Spring is in the air that means only one thing, Bocce season is upon us. In honor of the start of the bocce season we’re offering our readers $5 off any bocce set from now until Memorial Day. As always, join us and other bocce enthusiasts on Facebook and Twitter for the latest bocce happenings!

Bocce’s a game that is enjoyed with great food and drink. After all, what other game can you play with a wine glass or ice cream cone in hand? Over the next few months BocceLife.com will examine the best food and drink to complement your next bocce game. Today we’re posting an Italian Chocolate Gelato recipe that is to die for.  Nothing feels more Italian than bocce and homemade gelato on hot summer day. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup sugar, plus 1/4 cup
• 4 egg yolks
• 1/2 cup Nutella chocolate-hazelnut spread
• 1/2 cup toasted hazelnuts, crushed, for garnish (optional)

Directions

In a saucepan combine the milk, cream, and 1/2 cup sugar over medium heat. Cook until the sugar dissolves – 5 minutes

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl whip the egg yolks with the remaining sugar using a mixer until the eggs have become thick yellow – 4 minutes

Pour 1/2 cup of the warm milk and cream mixture into the egg mixture and stir. Add this mixture back into the saucepan. Cook over very low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture becomes thick enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon – 7 to 10 minutes

Place a strainer over a medium bowl and pour the warm custard mixture through the strainer. Stir in the vanilla and hazelnut spread until it dissolves. Chill mixture completely before pouring into an ice cream maker and follow manufacturer’s instructions to freeze. To serve, scoop gelato into serving bowls and top with hazelnuts.

This recipe is from www.recipes.com

Bocce’s origins go all the way back to Rome in 800 B.C. when Romans began throwing polished stones at rock targets. Since then the game has exploded in popularity and become a national pastime in Italy. Not surprisingly, many of the best bocce ball sets on the market today are made in Italy.

Perfetta bocce balls are considered by many to be the Rolls-Royce of bocce balls, and in our testing this proved to be more than accurate. During testing no other ball rolled truer than Perfetta. With their special blend composition, the Perfetta balls were the only ones that came out of testing with no scratches, nicks or cracks. Better yet, Perfetta bocce ball sets are warranted for 10 years against splits or cracks.

The bottom line: If you want to play bocce like the Italians play, the only way to play is with Perfetta.

What’s your experience playing with Perfetta bocce sets?

When playing tournament bocce there’s a few things to keep in mind. First, you’ll need to make sure the balls are the correct size and weight. According to the Bocce Standards Association, official tournament bocce sets measure 107mm in diameter and weigh 2 lbs. Secondly, make sure you buy a set that can take some punishment. In tournament or competitive bocce you’ll usually find a lot of heavy hitters and the last thing you want are cheap balls that will split or crack after a few games.

So what set should you buy for your next bocce tournament? The bocce experts at BocceLife have tested and played with the top tournament bocce ball sets on the market. Out of all of them Bocce Ball Sets by EPCO came out on top for their durability, adherence to tournament bocce standards and the relatively low price compared to other tournament bocce sets. Epco manufacturers two bocce sets that measure 107mm in diameter, a Mableized Bocce Ball Set and 107mm Tournament Bocce Set. Both sets can withstand heavy hits and knocking and are slightly cheaper than other tournament sets on the market. All in all, EPCO has ideal bocce sets for tournament play.

What about you? What bocce sets do you use in tournament play?

The rules of bocce you follow really depends on the type of bocce you’re playing. For instance, tournament bocce played on regulation courts have much different rules than you would follow when playing on the grass in your backyard. Detailed below are basic rules that can be followed when playing on any surface. For a more detailed description of bocce ball rules and how to play bocce, visit boccelife.com.

Bocce Rules

Bocce is played with 2-8 players. All bocce sets have different colors and designs. Each bocce player should use a color or design that is unique from other players so that each players ball can be easily distinguished.

A player is chosen at random to throw the pallino (the small ball) which is the first ball put into play and is thrown underhand. Whoever throws the pallino will put the first bocce ball into play. The first ball thrown is considered to be “inside.” Meaning the ball closest to the pallino. All other players should take turns throwing until one of their bocce balls gets closer to the pallino than the “inside” player. After all balls are thrown the person that is closest to the pallino will be awarded 1 point for each ball that is closer than the closest competitor’s ball. Play continues until one person reaches a score of 12.

After watching Curling in the recent Winter Olympics, many started referring to it as “Bocce on ice.” Well if Bocce on ice is an Olympic sport what about real Bocce!?  After all, even Ping Pong is an Olympic sport.

Bocce is a game that is loved and respected by millions throughout the world. It’s time that bocce take its rightful place in the Olympics. To help the cause BocceLife has started a petition to make Bocce an offical Olympic sport. Sign the petition and help make Bocce an Olympic sport!

What’s the best bocce set for your money? It really depends on a number of factors. Do you play on a bocce court, the beach or in your backyard? Are you an advanced, intermediate or beginner player? As a consumer you have a lot of choices. The bocce enthusiasts at BocceLife.com have played with, researched and tested the best bocce sets on the market. Over the next few weeks we’ll  examine a number of bocce sets and help you pick the best set for your game.

Best Bocce Set for less: Halex Premier Bocce Set – 107mm

Halex is not necessarily known for it’s bocce sets, but they deliver the goods with this intermediate set. Priced between $48-$60 this set provides the feel of a professional set for less. The versatile set can be played on most surfaces and is ideal for the backyard BBQ player. The only drawback is it’s durability. If you’re a heavy hitter you’re probably better off with a more advanced set. But all in all, if you’re on a budget and want a set for your next backyard BBQ this is the set for you.

Enough of what we think. What’s your favorite bocce set for less?

Bocce Balls make great holiday gifts. Don’t forget to visit www.boccelife.com where you can find bocce sets up to 50% off!

Boccelife.com is proud to announce that Halex Bocce Ball sets are now available for purchase. Halex bocce balls are ideal for family competition in the backyard, beach or bocce court.  The Halex 115mm Platinum Bocce Set, Halex 107mm Premier Bocce Ball Set and the Halex 10omm Select Bocce Ball Set are all available on boccelife.com.

About Halex

Halex is a leading manufacturer of sporting goods equipment. For over 60 years, Halex has offered outdoor games, baseball gloves and equipment, basketballs, soccer balls, accessories and footballs.

Welcome to the official Bocce Life blog. Here we’ll be posting interesting bocce news stories, funny bocce videos and information about bocce ball tournaments around the country. From time to time, we’ll also post bocce ball set reviews and exclusive coupons for boccelife.com.

If you love bocce as much as we do, you’re in the right place. Make sure to check back often for updates.