Regional Bocce in Ashland

The 2023 Special Olympics Oregon Summer Regional Games Bocce competition at Southern Oregon University Raider Stadium in Ashland on Saturday, July 8, 2023, is now just a few days away.

Below and attached is the MOST UPDATED information to assist you with your planning.    Please review this memo and attachments carefully and share this with your coaches, athletes, Unified partners, and supporters.  If you have any scratches or questions, please let Mark Hanken know ASAP by sending an email to mhanken@soor.org or text to 971.404.1322 (mobile).  NOTE: Scratches will impact the schedule and may also require divisioning adjustments.

Below and attached is information to assist you with your planning.    Please review carefully and share this with your coaches.  If you have any scratches or questions, please let Mark Hanken know ASAP by sending an email to mhanken@soor.org or text to 971.404.1322 (mobile).

Documents:

1. 2023 SOOR Summer Regional Athletics + Bocce – Ashland Venue Map
2. UPDATED 2023 SOOR Summer Regional Bocce Ashland – Divisions & Schedule as of 5july23 (Excel Doc – 3 tabs)
   1. Divisions & Match Schedule – NOTE: Changes to match start times
   2. Master List by Delegation
   3. Master List by Event by Division
3. 2023 SOOR Bocce Rules and Guidelines

Results:

1. 2023 SOOR Summer Regional Games Bocce Ashland Bracket Results in Excel Format – Each tab represents a different division.
2. 2023 SOOR Summer Regional Games Bocce Ashland Bracket Results in PDF Format

IMPORTANT HEAT- RELATED SCHEDULE ADJUSTMENTS:  Based on the latest weather forecast and concerns about the heat in the afternoon reaching high 80s/low 90s, the bocce schedule has been adjusted to finish earlier than originally scheduled.

• No matches have been removed from the schedule.  However, the match time-limit has been shortened to 20 minutes per match (was originally 30 minutes per match).
• This change impacts the overall schedule.
• These schedule changes will align the bocce tournament to finish closer to the projected completion time for our athletics competition.  This should help with delegation departures as we work to get everyone out of the sun and on the road earlier.

Heat + Health & Safety Updates & Reminders:

• With temperatures expected to be very hot, Special Olympics Oregon will continue to monitor conditions and make decisions about changes to the current schedule accordingly.
• Special Olympics Oregon uses the Oregon Scholastic Activities Association (OSAA) Heat Index Guidelines to help inform decisions about when to change schedules or cancel events.
• There are many factors that go into final decisions and some changes may be made as late as the day of event – if conditions warrant.
• We will have medical volunteers on site to help support any general injuries, illness, or heat-related issues.
• SOOR will consult with our medical teams, facilities representatives, and sport officials when making on-site heat-related decisions that may impact the schedule.
• We will also keep open communication with coaches throughout the day.
• Water will be available throughout the event, but teams are encouraged to bring additional water bottles, coolers, and cooling towels to help stay hydrated and safe.
• Please continue to hydrate in the days leading up to the event.

COMPETITION FORMATS

• Match Length/Time Limits – Each match will now have a 20-minute time limit if a score of 12 (doubles) or 8 (singles) is not achieved by one team/player prior to that.
• Divisioning – Divisions were created using thoughtful consideration of the level information and team rankings within each Local Program that was provided during the registration process.  Genders and levels have been combined in some divisions in some events due to smaller participation numbers and to create more meaningful competition opportunities and variety outside of one’s own Local Program.

• The T at the start of a division means it is a Traditional Doubles team – athlete + athlete
• The U in front means it is a Unified Doubles team – athlete + Unified partner.

• For Half-Court Singles, there are two distinctions – HC will be used for half court.  If it is a ramp division, an R was also added.

How to read the match schedule:

• Find the team/player
• Find the Division and # assigned to that team/player name – that is how they are ordered within each division.

o   For example:

Division TMA

3 – JoCo Ballah/Flaim = Male Traditional Doubles team of Ballah/Flaim from Jospehine County.  To find them in the schedule, look for TMA matches and then the 3 designation to see what time, which court, and against whom Joco Ballah/Flaim will be playing throughout the tournament.

The schedule has been color-coded by event type (Half-Court Singles, Traditional Doubles, Unified Doubles) to assist in finding your matches.

• 2-Team Divisions (HCR) – Players in this division will play a best of 3 series
• 3- Team Divisions (HCA, TFC, TMA, TMB, TMC, TMD, TME, TMF, TMH, TMI) – Each player/team will play a round robin.
  • Playoff Tie-Breaker Hierarchy to earn spot in gold medal match (top 2 seeds):

1. Overall Record
2. Head to Head Competition
3. Fewest Points Allowed

4a. If still tied (3-way tie), then award all players/teams same place

4b. If there are two teams tied for second seed opportunity, then a one-frame playoff will be conducted for opportunity to advance to gold medal match.

• 4-Team Divisions (TFA, TFB, TMC, TMG, UA, UB) – Each team will play a round robin (3 matches total).  There will be no playoff round.
  • Awards Tie-Breaker Hierarchy:

1. Overall Record
2. Head to Head Competition
3. Fewest Points Allowed
4. If still tied, then award same place

Participating Programs: Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, South Coast

VENUE – see attached venue map

Southern Oregon University Raider Stadium – turf field

378 Wightman Street

Ashland, OR 97520

Below is a general schedule of events to help you with your travel plans.

7/8/2023 – UPDATED BOCCE GENERAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS – subject to change

8:45am                                  Bocce Coach/Team Check-in Begins at Bocce HQ Tent

9:15am                                  Bocce Head Coaches Meeting at Bocce HQ Tent

9:40am                                  Opening Ceremonies in Stadium – shared with Athletics

10:00am                                Bocce First Matches Start

11:45am                                Lunch Distribution Begins for Bocce – located on west side of stadium

12:05pm                                Lunch Break on ALL COURTS (lunch service will begin earlier)

1:20pm                                  Bocce Last Matches Start

Awards will take place as each division concludes – see UPDATED schedule for projected times

Merchandise

• Events by Idea will be on site printing custom SOOR branded gear.

Bocce Uniform Reminders

• Please reference the 2023 SOOR Bocce Rules and Guidelines – attached for appropriate attire.
• Reminder – No open-toed shoes or bare feet permitted in the bocce competition area.

Bocce Team Tents

• Teams will be able to set up in the grass field located East of the stadium.
• This entrance to and from the bocce venue is located near a portion of the track that will be less active through many parts of the day.

Athletics + Bocce Competitions Happening at Same Time

• It will be an exciting day in Ashland!  Athletics and Bocce will be happening at the same time at Raider Stadium.
• Bocce competition will take place on the turf field inside of the track.
• Please always look before crossing the track.

SOOR STAFF ON SITE AT EVENT:

• Mark Hanken, COO – 971.404.1322 (mobile) – lead staff at bocce
• Joe Harvey, VP of Program & Volunteer Services – 815.990.6003 (mobile)
• LouAnne Tabada, Sr. Director of Program & Volunteer Services – 503.319.1182 (mobile)
• Curtis Everetts, Director of Sports – 503.931.0953 (mobile) – lead staff at athletics

Good luck to athletes, Unified partners, and coaches with your final preparation for this competition.   Safe travels!  We look forward to seeing everyone in person.