Spanish Lakes Country Club Village Bocce League

Playing Rules (as of 11/30/2011)

1. Each team shall consist of 4 paid up members regardless of sex.

2. Captains are responsible for having their teams ready on the court at their scheduled time with subs if needed (it is recommended that teams be there 15 minutes before scheduled play time).  Late starts and late arrivals are not permitted.

3. Teams must:

A) Have a minimum of two (2) regular players and a sub or subs as necessary, or they will forfeit the game.

B) Captains will arrange their own subs from, in priority order (1)  the sub list; (2) regular league players from teams in other sessions; and (3) paid up members of other sessions sitting at courtside.  Every effort should be made to arrange for subs before match time

C) A team shall not use an individual as a sub for more than three (3)   games in a row nor may an individual play more than once in a time session (a.m. or p.m.) unless under an extraordinary situation with the board’s O.K..

4. If a team has only three (3) players at game time, they may avoid a forfeit by complying with the following:

     A) The four person team will start the game leading 3-0.

     B) The three person team will take turns “walking the court” so       

each member takes alternate turns at each end of the court,   insuring that competition is always two (2) against two (2).  Disabled team players will be the exception to this rule.

5. Captains may mutually agree upon a postponement date.  The postponement date must be completed prior to the next regularly scheduled game.

6. Games are to be played unless severe weather interferes; in which case they must be rescheduled as in rule #5 above.  Scoring in games interrupted by severe weather will continue from point of interruption when rescheduled.  A game is not official until one team has 14 points.

7. If both teams are not present for a scheduled game and there is no mutually agreed upon postponement game, both teams will be charged with a loss.

8. A spectator may act as referee if they know the rules and it is mutually agreed upon by both team captains.  This referee is to act impartially and may be removed upon the request of either captain.

9. Foul lines must be observed.  The referee will warn the team captain if foot fouls are observed.  The referee can disqualify a shot after the warning is given and the foul happens again on the same person.

10.  The rulings of the referee are final.  Always give the referees the respect they deserve. Questions and protests MUST be submitted in writing to the Bocce Rules Committee for review within 48 hours of the happening. Then await the ruling by the Rules Committee.

11.  The choice of ball color and first pallina toss will be decided by a coin flip between the captains prior to the start of the match.

12.  Only team captains are allowed to view play.  In the absence of the team captain, another team member is to be selected to substitute in this role.  Abuse of this rule may cause a forfeit to be declared by the referee.

13.  After all balls are thrown, players must remain in the players’ box until the referee decides the scoring and announces it.  The players (2 maximum) can then retrieve the balls.  Of course, team captains may enter the court and approach the referee at any time.

14.  Only the team with a ball or balls closest to the pallina will score a point(s).

15.  All measurements shall be taken with a yardstick or tape measure from the outside diameter of the large ball to the top center of the pallina.  Only balls 36 inches or less from the pallina can score points

16.  Fourteen (14) points scored by a team shall complete a game.  When 14 points have been scored and the opposing team has used all of its balls, the winning team is not required to throw any more balls.  All games must be completed to 14 points, no matter how long it takes – there is no time limit.  The game is over when the referee states it.

17.  Team players;

A) Must alternate their tosses and not throw in succession – including the pallina.  If a player throws out of turn and if the error is detected immediately, the referee will remove the offending ball.  If any other balls were disturbed, however, the referee will stop that round and give two (2) points to the other team plus any points they may have on the court.

B) A player should only throw the team’s color of ball.  If the wrong color is thrown but it doesn’t disturb other balls, the referee may return that ball and let play proceed with the correct color.  If any balls are disturbed, the referee will stop that round and award the other team two (2) points plus any points that team may have on the court.

C) Only one member from each team may be on the court to retrieve balls for the next round.

18.  Standings of the teams will be rewarded by cumulative victories.

19.  In case of ties in the final standings that would affect qualifying for season-ending playoffs the Playoff Committee will establish tiebreaker plans.

20.  The Playoff Committee will determine the playoff format.

21.  Proper attire must be worn.  No bare feet or swimsuits are allowed.

22. The team captain is responsible for recording the results of the game on the form provided.  Be sure to sign and date the form before placing it in the box.

23.  All team captains should see that each of the team’s members receives a copy of the league schedule and should review the playing rules with each member.

24.  Please roll the ball.  Don’t toss or lob it.  The concrete base under the carpet is subject to cracking.

25.  If a captain requires two (2) subs and both don’t show, this team will not forfeit.  The captains will try to manually reschedule the match according to rule #5.

26.  If it is necessary for a fourth member of a team to leave early, the remaining team will play with three (3) members, according to rule #4B above with no three (3) point penalty.

27.  Each original team member can be replaced once per season by a full time replacement.  This replacement can only be done before the week of February 15^th. No personnel changes can be made after that date. Any team with less than four (4) players at that time will revert to the Sub List for the balance of the season and abide by the Sub Rules.

28.  A team that forfeits three (3) games in a row is subject to being replaced.

29.  If the pallina doesn’t reach the qualifying center line and the player has already thrown the regular ball, that ball is forfeited and the pallina is spotted in the proper spot. 

30.  If a starting player throws the large – regular – ball before throwing the pallina, then the referee will return the regular ball and have the player throw the pallina.

31.  The members present at a meeting will be a quorum.  Majority of members present would pass a rule.

32.  Let’s make bocce the fun game it should be and let good sportsmanship prevail.  Sportsmanship is an attitude that is shown in how you and your team members act on and off the court of play.  Always give the referees the respect they deserve.