Portage Community Center’s 50th Anniversary Cornhole Tournament

PCC CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT RULES

Standard Cornhole Rules • Charity Fundraiser • Have Fun & Play Fair!

This tournament follows standard American cornhole rules with a few event-specific modifications. Most importantly: this is a fundraiser. We are here to have fun, support the PCC, and enjoy a great day together. Competitive play is encouraged; arguing, unsportsmanlike conduct, intentional disruption, or excessive competitiveness is not.

Play hard. Play fair. Have fun.

The Portage Community Center Committee (PCC) reserves the right to make the final decision on any rule, discrepancy, or situation not specifically addressed below.

  1. DOUBLES PLAY

Each team consists of two players competing against another two-person team.

Starting the Game

  • The team that registered first will throw first.
  • The team that registered second may choose which side of the boards they would like to play from.
  • Teams will remain in their designated lane for the entire game.

During the Game

  • Players at one end of the court will alternate pitching their four bags.
  • Once all four bags have been pitched, the players at the opposite end will pitch their four bags back.
  • Players waiting at the opposite end may keep score.
  • Players should remain in their designated pitcher’s box while pitching.
  1. PITCHER’S BOX

The pitcher’s box is the area immediately beside the board from which a player is pitching.

  • Players must remain within their designated pitcher’s box while pitching.
  • Players must pitch from the same side of the lane for the entire game.
  • Players may not switch pitcher’s boxes during an inning or game.
  1. FOUL LINE

For adult play, the foul line is an imaginary line 27 feet from the front of the opposite board.

A player must remain behind the foul line when releasing the bag.

If a player steps over or makes contact with the foul line before releasing the bag, the throw is considered a foul.

  1. PITCHING ROTATION

The team that scores in the preceding inning has the honor of pitching first in the next inning.

If neither team scores, the team that pitched first in the previous inning retains first pitch.

Teams should alternate throws throughout the inning.

  1. SCORING

PCC will use cancellation scoring, the standard scoring method for cornhole.

Bag In-The-Count — 1 Point

A bag that comes to rest anywhere on top of the board is worth 1 point.

Bag In-The-Hole — 3 Points

A bag that:

  • Goes through the hole; or
  • Is knocked through the hole by another bag

is worth 3 points.

Cancellation Scoring

At the end of each inning, the points earned by one team cancel out the points earned by the other team.

Example:

  • Team A scores 7 points.
  • Team B scores 4 points.
  • Team A receives 3 points for the inning.

Only one team will score in each inning.

  1. FOUL BAGS

A foul bag is a bag that does not count because of a rule violation.

A bag may be considered a foul if:

  1. The player steps on or crosses the foul line before releasing the bag.
  2. The player steps completely outside of the pitcher’s box before releasing the bag.
  3. The bag is pitched from the wrong pitcher’s box.
  4. The bag touches the ground before coming to rest on the board.
  5. A bag is touching the ground while also resting on the board.
  6. A bag is intentionally removed from the board before scoring has been determined.

Bags Removed Before Scoring

Do not remove bags from the board until both teams agree on the score.

If a player removes a bag before scoring is determined:

  • The offending team forfeits any remaining unthrown bags for that inning.
  • The non-offending team receives the appropriate score under the tournament rules.

However, let’s use some common sense. Accidental movement of a bag or board should not turn into an argument. If something happens accidentally, stop, agree on a reasonable solution, and keep playing.

  1. DROPPED BAGS
  • If a player accidentally drops a bag before beginning the final forward throwing motion, the bag may be picked up and thrown.
  • Once the final forward throwing motion has begun and the bag leaves the player’s hand, it counts as a pitched bag.
  1. BAGS HANGING OFF THE BOARD

A bag hanging over the edge of the board is worth 1 point as long as it is not touching the ground.

If the bag is touching the ground, it does not count.

  1. POSITION OF PLAYERS
  • Players must pitch from their designated pitcher’s box.
  • Players must remain behind the foul line when releasing the bag.
  • Players must pitch all four bags from the same pitcher’s box.
  • Bags must be delivered using an underhand throwing motion.
  • Players should not intentionally distract or interfere with their opponents while they are throwing.
  1. BAGS PROVIDED BY PCC

PCC will provide the tournament bags.

To keep the playing field fair and avoid disputes about bag specifications, speed, weight, or material:

Tournament play will be conducted using PCC-provided bags only.

Players may use their own bags for warm-up or casual play before their match, but personal bags may not be used once tournament play begins.

The cornhole bags  being used for this may have minor blemishes, imperfections, or differences in play, weight or size. Those imperfections are considered part of the lane and are not grounds for a replay.

  1. BOARD IMPERFECTIONS

The cornhole boards being used for this event have been gratefully donated to the PCC.

Boards may have minor blemishes, imperfections, or differences in play.

Those imperfections are considered part of the lane and are not grounds for a replay.

Please do not expect every board to play exactly the same. That’s cornhole!

  1. LENGTH OF GAME

Traditional 21

Games are played to 21 points.

The first team to reach or exceed 21 points at the conclusion of an inning wins the game.

20-Minute Time Limit

Each game has a 20-minute time limit.

If neither team has reached 21 points when the 20-minute time limit is reached:

  • No new inning may begin.
  • If an inning is already in progress and the appropriate player has already begun that inning by pitching all four bags from their end, that inning may be completed.
  • The team with the most points at the conclusion of the game wins.

All scores must be reported on the Scoreholio App or to the head table immediately following the game

  1. TIEBREAKERS

If teams are tied in the standings after the scheduled games, PCC will use the announced tournament tiebreaker procedures.

PCC will communicate any additional tiebreaker requirements at the head table.

  1. DISPUTES & PROTESTS

Let’s keep this fun.

There will not be a judge available to review routine disputes during regular tournament play.

If a disagreement occurs:

  1. Stop play.
  2. Talk it out with the other team.
  3. Use the rules as a guide.
  4. Come to a reasonable agreement.
  5. Keep the game moving.

There will be no arguing over technicalities, board imperfections, questionable throws, or calls that do not materially affect the game.

If the two teams absolutely cannot reach an agreement, the PCC Committee may be asked to make a ruling.

The official’s decision is final.

  1. SPORTSMANSHIP

This is a charity fundraiser.

We want competition. We want excitement. We want people to care about winning.

What we don’t want is:

  • Arguing with other teams
  • Excessive complaining
  • Intentionally distracting another player
  • Unsportsmanlike behavior
  • Fighting over rules or technicalities
  • Treating opponents, volunteers, or staff disrespectfully

PCC reserves the right to remove a player or team from the tournament for inappropriate or unsportsmanlike behavior.

Winning money is fun. Raising money for a good cause is the reason we’re here.

  1. FINAL SAY

The Portage Community Center Committee will have final say regarding any rule interpretation, dispute, scheduling issue, or situation not specifically addressed in these rules. PCC reserves the right to adjust rules and procedures during tournament play as they see fit to best operate the fundraiser event.

Committee decisions are final.

MOST IMPORTANT RULE

HAVE FUN.

You are playing cornhole to support the PCC and raise money for a good cause.

Play competitively. Play fairly. Cheer for your team. Respect your opponents. And please don’t make us call a committee meeting over a cornhole bag.

Good luck and thank you for supporting the PCC!