Bocce Ball

DATE: July 20-21, 2024

SITE: Sonny’s – Aksarben Village (1905 S 67th St., Omaha) – View Map

TIMES: 

Saturday, July 20:
Competition Starts – 12 p.m.
Competition Ends – 8 p.m.

Sunday, July 21:
Competition Starts – 12 p.m.
Competition Ends – 5 p.m.

AWARDS: Custom Cornhusker State Games gold, silver and bronze medals given to top three team participants in each division.

Open Division – Teams of 4

Rules

*All In Sports reserves the right to change the tournament format based on the entry numbers, space/time restrictions, or other circumstances.

•    Begin Play: “Roll off” between team captains with each throwing a single ball, closest to pallino, will determine which team begins play. Toss is valid if the pallino crosses the center line, is approximately three feet from the back wall and twelve inches from the side rails. Failure to place the pallino in valid area requires a second attempt before passing control of pallino to opponent.
•    The Game: After placing the pallino in play, the bocce balls rolled are not permitted to hit the back wall without touching the pallino and is considered a dead ball and removed from court.  The team repeats rolling until they point and establish being “IN”.  Once the point is established, the opposing team must point or shoot until they are “IN”.  Balls can be measured at any time. In the event of a tie bocce ball the last team to roll must roll again until tie is broken. When all balls have been played and tie is still verified remove balls of equal distance and determine a single point based on remaining balls. If a ball is moved during measuring,  the point is awarded to the opposing team.
•    Illegal Movement: If a ball hits the backboard without first touching another bocce ball or pallino, it is a dead ball and removed from court. Once dead if the ball bounces and strikes a stationary ball they are returned to their approximate original position. A ball that does not cross the center line is left in play but cannot point.  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.  However, if 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 opposite end of the court.  Players should never touch or move any ball or pallino until frame has ended. If approximate location of touched ball cannot be determined, all remaining non-thrown balls of the non-offending team are counted as points. All non-thrown balls by the offending team are voided and the frame is over.
•   Game Notes: Consecutive or alternating throws by teammates shall be at the option of the players.  If a player rolls the wrong color bocce ball, simply replace it with the correct color when it comes to rest. Play continues.  A player that shoots out of turn or plays more balls than allowed, the opposing team has the option of leaving all balls as they rest or remove the illegally thrown ball from play and return all other balls to previous positions.
•    Scoring: Points are scored after all balls have been thrown. The team with the ball closest to the pallino is the only team scoring in that frame. Scoring team receives one point for each of their balls closest to the pallino than the other team’s closest ball.  The team that scores, controls the pallino to begin the next frame.  Games are usually played to 12 points (40 minutes). If game is called due to time, the leading team gets the win. If game is tied at 25 minutes, then one additional frame will be played to break it.

Competition Format

 “Regional” – 16 teams would be divided into groups of four, playing a double elimination group. The winners of the regional would advance to the “Super Regional” for a double elimination four team final. The first games played on Saturday would include each regional up to the regional championship which would be about an 8 hour day. On Sunday, the four regional championships would be played followed by the four team super regional double elimination games which would be about 4 ½ hours of play. Only half the teams (8 of the 16) would play at least one game on Sunday.

NEW THIS YEAR! Updated Registration Software!

• Visit your sport-specific webpage to find the registration link.
• Fill out a separate form for each participant and sport you are registering for.

PRICING DEADLINES:
$35 per person until June 19 (includes FREE shirt)
$35 per person until July 2 (no FREE shirt)

ENTRY FEE INCLUDES:  Competition and Summer Fun Freebies (coming soon) courtesy of our sponsors.

SHIRT SHIPPING: Teams who register by June 19 will have their shirt shipped to the address they provide. Upgrade and additional shirts will be available to purchase during registration. There is no packet pickup—information or items needed for competition will be provided onsite or online according to instructions emailed to athletes.

NOTE: Team boxes will not be shipped until after the June 19 shirt deadline. Shirt sizes and quantities will be final after that date.

PAPER ENTRY FORMS: Paper entry forms will be accepted with a $5 processing fee. Registering online saves time, money and trees.

Sport Specific Questions: Contact Bocce Ball Co Director Jeff Larson jeff@gameonomaha.com or Co Director Suzanne Larson at suzanne@gameonomaha.com

Online Registration/Website Questions: Contact the Cornhusker State Games office at 402-471-2544 or info@nebraskasportscouncil.com.

2023 Medal Winners