"Let's a-play a-ball!"

LEAGUE FORMAT IN EFFECT FOR THE 2008 SEASON.

1. There are 20 teams in the league this season.
2. The league will be split into 2 divisions of 10 teams each, (Red & Green).
3. Team numbers will be designated with a letter and number.  For example, team G1 is team #1 of the Green Division.  Team R5 is team 5 of the Red Division.
4. Each team will play the other 9 teams in their division.  If you are a green team you will play all teams in the Green Division.  Teams will also play 5 out of the 10 teams in the opposing division.
5. The odd numbered teams (1,3,5,7,& 9) from the Red Division will play the odd numbered teams in the Green Division.  The even numbered teams (2,4,6,8, & 10) from the Red Division will play the even numbered teams from the Green Division.
6. Following the 14 weeks of regular-season play, there will be a playoff for the top 4 teams from each division.  In week 15, 1^st place Red will play 4^th place Red, and 1^st place Green will play 4^th place Green.  2^nd place Red will play 3^rd place Red, and 2^nd place Green will play 3^rd place Green. In week 16, there will be two matches which will be the finals from each division.  The 17^th week will be the championship match.  Games in the playoff rounds (Weeks 15,16 and 17) games will be decided by best 2 of 3 game matches.

7. So that the other 12 teams don’t feel left out, the first week of the playoffs will not only have the teams mentioned above playing on Monday, but also the other twelve teams playing one last time on that Wednesday in a position round.  This will allow all teams to play a minimum of 15 weeks, with 12 of the 20 teams finished before Labor Day.

8. Prize money will be divided up as we have in the past, but only through the 1^st week of the playoffs and position round (week 15).  That way, every team will have played the same number of weeks, and have the same opportunity to earn points.  In the future, we may vote to split the money differently, but for now we take $10 for each player and divide it equally by the number of possible points that can be earned.  15 weeks of play x 10 matches per week x 4 possible points per match = 600 possible points.  If, for example, we have 100 players, we will have $1,000 and each point won will be worth $1.67.

9. We will play 3 games each week to 16 points, as voted in at the meeting.

10. Reminder – All regular season players, and subs, must be at least 16 years of age and members of the lodge in good standing.  Please review the attached rules regarding eligibility.

11. Score sheets will be provided in the box under the shelter.  Please complete the score sheet and put it in the box before leaving for the night.  Please mark the time that the match ends on the score sheet in the box indicated.

12. Scores will be posted each week on the Internet.  The web site address is http://www.johnpirelliosia.org/osia/Bocce/League/Men/mensbocceleague.htm

13. Most teams will be responsible for emptying the trash cans one week of the season.  Please check the schedule for your turn.

14. Please make sure your players are ready to roll when it is their turn.  Some matches can last in excess of 3 hours and not being ready to roll helps contribute to long night of play.  Remember, it is the duty of the team captain to keep your players focused on the game.

16. The Men’s Bocce League Banquet Committee will coordinate the end of the year banquet.  Tentative date of 9-29-07. More information will be forthcoming. Please contact me if you would like to be on the committee.

17. A copy of the 1992 International Bocce Association (I.B.A.) rules will be kept at the lodge.  I will not be supplying this document to the teams as I have in the past.  If you would like a copy in PDF format, please let me know.

18. Reminder:  Bocce court & grounds cleanup will be Saturday April 21 at 9:00 AM.  Any help will be greatly appreciated by the Building & Grounds Committee.  If it’s raining the cleanup will be on April 28.