The International Standard ball used in international play is the 107 mm (4.2 inches) ball weighing 920 grams, or about two pounds. The Pallino has no official regulation size but the International Standard size is 40 mm.
Bocce balls usually have specific designs carved into each ball (see below). Each color has two designs to differentiate them, with the same two designs appearing on both sets of green and red balls. As the balls get used they lose their initial shiny appearance and eventually over time the lines disappear altogether. The lines are not typically used for anything other than keeping track of balls during pickup games, if so needed. And most importantly Bocce balls enjoy affection, which is why the Hone Dogs developed their Rule #3: Love Your Balls.
Bocce Courts are traditionally constructed out of clay, oyster shell or decomposed granite. Courts tend to vary in length between 60 and 90 feet (18.2 and 27.3 metres) and between 8 and 12 feet (2.4 and 3.6 metres) in width, and are surrounded by wooden boards or concrete walls of approximately 4 to 10 inches (10.2 to 25.4 centimeters) in height. Bocce can also played on soil, grass, sand, composite rubber or even asphalt.
Our courts in St. Helena consist of eight 90' x 10' (27.3 x 3 metres) decomposed granite courts. Four of which solely utilize wooden Side Boards (Courts 2-3-4-5), while the other four (1-6-7-8) have concrete foundations, to which the wooden Side Boards are bolted. The two foot Fault Lines at each end and Centerline are marked on the Side Boards of each court. Depending on each league's rules one cannot step either on or over the Fault Line while lagging or shooting. The Centerline marks the middle of the court (stating the obvious) and the Pallino must come to rest over this line when starting a frame, to be considered a valid throw. The Side Boards can be used to create a different angle on a shot and unlike the Back Wall it is okay to hit the Side Boards anywhere in the field of play.
The Back Walls of Bocce courts are sometimes made up of a different material because they must efficiently stop high velocity shots (volos) that are part of the strategy of Bocce. We use crushed egg crate boards bolted to the underlying wooden frame due to their ability to absorb and disperse the energy of a shot, which in turn minimizes kickback into the field of play. The Pallino cannot touch the Back Wall when it is initially thrown to begin a frame (if it does the other team gets to throw it and lag first). In addition, any Bocce ball that hits the Back Wall is immediately removed from play for the duration of that frame.
Court maintenance is essential to keeping the decomposed granite surfaces smooth and hard so that the balls roll at a consistent speed. Bocce courts should be dragged (we use a carpet-covered 4" x 6"), watered thoroughly with a hose (we use the garden variety), dragged again when still damp but not wet, then rolled with a heavy duty, water-filled hand roller (I think you can get one at Dean and Deluca).
Capo lagging on Court 5. Notice a fan has wandered out onto the court. Security!!!
Scoreboards are used at most established Bocce courts to track the score of each game. Depending on the rules for the particular league Scoreboards come in many different shapes, styles and sizes. Most leagues tend to have game scores that range from 10 to 16 points.
In St. Helena we play to 12 points and use simple, lightweight removeable boards with painted plastic clothespins for easy viewing from the opposite end of the court.
However, the score is double-checked by a written score sheet which is attached to a clip board and marked as each game progresses. The clipboard is also used to record which players played in each particular game, this sheet is then turned in at the end of the match to be tabulated and posted by the Bocce Supervisor.
The Hone Dogs are always green so we must be winning
Tape Measures are an instrumental part of the game of Bocce. Points in Bocce are assesed by which ball (or balls) are closer to the Pallino than the closest opponents' ball. Sometimes two opposing balls are so close that it takes the aforementioned Tape Measure to determine which color ball is actually the point.
A measurement is best when the end of the Tape Measure is gently placed touching the center of the Bocce ball and the tape is held above the Pallino. Players from each team can then look from above at the front edge of the Pallino to agree on the measurement. Both team's players should concur on the measurement before play resumes.
An example of why the Tape Measure is used. Red looks in, dag blammit.
So here's where we put it all together. As you can see Capo is lagging his Bocce Ball from behind the foot Fault Line towards the Pallino, which was thrown across the Centerline at the beginning of the frame. Capo may try to use one of the Side Boards to angle his shot towards the Pallino, but he cannot touch the Back Wall with his ball b/c it would be considered dead and pulled from court. If there are two close balls the Tape Measure will be used to determine which is closer so that the final score can be tallied up at the end of the frame and marked on the Scoreboard. Now you know how to play Bocce, check out our Rules and Regulations page to go even deeper in depth, or frantically jump in your car and drive to the nearest court and begin a pure and fulfilling life of selfless Bocce service after going to our Where to Play Bocce page. You'll be a Bocce expert by the time you leave this site if we have anything to say about it.
Nice rear shots of Capo and the Ninja