone set for sale. I think they'll end up being smaller and/or lighter than we're looking for though.

After looking at what's available, I think we'll be going with the Park and Sun 109mm set from Amazon. The shipping weight is 25+ pounds so each ball should be about 3# (not lightweight). We played with a set similar to this at a party last summer, and the heavier balls had a better feel when playing (get your minds out of the gutter!).

Has anyone had any experiences, good or bad, with bocce sets?

Chuck

 

[rp2813]

No experience here. We have had the "Campo di Bocce" courts locally for quite a few years that have become the trendy place to see and be seen, and they are also used as a venue for corporate recognition/team building events. I guess bocce is starting to catch on more and more.

 

[perc-o-prince]

Southborough has a lot of 3rd and 4th (probably longer) generation Italian-Americans, so bocce has been here a while. When the senior center moved to its new digs, the new bocce court went in within about a year's time! Why there's never been a set at this house I don't know! There are statues and fountains everywhere, but no bocce until last year!

Chuck

 

[coldspot66]

Howdy boys,

I saw a set at Homegoods/ TJ Maxx a few weeks ago and thought of you guys, as I almost bought them. Don't remember the brand though....don't know if they were a "real" bocce set. What brands are considered regulation?????

 

[sudsmaster]

I also saw a set at Costco a year or three ago. They came and went. Probably China Inc. had a factory ramp up to make a bunch and then it moved on to other things, like glow in the dark Parcheesi sets... ;-)

I did get a croquet set and a badminton set from Costco a few years ago. The croquet set is fun... still haven't had an occasion to break out the badminton set, though.

 

[perc-o-prince]

What brands are considered regulation?????

I don't know if there's a firm answer to that. But, what we're looking for are the larger, heavier balls (where the hell are you, Toggie??? No comments yet???!!!). It seems that a lot of the "starter" or "beginner" sets have 84-90mm balls. 100mm seem to be pretty widely available in a variety of makers, styles, and qualities, but it looks like 107-109mm are the "real deal."

This is why I was asking about other people's experiences with them. I think we'll end up with the 109mm set on Amazon (having a $25 Amazon gift certificate and getting free basic shipping doesn't hurt!!!). We had a blast playing bocce last year with some of the site friends who were able to make it here (did you ever forgive me for that picture, RichM??), and it'll be worth the investment.

We already have a set of original Jarts to play with next time, so next on the list would be horseshoes!!! I'm sure we'll find those at a flea market or Brimfield, and the stakes can come from Blowes!

Chuck

 

[kenmore58]

There are just so many things I could say right now, but I think I'll just leave it alone -- for once!

Ron

 

[toggleswitch2]

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil....

I can only shake my head amd grin ear-to-ear.

Name of thread, author of thread and content. Ron, best I shuts mah hole too!

 

[neptunebob]

I hope you don't have Jarts, weren't those thing banned? They kill people!

 

[perc-o-prince]

They kill people!

We've had them, in the house no less, for about 4 months now, and no one's died yet! I haven't even heard a peep from them, so if they're plotting murder, they're being very quiet about it!!!

Chuck

 

[bobbyderegis]

My grandfather's bocce balls were made of lead. They were so flattened from use they barely rolled. Heavy suckers. Get the Jarts out if we have a Summer get-together. No one's lost an eye or a foot lately.
Bobby in Boston

 

[perc-o-prince]

No one's lost an eye or a foot lately.

A party's not a party until something's cut, punctured, or knocked off the table by an errant Frizbee (sorry, Rich!).

Bobby, I've heard of brass ones, but lead? Wow!! No wonder old Italian men's pants sag so much!!! I ordered them today. 109mm and they should weigh in at about 2# a piece. And, now that I know the real way to play, it ought to be a little more interesting.

Besides, we can set up one end of the Jarts court in the middle of the bocce court, and really have some fun!

Seriously, for anyone who's concerned about the use of Jarts, we'll be careful. For cryin' out loud-- we played for hours with these things and never got hurt. A few idiots got hold of them and the gubberment went wacky-doodle! Don't ban the Jarts. Prosecute the idiots throwing them where people are congregated!. BTW, the gubberment banned the manufacturing and resale of Jarts, not the ownership of them.

To enter the site below, click on the central graphic and not the CLICK HERE at the top.

Chuck

http://www.jarts.com/index.html

 

[perc-o-prince]

we played for hours with these things

I meant to say, "we played for hours with these things when we were kids..."

Chuck

 

[toggleswitch2]

Wash you hand after handling those balls!

Lead is nasty...especially in the mouth.