Who Created Bocce Ball? The Father of Bocce

It is no secret that bocce dates back thousands of years. But have you ever wondered who created bocce ball? Read on below as I discuss the brief history of bocce.

You might agree with me when I say that there is no better way to spend a sunny afternoon than playing a good game of bocce ball with family and friends. One afternoon while playing bocce, my friends and I tried guessing who came up with the game, and nobody could look at their phone.

“Who created bocce ball?” and “how did it become popular?” are a couple of the questions that popped up during our discussion. There were some pretty funny answers, but ultimately none of us got it right.

Later, I looked into further for anyone else who might be curious as well. Below, I will briefly discuss the history of bocce. I will also talk about who invented bocce ball, or at least, who gets the most credit for it.

What is the Brief History of Bocce Ball?

Before I discuss the person who created bocce ball, I would first like to touch on the history of bocce briefly. 

Bocce ball dates back as early as 5200 B.C. in Egypt. The sport was documented in a painting, which English scientist Sir Francis Petrial discovered in an Egyptian tomb. The painting depicts two boys playing bocce in its early version.

Bocce spread throughout Palestine and Asia Minor. Then, in 600 B.C., Ancient Greece discovered the sport and passed it to Ancient Rome. The present form of bocce ball finds its origins during the rule of Roman empire.

Back then, the game involves tossing plain wooden balls or coconuts. Some players would fortify their balls by adding nails to achieve durable balls. However, they found out that these balls deformed and worn out quickly due to playing on hard bocce court surfaces.

The evolution of the bocce ball took a big leap during the reign of the House of Savoy Dynasty, which spans from 1003 to 1860 A.D. Paintings and pictures began to appear to show depictions of the modernized version of the sport. 

But throughout the ages, bocce balls frequently lost and gained popularity. 

It was in the late 19th century when bocce evolved and acquired a massive following. During this era, Italian revolutionary Giuseppe Garibaldi popularized the sport. He did this while unifying and nationalizing Italy.

It eventually led to the first Bocce Olympiad held in Athens, Greece, in 1896. Since then, modern bocce has been a part of international sports.

Today, bocce game is played by millions of people around the world. It is considered the third most-played sport. 

Bocce is known under many names, and there are related ball game variations such as lawn bowling, pétanque, and skittles, to name a few. The term “bocce” comes from the Italian word “boccia,” meaning “to bowl” in English.

It also has seen many rule changes, but the objective remains the same—toss the ball as close to the pallino as possible.

Who Created Bocce Ball?

Now that I have discussed the brief history of bocce ball, it is time to talk about who created bocce ball.

To be frank, I cannot credit a single person who started the sport. Many individuals believe that the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans invented the early form of bocce.

As previously mentioned in bocce ball history, players would use coconuts or plain wooden balls. Some people would even toss stones at one another.

However, bocce eventually evolved from its early crude form of tossing stones to an organized and modern game consisting of composite or metal balls. Today, it is part of the World Corporate Games and the Special Olympics.

How Did Bocce Ball Become Popular Today?

Bocce ball was not always popular due to the inconsistency of its rules and regulations. 

Fortunately, during the late 19th century, Italian revolutionary Giuseppe Garibaldi popularized the game and made it a national sport in his country. This kind of exposure caused the creation of countless bocce ball leagues and tournaments, including the Special Olympic Games.

During this period, bocce started becoming popular in other European states as well, notably France. As such, several institutions were created to oversee and regulate the sport. These include the Confédération Mondiale des Sports de Boules (CSMB) and the Fédération Internationale de Boules (FIB).

Americans eventually caught on to the hype after almost a century. The country has developed the World Bocce League to host several bocce ball events, such as the World Bocce Championships.

If you want to sound like you know what you’re talking about at a pickup game, learn how to pronounce “bocce” and common bocce terms.

Conclusion

Bocce ball dates back to ancient times, 5200 B.C. to be exact. Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans were traditionally accepted as the creators of bocce. They used to play bocce by throwing coconuts, stones, and wooden balls at one another or a fixed target.

However, it was during the late 19th century when bocce was officially established and embedded into our culture. Today, several international organizations oversee and regulate the sport. They are among the many reasons why bocce ball has become so popular. 

Check out some of our favorite bocce sets and learn to play bocce at the park or in your backyard!

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