BATH - The Bath Buddies of Bath at the Senior Center will host Mario Pagnoni and some of his bocce team members next Sunday, during a game and dinner.

Mario Pagnoni is the author of five books on bocce, including one that was a Book of the Month Club selection.  His latest book, The Joy of Bocce, was dubbed “the definitive guide to the sport” by Newsweek.  He is currently the program director of the Ken Waldi Senior Sports Circuit, named in honor of his late friend, who was a passenger on American Airlines Flight 11 on 9/11.  The program offers softball, basketball, and bocce to seniors over the age of 50.

Jean Anthony, speaking on behalf of the Buddies, said, “We are fortunate that someone of his stature in the bocce world is coming to play with our team.”

A small part of the team visited Pagnoni and his group in North Andover last spring, for a senior tournament.

Several city leaders have also been invited.

The Senior Center holds bocce games on Wednesday at 2 p.m. and Friday at 10 a.m.  Everyone is welcome to come and try it out at the center on Floral Street.  In inclement weather, games are held indoors, but there are also two new outdoor courts at the center.

There are also two bocce courts at the South End park.  Anyone with his or her own bocce set is welcome to use the South End park courts.