Bryan Stalder
Contributor

The rhythmic clack of rolling balls and the echo of measuring calls filled the courts at the American Sons of Columbus as the 2026 men’s bocce league wrapped up another lively season. For many in the Northeast, the league at 2415 Independence Ave. is a weekly social ritual—part sport and part community gathering—where longtime friendships are anchored in Italian-American tradition.

When the final frames were played on Thursday, April 16, one team cemented their status as a local dynasty. The Four Horsemen—John Liberto, Joe Mazzeffe, Frank Pisciotta Jr., and Louie Pisciotta—captured their third consecutive league championship, riding a wave of momentum to finish at the top of a competitive field. They were followed by second-place finishers Breaka U Balls, with La Dolce Vita and Lucky 13 taking third and fourth place, respectively.

For those unfamiliar with the sport, bocce is a traditional Italian bowling game that balances precision with strategy. Players or teams compete to toss their larger, weighted balls as close as possible to a smaller target ball known as the pallino (or “the bullet”). Points are awarded based on proximity, often leading to dramatic finishes that require referees to break out the measuring tape.

The competitive energy at the club did not end with the league trophy. For the second year in a row, the venue played host to the F.A.C.E. Triples Bocce Bash, organized by local autism advocates and founders of the Foundation for Autism Collaboration and Empowerment (FACE), Dr. and Mrs. John and Savina Liberto. This year’s event drew competitors from across the country—including teams from California, Iowa, Arkansas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and New York—proving that Kansas City is becoming a premier destination for the sport.

For John and Savina Liberto, the tournament is rooted in personal experience and a desire to help other families navigating autism. “After starting our autism journey with [our son] Tommy, my wife Savina and I quickly discovered the additional costs associated with raising a neurodivergent child,” Liberto said. “Although we are fortunate enough to bear those burdens, we quickly recognized the financial strain this places on families.”

As their family explored water safety lessons, they found that adaptive swim programs were both limited and expensive. “We noticed there were very few venues that provided adaptive swim lessons, and those who did were quite expensive,” Liberto said. “That is why the Bash helps bridge that financial gap, so they can access potentially life-saving water safety lessons.”

More than just a game, the F.A.C.E. Tournament serves a vital community mission. Proceeds directly support adaptive swim and water safety instruction through the YMCA of Greater Kansas City, helping children with autism gain confidence, independence, and critical life skills.

According to Liberto, the tournament’s impact has already been significant. “Money raised from the tournament directly impacts families in the KC metro area at the YMCA of Greater KC,” he said. “We have provided grants for nearly 3,500 swim lessons serving over 70 families from nearly a dozen culturally diverse backgrounds.”

Those numbers reflect a broader mission—ensuring access to programs that might otherwise remain out of reach for many families. In that way, the bocce courts at the Sons of Columbus have become more than a place for recreation; they have become a platform for inclusion and support.

Founded in 1965, the American Sons of Columbus continues to be a cultural anchor in Kansas City, whether hosting an annual St. Joseph’s Table, sustaining the city’s bocce tradition, or opening its doors to charitable events that unite people around a common cause.

While the spring season has concluded, the courts will not stay quiet for long. If you are interested in joining this cultural community or testing your aim, the bocce leagues are scheduled to return this coming October. Until then, the Four Horsemen remain the team to beat—and the F.A.C.E. Bocce Bash stands as proof that a simple game can create lasting impact far beyond the court.