Grace & Truth SportsPark is a beehive of activity in the summer; it hosted six soccer games and five baseball games on just one recent evening.  It’s a place for those who enjoy being active, with soccer, baseball, flag football and Joshua’s Paintball Jungle, where people dodge trees and each other to “Capture the Flag”.

Two new additions will provide something for those who choose not to run, jump, kick or swing a bat.  At the Spirit of America Celebration on July 4, the SportsPark anticipates the opening of official Croquet and Bocce courts, where many will be able to test their skills in still challenging but less wearing pursuits.

 Croquet, often considered a diversion of days gone by – or a summer evening in grandma’s back yard, playing not so much by rules, as for the hope to whack your cousin’s ball into the next block – is reinventing itself in the form of golf croquet and six-wicket croquet. Six-wicket croquet is played all over the world, with intense national and international tournaments.  International/British croquet uses just four balls and two to four players and involves strategy and advanced shot-making skills. Spectators become armchair quarterbacks, and the more you know about the game, the more exciting it becomes.

Bocce, also called Italian Lawn Bowling, requires skill, strategy, and a little luck!  It is one of the best games to play outside on a beautiful day, and it can involve whole families, or just a few paesan, in this exacting game of accuracy.

Pastor George Grace, senior pastor of First Bible Baptist Church believes these additions will add a new dimension to the SportsPark for the community.  July 4 will be Kick-off Day for both croquet and bocce. The month of July will be filled with golf croquet, six-wicket croquet, and a division for pro bocce. The courts will be for use by responsible adults 18 to 95 years of age. While young folks play soccer and baseball, their parents will wish to be involved at these two new venues.

Note:
Bocci Ball and Croquet will open registration on the 4th of July at the SportsPark. There will be a Lawn Club tent on the East side of the park. There is no charge to participate, however you must be 18 or older. Times and dates are TBD. Questions, contact Norm Pike at 392-0665