FAQ / RULES

How long will each 'season' last? 

Each season will last 6 games over the course of 6-8 weeks, depending on the holiday schedule and weather delays.

How much will league play cost? 

Each team cost $450, paid by a Team Captain once registration opens. The Team Captain names the team and choses whether to allow or deny players who enroll for their team.

How many people are on a team? 

Teams need a minimum of 4 players and a maximum of 8 players on the roster. A minimum of 4 players per team must be present each week to play.

How many teams can play in a season? 

We currently host a maximum of 6 teams per season. However, this may grow over time.

Who goes first? 

Begin the game with a coin flip or play rock, paper, scissors between the two captains. The winner determines the end from which play will start, has the first toss of the jack, and chooses the color of their team’s bocce balls. In the playoffs, the higher seeded team has those privileges.

How long is a game? 

A regulation game lasts 30 minutes from the designated start time or until one team reaches 11 points.

How do I know when to play? 

The schedule for each week is posted on the Schedule page.

What happens if the other team doesn’t show? 

A team has 10 minutes past the designated start time to show up.  If they do show up late, but within the allotted 10 minutes, your teams will not receive extra time to play and you must complete your game in the remaining time. If they do not show up, the result is a forfeit.  The team that shows up will win with a score of 11-3.

Can I step inside the court during my throw? 

Yes. For field play you should treat the boundary markers as though they are the boundaries of a walled court.  You are allowed to take two steps into the court during the motion of your throw.

What happens if a ball goes outside of the court? 

During field play, any ball that first hits the ground in-bounds is live no matter where it stops.  A ball is considered dead only if it first hits the ground out of bounds or is knocked out of bounds by another live ball.  Any live ball that is contacted by a dead ball must be allowed to roll until it rests and is then to remain in its new location.  During court games, any ball, including the Jack, that leaves the court is considered dead and out of play.

What constitutes a valid throw of the jack? 

The starting player of each frame may toss the jack any distance so long as the jack passes the center line and is approximately two paces from the end line on the opposite side. For court play, the jack must cross the center line, not touch the back line on the opposite side, and come to rest at least one foot in from the side lines.

What happens if the jack gets knocked out of bounds? 

If the jack is knocked out of the courts boundaries or back in front of the center line the frame will end, no points are awarded, and the game will resume from the opposite end of the court with the same team tossing the jack. For court play, once the jack has been validly put into play, it remains in play.

What happens if the closest ball of each team is equidistant from the jack at the end of a frame? 

If the captains decide the closest ball of each team is equal in distance from the jack, the frame is replayed.

What is the refund policy? 

You are permitted a 50% refund of registration fees if you request the refund prior to the respective seasons original registration close date and time. Once registration has closed, no refunds are provided and any potential credits related to a refund request are at the discretion of SOWAL Bocce Co. and based on the circumstances of the request. Additionally, players acknowledge and agree that SOWAL Bocce Co. may at any time without advanced notice change game dates, game times, and game locations when deemed necessary to facilitate and execute games.