Unified Bocce ball team practice on a Tuesday afternoon definitely has a different atmosphere than any other sports practice. Ms. Susan Delizia, the Bocce ball coach, who also works in the special education department, greets everyone with a warm smile. Everyone knows each other, and there’s no competitive atmosphere.
Senior Mary Kate Hall describes the team as “Good sportsmanship with lots of support from everyone.” She also says that “being on this team is the best decision I’ve made in my high school career” and her partner, a smiling senior, Trent Cope, says that being a part of the Unified bocce ball team has helped him gain more confidence and meet and make lifelong friends from other schools.
Robyn Lafferty, mother of Erin Lafferty who is on the team, says, “I see Unified Sports as a bridge for all kids to enhance their confidence and shine.”
Bocce ball originated in Italy and is sometimes called “lawn bowling.” The object of the sport is to toss the baseball sized balls in a large confined court to reach the smaller ball, known as the “pallina.”
In Unified Bocce ball, each player has a partner, composing a team of four. At a recent match against Walkersville High School, the participants demonstrated that this team is unlike any other—it doesn’t focus on winning.
“Although we do keep score, we really don’t emphasize which team won, as we look at these matches as ‘practice’ for the district and state tournaments. But if I really had to say, I think WE won!” Delizia says. The district tournament is at Oakdale High School on February 5th, and the state game is at Hagerstown Community College on Thursday, February 13th.
The bocce ball team doesn’t have a problem of not enough players. They have too many. The team designates a player for each special needs student, so the game can have two pairs of partners when competing.
“Not everyone gets to play every game, and that’s where the support comes in,” Hall says.
Delizia describes watching the partners working together as “unbelievably fantastic” and says being a part of the team has made her a happier person. “I’m blessed and honored to be part of this.”
On Thursay, February 6th the team won 1st and 2nd in their respective divisions at the Special Olympics Bocce ball tournament. Gold medalists on team #2 include Joe Morris, Mary Kate Hall, Jonathan Slaughter, Sydney Rossman, Sarah Webber, and Natalie Smith. The following people on team #2 receiving a silver medal include Trent Cope, Alexa Baughman, Owen Gamba, Michelle Weddle, Jacob Gleason, Abigail Hiltke, Kevin Kluetz, and Erin Lafferty.
If you’re interested in Unified sports, there’s still another chance to sign up. Unified Track and Field is offered in the spring beginning in March.
