Those in the mood for a game or looking for an activity to keep party guests entertained need look no further. Just give Pavicich—a longtime Los Gatos resident, a volunteer with the Special Olympics and a member of the Los Gatos Bocce Club—a call, and he'll have his equipment delivered and installed in almost any location, whether it's a resident's home or a corporate office building.

That's right—players no longer have to leave home or work to play the game, thanks to Bocce4U, a portable, full-service bocce ball company.

It was in early 2003 that Pavicich and his wife, Sally, both avid bocce athletes, turned their passion for the sport into a full-time business. The couple came up with the idea while researching possible sites and activities for one of Sally's company parties.

"We wanted to do something different," Pavicich says. "Everybody's done the typical casino night deal. Then we thought about having a pool party, but couldn't imagine seeing the vice president or senior vice president of a company in a bathing suit. Bocce seemed to be the perfect solution."

The game may not be a typical American sport, but it's definitely becoming a trend in several communities. There are bocce ball tournaments held annually throughout the United States. In addition, the game has been included in the Special Olympics and may be added to the regular Olympics, according to the World Bocce Association.

"The game itself is a lot harder than it looks," says Sidney Long, who hired Pavicich to entertain guests at her boyfriend's 55th birthday party, themed My Boyfriend's Big Fat Italian Birthday. "But the good part is, you don't have to be terribly skilled to play. You can still have fun even if you're not the best player."

A mix between bowling and pool, the objective is to throw or roll a 3-pound ball as close as possible to the neutral ball, called a pallino.

"The game adds value to a family-oriented event," Long says. "It ended up being a real focal point during the party. Young or old, small or big, it's a game that pretty much everyone can participate in."

Being gender and age friendly is what Pavicich says he likes about the sport.

"Bocce ball is not just for the young and athletic, unlike other sports," he says. "In pool or bowling, an elderly person can hurt his or her back bending over, and in volleyball someone can twist a knee."

Safety may be one thing to consider about bocce ball, but Donna Peterson, the senior catering and conferences services manager at Seascape Resort in Aptos, says having the option of using Pavicich's services is an added plus to the business. The resort, which is a popular spot for corporate parties, has used Bocce4U three times so far.

"Bocce ball is becoming a popular request among our clients," Peterson says. "We've actually lost clients in the past because we didn't offer this particular service."

"It's a great team-building experience," Peterson says. "I've seen CEOs playing side by side with lower management employees. It gives them a chance to bond."

It also allows Pavicich to become better acquainted with his clients. He goes to every event to make sure things run smoothly and to teach beginners the art of the game—the game he loves.

To learn more about Bocce4U, visit www.bocce4u.com.