Special Olympics Maryland hosts bocce ball tournament

SALISBURY, MD. – Folks participating in the special Olympics bocce ball tournament are bringing out their competitive side to win the prize, and that’s just how they roll.

Bocce ball player, Samantha Damiano, said the sport brought her and her teammates together.

“It’s fun. It’s a lot of sportsmanship and concentration, and everybody’s just having a good time out here,” Damiano said.

The Maryland Special Olympics let the good times roll in Salisbury with a first of its kind bocce ball tournament.

Event organizer, Kyler Mellot, said the participants have been preparing for this event ever since they found out about it.

“We went to them and said, ‘Hey, we want to provide this opportunity for you, within your day programs.’ Gave them all the resources to be able to practice and train, then it results in this culminating event for everyone to come together and play against each other,” Mellot said.

Sandra Hope, coach of Lower Shore Enterprises, said a friendly game of bocce ball was the perfect way to bring different organizations together.

“It’s exciting to be in this event with them and just to see them enjoy and have fun with each other,” Hope said.

For Sebastian Harmon, the people playing alongside him aren’t just teammates.

“You guys are like family to me, and I’m family to you guys,” Harmon said. “You don’t have to be related to be a family.”