BounderBall Rules(a.k.a. Begin Ball - penned by Cinda)
Objective:
To score 11 or 21 points before your opponent does. Must win by two points and length of game is determined before the start (unless I am losing at 11 points!).
Terms:
“Good”- is the plain square cement that is in bounds.
“Wide”- is the area running along the sides where the ball is not out and may either be played or re-played at the discretion of the receiver of the shot.
“Out”- The area behind the baseline and to the outside of the “Wide” area. Results in lost point.
Serving:
Shall be alternated every point and the server must say the score before serving (stating their score first). Therefore player (A) will serve all odd or all even for the entire match but not both and player (B) the opposite points. Receiver must let the ball bounce first before playing.
One serve is given per point. Serves must be taken behind the service line. The ball must go over the net and land in the “good” area of the court. If it should hit the net and land in this is a “let” and shall be retaken. If the ball should land “wide” or “out” for any reason (except for maybe hitting a bird) it results in a loss of a point for the server. (See Mulligan below)
Mulligan Serve:
Because the server only receives one serve per point “Bounder Etiquette” states that one (1) mulligan per match per player may be awarded and may be used at any point during the match (unless the players agree otherwise before match play begins). If one does not use their Mulligan it simple evaporates back into thin air whence it came.
Playing:
Once the ball is in play, points, are won or lost by hitting them “good” or “out”. No point can be lost (on that shot) by hitting into or receiving a ball that lands “wide”. The receiver may either call a “re-serve” or play the “wide” ball back. Should that shot played back land “out” it will result in an automatic “re-serve” by the server of that point and no point is given. Should that ball land “good” than that ball becomes live and a point can be won or lost immediately. Should that return land “wide” the rule then switches over to the other player and they can either chose to hit back (with no consequence of losing a point by returning a “wide” shot) or call a “re-serve” themselves. For those of you wondering why this is a rule (Bill), we do this to keep the play in the court and not on the sides of the court (and in the plants), where it surely would be if points could be won by using the “wide” court to win points .
Sides:
The players shall switch sides every five points. (Ex. 5-0, 7-3, 20-15, etc). This evens out the advantage or disadvantage that might arise because of earth, wind or fire Proper “Bounder Etiquette” dictates that changing of sides is done with opposing players walking towards each other while the first player to reach the net grabs the middle of the net and rotates it in a counter clockwise direction and resets the net after the players have changed sides. Walking around the net is discouraged as trip-fall hazards exist including but not limited to spectators feet or beverages!
Poop-deck Landing:
This is where Tiger does his business (ie., Litter box). One should avoiding hitting the ball or stepping here at all costs (except for you Tiger Boy)! UPDATE! Has been relocated to better location.
Re-bounder:
Any ball hit that comes back to the hitter after hitting the net may be replayed in the air or on one bounce (as long as it does not bounce “out”). That ball is treated as if coming from your opponent and must be hit back to continue the point or the point shall be lost. If the ball hits the net and should hit the ground and either spin or blow over to your opponent without first being hit back the player that hit the ball shall lose the point. It must not go over the net after bouncing on the same side on its own volition.
Obstacles/Objects:
Any ball that is hit fair but should come in contact with some obstacle such as a plant can be played or a “re-serve” may be called if the interference prevents one from getting the ball back. This may be a judgement call by the head umpire because the receiver MUST be in position to make a play back and not use a bush (or a Cheney) as an excuse for losing a point that they had no chance of returning. Also, any ball that hits the fence after landing “good” or “wide” shall also be allowed to be played back in accordance with those definitions.
Re-play/ Re-serve:
In addition to replaying or re-serving for the aforementioned reasons ie. “wide” or interference, re-playing of a point may occur due to a line call not being able to be made or some other dis-agreement not covered by the rules. Bounder Etiquette dictates that cussing, throwing of the racquet or taking the ball’s name in vain is strictly verboten. However, drinking of alcoholic beverages in between points is permitted and in some case even encouraged.
Miscellanea:
If any of these rules seem confusing, not to worry, good food, good friends, sunshine and especially good drinks will help clarify everything once you get here.
Go have fun, see you in the Losers Lounge! Last one there wins!
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Wafer of Lie-ability
The Undersigned player agrees to abide by the rules of the “BounderBall”. The Signer also agrees that in no way shape (or out of shape) or form shall they deem the hosts responsible for losing a match, losing their temper, getting sunburned, getting hit by a bird turd or knocked over by a wayward BounderBall after staggering out of the Losers Lounge. The guest further agrees not to hold the host responsible for their unsupervised child falling off (or thru) the trampoline and breaking a limb or tripping over a wicket or getting lost permanently in the bushes while retrieving a ball while playing croquet. The guest for him/herself/itself shall not today, tomorrow or yesterday hold successors responsible for lack of success or fun or executors, administrators, heirs, owners, employees, cats or dogs, etc, so-forth, this or that or otherwise either (did you get all that?). Such claims, designs, damages, actions, causes of action, liability or just plan Liars, etc, so forth, Italicized and underlined with bold print and capitalization.
Please Sign Here ________________________________
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Are you still game?
With cocktails at the losers' lounge how can you lose?
:)
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