Silvano Pieri survived World War II in a small village near Lucca, Italy, and came to America in 1946. A retired lamp-maker, Pieri has hands as big and tough as catcher's mitts and his accent is as thick as tomato paste.

But when he rolls a bocce ball with his classic soft touch, it looks like a supple hand gently turning a key.

The secret to his game: "Lots of concentration. It comes from up here," Pieri said, tapping his brow Wednesday night at the Mount Carmel Bocce Club in Norristown. "And it goes to your arm."

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Source: http://www.philly.com/