<p> EAST PORTAL BOCCE CLUB LEAGUE RULES</p><p>I. Teams</p><p>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 5 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 and any roster changes must be made before the first match of the season.</p><p>II. Substitutions</p><p>Any player who is substituted out of the game will not be allowed back in the same game.</p><p>III. Make-up Matches</p><p>Make up matches are allowed if both teams agree on the time and place. Otherwise the forfeit stands as is. All make-up matches must be completed before the date listed on the league team form.</p><p>IV. Forfeit</p><p>If you are not going to be able to field a team and will be forfeiting both matches, please call you opponent and let them know your team will not be playing. Some teams travel from quite a distance to play and you team’s advance notification and courtesy will be appreciated.</p><p>V. Warm Up</p><p>From 6:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. teams are required to check in with each other and warm up. Matches are to begin at 6:30 p.m..</p><p>If a team is not present to start their first match at 6:30pm sharp, the first game is forfeited. If a team is not present to play by 6:45 p.m., the second game is forfeited as well.</p><p>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 the night before the match, the first game will still be forfeited and they will have until 7:30 p.m. to begin the second game. If the second game cannot be scheduled before 7:30 p.m. sharp, then the second will be forfeited as well.</p><p>VI. Play of Game</p><p>Games will be played until one team has reached 15 points.</p><p>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 Club 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 millimeters in diameter and 920 grams in weight.</p><p>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. </p><p>C. Pallino A player may toss the pallino any distance so 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 properly, the opposing team will toss the pallino and put it into play. If the opposing team fails to properly toss the pallino the pallino reverts to the original team. Regardless, the team who originally tossed the pallino will throw the first bocce ball. If that bocce ball hits the backboard, the team must roll again.</p><p>D. Play of Game Only the active players are authorized to be on the bocce courts during matches. 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 it will be allowed once per play and in a timely manner (no longer that 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.</p><p>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 this disqualified ball will be returned to their original position on the court. If a player accidentally throws the wrong color ball, wait until the ball comes to rest and simply replace it with the correct colored ball.</p><p>If a ball is played out of turn, the balls may remain in place or returned to their original position at the discretion of the opposing team. If both parties cannot agree on the original position of the balls, the frame will simply be played over on the opposite end of the court. No points will be awarded to either team. The team who originally had control of the pallino starts the new frame.</p><p>The backboard is live. If a ball in the process of play leaves the court it is taken out of play.</p><p>If during the play of game the pallino is struck and other leaves the court or has fallen back before the center court line the frame will end and a new frame must start over a the opposite end of the court. No points will be awarded to either team. The team who originally had control of the pallino starts the new frame.</p><p>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</p><p>F. Measurements All measurements are to be done in the following manner: Teammates at the opposite end will do the measuring. The players that threw the balls will remain at the end of the court. Holding 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. Then, stretch the tape over the center of the pallino where the measurement will be read. At no time are any of the balls touched during the measurement.</p><p>G. End of Game It is the responsibility of the last teams playing to put away all the bocce equipment (balls, pallino, tapes, score pegs, etc.) and lock it up in the ball racks, turn off the lights, and lock the gates. Please test all the locks including the equipment shed, league box and make sure they are secure. Please change the numbers on the tumbler so that the combination is not displayed.</p><p>H. Disputes In the event a question arises during a game any member of the Board of Directors shall act as referee, and their decision is final. Board Members are: Lisa Dobeck, Marvin Berman, Laura de la Rosa, Chris Bond, Ottavio Luchini, Jim Fellos, Vic Cima, Jodie Maita and Eric Schmitz.</p><p>I. Court/League Etiquette 1. Please observe court etiquette at all times and refrain from any actions or activities that might distract players 2. Courtesy and respect should be displayed at all times. Profanity and unsportsmanlike conduct are not permitted 3. Smoking is prohibited on the courts 4. Please limit cell phone usage to emergency calls only 5. No children on the court during matches unless they are a team member 6. All club members and guest(s) are encouraged to clean and pick up the courts and area before vacating the premises. Trash, screw caps, soda cans, cigarette butts, etc. are to be discarded in appropriate containers.</p><p>VIII. Safety The personal safety of each East Portal Bocce Club member, player and visitor is of primary importance. The prevention of play or facility induced injuries is of such consequence that it will be given precedence over all other league activities, whenever necessary. To the greatest degree possible, the Board of Directors, in keeping with the highest standards, will attempt to maintain our facility conforming to the best practices of clubs and facilities of this type. To be successful, our program must embody proper attitudes towards safety and injury prevention by all club members and visitors. Only through such a cooperative effort can safety in the best interest of all be established and preserved. Members are requested to report any unsafe acts or conditions to the board members immediately.</p><p>Thank You In Advance For Your Cooperation & Play Safely</p><p> revised 4/14/2015</p>