A few years ago, Kyle Fernley and Sam Holloschutz had never played bocce before. This summer, they came together to start a bocce league in Fairmount.

  The All-American Liberty League’s season lasts from July 13th to August 23rd including six regular-season games for each team and two weeks of elimination-style playoffs. Games are played every Wednesday night at Triangle Park along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and in the shadow of the Art Museum.  

  “It’s such a beautiful part of the area and it’s the perfect spot for bocce,” Fernley said.

  Holloschutz and Fernley wanted to continue the  hobby and introduce new players to the game after the last league they played in folded.  

  “It’s really easy for a sport,” Holloschutz said. “It doesn’t really take any athleticism. It’s easy to pick up and anyone can play.”

  The ease of the game means people of any age or athletic ability can participate. However, all players in the league must be 21 to ensure they fully enjoy drink specials at the league’s sponsor bar The Black Taxi (745-747 N. 25th St.) after games every week.

   The All-American Liberty League will also be donating a portion of its proceeds to the Fairmount Civic Association. The FCA’s dedication to improving civic, recreational, economic, educational and cultural aspects within Fairmount inspired Fernley and Holloschutz to donate to its cause.

  “It’s our civic responsibility as Philadelphians to give back to our community regardless of where that is. What better place to give back than where we are starting the league?” Fernley said.

  As the head of the FCA’s Neighborhood Improvement Committee and block captain of the 800th block on N. 29th St., Holloschutz hopes the league’s donations help keep Fairmount beautiful.

  “It’s the best neighborhood,” Holloschutz added. “There’s so much green space there. … As someone who lives in the city but craves nature, that’s where you want to live if you can. I want to help maintain that.”

  The bocce league is also a way for Fairmount’s abundance of green space Holloschutz mentioned to be put to use.

  Holloschutz and Fernley want to introduce bocce to communities across the city while continuing to make donations to local organizations.

  “No matter where you are in Fairmount, you’re always seeing someone you know,” Fernley said. “I think that’s what’s so great about the area. I think that spirit can spread into other areas. … We just hope the game of bocce can do that for other people.”

  For Fernley and Holloschutz, bocce’s widespread appeal is simple. The sport is just plain fun.

  “You see all these Millennials who come home and are exhausted,” Fernley said. “They sit on the couch and drink a couple beers. This is an opportunity for them to get out and really experience all that Philadelphia has to offer.”

  Fernley and Holloschutz want to breed community within Fairmount by giving residents a chance to socialize. About 90 people signed up to participate in the bocce league. Holloschutz estimated about 95 percent of the players reside in Fairmount.

  “We can be competitive but at the end of the day, it’s all about locals having a good time and being able to play some bocce while they’re at it,” Fernley said. “We just want to give the opportunity back to other Fairmounters because we were given that opportunity originally.”

  “It’s that kind of game,” Holloschutz agreed. “You’re outside. It’s a calm atmosphere. It doesn’t take too much skill. It’s the best.”

  On the night of the league’s first game, bocce rookies and veterans gathered at the park with beers in hand and dogs on leashes. With the sun setting over Eakins Oval behind him, first-timer Robert Berschad agreed with Fernley and Holloschutz’s sentiments.

 “Bringing the community together makes everyone stronger in the end,” he said.