Rules & Conduct

PORTLAND BOCCE LEAGUE 2011 RULES

These are the official 2011 rules of the Portland Bocce League. They are in general compliance with USA Bocce Open Rules and supersede any rules that may be posted at the courts.

Teams

Four players comprise a team. Two players from each team are stationed at each end of the court, throwing two balls each. At the conclusion of each frame – a single scoring opportunity – the game resumes at the opposite end of the court. Begin the match with the flip of a coin between the team captains. The winner of the coin toss may opt for either the first roll of the pallino or the choice of ball color. Any time a player is rolling a ball, opposing players must remain outside the court.

Tossing the Pallino

A player may roll the pallino any distance, so long as it fully passes the center line of the court and does not strike the back wall. If a player fails to properly toss the pallino, the opposing team will toss the pallino, putting it into play. If the opposing team fails to properly toss the pallino, the pallino reverts to the original team.

Starting the Game

The first ball will be thrown by the team that originally tosses the pallino. Should that ball hit the back board without touching the pallino, it shall be removed from play and the team must roll again. Otherwise, that team does not roll again until the opposing team has either rolled one if its bocce balls closer to the pallino or has rolled 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 rolled all their balls. The team who scored last throws the pallino to begin the next frame.

Consecutive or alternating throws by teammates shall be at the option of the players. 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 two balls, the other team may either leave all balls as is or remove the illegal ball from play and return all balls to their approximate position.

Foul Lines

Players may step on but not over the foul line before releasing the pallino or the ball.

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 equidistant 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.

Balls hitting the back wall

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

Pallino hitting the back wall

Once the pallino is in play, it remains live even if it hits the back board during the game. However, if the pallino is knocked out of the court, or is propelled backwards to recross the center line, the frame ends and play resumes from the opposite end of the court with the same team tossing the pallino.

Shooting Volo

No volo shooting is allowed on Portland Bocce League courts. All balls must be rolled, not thrown.

Measuring and Disputes

Team captains, or their designees, may measure any balls at any time. All disputes will be resolved by a neutral observer.

Late Arrivals and Substitutions

A team not arriving at the court within 10 minutes of the scheduled starting time loses two points, then an additional two points for each five-minute increment thereafter. A team not showing up within 30 minutes of the scheduled starting time forfeits the game.

A team missing players at the start of the game may begin play; however each player may roll only two balls. A player arriving late may enter a game, but only after the completion of the frame.

A team may make unlimited substitution from their roster, but no re-entry into the game is permitted for players who were “subbed out”. Substitutions may only be made between frames.

Regular Season: First 7 weeks of play

• Play commences May 30, 2011.
• Each team plays each other team once.
• Two matches begin each evening at 6:00 PM and two begin at 7:30 PM.
• Teams play one game to 21 points.
• No two-point margin shall be needed to win.
• If, at 7:10, it seems possible that the early game might remain undecided at 7:20, then, at the mutual agreement of the two captains, a timekeeper shall be appointed from the ranks of onlookers who are league members.
• Timekeeper shall call the clock at 7:20 precisely. At the conclusion of the frame already underway (pallino has been tossed) at 7:20, the leading team shall be declared the winner.
• In the event of a tie at the conclusion of that frame, one extra frame shall be played to determine a winner.
• Prior to 7:20, should the timekeeper determine that any player is deliberately slowing play, timekeeper may determine that said player’s team forfeits the match. All timekeeper decisions are final.