Welcome to Bocce In Boston

BOCCE IN BOSTON – Rules 2010

How To Play

Each team can consists of 4 players on each side. There are 8 balls – 4 of one color, 4 of another color and 1 small ball called the jack. Each team will be given a ball color. Team members must maintain the same playing rotation throughout the game.

The court area is approximately20 feet by 5 feet. All play takes place within these boundaries.

You will begin the match with a best of 3 game of rock/paper/scissors between the captains to decide who has first toss of the jack. A frame is all eight balls and the jack being thrown. The object of the game is to get as many of your teams balls closer to the jack than the other teams balls.

The starting team per frame must throw the jack between the halfway point and 1-foot from the back wall of the court. The player who throws the jack must also roll the first ball. The idea is to get as close to the jack as possible. It doesn’t matter if you hit the jack. Players may use their balls to knock the other teams balls away from the jack or to knock the jack closer to their own teams balls.

Once the initial player rolls, the player steps aside and the opposing team then rolls. Teams alternate rolls until all four balls have been rolled. Players are not allowed to step onto the court at any time during play.

Scoring is done after both teams have thrown all balls. Only one team scores points per frame – one point is awarded for each ball that is closest to the jack and “inside” of any opponent’s ball. For example, if at the end of a frame there are three balls from one team closer to the jack than the next closest ball from the other team, that team will receive 3 points. At least 1 and as many as 4 points may be awarded to a team in each frame. The team that scores the lowest throws the jack to begin the next frame.

RED SCORES 2

Team captains may enter the court for measurement disputes. If dispute can not be made via team captains, a Bocce In Boston staff member will make the decision. All those decisions are considered final. If the jack is knocked out of the court or is hit in front of the halfway line, play is re-started on the opposite side by the team that originally threw out the jack. If the jack is hit past the opposing point line, against the back board, or within a foot of the side boards, play continues. Any ball that hits the ceiling or is knocked out of the court is considered dead.

Teams

Each team must designate a captain and co-captain who are responsible for the team.

Official teams will consist of at least 4 players.

At least 3 people must be present for a team to compete. If a team has less than 4 players, the team will still play with 4 balls, and one or more players will throw twice. However they must remain in the same order.  If a player arrives during play, he or she may join their team only after a frame. Teammates shall alternate throws to ensure as many players as possible participate in each frame.

A match will be determined a forfeit if a team fails to have 3 players before 10 minutes past the designated start of the match.

Games

A regulation game last 45 minutes from the designated start time and is played to 13. The first team to reach that score wins. If no team has reached that score within the allotted time 1 additional frame may be allowed (League’s decision) and the team with the highest score after its completion wins. Ties are also possible.

No team can score more than 13 points in a match.

A forfeited match results in a score of 13-0. If both teams fail to show up by the designated time, the result will be a tie score of 0-0.