East Portal Bocce Club
2010 League Rules
I. TEAMS
All league players MUST be members of the EAST PORTAL BOCCE CLUB. A Team will consist of a minimum of 2 players and a maximum of 4 players. Teams are encouraged to name more than 2 players on their roster. However, one person MAY NOT be on more than one team roster at any time and ANY roster changes must be made before the first match of the season. There can only be two players per game, although another player on the roster may substitute in after any frame.
II. Substitutions
Any player who substitutes out of a game will not be allowed back in the same game. However said player may sub back in on a subsequent game(s).
III. Make-up Matches
NO make-up matches are allowed.
IV. Forfeiture
If a team is not going to be able to play a game and will be forfeiting both games, as a courtesy, please contact your opponent team and let them know your team will not be playing. Oftentimes, teams travel from quite a distance to play and your team’s advanced notification and courtesy will be appreciated.
IV. Court Preparation
At this time Member Pete Linker is prepping the courts Monday thru Thursday. However, all teams should report to the courts ½ hour prior to the start of the games to see if Pete needs assistance in court prep & grooming. Minimum court prep before play should be as follows:
1. Remove any leaves & debris from the court
2. Drag broom the courts in both directions
3. Lightly water
4. Compact the courts with the hand roller
V. Warm Up
Warm-up is 15 – 30 minutes prior to play, teams are required to check with each other & then warm up. Matches are to begin promptly & on time.
If a team is not present to start their first match promptly when scheduled the first game is forfeited. If a team is not present to play within 15 minutes of scheduled play the second game will be forfeited as well.
(1)
If a team knows that they will not be able to make the first game, but can be there for the second game AND CALLS THEIR OPPONENT TEAM CAPTAIN THE NIGHT BEFORE THE MATCH, the first game will still be forfeited and the forfeiting team will have until 7:30 pm sharp to begin the second game. If the second game cannot be scheduled before 7:30 pm sharp, then the second game will be forfeited as well.
VI. Play of Game
Games will be played until one team has reached 15 points.
VII. General Playing Rules
A. Bocce Balls
The Bocce Balls to be used for league play are composition balls. Bocce Balls are provided by the EAST PORTAL BOCCE CLUBB for league play and are located in the ball racks on the courts. Players may use their own Bocce Balls as long as they are composition balls, 107 centimeters in diameter and 920 grams in weight.
B. Start of Game
Begin the match with a flip of a coin between captains of each team. The winner of the coin flip may have the first toss of the pallino or choose the color of the balls for their team. If, at the beginning of a game, opposing players cannot decide who will play each other, then a toss of a coin will make the decision for them.
C. Pallino
A player may toss the pallino any distance as long as the pallino passes the centerline of the court and does not hit the back wall. If a player fails to toss the pallino past the center line or if the pallino hits the backboard at the opposite end, the opposing team will toss the pallino and put it into play. If the opposing team fails to properly toss the pallino after 1 attempt, the pallino reverts to the original team. Regardless of which team throws the pallino, the team that originally tossed the pallino will throw the first bocce ball. If that bocce ball hits the backboard that bocce ball is forfeited and the same team must roll again.
D. Play of Game
ONLY the active players are authorized to be on the bocce courts during matches. Active players are to remain in the court while a game is being played. Players are not allowed to cross the center court line without permission from the opposing team captain. If a player wants to walk down to the opposite end of the court to get a closer look at the balls & pallino in play, it will be allowed ONCE per play and in a timely manner (NO LONGER THAN 1 MINUTE). When a player steps up to the foul line to throw a ball, all other players should be standing by the back wall. DO NOT crowd or disturb players when they are taking their turn.
When a player rolls or throws a bocce ball, the ball MUST be released from the hand prior to the player’s foot crossing the foul line. ONE WARNING will be given to those who step over the line. After that, if a foul is committed, the tossed ball will be taken out of play. The pallino or any balls struck by the disqualified ball will be returned to their original position on the court prior to the disqualifying throw. The frame will be played over on the opposite end of the court. NO points will be awarded to either team. The team that originally had control of the pallino starts the new frame.
(2)
All Bocce Balls tossed or struck by tossed balls that touch the backboard will be live. All Bocce Balls that are tossed or struck by a tossed ball that goes out of the court will be taken out of play.
If, during the play of the game, the pallino is struck and either leaves the court or has fallen back before the center court line, the frame in play will come to an end and a new frame MUST start over at the opposite end of the court. No points will be awarded to either team. The team that originally had control of the pallino starts the new frame.
E. Shooting
When shooting, the bocce ball must be released from the hand prior to the player’s foot crossing the foul line. One warning will be given to those who step over the line. After that, if a foul is committed, the shot ball will be taken out of play. The pallino or any balls struck by the disqualified ball will be returned to their original position on the court. As a courtesy to other players and teams, please repair any damage that may occur when shooting.
F. Courts
Only the active players are authorized to be on the bocce courts during matches.
G. Measurements
All measurements are to be done in the following manner:
The players that threw the balls will remain at the end of the court where they were shooting.
The teammates at the opposite end of the court will do the measuring.
Hold the measuring tape in one hand, gently slide the end of the tape to the inside edge of the Bocce Ball closest to the pallino.
Stretch the tape over the center of the pallino.
Read the measurement to the center of the pallino.
AT NO TIMES will any of the balls be moved during the measurement.
H. End of Game
It is the responsibility of the last teams playing to put away all the bocce equipment (balls, pallinos, tapes, score pegs, etc.) and lock the equipment in the ball racks, turn off the lights, and lock any and all locks and the gates. Please test all the locks including the equipment shed and league box and make sure they are securely locked. Please change the numbers on the tumbler so that the combination is not readily displayed.
I. Disputes
In the event a question or dispute arise during a game any member of the Board of Members that are present shall act as referees and their decision SHALL be FINAL. At present (July 2009) the Board Members are: Bob Martinez, Laura De La Rosa, Teri Berry, John Schmidt, John Gerard Sharp, Susan Flynn, Jim Fellos, Ottavio Luchini & Dante Urbani.
J. Court/League Etiquette
1. Please observe court etiquette at ALL times and refrain from any actions or activities that might distract other players.
(3)
2. Courtesy & respect to all should be displayed at ALL times. Profanity and unsportsmanlike conduct WILL NOT be tolerated or permitted. The Board should be notified in writing of complaints regarding unsportsmanlike conduct and the complaint will be addressed and responded to at the next scheduled Board Meeting.
3. Smoking is prohibited & illegal on the courts AT ALL TIMES.
4. Please limit cell phone usage to EMERGENCY calls only while in or around the court areas.
5. NO children are to be on the court during matches unless they are a team member.
6. ALL club members and guests are strongly encouraged to clean and pick up the courts prior to vacating the premises. Trash, screw caps, recyclables, soda cans, etc. are to be discarded in the appropriate containers.
VIII. Safety
The personal safety of EACH EAST PORTAL BOCCE CLUB member, guest, member and/or visitor is of utmost and primary importance. The prevention of play or facility induced injuries is of such consequence that it will be given precedence over any and all other league activities, whenever necessary. To the greatest degree possible, the Board of Directs, in keeping with the highest standards, will attempt to maintain our facility while conforming to the best practices of clubs and facilities of this type.
To be successful, our program must embody proper attitudes toward safety and injury by ALL club members, guests and visitors. Only through such a cooperative effort can safety in the best interest of all be established and preserved. Members, guests and visitors are requested to report any and all unsafe acts or conditions to the Board Members IMMEDIATELY.
THANK YOU, IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR COOPERATION & SAFE PLAY
(4)