Dianne Reed
What are those sounds I hear? There are muffled voices emanating from the southern Championship area: moans and groans of agony, screams of euphoria, and epithets of displeasure. What are these sounds? The noise is coming from the bocce ball players practicing for the big marathon that begins in January. Last year, 48 teams competed on four leagues, and this year, even more SunBird residents are expected to participate. The sounds you hear are the ecstasy of a carom off the side wall to position the ball closer to the pallino. The groans of displeasure could be caused by a measurement that comes up just a fraction short. The screams of delight arise when the ball actually bumps your opponent’s ball, sending it out of contention. The moans might come from the stretching and creaking bones that have been dormant since last year’s marathon.
If you are looking for something to do any time of the day, come to the bocce ball courts at the intersection of Championship and Kirby Farms. Bocce ball dates back to Roman times and is one of the oldest ball games on earth. SunBird residents are participating in a long history of a fascinating game.
The 2020 Bocce Ball Marathon will begin on Jan. 11 and run through March 15. Two-person teams will compete for cash prizes and bragging rights as SunBird’s finest rollers. Everyone is encouraged to participate. Marathon information and registration forms are available in the Activities kiosk in the SunBird clubhouse. Registration must be completed by Jan. 3.
Mark your calendars for the kickoff event for the 2020 Marathon. It will be held on Saturday, Jan. 11, at 10 a.m. in the SunBird Ballroom. At that meeting, you will have a chance to meet the folks on your league and exchange play times. We will also have a short discussion of the rules and any changes to the marathon for 2020.
The bocce ball courts located at the intersection of Championship Drive and Kerby Farms Road are available for your use daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Equipment is located in the bench seat at the south side. The rules of the game are posted on the bulletin board or are easily found on the Internet if you want to study up. If you are new to the game, the Bocce Ball Club plays every Thursday morning at 9 a.m. to practice, teach, and encourage new participants.