2025 Summer Bocce League

2025 Summer Bocce League – Update (May 15)

Thank you to everyone who came to last night’s kickoff and orientation. Registration is closed and the 32 regular-season spots are now locked. 

Below is everything you need between today and opening night.

• IMPORTANT DATES
  • Wednesday May 21, 6 PM – First match (be on your court, ready to roll)
  • Wednesdays, May 21 – Sept 3, 6 PM – Weekly league play, rain or shine
  • Wednesday Sept 10, 6 PM – Bocce Awards Dinner

• TEAMS
  Team 1 – Captain Carol Y.; Maria V., Patty A., Ron H.
  Team 2 – Captain Peter M. (Walpole); Elsie G., Larry S., Linda F.
  Team 3 – Captain Hans L.; Cathy D., Christina B., Paul W.
  Team 4 – Captain Jim P.; Hugh S., Leslie S., Stefanie N.
  Team 5 – Captain Judy F.; Jackie W., Richard S., Tenne F.
  Team 6 – Captain Ginger S.; Joan W., Laura M., Peter M. (Norwood)
  Team 7 – Captain Fran S.; Sally O., Gina M., Nancy M.
  Team 8 – Captain Karen S.; Austin S., Claire P., Diane L.

Substitutes (thank you!): Debbie R., Sandy P., Peggy P., Michael G., Angelo A., Fred C., Kevin M., Pat S., Eamon C., Gloria D.

• GAME-NIGHT ROUTINE
  • Arrive by 6 PM. Scoreboards list the two team numbers on each court—find yours and check in with teammates.
  • Each match = three games between the same two teams; expect about two hours.
  • Turn in a fully completed score sheet before leaving.

• CAPTAIN DUTIES (SUPER LOW-KEY)
  • Show up five minutes early to help start play.
  • Make sure the score sheet is filled out and submitted.
  • Pass along any urgent cancellations (we’ll text/email captains only for extreme weather).
  • If your team prefers a different captain, just tell a director.

• SUBS & REFUNDS
  • Players listed as subs receive an automatic refund of unused full-season fees—no action needed.
  • Subs play for $5 per evening when called.

• COMMUNICATION & ABSENCES
  • Still need to tell us the Wednesdays you’ll miss? Email Mark no later than the Monday of that week so we can schedule subs.
  • Captains: please relay league messages to teammates who don’t use email.

• HOUSEKEEPING
  • Dress for the weather, bring water, and remember: no alcohol is permitted (only inside the club).
  • Restrooms are beside the courts inside.

• SCHEDULE & RULES
  • Full schedule and court assignments are on the league page: https://www.iacwalpole.org/bocce
  • League rules and updates will live there all season—bookmark it.

LOOKING AHEAD
Interest keeps growing. After the season we’ll survey everyone about adding a second league night in 2026 so more players can go full-time.

Questions? Reach out anytime:

Mark Annati (Director) | tronpilot+IAClub@gmail.com | 508-472-7632
Ginger Sweetman & Carol Younes (Co-Directors)

See you on the courts May 21—let’s roll!

Bocce Rules

IMPORTANT DATES

• Wednesday, May 7: Registration Deadline

  • RSVP to Mark Annati, tronpilot+IAClub@gmail.com or 508-472-7632. 

• Wednesday, May 14 at 6 PM: Payment Due and Season Kickoff with orientation. 

  • Season Fees: $50 – IAC Members, $75 – Non-Members, Substitutes – $5 per game.

  • Venmo $$ to @IACWalpole, OR Mail a check to the club (Italian American Club of Walpole, 109 Stone Street, Walpole, MA 02081), OR bring cash/check on May 14th.

• Wednesday, May 21 at 6 PM: Teams will be announced and league play starts. 

  • Games are every Wednesday at 6 PM (rain or shine) for 16 weeks, ending September 3.  Schedule is below.

• Wednesday, September 10 at 6 PM: Bocce Awards Dinner.

LEAGUE DETAILS

TYPICAL PLAY

Each team will play every other team at least twice during the season—and in some cases, three times. The full schedule is posted below.

Matches begin promptly at 6:00 PM. Please arrive on time and meet your team on the assigned court. Identify a scorekeeper, fill out the score sheet completely, and clearly record the winner of each match. Each match consists of three games between the same two teams.

Completed score sheets must be submitted to the league director or co-director before you leave for the night. Matches typically take around 2 hours, though timing may vary.

TEAMS

The league is made up of 8 teams, each with 4 dedicated players, for a total of 32 regular participants. Substitute players may be available to fill in when needed, but teams are expected to play even if only one team member is present.

Substitutes play a crucial role in our league! Subs pay-as-you-go, just $5 per evening of play, and there's no need to pay in advance for the season.

Team selection gives preference to IAC members and takes into account skill levels and accommodations for dependent team members with special circumstances – it’s about fun!  

TEAM LEADERSHIP

Each team has a designated Captain, responsible for:

• Ensuring full team participation for each match;

• Submitting the completed score sheet by the end of the night.

If a score sheet is not turned in, no wins will be recorded for that match.

In the event of severe weather, captains will be notified by a league director. Captains are responsible for passing the information along to their team. While cancellations are rare, they do occur.

If your team chooses to appoint a new captain during the season, please let us know.

PLAYERS

If you are unable to attend a game, please notify us no later than Monday of that week, so we can arrange for a substitute and keep the league running smoothly.

Please dress appropriately for the weather—bring a light jacket for cooler evenings—and don’t forget to bring water to stay hydrated. Restrooms are available. Note: No alcohol is allowed on the courts or surrounding property. Alcohol may only be purchased and consumed inside the club, per licensing rules.

Let’s keep the lines of communication open and ensure everyone stays informed and engaged. Your cooperation and enthusiasm are what make our bocce league such a success!  Looking forward to a fantastic bocce season!

Mark Annati (Director), Ginger Sweetman & Carol Younes (Co-Directors) 

tronpilot+IAClub@gmail.com, M. 508-472-7632