SVE Bocce Ball Referee Rules and Etiquette
1. Must remain impartial when serving as a Referee.
2. Referees should stand close to the pallino when deciding which balls are closer. In order to get a more accurate count, rather than trying to decide while sitting on the bench. The team that throws the pallina throws the first point ball. Once the first ball is placed, the other team has the opportunity to deliver a ball closer to the pallina than the opponents ball. (In the case of a tie, the team delivering the tying ball continues to deliver balls.) The team with a ball nearest the pallina lets the other team deliver balls until they have a ball closer or are out of balls. Then the opposing team plays. The team with the closest ball to the pallina is the only team that can score points in any frame. The scoring team receives one point for each of their balls that is closer to the pallina than the closest ball of the other team.
3. When all balls have been thrown, the Referee should pick up the ball closest to the pallino first as he or she begins to shout the points,while looking at the scoreboard so those at the scoreboard can hear the results. For example, the Referee shouts "red two points" as he or she picks up the first red ball closest to the pallino and then the second closest red ball to the pallino if that is closer than any of the other colored balls.
4. When the Referee is not sure which color ball is closer, Referee may call on one member of the opposing team to help determine which color ball is closest to the pallino. If it's still hard to tell, the Referee may then choose to call it a tie. When a tie measurement is called by the Referee, the team delivering the last ball shall continue throwing until their ball is closer to the pallino or they've used up their balls. If the game is toward the end and the Referee chooses to measure, one member from the opposing team helps with this task as directed by the referee. The referee then makes the winning determination and calls out the winning ball points.
5. The Referee is responsible for Reading and Understanding the Bocce Ball Club Rules.
6. The whole idea is to be courteous and allow everyone who is playing to feel like the game is being handled fairly.
We have a wonderful Bocce Ball group and encourage all players to enjoy the game and make lots of friends in the process.
A full set of rules is posted on the bulletin board.
If you plan to be a Referee please read the rules.
Original rules drawn up 3-23 Irene Pfannenstiel
Revised 10-23 Bocce Board