Equipment

Standard bocce sets contain 8 colored balls — 4 balls each to a color, typically green and red — and one smaller ball, called the pallino (or jack).

Please note: Regulation bocce balls weigh 920 grams and are 107mm in diameter - it is preferred you use regulation size balls for play in the league, although it is required for the playoffs.  
 

If you don’t own a set within your team - borrow from another team. We are happy to share!  

 

Starting Time

Match's will be set up for Monday for each week of the season. It is the responsibility of the captains to reschedule with the opposing team for the coming week's match to ensure it happens within the given week. At least one captain is responsible for updating the league calendar on the website to reflect the new day, time and court.  This is important to ensure there are no conflicts of scheduling.  The “home” team is responsible for bringing a bocce ball set and measuring tape. The “away” team is responsible to rake the court before game time. The captain of the winning team provides a score after the match is played on the League Website.

 

• It is best two out of three games. The first team who scores at least 11 points wins the game. 

• A team not present within ten (10) minutes of the scheduled starting time forfeits the game.

 

Forfeits

Teams must have 4+ members on their roster, but are only required to have 3 team members to play each game. If a team shows up with less than 3 players for a match, they automatically forfeit that game.  
 

Start of the Game

• The game begins with rock-paper-scissors between the captains or designated agent from each team. 

• The winner of rock-paper-scissors may have the first toss of the pallino OR choose the color of the balls. 

• A player may toss the pallino any distance so long as the pallino passes the center line of the court and does not leave the court on the sides or on the end. 

• If a player fails to validly toss the pallino after two attempts, the opposing team will have a chance to toss the pallino and put it in play. 

• When the pallino has been properly put in play, the first bocce ball will be thrown by the team who tossed the pallino.

• 3 players are required for a match, if a team does not have 3 players at the start of a match, they forfeit the match.  With 3 players, 2 will play from one end and 1 from the other end.  A player may not move back and forth and play from both ends.
   

Play of the Game 

The team who tosses the pallino throws the first bocce ball, then steps aside and does not roll again until the opposing team has either gotten one of its bocce balls closer to the pallino or has thrown all of its balls.

 

The aim is to get the bocce ball as close to the pallino as possible. 

The team whose bocce balls are closest to the pallino is called “inside” and the opposing team “outside.”

Whenever a team gets inside, it steps aside and lets the outside team roll. The team outside throws until it beats (not ties) the opposing ball. This continues until both teams have used all their bocce balls (a total of 8, 4 from each team).

The team who scored last, throws the pallino to begin the next frame.

• If a player rolls the wrong colored ball, simply replace it with the correct color when the ball comes to rest.

• If a player rolls out of turn the opposing team may leave everything, including the thrown ball, exactly where it is or may return any moved balls to their approximate original positions and remove the thrown ball from play.

• If a ball is moved before all 8 balls are played, the ball is replaced to the approximate original position and the frame continues.

Scoring

Only the “inside” team scores.

• One point is given for each ball of the inside team that is closer to the pallino than any ball of the opposing team.

• If at the end of any frame the closest ball of each team is equal distance from the pallino, the frame ends in a tie and no points are awarded to either team.

• If a ball is touching the pallino that ball is worth 2 points.

• The game will resume from the opposite end of the court with the same team tossing the pallino.

• Captains of each team are responsible for keeping the score sheet and for reporting the results of the game.

The first team who scores at least 11 points wins the game. No games can end with a tie.
 

Pallino

If the pallino is knocked out of the court or it is knocked in the front of the centerline, the frame will end, no points are awarded, and the game will resume from the same end of the court with the same team tossing the pallino ( a “do-over”).
 

Foul Line

Player’s toss of the balls must take place behind the foul line.  The foul line is noted on each end of the court on the side with black paint.
 

Shooting

Shooting, which is lofting the ball in the air beyond the center of the court, is not allowed.
 

Disputes

The teams playing will referee their own game. Any dispute which cannot be resolved by the team captains shall be decided by the Compass Bocce Ball League Commissioner.
 

Measurements

Players are responsible for measuring in case of any disputes. The 'home' team is responsible to bring a measuring tape. All measurements should be made from the inside dimensions of the bocce ball to the inside dimension of the pallino. If both teams agree on which team has the point(s) and it is later determined that a mistake has been made, all balls played are valid. If both teams have balls remaining, the team that does not have the closest ball to the pallino rolls again. If all balls have been played, points are awarded based on the balls that are actually closest to the pallino in accordance with the “Scoring” guidelines.
 

Rescheduled Games

Games may be rescheduled due to weather or other events that present a reasonable challenge to player participation. Teams are responsible to reschedule their own matches and update the event in the League Calendar. Rescheduled matches may occur on a day/time other than the normally scheduled time depending on field availability.
 

Players

A person can only play on one team per league.  Any participant should be on the teams roster in order to play.  A player can be added to the roster by sending a note to the commissioner. 
 

Conduct and Courtesy

We are here to have fun together.

• Respect opponents and teammates. Don't insult them, do help them up.

• Have integrity. Don't whine, cheat or fake an injury.

• Cheer positively. Don't tolerate bad behavior from others.

Team captains are responsible for the actions of their players. If a player is standing in the playing half of the court while the opposing team requests that the player step aside, that request should be honored.
 

Spectators are allowed to interact with the team, but are expected to be respectful of the players and other games in progress. Spectators associated with a specific team are the responsibility of the team captain, and if he or she violates the rules of the park/HOA, the team may be held accountable in the form of a warning. If a team gets three warnings they are automatically disqualified for the season.
 

Courtesy and respect for the other players and other park visitors should be displayed at all times. Excessive profanity and unsportsmanlike conduct is not permitted.

All trash, including cigarette butts, plastic bottles, and other debris, is to be discarded in appropriate containers. Players should strive to ensure the field is in better condition when they leave, than it was when they arrive! We are stewards of our fields!

 

Welcome to Compass Bocce Ball League

 

Welcome to the 2025 Compass Bocce Ball League.  The season will begin the week of June 2nd running through the week of August 11th with the season ending playoffs scheduled for August 23rd.