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The 2017 Linear Bocce North American Championship is Oct. 7 in Indianapolis.

Players are invited to enter now.

Linear bocce tickets:Your quest for the North American Championship begins here

It will be the seventh official competition in this nascent sport founded by IndyStar reporter Will Higgins.

Linear bocce is bocce, but with a twist. It's played in back alleys — and in one direction. Traditional bocce, typically played in an enclosed court-type thingee 60 feet by 8 feet, goes back and forth, like cornhole or horseshoes. Linear bocce goes only forth, like golf. So you start in, say, the 4200 block and finish in the 4400 block — or however far you get.

Linear bocce is timed. The game lasts 90 minutes. The clock runs continuously. You'd have to be in unthinkably poor physical condition to need a timeout in linear bocce.

The game is played in foursomes. If you come in a group of four, that's best. But if you come alone, no problem because we’ll match you with others. Linear bocce is social — nobody rolls alone.

Everybody needs to bring their own bocce balls — three balls per person. Everybody needs to come attired in some neckwear, too, like a tie, or an ascot, or a scarf or whatever. One time a guy came in one of those neck braces people wear to court, which was fine. 

Players are encouraged to bring food and drink, too, or at least drink. It works best if you have a little red wagon, or something like that, so you don't have to carry your food and drink along the course.

Location: Meet at 3 p.m. Oct. 7 in the parking lot behind the College Avenue Branch of the Indianapolis Public Library, 4180 N. College Ave.

Instructions: Players must furnish their own bocce balls (bring extras because some people forget, and you can lend them some).

Regarding rules and that kind of thing: Decisions of the commissioner, Will Higgins, and his designated course marshals are final and cannot be argued with.

Attire: Some sort of neckwear is required. Ascot, bow tie, scarf, whatever, use your imagination. Reason: The local residents whose backyards border the alley are less likely to call the police if you're dressed snappily.

Awards ceremony: Immediately after the competition, 5-7 p.m., in the alley, trophies and prizes of little or no value will be awarded. A food truck will be there. 

Cost: $25 per player.

Spectators: Welcome at no cost.