​San Pedro Bocce Club

SAN PEDRO BOCCE CLUB CODE OF CONDUCT

 

1.   All members shall treat other members and visitors with respect. There shall be no usage of foul language (swearing or

      cursing), no pushing or shoving, no snide remarks made to other members regarding their lack of bocce skills (we were

      all beginners once), no picking on one another, no name calling no behaviors that are embarrassing to our Club and its

      members, and no poor sportsmanship. The most important thing to remember is that we are all friends and that bocce is

      only a game. Physical or verbal abuse from one member to another member is grounds for suspension and dismissal.

 

2.   Captains for Round Robin Tournament play will be chosen by random selection.

 

3.   Teams for Round Robin Tournament play will be chosen by random selection.

 

4.   Only captains or designated official may suggest to a player where to shoot.

 

5.   Only designated official or captains will keep score on the scoreboard unless they ask someone else to do so. Only

      captains will resolve disputes.

 

6.   Only designated official or captains will measure when needed. Everyone else must stay off the court.

 

7.   Everyone must stay off the court and be quiet when someone is shooting the ball.

Updated 05/2015

 

 

 

SAN PEDRO BOCCE CLUB BY-LAWS

 

Introduction

Preface-These Bylaws are intended to inform the membership and any others of the procedures by which the San Pedro Bocce Club operates and are binding to all club members and officers.

 

Mission Statement- Our purpose is to include the game of bocce for adult players of all nationalities and abilities and to provide a social, friendly atmosphere within our non-profit organization, the San Pedro Bocce Club.

 

By-law 1 Name- San Pedro Bocce Club is registered with the State of California, as an unincorporated non-profit organization. The president shall be in compliance with the annual agreement between the San Pedro Bocce Club and the Port of Los Angeles (POLA).

 

By-law 2 Meetings and Order of Business- Meetings shall be held on the first Wednesday of each month or as otherwise assigned by the President or Vice-President; The President may call any special meetings with the Executive Board as needed. Meetings shall consist of the Mission Statement, Roll Call, Reading of Minutes, Officers and Committee Reports, Special Orders, Unfinished Business, New Business, General discussion (only during Open Meetings), Meeting Review and Adjournment.

 

By-law 3 Membership- Club members shall pay membership dues of $25.00 annually to maintain their active status. The Club shall maintain a membership roster that includes 51% of Club members who are residents of the city of San Pedro and neighboring cities, which include: Harbor City, Lomita, Long Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates and Wilmington, in compliance with the annual agreement between the San Pedro Bocce Club and the POLA.

 

By-law 4 Conduct- All Club members shall follow the written San Pedro Bocce Club Code of Conduct. All Club members shall follow and obey POLA codes, rules and the requests of POLA staff employees. Suspension or dismissal shall be determined on a case by case basis, and decided by a majority vote of the Council for any club member charged with offending or harming another Club member.

 

By-law 5 Non-payment of Dues- Membership dues must be paid to maintain active status. Non payment of dues on the Club’s annual June Election night will terminate a Club member’s voting and prospective candidate rights. Club members with outstanding dues exceeding one month shall be notified by mail and or email of their inactive status. Members on inactive status are not allowed the same privileges as an active member until dues are paid in full.

 

By-law 6 Reinstatement- Club members who have been terminated from the Club may request to be reinstated after a period of two years by written letter to the president who will review the case with the Council members.

 

By-law 7 Nominations and Elections- Any Club member in good standing and on active status may run for office. In April of each year a Club member shall volunteer to act as a nominating chairperson who shall seek new nominees within the Club and will submit interested candidates to the Club’s secretary at the following Club meeting in May. Elections shall be held each year on the first Wednesday of June; and the winners shall be determined by a majority of votes decided by active Club members by means of cast of ballot. When any officer resigns, or is removed, and/or the vacancy cannot be filled, Council members by a majority vote shall appoint an active status Club member to serve in that office; or the Council shall petition the current officer to extend his or her term.

 

By-law 8 Board Members:

 

8.1    President (Executive)- shall preside at meetings of the Club and represent the best interest of the Club at all times. He or she shall enforce all rules pertaining to the Club, and shall cast a deciding vote in the event of a tie. A candidate running for president shall be decided by a majority vote by Club members annually.

 

8.2    Vice-President (Executive)- shall perform the duties of the President in his or her absence. The vice-president shall perform any duties the president assigns. A candidate running for vice-president shall be decided by a majority vote by Club members annually.

 

8.3    Secretary (Executive)- shall maintain records of all meetings of the Club, maintain an updated membership roster of all Club members, and act as a correspondent in matters that pertain to the business of the Club. A candidate running for secretary shall be decided by a majority vote by Club members annually.

 

8.4    Treasurer (Executive)- shall receive and take care of all money belonging to the Club. The treasurer shall report the Club’s budget and finances when requested. The treasurer shall make deposits in the name of the Club. The treasurer shall notify any Club member for non-payment of dues. A candidate running for treasurer shall be decided by a majority vote by Club members annually.

 

8.5    Council- the Club’s council shall consist of five members, three of which are residents of the city in compliance with the annual agreement between the San Pedro Bocce Club and POLA. The council shall have the authority to form and implement Club decisions. The council shall act as representatives for all Club members and to the best of their ability their vote shall sustain the Club’s best interest overall. No married couple and/or partners shall occupy two council member positions during the same term. Candidates running for council member seats shall be decided annually by a majority vote by Club members.

 

8.6    Quorum- For a council vote to be valid a quorum must exist at the time of the vote and preceding discussion. A quorum shall consist of the following board members: One executive member, three council members and a minutes recorder (Secretary or person acting on his or her behalf).

 

8.7    Special Meeting- a special meeting for the Club may be granted at any time by the president or in the president’s absence by the vice president or the secretary. A written request must be submitted by at least 5 members. A fifteen days notice with the subject of the meeting shall be given to Club members. Seventy-five percent (75%) of the Club’s members shall be present to conduct a special meeting business.

 

8.8    Amendments- By-laws may be amended by a majority vote at any regular or special meeting. A thirty day (30) notice shall be given to members for any amendments to be considered. Members not present for such a meeting may vote through absentee ballot.

 

8.9    Dissolution- the Club may be dissolved by a seventy-five percent (75%) vote of its active members. The property is then distributed equally amongst approved charities.

 

Conclusion- San Pedro Bocce Club is a social, recreational Club that is operated on a volunteer basis. No Club member shall benefit financially in any way from the club’s funds. The San Pedro Bocce Club is recognized in good standing with the POLA.

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Rules for Southern California Bocce Tournaments

(2017 Version)

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1. Balls: The USBF’s official size balls for tournament play are: 107 mm diameter and 920 grams (approx. 2 lbs.) in

weight. Players are allowed to use their own set of balls as long as they meet these specifications.

 

2. Foul Lines: They should be clearly marked both on court surface and side boards. There should only be one line for         pointing and shooting and the recommendation is 13’ from the back wall. Players may step on but not have their foot           completely over the foul line before releasing the pallino or the bocce ball. Players are not permitted to carry a ball(s) over the lag line. If this occurs, the ball(s) will be burned.

 

Any ball that crosses the lag line is considered as if it were played. A player that chooses to have a ball in his/her non-           playing hand while lagging or shooting assumes the risk of losing that ball should it cross the foul line, if it drops in the

field of play, or if the hand carrying the non-playing ball crosses the lagging line.

 

Likewise, a player may not allow his/her playing ball to touch the court beyond the lagging line before actually playing it         (tapping or spinning it against the ground). That ball will be considered played and must remain at the spot where it first         touched the playing field.

 

3. The Game: Begin the game with a flip of a coin between the Captains of each team. The winner of the coin flip will         determine the end from which play will start, has control of the pallino, and chooses the color of balls it wants to use

(applies when “house” balls are used).

 

a. Pallino Toss: Toss is valid if the pallino passes center line and does not touch the back wall on opposite end. Pallino may touch and rest against side boards on the first throw. There does not have to be any distance between the side and pallino. If the player fails to place the pallino in valid area, the opposing team will put the pallino in play. If both players fail, the pallino returns to the original team for an additional attempt. Alternating process continues until pallino is in valid position.

 

b. Toss of 1st Ball: The Team that originally tossed the pallino will play the first ball. The first ball may be rolled by ANY member of the Team that originally threw the pallino. Should the rolled ball hit the backboard without touching the pallino, it is a dead ball and removed from the court. The same Team must throw again and continue rolling until a valid point is established. Once the point is established, the opposing Team must point or shoot until they make a new (closer) point. Players may use side boards at any time.

 

c. Measurements: Balls can be measured at any time and, in case of doubt, an official referee or tournament official should be called. Any of the three methods of measuring will be allowed to be performed by referees only, whether by tape, stick and/or laser.

 

In the event a tie is determined, the last Team to roll a ball must roll again until the tie is broken. If, after all balls are played there is still a tie, no points are awarded and play resumes with the Team last scoring tossing the pallino from the opposite end of the court.

 

In the event a ball(s) is/are moved during a measurement by an official, the balls are returned to their approximate positions and the official will still make the call. If, however, a member of a Team currently playing measures and moves a ball, the point is awarded to the opposing team. In any case, the decision of a referee or official is final.

 

d. Center Line: In 4 players/team tournaments, where 2 players of the same team play on opposite ends of the court, no Team Member, including team captains, can cross the center line until the frame is over. Players must remain at their respective end of the court.

 

In other tournaments, where the same players walk and play at both ends of the court, 1 player from each team may cross the center line to witness a measurement ONLY if no team member has played his/her quota of balls. Once a player has thrown both balls, he/she MUST walk to the opposite end of the court and stay off the court; he/she may step on the court to witness a measurement and to inform his/her team mate(s) of the current situation but MUST be off the court prior to a team mate rolling the next ball. Any player violating the center line rule will be disqualified from further playing in that round and his/her unplayed balls will be forfeited. If the offending player has already played his/her balls but balls still remain to be played at his/her end of the court, one of the not-yet played balls is forfeited.

 

e. Backboard: If a ball hits the backboard without first touching another ball or pallino, it is a dead ball and removed from the court. If a ball hits the backboard illegally and then strikes a stationary ball(s), the shot ball is removed from the court and the stationary ball(s) are placed in their approximate original position(s). In the event a ball(s) resting against a backboard are moved as a result of a valid shot, they remain in their new position. If, however, they move as a result of an invalid shot, they are returned to their approximate original positions. The pallino is always a valid target and remains in play even if it strikes the back wall after being struck by any valid ball during a frame. If, however, the pallino is knocked out of the court or bounces back in front of the center line, the frame is considered void and the Team that started the frame will begin again at the same end of the court.

 

4. Scoring: Only one team scores in a frame (unless there is a tie). Games are usually played to 11 or 12 points (the                 tournament director must announce which before the start of the tournament). Tournament Directors can decide any             variation to game points but should do so prior to the start of the event.

 

5. Illegal movement of balls or the pallino: Players should never touch or move any ball or the pallino until frame has ended. If a player moves a ball prior to the end of a frame (thinking play is over), all remaining non-thrown balls of the playing team are voided and the frame is over.

 

6. Players being struck during play: ALL players should be out of the court if possible. If not possible, they should be positioned in front of play area when a player at the opposite end is shooting.

 

If a player is in the court standing BEHIND the point balls and pallino (in harms’ way or “downstream”) and is struck by a ball or pallino as a result of a raffa or volo shot, the opposing team receives the Rule of Advantage! The options are:

 

 

a. Leave all balls and pallino in the new configuration; or

 

b. Remove the ball or pallino that struck their opponent from the court. If the pallino is removed from the court, the frame is over and play begins from the same end.

 

If, however, the player is standing in front of the point balls or pallino (out of harms’ way or “upstream”), and is struck by a ball that moves backwards toward a player as the result of a raffa or volo shot, the ball remains in play because the player was in a valid position. In the event the pallino moves backward and touches a player, the frame is over and play begins from the same end.

 

If a player is struck by a ball or pallino in a point attempt or lag, the Rule of Advantage applies no matter where the player was standing.

 

7. Shooting and Pointing: There are basically two (2) types of shooting:

 

a. Volo: the act of lofting the ball in the air attempting to hit the target. Tournament Directors may – for safety concerns – determine that Volo shooting may not be allowed. If it is allowed, the USBF uses the same foul line for both raffa and volo shooting.

 

b. Raffa: the act of shooting at a target either by releasing the ball at ground level, slightly lofting the ball, or rolling the ball in a forceful manner.

 

Pointing is done with either foot or both feet before or on the pointing line. A throw is valid as long as any part of the foot/feet is on the line.

 

When shooting (either style), the player is allowed to step on the line prior to releasing the ball. As long as even the heel is on the line, it is a valid shot. Once a player has released the ball, he/she is allowed to continue steps up to the center line. This is considered valid.

 

8. Late arrivals, substitutions, delays, etc.: Generally, a team not present within 15 minutes of scheduled start of the game will forfeit the game. If one or more players arrive late, the game will start with that team playing shorthanded and minus one ball per each player missing. In a 4-players per team tournament, where 2 team players are stationed at each end of the court, a team may play a match only if a minimum of 2 players are present, one player playing 3 bocce at each end of the court. A team without at least two players present at the scheduled game start time forfeits the game. If players arrive late, the game will start with that team playing shorthanded and minus the appropriate number of balls. Late arriving players may then enter game at “shorthanded” end after frame is completed.

 

a. Double Elimination Tournaments: If a team is running late, they must notify the host club in advance of the start time. As long as there are teams present to proceed with the tournament, the late team’s game in the first round will be played out of order and be played when all members are present or at the end of the round. If the team is not present by the end of round one, it will forfeit the game.  If it is still not present by the end of the first round in the loser’s bracket, they will forfeit and therefore be eliminated due to the double elimination rule. 

 

b. Substitutes: In a tournament where substitutes are allowed, a team may substitute only once during a game and it must be announced to the opposing team before the start of the next frame. A substituted player may not return to that game. In the event a player must leave a game in progress, an alternate may enter at the end of a frame and the player that leaves cannot return for the remainder of the game. If no alternate is available, the game continues, using the late arrival rule.

 

c. Delays Due to “Conferences”: Conferences will be limited to a maximum of 1 minute, and no more than 3 per game. If delays continue, the “burned ball” rule should be placed in effect and one of the offending player’s balls will be removed from the court.

 

9. Other Game Notes:

a. Consecutive or alternating throws by teammates shall be at the option of the players.

 

b. Any time a player is in action, opposing players should be off the court or far behind the player if courts don’t have adequate space.

 

c. If a player plays the wrong color ball, simply replace it with the correct color when it comes to rest. Play continues.

 

d. If a player rolls/shoots out of turn or plays more balls than allowed, the opposing team has two (2) options: leave all balls as they rest, or remove the illegally thrown ball from play and return all other ball(s) to previous position(s).

 

e. There are no warnings for foot fouls while a player is in the act of shooting volo, raffa, or pointing and the “Advantage Rule” will apply (the opposing team may leave all balls or pallino as they rest, or remove the illegally thrown ball from play and return all other balls or pallino to their previous positions).

 

f. All balls – whether in or out of play during a game – must be visible at all times. Players that hold a ball in their hand, hiding it from the opposing players may lose that ball.

 

g. Any controversy not covered by any of these rules will be resolved by the majority vote of the captains attending the tournament. If the captains’ votes are deadlocked, the tournament coordinator has the tiebreaker vote and his/her decision is final.

                                                                                                                                                                           Updated 01/2017