Rules

Mia Maria Bocce Bash

Teams

Matches will be comprised of four players. Two players from each team will be permanently stationed at each end of the court. Throwing two balls each. At the end of each frame, the game resumes at the opposite end of the court. Begin the match with the flip of a coin between the 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.

Tossing the Pallino

A player from the winning team tosses the pallino to start the match, so long as the pallino passes the center line of the court, and does cross the rear foul line. 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.

Starting the Game

The first ball will be thrown by the team who originally tossed the pallino. If that bocce ball crossed the rear foul line, the team must roll another bocce ball. Otherwise, you step aside and that team does not roll again, until the opposing team has either rolled one if its bocce balls closer to the pallino, or has thrown all of its balls. Whenever a team gets a ball closer, it steps aside and lets the other team roll. The other team throws until it beats (not ties) the opposing ball. This continues until both teams have used all their bocce balls. The team who scored last throws the pallino to begin the next frame. Consecutive or alternating throws by teammates shall be at the option of the players. Players may use the side walls at any time. If a player rolls the wrong color ball, simply replace it with the correct color when it comes to rest. If a player rolls out of turn or plays more than two balls, the other team may leave all balls as is or remove the illegal ball from play and return all balls to their approximate position.

Foul Lines

Players may step on but not over the foul line before releasing the pallino or their ball.

Scoring

Only one team scores in a frame. One point is given for each ball that is closer to the pallino than the closest ball of the opposing team. If at the end of any frame the closest ball of each team is equidistant from the pallino, no points are awarded to either team and the game resumes from the opposite end of the court, with the same team tossing the pallino. Games are normally played to 11 points. The tournament host may change this number.
Balls crossing the rear foul line

Any ball crossing the rear foul line shall be considered out of play.

Pallino

Once the pallino is in play, it remains in play even if it crosses the rear foul line during the game. However, if the pallino is knocked out of the court, or is knocked beyond the rear foul line, the pallino will be placed back to its last know position.

Measuring and Disputes

Team captains may measure any balls at any time. All disputes will be resolved by the tournament host.

Fouls

Foul-line Fouls – The foremost part of the specific foul-line will not be surpassed by any part of the foot before the ball leaves the player’s hand.

One courtesy warning may be granted each team after which penalties will be may be assessed.

The penalty for a team committing a 2nd foul-line infraction will be as follows:
(a) the team fouled against will be awarded 1 point for the frame and the team committing the foul will be awarded no points for the frame.
(b) or the fouled against team has the option of declining the penalty and completing the frame.

Illegal Movement of an Opponent’s Ball – If a player moves one or more of his opponent’s balls, those balls are removed and awarded one point each and play continues. Only one team is awarded points, so only the team fouled against can be awarded points.

Illegal Movement of a Ball Belonging to Your Own Team – If a player moves one or more of his team’s balls, it or they are removed from the court and considered dead and play continues.

Tournament Structure

Each team is guaranteed 2 games in the tournament structure. The team that has zero losses at the conclusion of the tournament will be crowned champion.