SETS
1. At the start of each frame, the first ball may be rolled by any member of the team that originally threw the pallino. This applies to both the winners of the coin toss and the winners of the previous frame.
2. A toss is valid if:
• The pallino passes the midline.
• The pallino does not touch the back wall.
3. If the player fails to place the pallino in a valid area:
• The opposing team will put the pallino in play.
• If both teams fail, the pallino returns to the original team for another attempt.
• The process alternates until the pallino is in a valid position.
4. The team that originally tossed the pallino plays the first ball until a point is established.
• If no point is established by the initial throwing team, they must continue rolling until a valid point is achieved.
PALLINO (Jack)
1. The pallino is always a valid target and remains in play even if it strikes the back wall after being hit by a valid ball during a frame.
2. If the pallino:
• Is knocked out of the court or
• Bounces back in front of the centerline
→ The frame is void, and the team that started the frame will begin again at the same end of the court.
BACK WALL DEAD
• Any ball that strikes the back wall is dead and removed.
• If a dead ball strikes a stationary ball(s):
1. The dead ball is removed from play.
2. The stationary ball(s) are returned to their approximate original position.
DURING THE GAME
• Measurements can be requested by either team.
• If a tie measurement is determined: the last team to roll a ball must roll again until the tie is broken or all balls have been played.
• If a tie remains after all balls are played, no points are awarded. The team that scored in the previous frame tosses the pallino from the opposite end.
4. If a ball leaves the court, it is considered dead and removed from play for the rest of the frame.
5. Volo shots are NOT allowed.
ILLEGAL MOVEMENT OF PLAYERS, BALLS, OR
PALLINO
1. Players must not touch or move any ball or the pallino until the frame has ended.
• If a player moves a ball before the end of a frame and the balls cannot be accurately replaced:
• All remaining non-thrown balls of the non-offending team are counted as points.
• All remaining non-thrown balls of the offending team are voided.
• The frame is over.
2. If a player plays the wrong color ball, it should be replaced with the correct color when it comes to rest. Play continues.
4. If a player throws out of turn or plays more balls than allowed, the opposing team can choose to:
• Leave all balls as they rest, or
• Remove the illegally thrown ball and return all other balls to their previous positions.
SCORING
1. Only one team scores per frame.
2. Points are awarded for all of a team’s balls that are closer to the pallino than the opposing team’s closest ball.
3. A ball touching the pallino at the end of the frame is scored as 2 points.
4. Games are played to 10 points.
LATE ARRIVALS, SUBSITUTIONS, DELAYS, ETC:
• A team that is not present within 15 minutes of the scheduled start of the game will forfeit the game.
• A team may substitute during a game, but it must be announced to the opposing team before the start of the next frame. Substituted players may not return to that game. If a player/s arrive late, the game will start with that team playing shorthanded. Players may then enter game at the “shorthanded” end after frame is completed. 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 remainder of game. If no alternate is available, the game continues using the late arrival rule.
• Repeated “conferences” during a frame causing delays in the game are discouraged. Please keep the games moving.
WEDNESDAY ROSTER RULES AND REQUIREMENTS
• Each team may play up to 4 regular-season games with a minimum of 3 players instead of the standard 4 players due to unforeseen absences.
• Team captains must notify the league coordinator when utilizing a 3-player lineup.
• Teams are strongly encouraged to maintain a full roster of substitute players to avoid short-handed games and ensure fair competition.
• Playing with fewer than 3 players, or exceeding the four-game limit, will result in the standard ball penalty rule.
