At the turn of the century, over 15 million immigrants left home for better lives in the US. Many were drawn to the promise of steady work in the coalmines of small rural towns like Toluca, Illinois. The Italian miners and their families gathered together on Sundays to play bocce ball, competing for a bottle of wine or wheel of cheese. Today, Toluca maintains this convivial spirit by hosting what is arguably the largest bocce tournament of its kind in the country—and probably one of the most raucous.

"Watch the Pallino" uncovers the history of Toluca's passion for bocce, and follows key players and organizers over the course of the daylong tournament--all the way to the finals. Father Neri, a bocce playing priest, the jocular Shirley and State champs Theresa and Nancy Biagini are all there to win. "Watch the Pallino" showcases the historians, entertainers and avid bocce players who make the town what it is today.