Posted by Allen Bell on February 10, 2012 0 Comments
Roses? A box of chocolates? A love poem scribbled on
parchment paper? Yikes, it’s almost Valentine’s Day and you haven’t gotten a
gift for the significant other in your life—what are you going to do now? Calm
down, take a breath: We got this.
Take your guy or girl to the beach and play some Beach Bocce
Ball. Heck, have a party at the beach. So what if it’s February. We both know
it’s warm enough for outdoor recreation, so get out there and play. You see, a game is a win-win proposition. You can’t
go wrong. Roses? Roses die. Chocolates get eaten. Love poems are what you wrote
in high school. A game is just pure, unadulterated fun. So many of us stress about what to get for the people we care
about. Make it easy this time around, and give the gift of a good time.
Here’s what you do: Start with breakfast in bed. Keep it
basic, like eggs, toast, and coffee. Put a beach bocce ball in a bowl, just as
if it’s a grapefruit. When your S.O. gives you that “huh?” look, all you have
to say is “Get dressed—it’s game day.”
Head to the beach. Take your camera so you can capture some
nice memories. Take along a bottle of bubbly. Most of all, have a good time. If
you see other folks enjoying the beach, then invite them to play along. This is
kind of our mantra: Beach Bocce Ball isn’t about winning or losing, it’s about
fun, friendship, and good spirits.
So quit stressing already. Turn your romance up to 11 with
bocce at the beach. Leave the roses, sappy cards, and candlelit dinners where
you can’t see the menu to all the other schlubs.
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Posted by Allen Bell on February 03, 2012 0 Comments
What do all great party games have in common? Let’s see: Smiles.
Laughter. Cold Drinks. The Great Outdoors (or The Great Backyard). Yes, even
the decidedly uncool High Five. You'll find all of these things and more at a friendly
game of Beach Bocce Ball. What you won't find: Boredom, Tears, or the Agony of
Defeat. Beach Bocce has no room for Debbie Downers.
You see, Beach Bocce Ball isn't a competition as we normally
think of it—it's not about besting everyone in your neighborhood. It's about
bringing people—friends, family, strangers—together for a great time. So the
next time you’re planning a fun party at the beach, bring along your Beach
Bocce set.
Believe it or not, you'll find yourself getting more
enjoyment out of the game of Beach Bocce when you let go of that competitive
mindset. Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and find your inner peace; That's
right, you've found the Beach Bocce State of Mind.
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Posted by Allen Bell on January 27, 2012 0 Comments
Are you feeling tired, bored, lethargic? Has watching
television lost its thrill? Has your skin turned pale, and do you habitually
avoid sunlight? If you answer yes to any of these questions, then you may be suffering
from chronic dullness. Thankfully, there's a solution to this condition that's
painless, inexpensive, and guaranteed to relieve symptoms almost immediately.
If you're between the ages of 1 and 99, then Beach Bocce Ball
can help ease the symptoms of chronic dullness. Beach Bocce Ball is not a pill. You don't have to stick your
finger or wear a monitor. Instead, it's a game for adults and kids that you can play anywhere, anytime you
need a dose of fun.
At the beach, in the park, or in your backyard—anywhere
outdoors is fine for Beach Bocce Ball. While you can play by yourself, Beach
Bocce Ball is much more effective when played with others. In as little as one
day, you may shake those pesky feelings of boredom and dullness.
Beach Bocce Ball may be habit-forming. You may find yourself
laughing and smiling more than usual. This is normal. Your friends may want to
hang out more often. This too is normal. While it may feel strange at first,
your renewed sense of pleasure is sure to grow on you.
There's no reason you have to keep suffering from
dullness. Beach Bocce Ball is just the thing to restore your mood and get you
on your feet again.
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Posted by Allen Bell on January 21, 2012 0 Comments
Of all leisure sports,
Beach Bocce Ball is by far the most leisurely. There's no book of rules to
memorize or carry around. There's no dress code. Weather (almost) never has to
get in the way of a game. Stress? Forget about it. Practice? Hey, that's up to
you. When it comes to Beach Bocce Ball, your biggest “worry” is making sure you
bring enough chairs and cold drinks to keep the crew relaxing all day.
When it comes to outdoor
recreation, the ancient Romans were on to something. And no, I'm not
talking about Gladiatorial combat. They knew that the best way to have fun
during your down time is to keep it simple. Few rules, little competition, and
no sweat are the recipe for a nearly perfect game. Beach Bocce Ball also makes
a great diversion during family outings, corporate events, or just a lazy day
at the shore. Look up the phrase “leisure
sports” in the dictionary and you just might find a description of Beach
Bocce Ball!
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Posted by Allen Bell on December 31, 2011 0 Comments
Another year has come and gone. Can you believe it? This may
even be our last year on Earth, if the Mayans have anything to say about it.
Have you made your list of New Year's resolutions? How many of those do you really
plan on keeping? That's okay—we probably won't keep ours either.
Resolutions are made to be broken. We always set the bar too high.
Why not take the pressure off and just resolve to have fun
this year? Take that vacation you've been putting off. Head to the park instead
of parking yourself on the couch. Invite some pals over and play Beach Bocce
Ball. In short, live a little. Life's too short to be surgically attached to
your smart phone updating your Facebook status. If the world does come to a
crashing halt, at least you can say you had fun.
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Posted by Allen Bell on December 25, 2011 0 Comments
The holidays are wonderful, because they give us a chance to
slow down, reflect and appreciate what we value most in our lives—especially family
and friends. Soon, you'll be opening presents, eating more than you should, and
perhaps stoking a fire.
The holidays inspire fun, laughter, and most of all,
togetherness. And that's the spirit of Beach Bocce. If the weather's not too
frightful, take your family and friends outside for a casual game of bocce, in
the snow, on a beach – wherever you live. With Beach Bocce, you can carry the
holiday spirit with you year-round.
From all of us here to all of you out there, Happy Holidays.
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Posted by Allen Bell on December 22, 2011 0 Comments
Baby, it's cold outside. It’s December 22 and officially
winter 2011, though many of you have been shoveling snow for a month. Just take your mind back to your favorite
summer beach, and entice your gang outside for some beach bocce shenanigans. They
may need to be coerced a bit to brave the elements, so we’ve got some “cool”
ideas to put together a showstopper of a Beach Bocce party - no matter how low
the mercury drops.
•
Hot Drinks: Why stop with hot coffee? Sweeten
things up with hot cocoa and a cinnamon stick. For another twist, try hot apple
cider, hot orange juice, or hot coffee with ginger or orange zest. Get creative
and don't worry about it.
•
Hot Food: Keep the belly fires stoked when those
winter winds blow. (Good thing those beach bocce balls are heavy and steady in
rough air). Serve up hot dogs and
hamburgers if you want to bring back summer memories. Or, go with hot soup and
homemade chili for traditional, hearty fare. Either way, good food helps you
stay warm and energized, which you'll need for your best beach bocce stroke in
cold air.
•
Bonfire: Nothing beats a roaring flame to drive
away Old Jack Frost. When you're not rolling beach bocce balls, warm your mitts
by the fire and swap war stories with friends. After all, the whole point of a
beach bocce party is to bring people together. Just be sure you take fire
safety measures and don’t break any laws.
•
Stay Close: During the cold season, you probably
don't want to stray too far from the warmth of home. With that in mind, choose
a beach or park for your beach bocce party that's no more than a few minutes away.
If the cold air bites, shelter will be
close at hand.
•
Make a Game of It: It’s cold!
Even with nourishment, those minds and muscles may need motivation. So take your game up a notch above summer
casual. Host a tournament. Get those
players focused on a Winter Winner
takes all tournament.
Think about it: You may just start a tradition of wintertime
beach bocce. A Hatteras Ho-Down or Cape Cod Bocce Bowl may be just the thing to
put a little summer in your winter.
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Posted by Allen Bell on December 18, 2011 0 Comments
It's the simplest games that have both the richest history
and the greatest appeal to the masses. While the exact origins of bocce aren't
clear, the game may have roots going back 7,000 years. We know that Italian
immigrants in the 19th century brought the game to America, and for
decades bocce leagues in Italian communities have sustained a bit of Old World
culture.
Recently, the younger generation has taken up the call of
bocce. They grew up watching their elders play on neighborhood courts, and want
to continue the tradition. In Italian-American enclaves across the east coast,
but especially New York and New Jersey, young people have rekindled the age-old
appreciation for bocce. It's only natural that this renaissance should include
Beach Bocce as well. After all, Beach Bocce is a modern and youthful twist on
the classic game.
In a way, Beach Bocce takes the game back to its roots. It's
possible that thousands of years ago people played a bocce-like game on warm,
sandy beaches. Ancient fishermen and warriors needed R&R just like people
today. Why not Beach Bocce?
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Posted by Allen Bell on December 09, 2011 0 Comments
Whether you roll or toss, good form makes the difference
between a great shot and an okay shot. With flawless bocce form, you will
impress your friends and strike fear into your rivals. If you can’t get out to
play beach bocce every day, you can still improve your technique at home. Just
stand in the center of your living room and strike that bocce pose.
A quality bocce shot starts with the feet and works upward.
Take a step forward and bend at the knee. You want to get as low to the ground
as possible when you release the ball. Swing your arm backward and forward
gently like a pendulum. The smoother and steadier you can make your arm motion,
the more consistent your shot making will be. Most importantly, be sure to keep
your eyes on the target the whole time.
In soft, sugary sand, a toss might work best. A roll might
not cover the distance to the target ball.
Nothing’s more frustrating than a beach bocce ball stuck in the sand. On
firm sand, you can try out your backhand technique, also called an inverted
shot. The hand controls the ball's direction, speed and distance, so it is
important that the ball is held with a good grip. With the back of your hand
facing the target, you’ll give some backspin to the ball at the release point. Backspin
slows the ball down on a fast surface.
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Posted by Allen Bell on December 02, 2011 0 Comments
Like most casual games, Beach Bocce has a way of bringing
out each player’s personality. You’ll notice the assertive types may toss their
balls rather than roll them. More reserve players will try to get close to
the jack without knocking fellow players out of the way. Those deep thinkers often contemplate ball
positions for minutes on end before taking their turn. And order-obsessed
players will fixate on ball patterns and groupings over scoring strategies.
Get to know someone over a game of Beach Bocce. You might be surprised at what you can learn about
your friends from a deceptively simple game. Use their traits to your
advantage. Just remember it is okay if you find your own personality
falls in the realm of “it’s just a game.” Celebrate the victor and enjoy the
bigger win: a great time shared with family and friends over a casual game of
Beach Bocce.
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