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2011 – LAKE OF THE PINES BOCCE BALL LEAGUE PLAY IS INTENDED FOR THE

ENJOYMENT OF BOTH PLAYERS AND SPECTATORS. THE FOLLOWING RULES ARE INTENDED TO ENHANCE THE GAME OF BOCCE AND FURTHER THAT ENJOYMENT.

I.        INTRODUCTION: The game of “Open” Bocce is played with eight (8) large bocce balls and one small target ball (the “pallino”). Only the composition balls accepted by the LOP Bocce Ball League, (LOPBBL) are permitted (Bocce balls are approximately 13 ¼” in circumference.  League will supply sets, tapes, and markers.) The object of the game is to roll the bocce ball closest to the “pallino”. There are two balls per person, and four players making up a team. Two players from each team are permanently stationed at each end of the court for each game.

Games are played to 9 points but you must win by two (2) points.

II.        MATCH INFORMATION & STARTING TIMES

 A. Matches consist of three (3) games.

 B. Matches played on Weekends begin at 5:00 pm.

 C. Matches played on Weekdays will begin at 5:00 pm.

 D. Matches will not last longer than one hour.

 E. Matches will begin with two players.

 F. A team not present at the starting time forfeits Game 1

 G. A team not present within 15 minutes forfeits Game 2

Starting the Match: A coin flip by both Capos’ (captains) will start the match. The winner of the coin flip will determine which end of the court play will begin and may either have the first toss of the pallino or choose the color of balls. Teams must play on assigned courts.

A player may toss the pallino any distance so long as the pallino passes the centerline of the court and does not hit back wall. The pallino must be at least 12” from both the back and side boards. If a player fails to validly toss the pallino after one attempt, the opposing team will have one chance to toss the pallino and put it in play. If the opposing team fails to properly toss the pallino, the pallino reverts to the original team. In any case, when the pallino has been properly put into play, the team who originally tossed the pallino will throw the first bocce ball.

III.    PLAYING THE GAME: The team who originally tossed the pallino, whether successfully or not, throws the first bocce ball. If the bocce ball hits the backboard, that team must roll again until a ball is left in play. After a ball has been left in play, the opposing team will roll until one of their balls is closest to the pallino or they have thrown all of their balls. The team whose bocce ball is closest to the pallino is called “inside” and the opposing team “outside”. This continues until both teams have used all of their bocce balls. The winning team throws the pallino to begin the next frame.

A.    If a player rolls the wrong colored ball, simply replace it with the correct color when the ball stops rolling.

B.    If a player rolls out of turn, return the thrown ball and replace any moved balls back to the approximate spot before the ball was thrown.

C.    If a ball is moved before all 8 balls are played, the opposing team replaces the ball or balls to the approximate original position. This is to be done in the spirit of good sportsmanship.

D.    When a team wins a game, players exchange ends of the court and substitutions may be made. The team winning the previous game will toss the pallino to start the next game.

E.    NO PRACTICE BETWEEN GAMES.

IV.    DEAD BALLS: Should a player’s bocce ball make contact with the backboard the bocce ball is considered a dead ball on impact and is removed from play until the end of the frame. If after a valid play only the pallino remains on the court, the team that last rolled must roll again until a ball remains in play or that team is out of balls.

A. If the thrown ball comes to rest on the pallino or another ball that is touching the back wall, that thrown ball remains in play. The ball touching the back wall is removed from play. If the pallino is touching the back wall it remains in play.

B. If a bocce ball, after hitting the backboard, strikes a stationary bocce ball, that stationary bocce ball shall be replaced in its approximate original position. The thrown bocce ball is removed from play.

C. If a bocce ball hitting the backboard is not removed quickly enough and, as a result, strikes a moving bocce ball that likely would have hit the backboard, allowing the moving ball to remain in play, that moving ball remains in play where it comes to rest.

V. PALLINO: Once the pallino has been validly put into play, it remains in play even if it hits the backboard. However, if the pallino is knocked out of the court or it is knocked in front of the centerline, the frame will end, no points are awarded, and the games will resume from the opposite end of the court with the same team tossing the pallino. NOTE: The wood and cement around the top of the court is part of the playing field. For a ball or pallino to become invalid it must completely leave the boundaries of the court.

VI. FOUL LINE: Player’s movements are limited to the foul line. The player may step on, but will not step over the foul line before releasing the pallino or balls. When a player releases the pallino or bocce ball, both feet must be in the court unless that player has significant physical impairment. If the intent of the foot foul rule is abused, the first time will be a warning. Only players on the same end of the court can call a foot foul. The next time a player is going to shoot they will alert the opposite team. If the shooter then goes over the foul line the ball is dead and all balls are returned as close as possible to original position.

VII. SHOOTING: Shooting is allowed if the thrown ball hits the playing surface before the center line and before hitting a bocce ball or pallino. Lofting the ball beyond the center line IS NOT ALLOWED. If the thrown ball does not hit the playing surface before the center line and hitting a bocce ball or pallino, everything goes back to the approximate original position. The thrown ball is taken out of play.

VIII. DISPUTES: The teams playing will referee their own game. Disputes will be settled by the Capos.  If Capos cannot agree all points will be forfeited for the game.

IX. SCORING: Only the “inside” team scores. One point is given for each ball of the “inside” team that is closer to the pallino than any ball of the opposing team. If at the end of any frame the closest ball of each team is equal distant from the pallino, the frame ends in a tie and points will be split between teams. The game will resume from the opposite end of the court with the same team tossing the pallino. Capos of each team are responsible for keeping score sheet and for reporting the results of the match (by submitting “Official Score Sheet” to a designated location).

X. MEASUREMENTS:  All measurements will be made from the inside dimension of the bocce ball to the inside dimension of the pallino. Do no touch balls. Referees will make all measurements. Both Capos must agree on which team has the point (s). If both teams have balls remaining, the team that does not have the closest ball to the pallino rolls again, if all balls have been played, points are awarded based on the balls that are actually closest to the pallino in accord with Rule IX. FRAME OR GAME IS OVER WHEN BOTH CAPOS AGREE.

XI. RESCHEDULING & RAINOUTS:  ALL RAINOUTS WILL BE MADE UP! Capos will schedule all rainouts.  If a team or teams are unable to field a legal team two players, for a make-up match, the games will be forfeited. No games may be rescheduled for any other reason than bad weather or un-playable

court conditions.

XII. PLAYERS:

A. Additions to team rosters may be made until designated deadline. Completed rosters must

contain names, email addresses and phone numbers of all players. Official team rosters become final on their third week of play. After the third week and a roster player having played one game for that team, they are obligated to stay on that team. If a player should choose to quit, they cannot play for another team that season. You can replace player vacancies any time during season. Any changes must be submitted by the team Capo in writing to the LOP Bocce Ball League to be valid.

B. A PERSON CAN ONLY PLAY ON ONE DIVISION TEAM, BUT MAY PLAY IN TWO DIVISIONS (i.e., Women’s or Men’s and/or Mixed). Maximum of 12 players per team and 4 minimum. A team forfeits any game in which they play a non-roster player. The opposing team may not waive non-roster forfeits.

C. If a team fields less than two (2) players, the game is considered a forfeit. Two players constitute a team. A 2 or 3 member team may play throwing only 2 balls per player. A 3rd or

4th player arriving late may enter the game after the completion of the current active frame.

D. Minimum age requirement is 18 years of age.

E. A team may make two substitutions per game, (one substitution from each end). Substitution may only be made between frames.

F. No player may play two consecutive games from the same end of the court.

G. Players need not throw alternate throws. Consecutive or alternating throws by teammates shall be at the option of the players.

H. In the interest of SAFETY, all participating players should wear flat-soled shoes.  BARE FEET, HEELS AND FLIP-FLOPS ARE DISCOURAGED FOR SAFETY REASONS.

XIII. ENTRY FEE: The required entry fee must accompany the completed roster prior to the established registration deadline. A returned check will have a $25.00 return charge.

XIV. CONDUCT AND COURTESY:

A. Team Capos are responsible for the actions of their players and fans (spectators). If there is any problem with a spectator that is not involved with any team, both Capos will suspend play until the problem is resolved.

B. If a player is standing in the playing half of the court while the opposing team is rolling and the opposing team requests that the player step aside, that request will be honored.

C. Only participating players will be on the court while the game is in progress. Spectators are not allowed on the courts at any time during regulation play.

D. Courtesy and respect should be displayed at all times. Profanity and unsportsmanlike conduct is not permitted. Violations may result in a warning by an LOP Director to the player or team Capo.  Severe violations or a violation after a warning may result in the player’s expulsion by the LOPBBL Board of Directors from the League play.

E All trash, cigarette butts, etc. are to be discarded in appropriate containers.

F. Bicycles, Skateboards, Scooters and/or non-bocce related activities are prohibited on or around the courts. The courts are not to be used as playgrounds.

G. Animals must be on a leash at all times.

XV. SCORE SHEETS:  In order for league standings to be posted and correct, Official LOPBBL score sheets must be submitted for each scheduled match immediately following the conclusion of the match.

Each team Capo is responsible for submitting a score sheet after each match. The score sheet must be completely filled out and legible. You must include the date of play, the division designation, the team name and team number, and both Capos signature confirming the final score. It is not the league scorekeeper’s job to fill-in missing blanks, to phone for scores or track down missing score sheets. It is assumed that if you do not care enough to take the little bit of time to fill in the score sheet correctly and submit as required, then you do not care about your league standing.

Although the winning team is responsible for submitting the completed (and signed) score sheet after each match, both team’s Capo's are ultimately responsible for missing score sheets.

If a team FORFEITS a match for any reason other than an official LOPBBL cancellation, the ‘winning’ team must still submit a score sheet for the forfeited night of play.  The forfeiting team’s signature is not required in this instance.

Score sheets will be returned with the equipment after each match and league standings are compiled on the weekend and posted in the league showcase at the bocce courts by Tuesday.

If you have any questions on how to keep scare, or how to properly complete the score sheet, please ask for help.  The Board members are here to help and will assist you with any concerns.

Revised 7/6/2011