Light Up Bocce

Why let the fun end, when the sun goes down?

If you love the game of Bocce Ball like I do, then you will love "Light Up Bocce".

So let me tell you a little bit about the game of Bocce, and why I am so jazzed about the light up bocce ball set that my wife gave me for my birthday. Bocce is a game that anyone can play. Playing it at night with a set of bocce balls that glow just adds a cool twist to it.

It's an old game with a new following...

Bocce ball is one of the oldest games in history, and it goes back as far as 5200 B.C. It was picked up by the Romans, and spread through Europe. It has remained popular in Europe. If you visit any number of different European countries, you are likely to see a game in progress at one of the local parks.

The game of bocce has made its way to America, but is still not known or understood by most. Those who have discovered it and are passionate about the game are responsible for the increasing popularity in the States.

With a little effort and a few Google searches, you are liable to find a bocce ball club, association, or bocce ball court at a park in your area.

It's like a high-class game of Corn Hole!

Not much is required to play the game of bocce. All you need is a bocce ball set, and a nice open area like a back yard or park. Low cut grass makes a perfect playing surface, but avid player may prefer a packed limestone or sand court. Either way, a flat surface is excellent, otherwise control could be a challenge.

The game uses eight larger balls, and one smaller ball called the pallino (or jack). The pallino is tossed out and becomes the target. A player then tosses their bocce ball toward the pallino, trying to get it to land as close as possible. A player on the next team then tosses their ball in an effort to get it closer to the jack than their opponent's ball. When a ball lands closer than your opponent's ball, it is called being "inside". If your team exhausts all of their tosses (i.e. runs out of balls) before getting "inside", then a point is awarded to the inside team.

If your team gets "inside" then the opposing team has an opportunity to throw their balls in an effort to get "inside".

This continues until one team reaches 13 points and is declared the winner.

Bocce is a social game that is typically played with family and friends. I find myself getting together and playing more in the evenings and on weekends due to work, having kids in school, and other parental responsibilities that force me to act like 'a responsible adult' ;-) .

The summers here have been so hot, that it is a challenge to get anyone outdoors for a friendly game. When we do play, the humidity has us sweating so profusely that we look like we just got done running a marathon. It normally cools off around dusk, allowing us to get a quick game in before dark.

And that is why I love my light up bocce set so much! The game doesn't have to end when the sun goes down!!!

My light up set has a pallino that glows, so you can toss it out in the pure darkness and still see it glowing.

Each of the bocce balls also have a small button that you can press so that they glow as well. This allows them to be easily viewed as far as 50 feet away.

Playing bocce ball at night is much more comfortable than playing it during the hot summer days. It adds an interesting twist to the game too, because at night, your depth perception is thrown off a bit, making it a bit more challenging for both you and your opponent.

I can't thank my wifey enough for this Light Up Bocce set. It is getting used more than my expensive set.

eBay can be a great place to find awesome deals on anything you may be looking for. Check out these deals on bocce ball sets on eBay. There are some really unique sets for sale out there.

Not interested in a glow in the dark bocce ball set? Well, then check out the great selection of standard bocce sets below.

I'd love to hear from all you bocce ball enthusiasts out there.