The Urban Bocce Ball League (UBBL) rules are as
follows:
1. Time/Locations:
2. Rules/Scoring
3. Games
4. Weather
5. Teams
6. Uniforms
7. Playoffs
1. Time/Locations:
Time: All games will be played on Wednesdays
starting at 7pm sharp. If a team is more than 15 minutes late without
adequately communicating this to the opposing team in advance then they will
start the first game down 3 points. Every additional 15 minutes is another
three points and any team later than 45 minutes forfeits the first game.
Locations: The schedule will list all field
location for play. Please consult the following below for gathering points.
Boston
Common (Park Street): Meet just outside of the Park Street redline and
green line entrance/exit areas.
Cambridge
Common (Harvard Square): Meet in the large bench area where the large
statue is.
Danehy Park
(Porter Square): Meet directly above the playground at the picnic benches located
on Sherman Street where there is a parking lot.
Esplanade
(Charles/MGH): Meet to the right of the walkway coming down from
Charles/MGH as we will try to play on the fields near the hospital or else walk
down to the hatch shell area.
Greenway
(Haymarket): Meet at the location just across from Goody Glover outside the
Haymarket T stop area.
Liberty
Park (Davis Square): Meet at the top of the park where the round stone
building is.
2. Rules/Scoring:
Rules: Due to the terrain differences, play
everything as it lies. Typically bocce ball rules apply in that after the
pallino is thrown, the same player will throw his first bocce ball. The purpose
of the game is to get your bocce balls as close as possible to the pallino. After
the first player has thrown his first bocce ball, he is considered
"inside" because his ball is closer to the pallino than the other
teams balls. The other team are considered "outside." Whenever a team
is considered "inside," they will forfeit their turn throwing bocce
balls. The "outside" team players will take turns throwing their
bocce balls until one of theirs gets closer to the pallino than the
"inside" team. After all teams have thrown their bocce balls, the
team that is "inside" will be awarded points. One point will be awarded
to this team for every ball that is closer to the pallino than the other team's
ball. After the points are awarded, the frame is completed. Start a new frame
by a player from the winning frame tossing the pallino and the first bocce
ball. A game is won when a team reaches 11 points. Play as many frames as
necessary until a team reaches this point level. All teams must win by at least
2 points.
Trash talking is most certainly allowed but not
when a person is about to throw the ball.
3. Games:
All teams will play 2 games each week with the possibility
for a third game. There is 3 total points available per matchup each week. A
total of three games can be played if each team wins one of the first two
games. Each game is worth one point unless one team wins the first two games at
which point it's a sweep and they get all three points without having to play
the third game. Or else a third game is played and worth one additional point.
The league will consist of 8 regular season games
and three weeks of playoffs.
4. Weather:
The league will always attempt to play games
regardless of the weather. This is a rain or shine league and it will only be
cancelled if there is severe thunderstorms that contain lightning. An email
notice will go out no later than 5pm if there is to be a cancellation. If you
don't get one then expect the games to be played.
5. Teams:
Teams are compromised of a two man team for play.
However, teams can have an all time alternate for weeks when one or both of you
can't make it. This person can also be worked into game play with the other two
players so long as its communicated to the other team in advance via email as
to which two players will play all three potential games that week. Thus game
one will be player A & B, game two will be player B & C and the third
game will be player A & C if needed. If this is not communicated prior to
the start of the games then the other team can prevent the switching of players
if they feel it's done to create an unfair advantage based on a players skills
that evening.
A team must play with two players for a game
unless the other team allows someone to play solo. However, only one true
member of a team must be present as outside guest players not on the roster are
allowed to play but only for a maximum of two different weeks. Sorry no ringers
allowed if you start the season and your partner just isn't cutting it.
6. Uniforms:
Team uniforms and overall spirit is greatly
encouraged. There is pretty much no bounds on what you'd like to do on this
except remember that we will be in public parks for all to view.
7.
Playoffs:
There will be a three week 8 team playoff at the
end of the season for the four best teams in each division. The highest ranked
team in each division will play the lowest ranked team in the other division
and accordingly so for the other places. After which teams will play based on
the bracket structure. The number two ranked team will always be placed in the
bracket side opposite of the team that finished first in their division.
For those that don't make playoffs we will have our
first ever horses ass playoffs. Basically, all other teams will play based on
ranks similar above but from worst to best. Ultimately, if you lose you will
continue on each week to play another team that lost until the worst team is
determined.
