About 40 boccie players got together for their banquet at the Prata Society, located at 29 Walnut Grove Ave, Cranston . The food was prepared by Ralph’s catering and it was like eating at a wedding. The food was five courses and there was wine on the tables.

This was a winter league that ran from November to March with eight teams for 21 weeks.

The league was run by Chairman Brian Spatola, Treasurer Mike Tanzi, Vice-Chairman Pat Genco and Secretary Dennis Saccocia.

Each team had a manager and five players — a mixture of older and younger men who were just supposed to be enjoying themselves. But once the game gets started the real personalities come out. Some just want to win and others are there for fun. The big weapon is the tape measure and who is measuring for the point.

This is an inside court and a very hard surface to roll on. One of the biggest jobs on each team is to be the hitter and knock out the other team’s balls. The last person would roll in for the point. The problem is on any night you either have it or not. Just like the pitcher in baseball. The ball just does not go where you throw it. My team came in sixth place and I just don’t get all the competitive stress for nothing.

Editor’s Note: Louis J. Spremulli regularly submits pieces to the Johnston Sun Rise, specializing in coverage of the region’s Italian American culture.