By Joel Williams
Published: May, 2014
In February, an unassuming rolling blackboard appeared in front of the Bay Crossings store in the historic San Francisco Ferry Building. That sign invited the public to "join the Ferry Bocce League."
Within a few weeks, there was not only enough interest to get the league started, there were 36 teams registered and a waiting list for the second season. Last month, play started at the bocce ball courts located in Justin Herman Plaza, just across the street from the Ferry Building, and the league shows all signs that it will be a successful venture, with a summer season already in the works.
Original plans to install a small band shell for public performances at Justin Herman Plaza never materialized, leaving a large grassy area intended for that purpose unused. The City sought alternative uses for the space, with the bocce ball courts being the brainchild of former Mayor Gavin Newsom. The actual installation was spearheaded by Platinum Advisors President Chris Gruwell with support from salesforce.com and LiUNA Local Union No. 261. At the time of the courts’ installation, Gruwell and bocce ball pro Benji Tosi wanted to start a league, and Bay Crossings realized their vision by stepping forward to help organize the proceedings. On April 7, the Ferry Bocce League officially began play.
Tosi, an accomplished bocce ball player who regularly appears in international championships, now serves as the resident bocce ball pro. He attends the matches and serves as the official referee, but also provides guidance to anyone who needs assistance. The league keeps score and records wins and losses, but the emphasis is decidedly on providing fun and a social opportunity for people working and living in the Financial District/Foot of Market.
According to Tosi, bocce ball has always been very popular in the Bay Area, with an abundant amount of local players and leagues due to the pronounced Italian migration from Genoa—where bocce ball was quite prevalent. Tosi has also noticed a recent resurgence in the number of players, leagues and courts installed in local wineries, restaurants and parks. "Bocce is now very hip in the Bay Area," he said.
"What’s great about this league is that we are using these courts and it is bringing the community out," Tosi continued. "It’s displaying the game in a public forum and the quality of bocce ball is very good."
Tosi is also floored by the location: "I’ve represented the United States on five continents and I’ve seen some nice locations, but this is one of the top locations I’ve been to." He also has a personal goal of seeing the Justin Herman location host an international tournament in the future.
The basic rules of the game involve throwing the larger balls as close to a smaller ball (the pallino) as possible. Only the team with the closest ball to the pallino can score points in each frame, with one point for each ball that is closer to the pallino than the closet ball of the opposing team.
Ferry Bocce League teams consist of four players in addition to four alternates so that—given everyone’s scheduling realities—all of a team’s members do not need to attend every match. Matches are held Monday through Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Those interested in participating in the summer season, tentatively set to begin in mid-June, should visit www.ferrybocce.com. Demand is expected to be quite heavy.
