Bocce Articles

  • The Secret to a Long Life is Bocce!  Read the New York Times article here.
  • What's in a bocce ball?  No, really, what's IN a bocce ball?  Does it really matter?  Read a Playboule article here.
  • Local restaurant, la Tavola, and bocce, star in this YouTube video here.
  • Local (Waterbury) company specializes in bocce court construction.  Read more about it here.

Bocce Clubs in Waterbury's Past

Recorded in 1931: (parital list)
  • Hamilton Park Bocce Club
  • East Mountain Bocce Club
  • Fulton Park Bocce Club
  • Marchegiani
  • Mazziottes
  • Pintos Bocce Club
  • Uniques Bocce Club

Bocce Beyond Waterbury

  • Bar Bouchon, Madison, CT
  • Bee & Thistle Inn, Old Lyme, CT
  • Crystal Bees (indoor, carpet), Southington, CT
  • East Haven Italian American Club, East Haven, CT
  • Hamden Park, 17 Hamden Park Drive, Hamden, CT 06517; (203) 230-9237
  • Pellicci’s Restaurant, Stamford, CT
  • Piedmont Club - Darien CT
  • Rockwell Park, Bristol, CT
  • Saint Anne's Club; 16 Hendricks Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851
  • Sons of Italy (outdoor, gravel), Center Street, Southington, CT
  • Veteran’s Park, 909 Reef Road, Fairfield, CT

Sporting and Gaming Center

The City of Neighborhoods has long contributed to the sports world.  Now we finally have a place to park the news about upcoming events, team schedules, school stanings, and more.  Please email WaterburyLife@WaterburyLife.com  or News@WaterburyLife.com.

Bocce @ NVCC Turns 4

In July of 2018, the new bocce courts in Waterbury, at Naugatuck Valley Community College, (NVCC) formerly Naugatuck Valley Technical Community College, made their debut.  

Full Story

Bocce in Waterbury

  • American-Italian Civic Club 
    • Outdoor
    • Clay
    • Boyden Street
  • Bucks Hill Park
    • Outdoor
    • Sand
    • Montoe Road
  • Naugatuck Valley Community Technical College (NVCC)
  • Pontelandolfo Community Club
    • Indoor
    • Heated
    • Cooled
    • Gravel
    • 4 lanes
    • Farmwood Road​​​

Bocce Play in Waterbury's Past

  • 1939: The Italian Aid Society hosted, among other events, bocce games at their annual charity outing, which was held at Lakewood Park
  • 1939: The Mason Supply Company hosted, among many other activities, a Bocce Tournament at a recreation day at Black Rock.
  • 1942: The Waterbury Elks Lodge hosted, among many other activities, a Bocce Tournament at their annual clam-bake.

Sports Groups in Waterbury

  • Aviglianese Athletic Club - since 1954, 50 North Barns Street, 501(c)7 corporation
  • Bunker Hill Sports Association
  • Country Club of Waterbury, 1 Country Club Road, 501(c)7 corporation
  • Lega Siciliana Social Club
  • Pontelandolfo Community Club
  • Portugese Sports Club Inc.
  • Fairlawn Basketball Association
  • Town Plot Sports Association
  • Waterbury Knights Football and Cheerleading
  • Waterbury Knights Youth Football  a.k.a. American Youth Football, Inc. - since 2005, 2574 East Main Street, 2nd Floor, 501(c)3 corporation

Bocce Tournament, Pontelandolfo Club, 2008
Bocce League at the Pontelandolfo Community Club
​SPORTS (ponteclub.com)
2022 Fall Classic at the Pontelandolfo Community Club
​GLOBAL BOCCE

Did You Know?

Bocce was one of the most popular sporting event in Roma since at least year 0.  That's 2,022 years of popularity!
Waterbury's first Bocce Club was founded in 1942.
In 1931, Bocce Championships were held "in all parts of the city".

Grants Available to Sport Organizations


The Finish Line Youth Foundation, the charitable arm of athletic products retailer Finish Line, provides funding to support youth athletic programs and sports-based camps, especially those serving disadvantaged children and those with special needs.  Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded to nonprofit organizations for community-based athletic programs and camps that teach active lifestyle and team-building skills.  Preference will be given to organizations that provide opportunities for participation for children and young adults age 18 and under and whose activities provide direct services to individuals with tangible results.  To be eligible, applicants must be a nonprofit organization recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Priority will be given to organizations or programs located near Finish Line retail stores, including Waterbury.  Deadline: September 30th, 2016.  20160817
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More About Bocce in Waterbury

​Bocce in Waterbury, Connecticut, is both a vibrant living tradition and a testament to the city’s deep Italian-American roots. The sport’s history in Waterbury stretches back nearly a century, with bocce championships recorded “in all parts of the city” as early as 1931, and the first formal club founded in 19421. Bocce’s enduring popularity is reflected in the city’s many clubs, public courts, and annual tournaments, which continue to draw players of all ages.

Historic and Contemporary Bocce ClubsWaterbury’s bocce legacy is anchored by clubs both past and present. Historic clubs from the early 20th century included the Hamilton Park Bocce Club, East Mountain Bocce Club, Fulton Park Bocce Club, Marchegiani, Mazziottes, Pintos Bocce Club, and Uniques Bocce Club1. These clubs fostered a sense of community, friendly rivalry, and cultural pride, especially among the city’s Italian-American residents.

Today, the Pontelandolfo Community Club stands as the epicenter of bocce in Waterbury. Founded in the 1930s, the club boasts a sprawling 40-acre campus with a four-lane indoor bocce facility—heated, cooled, and equipped for year-round play256. The club hosts major tournaments, such as the annual High Stakes Doubles, and offers men’s and women’s leagues, making it one of the most sophisticated bocce venues in New England28. The Pontelandolfo Club is also a hub for Italian cultural events, fundraisers, and social gatherings.


Other active bocce venues include:

  • American-Italian Civic Club (Boyden Street): Outdoor clay courts, community events.
  • Bucks Hill Park (Montoe Road): Two outdoor sand courts, part of a larger public recreation area.
  • Naugatuck Valley Community College (NVCC): Public bocce courts opened in 2018, supporting both casual and organized play1.


Bocce in Waterbury’s Social Fabric

Bocce has long been woven into Waterbury’s social life. In the 1930s and 1940s, local organizations like the Italian Aid Society, Mason Supply Company, and the Waterbury Elks Lodge hosted bocce tournaments as part of annual outings and charity events1. The sport’s appeal lies in its accessibility—anyone can play, and the rules are easy to learn—making it a favorite at family gatherings, festivals, and fundraisers.
A Tradition That EnduresBocce’s roots trace back to ancient Egypt and Rome, but in Waterbury, it remains a living tradition. The city’s Italian-American clubs and community organizations keep the sport thriving, with regular leagues, tournaments, and celebrations456. The Pontelandolfo Community Club, in particular, continues to innovate, hosting high-stakes tournaments and drawing players from across the region8.

Bocce’s popularity in Waterbury is also supported by local businesses, including companies specializing in bocce court construction, and by restaurants like La Tavola, which feature bocce in their community outreach and events.


Did You Know?

  • Bocce was one of the most popular sports in ancient Rome and has been played in Waterbury for generations14.
  • Waterbury’s first bocce club was founded in 1942, but informal championships date back even earlier1.
  • In July 2018, NVCC opened new public bocce courts, expanding access to the sport for all residents1.


Conclusion

Bocce in Waterbury is more than a game—it’s a celebration of heritage, community, and the simple joys of friendly competition. Whether played in historic clubs, public parks, or at community colleges, bocce continues to unite Waterburians of all backgrounds, ensuring this ancient sport remains a vibrant part of the city’s cultural landscape
Complete Rules of Bocce

Court Specifications

  • Standard Court Size:
    • Length: 76 feet (23.16 meters)
    • Width: 10 to 13 feet (3.05 to 3.96 meters)
    • The court is typically bordered by side and backboards (often made of wood or concrete)34.
  • Surface Materials:
    • Courts are commonly surfaced with crushed stone, oyster shell, clay, or synthetic materials to provide a smooth, level playing area3.
  • Markings:
    • Foul lines should be clearly marked, typically 13 feet from the back wall.
    • Center line divides the court for pallino placement4.
  • Balls:
    • Regulation bocce balls are 110–113 mm in diameter, usually four balls per team (two teams: 4 red, 4 green) and one smaller pallino (target ball)7.

Teams and Equipment
  • Bocce is played between two teams, each with one, two, or four players18.
  • Each team uses four balls of the same color17.
  • The smaller target ball is called the pallino (or jack)1.

Game PlayStarting the Game
  • A coin toss determines which team throws the pallino first and chooses ball color4.
  • The winning team throws the pallino from behind the foul line, aiming to land it past the center line and not touching the back wall4.
  • If the pallino throw is invalid (does not cross the center line, touches the back wall, or goes out of bounds), the opposing team gets a chance. If both teams fail, the process repeats until the pallino is validly placed4.

Throwing the Bocce Balls
  • The team that throws the pallino also throws the first bocce ball34.
  • All balls must be thrown underhand and released from behind the pointing foul line35.
  • Balls may be rolled or "spocked" (thrown with force to move other balls or the pallino), but the player must declare a spock and release the ball before the hitting foul line36.
  • Balls must not be lobbed above knee height or thrown overhand; repeated violations result in removal of the ball from play5.
  • After the first ball, the team whose ball is not closest to the pallino continues to throw until they either get closer or run out of balls135.
  • Teams alternate throws until all eight balls have been played15.

Ball and Pallino Movement
  • Balls can strike other balls, the pallino, or the sideboards136.
  • If a ball hits the backboard without first touching another ball or the pallino, it is considered dead and removed from play36.
  • Balls that leave the court are also dead and removed for the frame7.
  • If the pallino is knocked out of bounds, the frame is void and restarted4.

Scoring
  • After all balls are thrown, the team with the ball closest to the pallino scores one point for each of its balls that is closer than the opponent's nearest ball157.
  • Maximum possible points per frame: 4 (in two-team play)7.
  • Only the "in" team (the team with the closest ball) scores in a frame57.
  • The team that scored last throws the pallino to start the next frame57.
  • Games are typically played to 12, 13, or 16 points (win by 2, depending on local rules)6.

Player Rotation and Substitution
  • Teams may decide their own throwing order; no player may throw more than two balls per frame in four-player teams5.
  • Players must not switch ends during a game5.
  • Substitutions are allowed only between games or frames45.

Foul Lines and Violations
  • Players may step on but not over the foul line when releasing the ball or pallino45.
  • Foot faults or lobbing violations result in warnings; repeated violations lead to disqualification of the throw5.
  • All affected balls are returned to their original positions after a violation5.