Games are scheduled on the hour, and end when one team reaches sixteen points. It would be appreciated if each team could arrive at least 15 minutes early because some games end quickly and if both teams are early they can start at the finish of the previous game.

Games are played on Wednesdays. Team schedules are computer-generated and cannot be changed.  Every team is scheduled for the complete season.

The schedule also tells you:
   a: whether your team will play on court 1 or court 2
   b: which end of the court each player is assigned
   c: which is the "home" team (who begins play and chooses ball color)

"M"s compete only against other "M"s, and "W"s only against other "W"s. However, anyone from the sub list may play either position if there are no players available in your position. Regular players CANNOT be subs.

Rain Dates:

If Wednesday’s games are cancelled because of rain or condition of the courts the "A" player contacts the opposing "A" team player & they decide to play on Friday of the same week, same time and court.  If Friday is inconvenient, Monday has been set up as a last make up day. If these dates do not suit either team, an alternate day/time may be mutually agreed upon if courts are available.  THE HOME "A" PLAYER MUST CONTACT A COORDINATER SO EQUIPMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE AND THE COURT CAN BE RESERVED. A team playing at the same time and same court as scheduled other than Friday or Monday, will have first right to that court over a team not scheduled for that time. If a game in progress is rained out, the score will continue from where it left off when it was rained out and not start over at 0 to 0. Any rain delay at any time will only continue if all players agree to keep playing.

All rescheduled games must be completed and scores submitted by Monday evening no later than 6 P.M. or the completion of their game, which ever comes first.

Early (make up) Games:

If a team knows they can’t be here for an upcoming game, and wishes to play before the scheduled day instead of getting a sub, they may contact the team they will play the day in question, and if both teams agree, a Coordinator must be notified and the court reserved and equipment arranged for. The same court and the same end will be used to make up the game as the day it is replacing. The score should be initialed by both teams and given to the same coordinator who will hold the score for the given week for which it applies. Equipment should then be returned as per previous arrangement.

Substitution and Forfeits:

YOU (It is your responsibility) must arrange, in advance, for a substitute player and also notify your partner when you cannot play. DO NOT call a coordinator to find a sub for you or your partner. Wednesday is Bocce day. If you cannot make a game please be responsible enough to arrange for a sub. If a full team is not at the court on the hour of their game, that game will be a forfeited. There cannot be two subs on a team simultaneously and a sub may only sub once a week. At least one of each team's regular players must play every game, or forfeit that game. No subs will be allowed if they are not on the sub list. This game will be deemed a forfeit whether someone complains or not. No one will be allowed to play unless they have paid their $5 and are on the sub list prior to the scheduled play time.

Teams:

Teams will be comprised of two players. One player from each team will be permanently stationed at each end of the court. Each team will throw four balls each. At the end of each frame, the game resumes at the opposite end of the court. The match will begin with the toss of the Pallino by the home team on the schedule.

Tossing the Pallino:

A player may toss the pallino any distance, so long as the pallino passes the center line of the court, and does not hit the back wall. If a player fails to toss the pallino properly, He or She may try again. If He/She fails to toss the pallino properly a second time, the opposing team will toss the pallino and put it into play. If the opposing team fails to properly toss the pallino on two tries, the pallino reverts to the original team etc. Any time a player is rolling, opposing players must remain outside the court.

Starting the Game:

The player or sub that starts a game must complete that game or it will be a forfeit. You can not have a player change to a sub or sub change to a player in the course of the game. The first ball will be thrown by the team who originally tossed the pallino. If that bocce ball hits the back board, without hitting the pallino, the team must roll again until He/She has placed a ball in play. That team does not roll again, until the opposing team has either rolled one of its bocce balls closer to the pallino, or has thrown all of its balls. Whenever a team gets a ball closer, it steps aside and lets the other team roll. The other team throws until it beats (not ties) the opposing ball. This continues until both teams have used all their bocce balls. The team who scored last throws the pallino to begin the next frame. Players may use the side walls at any time. If a player rolls the wrong color ball, simply replace it with the correct color when it comes to rest. If a player rolls out of turn or plays more than a second ball, the other team may leave all balls as is or remove the illegal ball from play and return all balls to their approximate position. When a player is rolling, opposing players must remain outside the court. Return all balls to the approximate position will be mentioned often in the rules. It is assumed that all balls cannot be returned to the exact position. If it is determined that an reasonable agreement can’t be met, the frame will end with no points scored.

Moved Balls:

Any ball or balls moved before the last ball has been thrown will cost the team of the person moving the ball 4 points. These points will be added to the points of the opposing team. Please be sure that all eight balls have been thrown before you attempt to move the balls so as not to cost your team a penalty of 4 points.

After all of the balls are thrown and a measurement is required, and a ball is picked up or kicked away the opposing team wins the measurement not necessarily the point. An example would be as follows. One red ball is clearly a point but the next red ball and the closest green ball need to be measured. The green team kicks away the red or green ball to be measured the red team gets 2 points. If the red team moves the red or green ball to be measured the green ball wins the measurement but the first red ball still gets the point. If no point is established the team moving the ball loses the point.

Foul Lines:

Players must stay behind the foul line before releasing the pallino or their ball. If a player rolls with one or more feet touching the foul line, and the other team objects, and after the ball has come to a complete rest the other team may leave all balls as is or remove the illegal ball from play and return all balls to their approximate position. The ball that was thrown is rendered dead and is taken out of play. When a player is rolling, opposing players must remain outside the court.

Scoring:

Only one team scores in a frame. One point is given for each ball that is closer to the pallino than the closest ball of the opposing team. If at the end of any frame the closest ball of each team is equal distant from the pallino, no points are awarded to either team and the game resumes from the opposite end of the court, with the same team tossing the pallino. Games are played to 16 points.

Balls Hitting the Back Wall:

A ball hitting the back board is dead & must be removed from play unless it first hits another ball, or the pallino, in which case all balls are in play. If a thrown ball does not first touch another ball and hits the back board and then strikes a stationary ball, that stationary ball shall be replaced to its approximate position. The thrown ball is removed from play.

Pallino Hitting the Back Wall:

Once the pallino is in play, it remains in play even if it hits the back board during the game. However, if the pallino is knocked out of the court the frame will end and play will resume from the opposite end of the court. No points will be awarded. The same team tosses the pallino.

Measuring and Disputes:

All players from both teams may assist in the measurement of the balls. All disputes will be resolved by the tournament coordinators. There are some players who find it difficult to do the measuring and this will help to keep the measuring fair.

Interactive Play:

Playing instructions and technique are not to be offered by partners during the course of a game. Yelling instructions from one end of the courts to the other about where to bank the bocce ball or how hard to throw etc. are not allowed. Reserve this for your practice sessions. It only tends to make people nervous and delay the game. Persons not playing are asked not to offer instructions or comments to the people playing the game.

Common Courtesy:

Everyone must observe rules of common courtesy. NO foul language, bullying or intimidation is allowed. Such behavior will result in the forfeiture of the game.  If a player is being bothered by comments from either a bystander or an opposing player, and asked that person to stop, and it continues, coordinators may ask the person or player who is responsible for this, to retire from the league.

Committee Comments:

In order to keep the Bocce games fun and upbeat, when ever the committee has to rule on any situations it will make it’s decision according to the rules. It is suggested that you read this years rules and learn them so there are no hard feelings and no misunderstandings. The committee has revised the rules so as to make play smoother and less combative. Please do not involve the committee unless you feel an infraction has occurred and you want a ruling.

Thank you all and let's have fun.

The 2008-2009 Bocce Committee.