Bocce is an ancient game invented by the Romans and the Italian term “bocce” means ball. The objective of the Ballantrae Summer Games is to have a fun and friendly competition with the emphasis on participation. Bocce is open to men and women of all ages.

The Ballantrae Summer Games Bocce specifications and rules have been adapted from various recognized bocce organizations: Bocce Standards Association, US Bocce Federation, Special Olympics, Canada 55+ Games, and the Ontario Senior Games.

PLAYERS & TEAMS

To be eligible to play, all players must have registered to play and paid their fees. Any team using ineligible players will forfeit all games in which the ineligible player(s) have participated.

Each condo will be represented by two teams (Team-A & Team-B) of four players (two women maximum and two men maximum). Each condo is allowed four alternate players (two women and two men) who may substitute for a team member, in the event of a valid substitution situation. The alternate players should keep themselves available should a valid substitution be required.

Each team will have a designated Team Captain who will speak on behalf of the team. Only the Team Captain may address the Referee. Each team will also designate an “End Captain” who will speak on behalf of the Team Captain for ball positioning or measurements at his end of the court. Both the Team Captain and End Captain may not both be involved at the same time.

The representative condo teams will be decided by condo play downs using the Ballantrae Summer Games official bocce rules, not by arbitrary selection. Once teams have been formed and the condo play downs have commenced, they may not be reconstituted to form a condo “all-star” team. Each condo should identify the top three teams. The first-place team will be the condo Team-A representative, the second-place team will be the condo Team-B representative. The four alternate players are the members of the third-place team, as determined in the condo play downs. The Condo Bocce Captain must inform the Bocce Sport Captain of the team members and alternate players prior to the first game of the Preliminary Round. Once play has started, the eligible players list is frozen.

GAMES & MATCHES

All games will be decided by the first team to reach 15 points (no 2 point differential is required). Matches are decided by the team that wins the best two of three games.

CONDO PLAY DOWNS

Each condo will be represented by two teams of four players (two women and two men). These teams will be the second-place and winner of condo play downs between competing condo teams. A team, once constituted, may not be changed except for allowable substitutions (see Rules of Play 26).

The Bocce Condo Captain(s) will determine the play down method – matches (best 2 of 3 games) or single games. Whether the competition is based on single matches/games or a round robin will be determined by the scheduling practicality based on the number of teams and available timeframe.

All games are played according to the Summer Games Bocce Rules. Games are won by the first team to reach 15 points (2 point differential not required).

The winning condo teams will proceed to the Summer Games Preliminary Round, representing its specific condo. All-star teams are not permitted.

PRELIMINARY ROUND

All Team-As will play in a round robin set of matches, playing one match against each of the other condo Team-As. All Team-Bs will play in a round robin set of matches, playing one match against each of the other condo Team-Bs

All matches will be a best 2 of 3 games competition with no time limit. All games are won by the first team to reach 15 points (2 point differential not required).

PRELIMINARY ROUND FINAL STANDINGS
& TIE BREAKING PROCEDURE:

At the end of the Preliminary Round matches, the final standings will be compiled and will determine team placement in the Medal Round.

Ties between two teams will be broken using the following procedure:
1. Head to head record between the two teams.

Ties between three or more teams will be broken using the following procedure:
1. Head to head record between the teams, and if still tied,
2. Least points allowed in the head to head games, and if still tied,
3. Least points allowed in the Preliminary Round games, and if still tied,
4. Abbreviated (four frame) tie breaking game(s).
Note: These games will only be played if there is a significant impact on the Medal Round (i.e. placement in either the gold/silver medal match or the bronze medal match). If there is no significant impact as determined by the Bocce Sport Captain, coin flip rounds will continue until the ties are broken.

MEDAL ROUND

There will be separate medal rounds for Team-As and Team-Bs.

The Medal Round will consist of matches (best two of three games). The top four teams from the Preliminary Round will proceed to the Medal Round. The top two teams will play for the gold and silver medals. The bottom two teams will play each other with the winner receiving the bronze medal.

All games are won by the first team to reach 15 points (2 point differential not required).

Each member of the medal winning teams will be awarded medals, including alternate players who participated in at least one game.

Only teams who have used eligible players may play in the Medal Round and receive medals. If an ineligible player is later discovered to have played, the offending team(s) will be dropped to last place and out of the medals. The other teams will move up one place in the standings. All eligible players on a medal team will receive medals, including alternate players who participated in at least one game.

COURT

While courts may vary in size, the 60’ x 12’ court will be used as the Ballantrae Summer Games Bocce standard. The throwing area (shaded) may also vary in size and some organizations have more than one foul line within the throwing area. In order to maximize the playing area and simplify the game, we will use a single foul line that is 6’ from the each end of the court. The centre line is at 30’ from either end of the court and represents the line that the pallino and all bocce balls must cross when thrown.

The court is 60’ long by 12′ wide.  Each half of the court is comprised of 6′ Throwing Area, then a Foul Line, then 24′ of Play Area.

The court is framed on all sides by walls made of wooden boards. The inside surface of the side walls are in play. The back board, depending on the situation, may or may not be in play.

COURT BOOKING PROCEDURE

1. Booking will be on a first come, first served basis. If there are scheduling conflicts, it is expected that the involved Bocce Condo Captains will resolve the conflict through negotiation. The Bocce Sport Captain will only become involved if the Bocce Condo Captains cannot agree on an acceptable solution.
2. Booking priority will be given to Summer Games activity over resident social play.
3. Summer Games Condo Play Downs will be given priority over Summer Games practices.
4. In order to be equitable, timeslots of two (2) hours should be the norm for booking the court(s). There may be occasions when more time is required, but it is expected that the condos will respect the needs of others and be flexible and accommodating of others.
5. The signup sheets will be in a location that is independent of FSR staff availability and business hours. The Bocce Condo Captains are responsible for scheduling court time for their respective condo needs.
6. The signup sheets will indicate the reason for the booking: Summer Games Condo Play Down, Summer Games Condo Practice, or Social Activity. This the priority sequence and the reason should be indicated on the signup sheet.

Note: The above booking procedure is in effect until the start of the Preliminary Round. Once the Preliminary Round begins, courts must be booked through the Bocce Sport Captain.

PALLINO

Tournament grade sets are available with pallinos from 40 mm to 60 mm diameter. The Ballantrae Summer Games standard is a 60mm pallino, white, yellow, or gray in colour.

BOCCE BALLS

All 8 balls shall be identical in size and weight. Tournament grade bocce ball sets are available with 100 mm to 115 mm diameter balls and the International Standard is 107 mm. The Ballantrae Summer Games standard is the 107 mm (4.2 inch) diameter ball. There will be four red balls and four green balls.

All Summer Games matches will be played using a neutral, official pallino and bocce balls, as determined by the Referee.

RULES OF PLAY

1. All games will be overseen by a neutral (i.e. non-playing) Referee and a Scorekeeper. The Referee may not give advice to either team or coach players in playing the game. The Scorekeeper only may be one of the players, as mutually agreed upon by both Captains, if a neutral Scorekeeper is not available.

2. Players shall act in a sportsmanlike manner at all times. Unsportsmanlike conduct (e.g. insulting language, gestures, actions, or words, arguing, disruptive play) will be dealt with by the Referee in the following manner:
• On the first infraction, the team will receive a warning
• On the second infraction, the team will lose 1 point
• On the third infraction, the team will lose 3 points
• On the fourth infraction, the team will lose the game by default. Continued disruption may result in a match disqualification and further penalties assessed by the Bocce Sport Captain.

3. The Referee is the final authority on all rules, measurements, and disputed calls during play. The Referee will, at his discretion, determine if a measurement is needed (i.e. he is unable to visually determine the closest ball), and decide if a play stands or will be replayed. Only the Captain(s) may communicate with the referee. Once play has resumed, a call may no longer be disputed. The Referee, at his discretion, may involve the Captain(s) in a discussion. Once a game/match has been completed, no appeals will be allowed for a disputed game/match and the scores and results are considered as final.

4. For safety reasons, a player is only allowed on the court (throwing area only) when delivering the pallino or bocce ball. All other players and unused bocce balls must remain off the court.

5. For safety reasons, volo shooting (lofting the ball in the air beyond the centre line) and overhand throws are not permitted. It is recommended that all players roll the ball, using an underhand motion.

6. Players roll the pallino or bocce ball from within the Throwing Area of the court. Players may not step on or over the foul line before releasing the pallino or a bocce ball. The toe of the foot must be completely behind the foul line. If a player’s toe is on or over foul line while releasing a ball (bocce or pallino), he will receive one warning. Subsequent fouls will result in nullifying the pallino throw, or removal of the thrown bocce ball from play and all struck balls returned to their approximate original positions.

7. The players on any condo team may elect to play their balls in any rotation (consecutive or alternating throws) provided the player who is chosen to initially toss the pallino, delivers the first bocce ball. The rotation may vary from frame to frame; however, no player may deliver more than his allotted number of balls per frame. Players are not allowed to switch ends during a game.

8. Teams will be penalized for late arrival if there are insufficient players (i.e. less than the 2-person minimum) or the team wishes to wait until the absent players arrive in order to begin the match. Five points will be added to the non-offending team’s score after a 10-minute wait and an additional point added for every additional minute. After a 20-minute wait, the absent team will be considered to have forfeited the game. At 30 minutes, the match is forfeited. If a team fields less than two players, the game/match is a forfeit. All forfeited games will be scored as 15-10. A two-member team (one player at each end) or a three-member team (one player at one end and two players at the other end) may play, throwing only 2 balls per player. A third or fourth player arriving late may enter the game after the completion of the frame. This is not a valid player substitution situation.

9. The match shall begin with the flip of a coin between the Captains from each team. The winner of the coin flip may select the first toss of the pallino or choose the colour of the balls. The Captain of the team with the first toss of the pallino, is the first to select the end from which play will commence and the player to initially toss the pallino/throw the first bocce ball. Then, the Captain of the team choosing the colour of the balls decides which players are at each end. The players remain with their respective partners for the entire match. At the conclusion of the first game, the teams will switch ends (players only, not the balls) and the winner of the first game throws the pallino for game two. This process is repeated for the start of game three; but at the halfway point of game three (first team to reach 8 points), the teams will again switch ends and play continues from the end just completed.

10. At the start of a frame, a player may toss the pallino any distance so long as the pallino completely passes the centre line, does not touch or cross the opposing foul line, and is inside (may be touching) the side walls of the court. In the case of the pallino, on the line is considered as out of bounds. If a player fails to validly toss the pallino after one attempt, the opposing team will have a chance to toss the pallino and put it in play. If the opposing team fails to validly toss the pallino, the teams continue to take turns. When the pallino has been properly put in play, the bocce ball throws will commence.

11. No matter who successfully put the pallino in play, the team and player who initially tossed the pallino, will roll the first bocce ball. To be considered in bounds, a bocce ball must come to rest completely over the centre line and may not hit the back wall without first hitting the pallino. Should the rolled ball hit the back wall without first hitting the pallino or come to rest out of bounds, it is a dead ball and is removed from the court. The same person must throw again and continue rolling until a valid point is established or the player has exhausted his two balls. The player’s teammate must then attempt to establish a valid point. If the team is unable to establish a valid point, the opposing team will continue to play and receive points for valid balls. It is permissible to use the side walls when rolling the first bocce ball.

12. Once the point is established, the opposing team must roll until they make a new (closer) point. If the rolled ball hits the back wall without first hitting the pallino or another bocce ball, the rolled ball is considered dead and is removed from play. Another ball is rolled to establish a valid point. It is permissible to use the side walls when rolling the bocce balls.

13. If the pallino is knocked out of bounds by a bocce ball, it is considered dead as soon as it has left the court and the frame ends. The opposing team will be awarded two points and be declared the winner of the frame.

14. If a player’s bocce ball hits another bocce ball and the player’s hitting ball leaves the court, it is considered a dead ball as soon as it has left the court. If player’s bocce ball hits another bocce ball and the hit ball leaves the court, it is replaced in its prior position, or as close as possible. No penalties are assessed and play continues.

15. A bocce ball is considered dead as soon as it leaves the valid playing surface. This may be caused if the bocce ball hits the back wall without first hitting the pallino or hitting another bocce ball OR the bocce ball skips over the wooden court walls. Should a dead bocce ball return to the playing surface, any ball that it hits is replaced in its prior position, or as close as possible. No penalties are assessed and play continues. If it is deemed impossible, by the referee, to replace the hit ball or balls in their prior positions, the non-offending team will be awarded two points and the frame is considered completed.

16. If a player rolls the wrong colored ball, the Referee will replace it with the correct colour when the ball comes to rest.

17. If a player rolls out of turn, the opposing team may accept the result of the illegal roll, or return any moved balls to their approximate original positions. In either case, the illegal ball is removed from play. If balls are sufficiently moved that the approximate original positions cannot be determined, the opposing team has the option to remove the illegal ball, leave the remaining balls where they lay, and continue play; or to be awarded two points and the frame is considered completed.

18. If a player delivers more than his allotted number of balls, the opposing team may accept the result of the illegal roll, or return any moved balls to their approximate original positions. In either case, the illegal ball is removed from play. If balls are sufficiently moved that the approximate original positions cannot be determined, the opposing team has the option to remove the illegal ball, leave the remaining balls where they lay, and continue play; or to be awarded two points and the frame is considered completed.

19. If a player illegally moves one or more of his team’s bocce balls, the ball(s) are removed from the court and considered dead, and play continues.

20. If a player illegally moves one or more of his opponent’s balls during play, the fouled against team has the option of counting one point for each moved ball, and continuing play, or being awarded two points and the frame is considered completed. If a player illegally moves one or more of his opponent’s balls when play has finished but the score has not yet been calculated, the referee has the discretion of awarding 2-4 points (one point for each ball that would have scored) if the foul is flagrant; or no points if, in the referee’s opinion, the foul is innocent and scoring is unaffected.

21. If the pallino is illegally moved by a player, the team fouled against will be awarded as many points as the number of balls that team has already played and the frame will end, or the team fouled against may have the option of declining that penalty and completing the frame.

22. If a spectator, animal, or object interferes with a ball in motion and it does not touch another ball already in play, it must be played over by the same player. If a spectator, animal, or object interferes with a ball in motion and that ball touches another ball already in play, the moved ball is placed back in its approximate original position. If the approximate original position cannot be determined, the frame is considered dead and is replayed from the same end.

23. If, during the course of a frame, a bocce ball or pallino should break, the frame will be considered dead. If an acceptable replacement bocce ball or pallino can be found on a timely basis, play will continue at the same end. Otherwise, the game will be suspended and the remainder of the game/match rescheduled by the Bocce Sport Captain.

24. Team or End Captains may proceed down the outside of the court before a teammate delivers a ball to check the positioning of the balls or to request a measurement. All measurements are at the discretion of the Referee when he is unable to visually determine the closest ball. Once the player is ready to roll the ball, all players must return to their respective positions. Only the Referee is allowed on the court. The Referee may, at his discretion, invite the Captain(s) on the court to assist with a decision. Otherwise, the Captains are not allowed on the court.

25. At the end of each frame (when both teams have exhausted all balls), normal scoring (i.e. non-penalty situations) will be determined as follows: points are awarded to the team whose balls are closer to the pallino than the closest ball of the opposing team which can be determined by viewing or by mechanical measurement. The scoring team for each frame will also win the pallino advantage for the subsequent frame. The Referee, only, will advise the Scorekeeper of the winning team (i.e. ball colour) and points to be awarded.

26. In the event that two opposing balls are equidistant from the pallino (tied), the team that rolled last will continue to roll. The prevailing (or first ball) has to be beaten, not tied. If two opposing bocce balls are equidistant from the pallino at the conclusion of a frame, a blank frame is declared – no points are awarded and play resumes from the opposite end of the court with the same team tossing the pallino.

27. Substitutions:
a. Substitute players must be of the same gender and must be on the official condo alternate players list. Once a substitution has been made, the alternate player will only be allowed to do future substitutions for the same team (Team-A or Team-B).
b. Between matches, substitutions are allowed only for valid medical issues (illness, injury, medical appointments that cannot be rescheduled) or conflicts with other Ballantrae Summer Games’ events that cannot be rescheduled. The Condo Bocce Captain must provide a completed ”Bocce Player Substitution Request” form to the Bocce Sport Captain a minimum of two (2) hours before the scheduled start of the match. If the Bocce Sport Captain is not suitably notified, substitutions are not allowed.
c. During a game, a substitution may be made without prior notice to the Bocce Sport Captain, only in the event of a medical or other verified emergency. Emergency substitutions will only be made at the end of a frame. If this is not possible, the opposing team is awarded two points, the frame is considered completed, and the substitution is made. The alternate player must complete the game and the substituted player cannot reenter that same game. The Condo Bocce Captain must provide a completed “”Bocce Player Substitution Request” form to the Bocce Sport Captain at the conclusion of the match.
d. The condo team alternate players should be present at all matches in order to be available for an emergency substitution. The team requiring an emergency substitution will be allowed a maximum of ten minutes to effect the substitution according to the rule 27.c above.

28. Timeouts:
a. The Referee may grant a timeout whenever, in the opinion of the Referee, there is a valid reason for a timeout. The timeout will be limited to ten minutes (maximum) or less as deemed necessary by the Referee. If, in the opinion of the Referee, the game is being intentionally delayed without sufficient or valid reason, the Referee will give a warning. If play is not resumed immediately, the delaying team will forfeit the match.
b. In the event of delays caused by weather or other unforeseen reasons, the Referee will confer with the two Captains and the Referee will decide if play should continue after a reasonable time delay, or if the game should be suspended and the remainder of the game/match rescheduled by the Bocce Sport Captain.

29. Only the Bocce Sport Captain may reschedule games/matches. Games/matches will be rescheduled only for reasons due to inclement weather or other unforeseen reasons as determined by the Bocce Sport Captain. All rescheduled games/matches must be played during the designated dates/times for rescheduled games/matches.

30. Prior to the scheduled start time of the match, if there is sufficient time for practice by both teams, the Referee, at his discretion, may allow each player to roll a maximum of two bocce balls as a practice. The team that is ready to play first will practice first, followed by the opposing team.

Click to see the BSG 2023 Bocce-A-Results

Click to see the BSG 2023 Bocce-B-Results