Bocce can be traced as far back as 5200 BC, when an Egyptian tomb painting depicted two young men playing the game. As ancient nations rose and fell, it spread to Greece and Rome, where it eventually became a national pastime. The sport is still very much associated with Italian culture. While it waned in popularity with the ages, it never stopped being influential in Italy. In the 1800s, as Bocce was dwindling among other European countries, Italian leader Giuseppe Garibaldi became an important force to reinvigorate the sport. The first bocce olympiad was held in Athens, Greece, signifying a new age of prosperity for the game. In the mid-20th century, Italian Umberto Granagalia took the bocce world. Most consider him to have been the best player of all time.

Most often teams are composed of no more than four people; the game can even be played in one-on-one matches. As in many sports, a coin flip determines which team will go first, and this will be the team to throw the first ball, referred to as a pallina or “jack.” This ball is smaller than the eight other balls used for play and serves as a marker similar to a target. Each team receives four balls. The object of the game is to get them as close to the pallina as possible. While these balls can be rolled, most players throw them underhand. The team closest to the pallina, or the “in team,” receives points, with one being awarded for every ball closer to the pallina than the other team’s. This ends the “frame,” and teams throw a new pallina from the opposite end of the court, continuing to play frames until the winning team scores 16 points.

While it is commonly thought of as a recreational sport, older varieties of the game, volo and raffa, are used for competitive versions of bocce. Volo is specifically played with bronze balls and raffa uses only plastic ones, but balls can be made out of any material in more casual games. All three versions were made popular in America by Italian immigrants.

Bocce has not yet earned status as an Olympic sport, a common matter of contention in the sporting world. However, it has been included in the Special Olympics since 1976, even before it became popular in America. Kansas City does not have an organized bocce team at the moment, but the Pinstripes bistro and bowling alley in Overland Park’s Prairiefire shopping area is a popular local destination for recreational play.

Curling matches begin with a handshake and coin flip to determine which team will make the first attempt at scoring. Two large targets, called “homes,” are laid out on either side of the field. Players must try to shove stones as close to the bullseye as possible. These stones must weigh 44 pounds and most are made out of granite.

Similar to a relay, each member of the team is assigned a certain time to make scoring attempts, with the “lead” of each team going first and the team captain, or “skip,” making the final play. When all eight stones have been moved to one of the targets, at least one point is given to the team who was able to score closest to the bullseye. There is an occasional opportunity for more if two or more stones from the same team come equally close. This marks the “end,” a term used to divide the game into several rounds similar to sets in tennis or innings in baseball. Ends can range from eight to 12 in number. International matches set at exactly 10 ends per game.

Another notable part of the game is the way the skips guide their teams. Before they make the final shots, they stand by the targets and yell to their teammates. This is meant as a signal to use the brush, a sort of ice broom that can enhance the distance of each stone. This strategy is often employed to give either team a competitive advantage. Other techniques used to win include various types of shots—guards, which land directly in the middle of the target in order to block it; takeouts, which can bump the other team’s stone out of scoring position; and draws, typical curling scoring shots.

Scotland and Canada remain the most prevalent countries for curling, but the United States is edging in on the sport’s increasing in popularity. While curling clubs have existed here since the 19th century, the first American championship was held in Chicago in 1957. Organizations for the sport now exist all over America. A multitude of league events happen in Kansas City as springtime approaches.

However, the impact of curling is hardly limited to a few countries, with much of Western Europe boasting teams. It has gained added prominence since 1998, when it was first instated as an official Olympic event for both men and women in Nagano, Japan.

The sport of cheese rolling is pretty much exactly what its title suggests. A roll of Double Gloucester cheese, weighing around 10 pounds depending on the contest, is rolled down a hill. Participants then chase the cheese. Whoever reaches the bottom of the hill first wins the race. The theoretical goal is to catch the cheese, but its head start and ability to reach very high speeds due to the aerodynamics of wheels make this next to impossible.

The history of cheese rolling is unclear. However, the place that popularized the event is determinedly known: Cooper Hill near Gloucester, England. Here, it takes place at every Spring Bank Holiday, a day when banks close and workers are generally given a day off. Participation was originally limited to locals, but this has greatly expanded due to the sport’s increasing global popularity.

For the 25 years leading up to 2009, when the officially organized event was cancelled due to injuries that had resulted over the years as well as crowd control problems, local cheesemaker Diana Smart provided the official cheese roll. While her desire to participate was not stunted, local police threats of liability led her to end her partnership.

The event has continued unofficially since then. The passion for cheese just won’t die.

27-year-old Colorado native Kenny Rackers won the 2013 contest.

Cheese rolling has spread from its origin. Events have sprouted up elsewhere surrounding the sport. A contest is held annually in Whistler Village, Canada. Entry is free of charge. An entire festival is centered around the competition, pointing to its pop-cultural appeal.

It is difficult to take seriously the idea of throwing logs across a field. However, the caber toss requires far more skill, strength and thought than I initially assumed. The tosser begins by selecting one of the available logs, which has been rounded at one end for gripping, and leaning it against his body. Weighing up to 180 pounds, these logs are more than difficult to balance. Any minor mistake in adjusting the log will completely ruin the throw. The individual then takes the 20-foot long log and begins to run forward as quickly as can be safely managed. Once the necessary speed has been reached, the thrower lifts the log from its base and begins to flip it over its top. Because the log is so large, it is necessary to allow gravity to push the log. This allows the thrower to avoid using up strength in a vain attempt to push the log outward.

The caber toss is a game of accuracy. If the thrower is facing directly forward, the goal is to have the caber land in a straight line in front of him. The toss is scored by the degree to which the caber lines up with the thrower.

It is difficult to grasp the skill associated with landing a “perfect” throw. The mix of strength and instinct necessary even to lift and balance the caber, much less throw it, completely escapes me. However, that does not mean that I cannot enjoy the spectacle, especially through the countless videos documenting the sport online. As popular and entertaining as our American sports may be, it is worthwhile to explore new sports that could draw in even more U.S. enthusiasts.

Photo courtesy of: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tomsaint/3415460772