President'sMessageCommunicationsandGameRelatedSalesBenefitsbyStuSipma,NHPAPresidentOverthepastyearsasyourPresident,theCouncilhasaddressedsomemajorchangestothewayweconductbusiness,andshareinformation.WehaveaddedCharterCommunications.TheideabehindthiswastobringclosercommunicationsbetweentheChartersandNHPA.JerryLabrosseistheleadonthis.Wefeelthisisanimportantpositiontohavetokeepthecommunicationshighwayopenandtoanswerquestions.WenextstartedFacebook,whichisanotherwayofsharinginformation(socialmedia).TinaHawkinshastheleadonthis.WethentookalookatwhatiscostingtheNHPAmoneyfromourGeneralFundtorunourbusiness.ItwasverynoticeablethattheNewslinemagazinewasthebiggestone.Sowiththelatestsoftware,weturnedNewslineintoanelectronicversionthatissharedwitheveryNHPAmemberwhohasaccesstoemail.Thisisalsomadeavailabletoanyonewhoisnotamemberbutinterestedinhorseshoestoview.ThereasonwhyIambringingtheseitemstoyourattentionisthatifwedon’tmakechangesonthewaywesupporttheNHPA,wearegoingtohavetomakesomemorechanges.ThenextpotentialchangeisGameRelatedSales(GRS).Idon’tknowhowmanyofyoubuydirect,useAmazon.comtopurchaseitemsanditisawaytosavemoneyandisaconvenience.However,didyouknowthatutilizingoptionslikethisdoeslittletonothingforourbusinessofraisingrevenuetooffsetcostofdoingbusinessandgrowoursport?Asmanyofyouareaware,wehaveabranchoftheNHPAcalledNHPAGAMERELATEDSALES.Thisorganizationpurchaseshorseshoes,tools,scoringsupplies,cases&bags,garments&afewmiscellaneousitemsforsalestoourNHPAdistributors,clubdistributors,retaildistributorsandattheannualWorldTournament.DeeVadnais-Null&GaryNullaretheDirectorsofNHPAGRSandworkveryhard(inavolunteercapacity)tokeepthismerchandiseinstockfordailyshippingtodistributorsandcustomers.ThebusinessiscurrentlybasedinWentzville,MO,attheHallofFameandMuseumfacility.Thisiswhereallthemerchandiseiswarehousedandshipsfromthroughouttheyear.ItisextremelyimportantthatourmemberspurchasetheirhorseshoesandrelateditemsfromourmemberdistributorsandclubsbecausethishelpskeeptheNHPAorganizationviable.WecannotemphasizeenoughhowveryimportantthispurchaseactivityistotheNHPA.Thisactivityisa“service”tothemembershipandwithouteveryone’ssupportandpurchasestheNHPAstandstoloseanimportantaspectoftheorganization;theabilitytosupplyourmembershipwithhighqualitytoolsandmerchandisethatMEETSTHENHPASPECIFICATIONSANDREQUIREMENTS.Unfortunately,inthisdayofInternetaccessandallofoursuppliersalsohavingwebsites,thecompetitionisquiteintense.Betterpricescansometimesbefoundpurchasingfromanother

sourceorfreeshippingcanbeenjoyed;but,thisdoesNOThelptosupporttheorganizationofwhichyouareamemberandtheNHPAcertainlyneedsthatsupportfromthemembership!Ifyouareamemberofalocalclub,yourclubcanalsobecomeaClubDistributor,whichwillgiveyourclubsomebenefitsandhelpsupporttheNHPAorganization.PleasecontactDeeorGaryattheNHPAGRSofficefordetails.NHPAGRSDistributorsarelistedontheNHPAwebsiteunder“Resources”oryoumaycalltheNHPAGRSofficeat636-327-5271fordirectiontothemostconvenientdistributororclub.PLEASEBUYFROMYOURNHPAORGANIZATIONANDHELPSUPPORTTHESPORTWEALLLOVE!The5thAnnualHOFInvitationalwashostedbytheQRHCthispastMayattheHallofFamebuildinglocatedatWentzville,MO.JerrySmithonceagainwastheTournamentDirectorandintalkingtoJerry;itsoundslikeitwasaverysuccessfultournament.IwanttoapologizetotheparticipantsandtheQRHCfornotbeingabletoattend.TheNHPAwouldliketothankallthesponsorswhosponsoredthiseventandlookforwardtoanothersuccessfultournamentnextyear.The2016WorldHorseshoeTournamentwillbeheldJuly25–August6,2016inMontgomery,AL.Thehostsite,theMultiplexlocatedattheCramtonBowliswithinthecitylimitsandclosetodowntownMontgomery.DavidSidles(W.T.Director)hasreportedatotalof934pitcherswillbeparticipatingoverthetwoweeks.WiththehugesuccessofqualifyingandcertifyingjudgesfortheW.T.lastyear,Your1stVPDanSanderswillonceagaintaketheleadonrunningclassesduringtheW.T.tocertifymorememberstobecomejudges.IfyouareinterestedinthispleasecontactDanSandersdirectlyorwhenyouarriveinMontgomery,duringyourregistrationattheMultiplex,lookforthesigns.TheCouncilfeelsthisisastepintherightdirectiontomakesureallplayersgetthebestexperiencewhilecompetinginthisevent.Inconclusion,Ilookforwardtovisitingwitheveryone,especiallyallthenewmembersand1sttimeW.T.attendees.IamreallylookingforwardtowatchingtheJuniorandCadetDivisions.Ifyouweren’tabletoattendtheW.T.feelfreetocontactmeanytimeonhowwecanmakethisabettersportforeveryonetoenjoy.IwisheveryoneasafetravelstoMontgomery.Stu______________________________________________________________________________

PressRelease:WorldTournamentTakesOnMontgomery,ALbyTinaHawkins,2ndVicePresidentandPublicity/PromotionDirectorTheNationalHorseshoePitchersAssociationispleasedtoannouncethe2016NHPAWorldHorseshoePitchingChampionshipstobeheldJuly25-August6inMontgomery,AL.UptosixtyportablehorseshoecourtswillbeinstalledintheMultiplexatCramtonBowlforthecompetitionandpractice.Thistwo-weekeventisheldonceeachsummertocrownaWorldChampionhorseshoepitcherineachofeightdivisions-OpenMen,OpenWomen,SeniorMen,SeniorWomen,Elder(short-distance)Men,JuniorBoys,JuniorGirlsandJuniorCadets(12-yearsoldandunder).Thisyear'sentrantshailfromtheUnitedStates,Canadaand,forthefirsttime,Switzerland-allvyingfortitlesofWorldChampionandashareoftheover$160,000inprizes.PreviousyearshaveseencompetitorsfromNorway,SouthAfrica,NamibiaandJapan.CurrentMen'sWorldChampion,AlanFrancisofDefiance,OH,earnedhistwentiethworldtitleinthe2015Men'sDivisionandwillbevyingfornumbertwenty-onethisyearwithhis89.25%ringerpercentage.HopingtoblockAlan'schargearepreviousWorldChamp,BrianSimmons,whoboastsa79.8%ringeraverage;CharlieMeredith,KY,posting81.50%;DanWatson,ALwith78.9%andGaleGreene,VT,with74.12%.Alsocarryingringerpercentagesabove70%areAustinBailey,IL,andRickHowe,MA.TheWomen'sDivisionshouldproveexcitingaswell,withthetopfivecontenderspostingringeraveragesabove70%.Thenumberoneseedis7-timeWorldTitleholder,JoanElmore,withan84.61%average,whowillbestrivingtoregainthechampionship.ChallengingherareShaleeCason,FL;MarleneRay,TN;DebraOdum,TX;androundingoutthetop5,KathyBrazier,AL.ThetopfourcontendersintheElder'sDivisionallholdaveragesgreaterthan80%.Theyaredefendingchampion,DavidHolmes,WV;VirgilRife,OH;RussPhillips,WA;andDavidP.Jagers,FL;theywillnothaveaneasytime,astheentireclassoftop-seededplayersintheirdivisionholdsaveragesinexcessof70%.FinalchampionshiproundsforMen,WomenandEldersbeginThursday,August4andcontinuethroughSaturday,August6,whentheoverallWorldChampionwillbedecidedineachofthosedivisions.AddingtotheexcitementoftheeventaretheJuniorBoys,GirlsandCadets.TheircompetitionbeginsThursdayevening,July28,withchampionsinthethreedivisionsbeingdecidedonSaturday,July30,beginningat6:00p.m.OthercompetitorsofnoteareMarcusDubachandPatrickFischer,whoaremembersoftheAmericanHorseshoePitchingAssociationofSwitzerland.ParticipatinginboththeAmericanand

Germandisciplinesofthesport,MarcusisthecurrentSwisstitleholderattheAmericandiscipline.Competitionwillbeginby8:00a.m.eachmorningthroughthepreliminaryrounds,startingMonday,July25,withabreakforNHPAconventionandHallofFamebanquetonSunday,thenwillresumeat8:00a.m.Monday,August1.Spectatorsareencouragedforalllevelsofcompetition.Concessionsandsouvenirswillbeavailable.Tofollowtheeventonlinevialivewebcams,ortolearnmoreabouttheNationalHorseshoePitchersAssociation,visitwww.horseshoepitching.comorcontactNHPA2ndVicePresident,TinaHawkins.________________________________________________________________________WorldTournament:WhattoExpectYourFirstDaybyBillMarvin,5thVicePresidentandRegionalDirectorandCourtSanctioningDirectorFirsttimepitchersattheWorldTournamentsometimesfeeloverwhelmedandabitintimidatedontheirfirstdayofpitching.Theexcitementintheair,adrenalinepumping,readytogoafterallthepreparation;itcantakeitstollonthenerves.Thereareafewformalitiesthatmustbetakencareofthatfirstday.Hereiswhattoexpect:Pitchersshouldplanonarrivingoneandahalfhoursaheadofyourpitchingtimetocompletethecheck-inprocess,whichinvolvesafewsteps.Yes,therewillbealine.Yes,therewillbeacertainamountofwaitingtime.Yes,allthequestionsarenecessary.Yes,youwilleventuallymakeittothecourtsandpitch.Youwillbeaskedtoshowyour2016NHPAmembershipcard.Why?Charterssubmitmembershipreportsatdifferenttimes,somemonthly,somequarterly,somesemi-annuallyandsomeonceayear.Theonlywaytoensurethateveryonehaspaidtheirduesistoasktoseetheircard.Ifyouforgettobringit,youwillberequiredtopaya$20deposituntilyour2016membershipcanbeverifiedbyyouCharterSecretary.Questionstwoandthree:whatbrandofshoedoyoupitchandwhatisyourpitchingstyle?Why?Eachyearmembersareinterestedinwhatshoesarepopularandhowtheyarebeingpitched.ThisdataissenttoMelYockstick,NHPAstatisticalguru,andheputsitonthewebpageandintheforum.Justinterestinginformation,nothingelse.“Inquiringmindswanttoknow.”YourshoeswillthenbeweighedandcheckedtomakesuretheyarewithinNHPAspecifications.Eachyearthereareafewthatareeitherwarped,havebeenillegallymodifiedorwillnotfitinthejigforonereasonortheother,andafewareovertheweightspecification.Ifshoescannot

bestraightenedorgroundtofitthejig,theyarehelduntilafterthecompetitioniscompleted.Thisisaverygoodreasontobringtwopair;ifyourfavoritesdon’tpass,youwillneedabackuppair.Ifyouhaveapickupstick,itwillbechecked.Stickscannotbelongerthan36”inlengthandthehookcannotextend2”fromthecenterofthemainshaft. Afterthesethingshavebeencompleted,yourshirtwillbecheckedtomakesureyouhaveyournameandstateontheback.Makesurethelettersareprofessionallylettered,atleast1”insize.Nosleevelessshirts,noopentoedshoes,nocut-offsareallowed.Youwillreceiveyourroundrobincardforthefirstday.Sonowyouarereadytopitch,right?Well,notquite. Eachclasswillhavetheirpicturetaken(andlistentoErnie’scornyjokes).Thesepicturesmakeanexcellentsouvenir.TherewillalsobeafewimportantannouncementssoPAYATTENTION!Afterthis,youwillbedismissedtobeginyourcompetition.DONOTTAKETHECOURTSTOBEGINPRACTICEUNITLYOUAREDIRECTEDTODOSO.Therewillbeplentyoftimetowarmupsodon’tpanic.ShiftDirectorswilltellyouwhentostartyourgames,sowaituntilthatannouncementismade. Ondaystwoandthree,beatthearena30minutesaheadoftimetopickupyourroundrobincardfortheday.Noothercheckinisneeded.Again,donottakethecourtstobeginpracticeuntilyouaredirectedtodoso.Ifforsomereasonyoucannotpitchthesecondorthirdday,pleasenotifytheNHPAofficeasfarinadvanceaspossiblesoaPacercanbeputinyourplace. Goodluckandlotsofringerstoeveryone–seeyouinMontgomery.Easydoesit._______________________________________________________________________CharterCommunicationsByJerryLaBrosse,4thVicePresident,CharterCommunicationsDirectorImuststartbyapologizingfornotplacinganarticleinthelastNewsline,amiscueonmypart. IwouldliketotakeaminutetospeakdirectlytothedelegatesthatwillbeattendingtheconventiononJulythe31st.Iamsureyouareallawareofhowthesystemworks,butIwouldliketojustbrieflyreviewitforthosewhomaynotfullyunderstandit.TheNHPAworksmuchlikearepresentativegovernment.Eachcharterhasdelegatesthattheysendtotheconventiontorepresenttheirmemberships.Thenumberofdelegatesisbasedonthenumberofadultmembersinyourcharter.Itworksouttoonedelegateforevery100adultmembersinyourcharter.Attheconvention,thedelegateslistentothemoderatorsspeakaboutthedifferenttopics,askquestions,andvoteonthingssuchasrule/bylawchanges,andelections.Itisthecharter’sresponsibilitytosurveyyourmembersaboutthetopicsthatwillbeaddressedattheconvention,andthengotorepresenttheirwishes.

Thisyearwehavenorulesorbylawstovoteon.Wedo,however,haveofficerelections.Thisyearwehaveoneincumbentofficerrunningforanotherterm,andthatisJerrySmith.DanSandershasannouncedthatheisnotseekingre-electionas1stVicePresidentafterservingforover12years.IwanttogoonrecordassayingthatDanhashadaverysuccessfulandproductivecareerasanNHPAofficer,andhasmanygreataccomplishmentstohiscredit.TheNHPAowesDanagreatdealofgratitudeforthecountlesshourshehasdevotedtoourgreatsport,andtheendlesscontributionshehasmade.IreallygottoknowDanwaybackwhenwere-wrotetherulebookandcreatedwhatisnowknownastheRGSbooklet.HeandIandGeorgeNickworkedweeklyforacoupleofyearsonthatproject,andtherearebothgoodandbadmemoriesfromit.Intheend,thankstoDan’sattentionandinsistencetodetail,weproducedagreatproductthatwillstandthetestoftime.AnotherthingthatwedoeveryyearattheconventionisdecidewheretheWorldTournamentwillgotwoyearsdowntheroad.ThisiswhereIhaveafewcommentsandsuggestionsforthedelegates.FartoooftenwhatIseethedelegatesdoistoautomaticallyvoteforthebiddingsitethatisclosesttotheirhomecharter.Therearemanythingstoconsiderwhenselectingasite,butthereisoneconsiderationthatIbelievegoeslargelyun-noticed,andI’dliketoshinethelightonit.Ibelieveitishugelyimportanttohaveahorseshoecommunityinthehostarea.Itcouldbeaclub,oritcouldjustbeagroupofmembersthatliveinthearea.ThelocalCVBcannotbeexpectedtoknoweverythingthatneedstohappenbecausetheyaren’thorseshoepeople.Theydon’tknowwhatcommitteesareneededandwhatdetailsneedattention.Theirfocusisthefacilityandaccommodationsandsuch.Yes,forthemitisallaboutgettingyouintotheirtownandspendingmoney.Hereisaconsiderationforallofyoutothinkabout.Thissportisstrugglingtogrow,asweallknow.OurWorldTournamentisthebiggestpromotioneventoftheyear,andweshoulddoeverythingwecantoexploitthat.IfthereisahorseshoeclubinTopekaandwehavetheWorldTournamentthere,thatclubisgoingtogrowbasedontheexposurewehadfromtheevent.TVcoverage,newspaper,radio,billboards,etcalldrawattentiontooursport.Ifthereisnohorseshoepresenceinthehostcommunity,thentherereallyisn’tmuchchanceforthesporttogrowthere.SoIamchallengingallofyoudelegatestoresearchthebidderseveryyearandmakeanintelligentdecisionbasedontheimportantfacts…notjusthowcloseitistoyourcharter! IhavebeenindiscussionswiththeMontgomeryhostsaboutavarietyofthings,includingwhatwillhappentotheclayoncetheeventisover.Thecityhasmadeclaimtousetheclayforacoupledifferentthings.Thelocalhorseshoefacilitywillreceivemuchoftheclay,andthentherestofitwillbedesignatedfortheNationalSeniorGamestobeheldinBirmingham,ALin2017.Sounfortunatelythisyeartherewillbenoclayavailableafterourevent.

OnelastthingIneedtomentionisthesetupprocessthisyear.Wewillbestartingthesetupadayearlythisyear,TuesdayJuly19th,toallowenoughtimetorepaintthefoullinesontherubberwalkways.Anybodywhowouldliketovolunteerafewdaysofyourtimetobeapartofthesetupprocess,pleasecontactme,orjustshowupattheMultiplexthatmorningabout8AMinyourworkduds.(ThatmeanyourworkclothesFisher) Thisyearweareplanningtoinstall48tournamentcourtsin6banksof8courtseach.Wewillhaveroomtoplaceatleast6,possibly9,courtsalongthesideofthearena.Twoofthesecourtswillbedesignatedasplayoffcourtsandonplayoffdaysyoumayberequiredtovacatethosecourtsattheendofanyshiftforplayoffgames.Therearealsopracticecourtsavailableinanearbypark.Directionstothisparkwillbeavailableatregistration. That’sallIhavefornow.Iinviteanyofyoutolookmeupandvisit.Ilovemeetingnewfolksandmakingnewfriends.Don’tforgetthatthereisnosubstituteforpractice,sothrowlotsofshoesinpreparationforthisgreattournament.Pleasefamiliarizeyourselfwiththerulesandproceduresandbeontimetoallofyourfunctions.Becourteousandrespectfulofpeopleandproperty.WehopeyouhaveafantasticWorldTournamentexperience,andthatyou’llwanttoattendeveryyear.Seeya’llinMontgomery________________________________________________________________________WorldWarm-UpTournament2016ByRobHagman,NATSTATSDirector

•ThistournamentwillbeheldatMontgomery,AL•Saturday7-23-16.•Allsignupswillbeonsitefrom8amto9amMaxof96entries.•Thetournamentstartsat10am.•Entryfeeis$25,100%paybackminusscorekeeperfees.•NOhandicapwillbeused.•6personclassesand40shoegames.•Weareusingthisformattosimulateadaypitchingatworld.•CurrentNatstatswillbeusedforseeding•TournamentDirector:RobHagman•Scorekeeperswillbepaid$10fortheshift.

IfyouhavequestionsaboutthispleaseEmailmailto:natstats@horseshoepitching.comorcall@612-600-3777.______________________________________________________________________________

Announcement:ConventionDayPracticebyTinaHawkins,2ndVicePresidentandPublicity/PromotionDirectorThecompetitioncourtsattheMultiplexinMontgomeryWILLBEOPENFORPRACTICEonSunday,July31(conventionday).AccordingtoKayMcCreery,RecreationSuperintendentattheParksandRecreationDepartment,thefacilitywillopenat8:00amandremainopenuntil6:00pm.Ofcourse,youwillbeexpectedtopracticepropercourtetiquetteandleavethefacilityinthesamecondition(orbetter)asyoufoundit,andlimityourpracticetimesothatothersmayhaveopportunityforpracticeaswell.PleasebecourteousandappreciativetowardtheMultiplexstaff,whomwillbegivingtheirSundaysoyoucanpitchafewshoes.________________________________________________________________________PitchingattheWorldTournament?TellAllAboutIt!byTinaHawkins,2ndVicePresidentandPublicity/PromotionDirectorAreyoupitchinginthe2016WorldTournamentinMontgomery,AL?Ifso-tellallaboutit!Toyourlocalpress,thatis...avisittoyourhometownsportseditorcouldverylikelynetanarticleinthenewspaperaboutyourworld-classcompetition.Takealongaprintedtournamentscheduleandbepreparedforanimpromptuinterview.RemembertotellthemitistheNationalHorseshoePitchersAssociation(NHPA),thatthetournamentdatesareJuly25thruAugust6,thatitisbeingheldattheMultiplexatCramtonBowlinMontgomery,AL,andthattheycanfollowtheactionontheNHPAwebsitethroughlivewebcams,dailyresults,DailyShoenewsletterandphotogalleries.YoucanalsosharetheWorldTournamentPressReleasethatispublishedinthisissueofNewslinemagazine.And,ofcourse,themostimportantpieceofinformationyoucangivetobeincludedinthearticleisthis:WWW.HORSESHOEPITCHING.COM.Whenyourstoryispublished,pleasesharetheonlinelinkbysendingittopublicity@horseshoepitching.com.______________________________________________________________________________

Announcement:WorldTournamentJuniorPartiesbyAleenaCook,2ndVicePresidentandPublicity/PromotionDirectorWhodoesn’tlikeVIPservice?IknowIloveit!ThisyearinMontgomeryAlabama,wewillreceivetheVIPtreatment.OnWednesdayeveningwewillgetaprivateshowingattheGaylePlanetariumfollowedbyacookoutwithanicecreameatingcontestandlargeBubbleSoccerballs.Thiswillbeagreatwayforustokickoffthestartofthetournament.Comeandmeetupwithyouroldfriendsandmakesomenewonestoo!OnSundayduringthebanquet,wewillhaveaprivatebehind-the-scenesaccessattheMontgomeryZooandafullinteractiveexperienceattheMannMuseumwithdinnertofollow.Thiswillbeafunwaytowinddownafteranexcitingandfunfilledweek.___________________________________________________________________ActLikeaTouristbyTinaHawkins,2ndVicePresidentandPublicity/PromotionDirectorPeopletakevacationsandgoontripseverydayandmanyhavethedesireto"blendin,"sotheywon'tlooklikeatourist.Well...What'swrongwithlookinglikeatourist?Okay.Soyoudon'twanttostandonastreetcorner,holdingamaptryingtofigureoutwhichwaytowalk...butyouDOwanttotellpeoplewhyyouareintown!Specifically,theMontgomeryareabusinesses.ManyofthemhavemadelargecontributionstowardgettingtheNHPAtocometotownandtheyneedtoknowtheirinvestmentsarepayingoff.Mentionthereasonforyourvisittoyourserverwhenyougofordinner;thecheckeratthegrocerystore,thedeskclerkatyourhotel...Areyouplanningtotakeinamovieorplayaroundofgolf?HowaboutvisittheHankWilliamsMuseumortakeaSegwaytour?Whenyouparticipateinanyoftheseactivities-lettheproviderknow"theNationalHorseshoePitchersAssociationhascometotown."Themoretheyseeusandhearaboutus,themoretheywillwantusbackinthefuture.______________________________________________________________________________

NationalNHPASanctionedLeagueTournament:October1-2byJerrySmith,3rdVicePresidentandSanctionLeagueDirector,JuniorScholarshipsThe2016WorldTournament(WT)israpidlyapproachingandIamexcitedandlookingforwardtoagreattournament.AstheSanctionedLeagueDirector,IamalwayslookingaheadandplanningsotheWTisnottheonlyeventonmymind.TheNationalNHPASanctionedLeagueTournamentisscheduledforOctober1stand2nd,2016andisthe3personteamChampionshipforsanctionedleaguepitchers.Thetournamentisa“count-all,”handicappedteamtournamentwhereabonuspointisawardedifateamcanwinatleasttwoofthethreegamestheyplayagainstanotherteam.Allthreegamesareplayedinthesameround.Theteamsaremadeupofanythreepitchersfromthesamecharterorleague.ThetournamentisheldinWentzville,MissouriattheNHPA’sHallofFame(HOF)FacilitywhichishomeoftheQuailRidgeHorseshoeClubaswellastheNHPA’sbeautifulcollectionofHOFmemorabiliaanddisplays.TheNHPAandWhiteDistributors,manufacturerofmanypitchingshoes,sponsortheevent.Theentryfeeis$150.00perteamandthetopprizesare$1,500.00forthewinningteamand$750.00fortherunner-upteam.Thesetwoteamsarethewinnersofthetwo,10teambracketsandmeetinaonegame,“winnertakeall”championshipgame.Cashprizesarealsoawardedforthe2ndthrough4thplacefinishersineach10-teambracket,plusthetop“highgameoveraveragegame”ineachbracket.Fordetailsandanentryform,pleaseseetheinformationlistedontheNHPAwebsite,horseshoepitching.com,under“ComingEvents.”Itisafuneventandtheformatisuniqueandgearedtochallengeandentertainitsparticipants.Onlythefirst20teamstoenterwillgettopitchandIwillacceptentryformsnow.TeamneedstohaveaCaptainandgettheirentryformandmoney(madeouttotheNHPA)tomeASAP.Don’tmissthisgreateventandthinkofWhiteDistributorswhenyouneedshoes.Ifyouhavequestions,callme@208-467-2524oremailmeatmailto:horseshoepitcherjds@msn.com.______________________________________________________________________________MixedClasses–AdvantagesandDisadvantagesbyDanSanders,1stVicePresident,By-Laws,RulesandGrievanceDirectorPleasereviewmylastNewslinearticleaboutMixedClasseswhereIdiscussedwhat'mixing'maymean,andthenconcludedwithtwoparagraphsofinformationabouttheadvantagesanddisadvantagesofmixingClasses.SuggestionswerealsomadeabouthowTDscouldcreatemorecompetitiveClasseswithout'mixing'.Afinalfollow-upquestionwas,'whyaresomefull-distancepitcherssoopposedtopitchingagainstshort-distancepitchers?Andherearesomepossiblereasons:

• Somepitcherstrulybelievethats-dpitchershaveanadvantage.Othersarguethatifthe

ringerpercentagearethesameorclose,thatneithershouldhaveanadvantage.• Itmaybetruethaninwindyconditions,s-dpitchersmayhaveanadvantage.• Ifitiseasiertomakeringersat30feetthanat40feet(andmostwouldagreethatitis),

itisalsotruethatitshouldbeeasiertomakesinglepointsfromtheshorterdistance.Butringerpercentagesdon’ttakeintoaccountthispossibleadvantageofs-dpitchersmakingmoresinglepointsduringthesegames.TheonlyanswertothisconcernisfortheTDtousea'RingersOnly'formatforthesemixedClasses,andthisisbeingdoneinseveralCharters.

WhateverpitchingformatsmaybeusedinyourCharter,Ihopethatitisacceptableforthemajorityofyourpitchers.Andrememberthatthemostimportantthingistohavefun!______________________________________________________________________________LockingIntheWinbyAleenaCook,JuniorPromotion

Matlock,anameyouwillbehearingforyearstocome.LaneandCaleMatlockaretypicalbrotherswithaloveforthesportofhorseshoes.Cale,11,andLane,14,learnedthislovefromtheirgrandfatherwhobuiltcourtsintheirbackyardallowingthemtopracticewhenevertheywant.Sincetheyweretiredofdrivingoveranhourtopitch,LaneandCalehavehelpedstartaleagueintheirhometownofTahlequah,Oklahoma.Theleagueevenhadtheirfirsttimehostingatournamentthisyear.Bothbrotherslovetocompete,win,andmeetnewfriendsallovertheworld.

Lane,whohasbeenpitchingforfouryears,isatwotimeCadetStateChampion,hastakenthirdatStateforjuniors,andtookfifthinclassCjuniorslastyearatworld.Cale,whohasbeenpitchingfortwoyears,isatwotimeCadetStateChampion,andtooksecondinCadetAandCadetChampionshiplastyearatworld.Whentheypitchagainsteachotheritcangetintenseasneitherlikestolose.“Ialwayswin”followedby“Nottrue”arecommonremarksheardwhentheyfaceoff.Evenwiththeircompetitiveness,theMatlockbrotherswillrootforeachothertowinandsupporteachotherwhenattournaments.Alongwithhorseshoes,bothboysareveryactiveallyearround.Laneparticipatesinbaseball,wrestling,isawidereceiverandcornerbackontheschoolfootballteam,andisamemberoftheNationalHonorSociety.Hewouldliketobeadentistwhenhegrowsup.Caleparticipatesinbaseball,basketball,isquarterbackforafootballleague,hasmaintainedstraightA’sallyear,andisthecurrentstudentcouncilpresident.Hewantstobeanengineer.Evenwiththeirbusy

livesandworkingtowardstheirfutures,bothplantocontinuetopitchastheywouldliketobeaMen’sWorldChampionor“thenextAllanFrancis”.Onethingisforsure,thesebrothersWILLbeaforcetowreckenwith.

______________________________________________________________________________TournamentsRemembered:HorseshoeFactsandFolklorebyBobDunn,NHPAHistorianFORTGEORGE(NY)OPENFortGeorgeisaninterestingchapterashometownpitcher,VitoFeliccia,wasoneoftheall-timegreatpitchersofNewYork.FelicciafirstwontheNewYorkstatechampionshipin1936andwasalegendeversince.Herepeatedasstatechampionin1949.TotellthehistoryoftheFortGeorgeHorseshoeClubwhichwasoriginatedin1933isthisbriefarticlefromtheDecember1958issueoftheHorseshoePitcher’sNewsDigest:ForGeorgeClubObservesSilverAnniversary“TheFortGeorgeClubobservedtheirtwenty-fifthanniversarywithasocialanddanceattheirclubrooms,1672St.NicholasAvenue,Manhattan,onSaturdayevening,November15. Priorto1933,“theboys”playedtheirgamesonthecourtsmaintainedattheirownexpenseonthepropertyoftheGeorgeWashingtonHighSchool.Itwasin1933thatthecluborganizedwithThomasP.O’Garasettingthestagefortheelectionofofficers,membershipanddues. Onbehalfofthemembersoftheclub,PresidentPatrickMurraycommemoratedthateventbypresentingTomO’Garawithaplaque,inlaidwith25silverdollarsasatokenoftheiresteem. AclassiceventwasreportedintheJune1937issueoftheHorseshoeWorld:FelicciaWins “TheOpenHorseshoePitchingTournamentheldatFortGeorgeCourtstotherearoftheGeorgeWashingtonhighschoolstadium,attractedanentryof30ofthebestplayersonthe

East.RepresentativesfromSpringfield,MA,WestchesterCounty,NewJersey,LongIslandandtheGreaterCitywereonhandtocompeteforprizes. VitoFileccia,presentNewYorkStateChampionandmemberofthehomeclub,wasthewinner,withTomLaurinoofLudlow,MA,runner-upandHenryChristieofCorona,LongIsland,third. ClassBhonorswenttoL.PhillipsofSpringfield,MA,withM.SmithofNewRochelle,NY,secondandBillLeonardofJacksonHeightsthird. Afieldof14contestantsinClassCwasreducedbyeliminationmatcheswiththefinalfourplayersenteringintoaroundrobinthatproducedA.CornierofSpringfield,MA,thewinnerandEddieBerquistoftheWoodlawnClubasrunner-up.

1937FortGeorgeOpenFinalStanding

ClassA WLPct. ClassBWLPct. VitoFeliccia 9068.9% L.Phillips 5043.5% TomLaurino 7262.0% M.Smith 4138.2% HenryChristy 7255.3% W.Leonard 3235.4% CharlesSeacord 6354.1% D.McQuistan 2331.2% JamesMcManus 5448.3% LeeDavis 1433.9% HughO’Neill 4542.0% PeterMcGill 0520.3% EddieWilms 3649.8% GilbertBrinkman 2745.6% ClassC

LeonardZimmerman 2736.4% A.Cornier 3039.5%RalphForsstrom 0937.4% E.Berquist 2140.5%

C.Kuykendall 1221.5% AlAnderson 0319.9% Manyoftheeventsreportedbackinthe1930s,didnotreportpercentages,sothisreportishelpfulandinformative.ItmaybeabitsurprisingtoseethataClassBandClassCwereincludedintheevent.Thatwasinnovativeforthetime.Thistournamenttookplacealongtimeagoandstillhadtiestoourmoderndayversionofthesport.VitoFelicciawasthefirstbigstarofthesportinNewYork,beingstatechampionin1936and1949andpitchedformanyyearsatachampionshipclasslevel.RalphForsstromwasaNationalHallofFamepromoterbeinginductedin1972.LeeDavis,just30yearsoldin1937,wastheStokesMemorialAwardrecipientin1983andwasinductedtotheNationalHallofFamein1979. Nowforward15years,andthe1952FortGeorgeOpenwasreportedintheHorseshoePitcher:

DALECARSONWINSFORTGEORGEOPEN“TheannualFortGeorgeOpenhorseshoepitchingtournamentheldonSundayJune29,1952,wasrecordedasaclassicwhen24ofthetopflightpitchersoftheEastansweredroll-calltovieforthetrophiesandmedalswithTomO’Garaastournamentdirector.Thefieldwasdividedintothreeeight-manroundrobinswitheachcontestantplayingsevengames. DaleCarsonofBaltimore,MDwastheking-pinwithacleanslateofsevenwins.VitoFilecciawasrunner-upandJoeZichellainthirdplace. InClassB,Dr.SolBermanofElizabeth,NJwastiedwithJeneDurhamofBaltimore,MDforfirstplacewithsixwinsandonelosseach.Intheplay-offgame,“Doc”drubbedhisopponenthisopponentbypitchinga76%game. TheClassCplayersjourneyedtoInwoodwherethreeJerseyiteswerethewinners:BarneyKnappofMidlandParkinfirstplace,WalterHaringofWestwoodthesecondmanandA.WardofMidlandParkthethirdplacewinner.

1952FortGeorgeOpenFinalStandingsClassA WLPct. ClassBWLPct. ClassC WL1.DaleCarson7077.5% 1.SolBerman6155.1% 1.BarneyKnapp612.VitoFileccia5270.7% 2.JeneDurham6162.3% 2.WalterHaring523.JoeZichella5267.2% 3.Glynn 5255.9% 3.AlWard 524.Pendridge 4370.8% 4.PaulHanas 4358.2% 4.GeorgeHart435.JoeHardwick3463.1% 5.LeeDavis 4355.5% 5.PaulPuglise436.BillKolb 2559.0% 6.BobO’Connell2548.4% 6.Kaplin 347.DiStefano 1661.5% 7.Brennan 1634.1% 7.Rehfeld 168.EdEarley1661.5% 8.CharlesSeacord0734.8% 8.Haseler 07 Therearesomenameplayersinthisgroup:DaleCarsonisamemberoftheNationalHallofFameandmanytimeMarylandstatechampion;BillKolbwasa14timesNewJerseystatechampion;SolBermanisamemberoftheNationalHallofFame;JeneDurhamwastheAAUNationalChampionin1951andMarylandstatechampionin1961;PaulPugliseisknownasthe“fatherofhorseshoes”inNewJersey.HefoundedtheNewJerseyStateAssociationin1933and1971whentheNewJerseyHallofFamewasfounded,Paulwasthesolecharterinductee.Andthe1953eventwasreportedintheHorseshoePitcheralso:

1953FortGeorgeOpenFinalStandings1.DaleCarson,MD 7078.9% 5.JoeZichella 4368.2%2.VitoFileccia,NY 4372.1% 6.PatBrady 4365.4%3.WilliamKolbNJ 4370.5% 7.JeneDurham,MD 1659.6%4.EdEarley 4370.4% 8.BobO’Connell 0749.5%

VitoFelicciakeepsonwinningashewasthe1957FortGeorgeFallClassicchampion:

FORTGEORGEFALLCLASSIC“VitoFelicciaofFortGeorgecamethroughtodefeatJoeZichellainthefinalgameoftheEmpireOpenhorseshoepitchingtournamentheldatFortGeorgeParkonSunday,September25thwithTomO’Garaasdirector. Thethreateningweatherofthemorningwasafactorinaccountingforasmallbutselectivefieldofcompetitors.RefreshmentsandasocialfollowedafterthetournamentattheFortGeorgeClub.Thesummary:

1957FortGeorgeFallClassicFinalStandingClassAWLPct. ClassB WLPct.1.VitoFeliccia 5070.4% 1.Brumak 5052.2%2.JoeZichella 4173.7% 2.Lugo 4145.9%3.Hardwick 3263.1% 3.Kirk 3248.9%4.LeeDavis 1454.6% 4.BobO’Connell 2341.8%5.OwnFarmer 1453.8% 5.Hoodiman 1430.6%6.GeorgeHart 1452.4% 6.Puglise 0531.6%

VitoFelicciaclaimedanothertitlein1958bybeatingDaleCarsoninplayoff.Vitopitched72.3%toCarson’s71.2%.Anall-starcrewshowedupforthe1959FortGeorgeMemorialDayOpen:STEINFELDTWINSATFORTGEORGEHOLIDAYOPEN“TheMemorialDayholidaytournamentstagedbytheFortGeorgeClubofNewYorkCity,onSundayMay31,drewcompetitorsfromfarandneartovieforthetrophiesinthreeclassofcompetition.CarlSteinfeldtsetaterrificpaceof74.8%forthesevengames.JohnFultonofCarlisle,PA,followedclosebehindwithsixwinsbutwitharingeraveragethatwashigherthanthatofthefirstplacewinner.IntheClassAdivisiontherewerenogamesunder50%.JohnFultonhadonegameinwhichhepitched45ringersoutof50shoesforanaverageof90%.Thedistancestraveledbytheentrantscoveredaradiusof400milesfromthemetropolis,comingfromRochester,NY;Carlisle,PA;Baltimore,MD;NewJersey;Connecticut;LongIslandandtheMetropolitanarea. Atthecloseofthetournamenttheplayersandtheirwivesadjournedtotheclubroomswheretheyenjoyedrefreshmentsandsandwichesand“Battedthebreeze.”

1959FortGeorgeOpenFinalStandings ClassA WLPct. WLPct.

1.CarlSteinfeldt 7074.8% 5.BillKolb 4364.8% 2.JohnFulton 6176.8% 6.VitoFeliccia 3465.7% 3.JoeZichella 4367.6% 7.WillieParadis 1662.6% 4.DaleCarson 4366.4% 8.JoeHardwick 0753.0%

Thestarpitchersdidshowupin1959.CarlSteinfeldtoneoftheall-timegreatsofthesport,wasworldchampionin1976;JohnFultonisoneofthegreatestpitcherstocomeoutofPennsylvania,andhewastheirfirstbigstar:WillieParadiswastheConnecticutstatechampionin1958,1961and1962andastaroftheNewEnglandChampionships,winningthechampionshipin1961. JohnFultonwonthe1960tournamentpitching75.0%,beingtheonlypitchertoexceed70%.DaleCarsonwasrunner-up(68.3%),Porterfourth(69.6%)andJeneDurhamfourth(68.9%).

JottingsIfyouarecomingtotheWorldTournament,pleasestopbymyboothandlookattherecentlybookwrittenonoursport’shistory.Aspecialofferwillbeavailable;anypersonpurchasinganytwobookswillreceiveafreecopyofGaryKline’s“TheOfficialHistoryoftheWorldTournament.”Hopefullyyouhavenoticedthebook“TheWorldChampionsofHorseshoePitching”onourwebsite.Ifyouwouldlikeahardcopyofthatbook,emailmeandifyoudosorightawayacopycanbeavailableforyouatthe2016WorldTournament.Myemailaddressisbobcharlesdunn@aol.com.______________________________________________________________________________WorldTournament2016:PlayersbyLocation&DivisionbyMelYockstick,NHPAWorldStatisticianAsIlookforwardtoseeingeveryoneinMontgomery,Ithoughtitwouldbeappropriatetosharehowplayerentriesaresplitacrossstateanddivision:STATE INT NUMBEROFENTRIESMissouri MO 79Ohio OH 63Alabama AL 48Georgia GA 46Illinois IL 42Texas TX 40Indiana IN 36Kansas KS 36Tennessee TN 35Oklahoma OK 34Florida FL 32Wisconsin WI 32Pennsylvania PA 28Louisiana LA 26Michigan MI 25Minnesota MN 23NorthCarolina NC 23

California CA 20Colorado CO 20Kentucky KY 20Virginia VA 20NewYork NY 18Connecticut CT 16WestVirginia WV 15Arkansas AR 14Ontario,Can. ON 13Nebraska NE 10Utah UT 10Maryland MD 9SouthDakota SD 9Arizona AZ 8Iowa IA 8Delaware DE 7Maine ME 7NewMexico NM 6NorthDakota ND 6SouthCarolina SC 6Vermont VT 6Washington WA 6Massachusetts MA 5NewJersey NJ 5Alberta,Can. AB 4Idaho ID 4Oregon OR 4NewBrunswick-Can NB 4RhodeIsland RI 2Switzerland CH 2Alaska AK 1NewHampshire NH 1Hawaii HI 0Montana MT 0Nevada NV 0Wyoming WY 0TotalPlayers 934DIVISION ENTRIES BY%Men 354 37.90%Elder 279 29.87%Women 110 11.78%Sr.Men 85 9.10%

Sr.Women 30 3.21%Boys 28 3.00%Cadets 28 3.00%Girls 20 2.14% ______________________________________________________________________________HallofFameAnnualMeetingReportbyCaseySluys,President,NationalHorseshoePitchersFoundation DuringtheHallofFametournamentthatwasheldattheNHPAHallofFamebuildinginWentzville,MOtheBoardofDirectorsheldtheirannualmeeting.Muchwasdiscussedandalldirectorswereinformedofthevariousprojectsthatwereundertakeninordertokeepthebuildinganditspremisesintiptopshape.Thevariousprojectsandtheircostswerepresented,thebrickplazadrainage,thenewpaint,theaddedpaneling,newLEDlightfixtures,andthecourtstripingmachine.TheQuailRidgeClubhasreplacedall5oftheupperlightfixtureswithnewandmuchmoreefficientLEDlights.Thesenewlightsdonotrequireballastandtherearenobulbstochange,thatalonewillsavemoney.Wekeptalltheballastsandbulbsforthelowerfixtures.Thebrightnessofthoselightsissointensethattheyarenotfeasibletouseonthelightsthatlightthepits,otherwisetheywouldbereplacedalso.WehavenewInterstatehighwaysignsandhadtorenewthecontractwiththeMOHighwayDept.ThesesignsareonI-70whichisthemajorEastWestInterstate.AlltheothersignswehadonI-64weregiventousandarebeingusedasguidepostsinthepark.Ifyouhavenotbeentherelately,orevenifyouhave,youmaynotknowaboutthenewstreetrunningfromHighwayZallthewaytoProspectRd.ProspectistheroadyouusedtotakeintotheparkandtotheHoF,butnowyoucancomeinoffofHighwayZonInterstateDr.anditgoesrightbytheHallofFame.Withtheincreasedtrafficandmoreandmorepeopleusingtheparkitwasdecidedthatwewouldinstallsomesecuritycameras.JimScullyvolunteeredtoinstallandhookthecamerasup.Thereare4ontheoutsideofthebuildingcoveringtheparkingareas,onecoveringtheentrywasandonemoreinthesnackbararea.Thecameraissueisatouchysubjectbecauseourdropcamsthatshowfolksathometheactiononthecourtscan’tbeused,becauseoutinternetproviderdoesnotsupplyuswithenoughbandwidth.ThatissuewillbeinvestigatedbyJoeandGaryandtheprovider.Ifyoupurchasegoodsonline,pleasedon’tforgetourAmazonSmileprogram,everylittlebithelps.WhenyoulogintoAmazonsmileusethiscodefortheNHPF62-1671910.Ifyouhavenotvisitedourwebsitepleasetakeafewminutestoreadtheinformationpresentedthereandlearnaboutus.http://www.nhpf.infoThereisalsoaFacebookpagethatyoucanvisitandpost

onifyouwishjustusetheFacebookaccountyouhaveasearchNHPF.Let’sallofuscontinuetopromotehorseshoepitchingwithallouractions.______________________________________________________________________________SpecialThankYoutoOurDonorsbyCaseySluys,President,NationalHorseshoePitchersFoundation WeexpressoursincerethankstothefollowingwhohavedonatedasreportedintheJuly/August2016issueofNewsline.Donating$10-$100CharlesMBunner,WVDonating$100-$200Ron&GloriaDeckard,FLVickiWinston,MODonating$500-$600CentralCTHorseshoeClub,CTBricksPurchasedBy:SonomaCountyHorseshoeClub,CARogerL.Schnur,MOHowardE.Reed,KSOtherIncome:NHPFMerchandizeSales-$30.00NHPAGameRelatedSales-$700.00Rent______________________________________________________________________________

HallofFameInvitationalTournament:April30–May1,2016submittedbyJeanetteClass,memberofQuailRidgeHorseshoeClub

SpringtimeinMissouriismostbeautiful.ThedeadofwinterturnsgreenandafewAprilshowersbringonMayflowers.SowhatdoMayflowersbring?Readon.Noonepaidmuchattentiontotherainasthe32horseshoepitchersarrivedforthe5thAnnualHallofFameInvitationalTournament.AmongthesepitchersweremanyWorld,National,StateandLocalChampionsshowcasingAlanFrancis-OHcurrent20XMen’sWorldChampion;JoanElmore-TN7XWomen’sformerWorldChampion;SueSnyder-IN7XWomen’sformerWorldChampion;HerschelWalters-IN2XEldersWorldChampion;andMichaelBowman-MO2XformerWorldJuniorChampion.SomehavebeeninductedintotheNationalHorseshoePitchersHallofFameandmanyofthemhavebeeninductedintotheirhomestate’sHorseshoeHallofFame.WewerehonoredtohavetheNationalHorseshoePitcher’sFoundation’sPresidentCaseySluys-CA,andtheBoardDirectorsJoeFaron-MOVP,GaryBuehler-MOTreasurer,RonDeckard-FL,JimScully-FL,PhyllisQuist-WASecretary.AlsovisitingwereNHPAofficersDanSanders-OH,DaveSidles-NBandHistorianBobDunn-MN.Visitingasaguestwas10XWomen’sWorldChampionVickiWinston-MO.Thetwo-dayeventincludeda40’Men’stournamentanda30’Mixedtournamentcombiningthetalentsofwomenandmen(menover70yearsofage)competingat30feet.Theformatofeachdivisionconsistedofa16personround-robinconsistingoffifteen40-pointgames–eightonSaturdayconcludingwith7gamesonSunday.OnSaturdaymorningintroductionofeachplayerwasannouncedbyBobDiekamp.TheNationalAnthemwasledbyGreggandAudraCraven-MO.Thesoundofhorseshoeswasintheairasthecompetitionbegan.

The40’Men’sDivisionwaspitchedontheDaveLoucksCourtsintheNorthPavilionunderthedirectionofJoeFaronandGaryBuehler.Attheendof8gamespitchedonSaturdayAlanFrancis-OHwasundefeated.Highgamesofthetournamentincluded92.6%,90.5%,and91.4%pitchedbyAlanFrancis-OH.Highgamesinthe80percentileswerepitchedbyBranSimmons-VT87.5%;GaleGreene-VT80.0%,DanWatson-AL82.4%andGaryBearpaw-OK85.3%.TournamentDirectorsBob&RoseDiekampofthe30’DivisionwereBob&RoseDiekampknewthiseventheldsometoughcompetitionwithaveragesrangingfrom84.61%–68.5%.TheirgameswereplayedontheJackFreemancourtsintheSouthPavilion.BytheendofSaturdays’gamesJoanElmore-TNandRogerVogel-KSremainedundefeated.HighgamesinthetournamentwerepitchedbyJoanElmore-TN89.7%,RogerVogel-KS86.5%,RussPhillips-WA85.3%,KathyBrazier-AL89.3%,SueSnyder-IN80.9%,EdPashia-MO80%,J.D.Drake-MI84.6%,MarRay-TN80.6%,GreggCraven-MO82%,RichAltis-MO86.6%andLarryShaw-MI85.5%.AftercompetitiononSaturday,theQuailRidgeHorseshoeClubmembersservedadelicioushomemademealwhichthehorseshoepitchersallenjoyed.Atthebanqueteachpitcherreceivedacertificatedepictinghowmanyyearstheypitchedinthiseventthathasbeenheldfor23years.ItseemsthatAlanFrancisheldthemostyearsofattendance–20years.AftertwodaysofexcitinghorseshoesgamesintheMen’sDivisionAlanFrancis-OHearned1stplacewith15winsandnolossespitchinganaverageof85.75%markinghis17thtitleasHallofFame40’Champion.SecondplacewasearnedbyStanGriggs-MOwith12winsand3losses,averaging67.95%.Inthe30’DivisionJoanElmoreclaimedher6thtitleastheHallofFame30’Championwith14winsandonelossaveraging79.9%.SecondplacewaswonbyDefendingChampionRogerVogel-KS79.0%.Forthegrandfinalethetwochampionsmettogetheronthesouthcourtscompetingformoreprizemoney.Thespectatorswereinaweastheyenjoyedwatchingthisgameastwoworldchampionsbattleditout.Afterpitching98shoes,thefinalscoreofthisgamewas42-25withAlanFrancisasthewinner.Alanpitched88ringersandJoanpitched82ringers.Itwastimenowtoawardtheprizemoneyof$8000tobedividedamongthepitchersaccordingtotheirfinalstandings.Thepitchersweresoonoutthedoorandontheirwayhome.SomesaythecompetitioninthiseventwasharderthanpitchingintheWorldHorseshoeTournament.IonlyheardonecomplaintandthatwasfromRichAltis-MO.“Therewerejusttoomanygoodpitchersonthecourts!”Hopetoseeyounextyear,sametime,sameplace.Oh,bytheway,MayflowersbringPilgrims.

Resultsof40’DivisionName Entry% WonLost Pts Rgrs Ovr%Shoes R%1.AlanFrancis-OH 89.25% 15 0 623 638 3.50- 744 85.75%2.StanGriggs-MO 69.53% 12 3 577 549 1.59- 808 67.95%3.BrianSimmons-VT 81.94% 11 4 561 579 7.52- 778 74.42%4.TomWilliams-MI 75.22% 11 4 576 565 4.42- 798 70.80%

5.GaleGreen-VT 74.12% 11 4 582 607 3.54- 860 70.58%6.DanWatson-AL 79.55% 11 4 533 553 10.26- 798 69.30%7.GaryBearpaw-OK 69.84% 9 6 508 605 0.62- 874 69.22%8.RickHowe-MA 70.90% 7 8 503 565 4.28- 848 66.63%9.AustinBailey-IL 72.17% 7 8 511 527 9.44- 840 62.74%10.SteveJohnson-MO68.41% 7 8 473 443 11.18- 774 57.24%11.JamesDriver-MO 60.06% 4 11 413 492 1.21- 836 58.85%12.GaryRoberts-OH 65.78% 4 11 390 432 7.41- 740 58.38%13.MichaelBowman-MO63.08% 4 11 432 431 5.15- 744 57.93%14.RayBedard-MA 73.74% 4 11 354 416 17.22- 736 56.52%15.DonDavis-WA 64.85% 3 12 386 440 6.34- 752 58.51%16.BretVogel-KS 62.81% 0 15 265 299 16.81- 650 46.00%

Resultsof30’DivisionName Entry% Won Lost Pts Rgrs Ovr% Shoes R%1.JoanElmore-TN 84.61% 14 1 624 713 4.68- 892 79.93%2.RogerVogel-KS 80.93% 13 2 590 711 1.93- 900 79.00%3.RussPhillips-WA 82.31% 10 5 556 683 8.08- 920 74.24%4.KathyBrazier-AL 71.82% 10 5 540 684 0.02 952 71.85%5.SueSnyder-IN 77.74% 10 5 513 552 10.43- 820 67.32%6.EdPashia-MO 72.10% 8 7 511 577 6.69- 882 65.42%7.JDDrake-MI 72.96% 7 8 501 612 4.05- 888 68.92%8.MarleneRay-TN 75.07% 7 8 465 618 8.19- 924 66.88%9.GreggCraven-MO 73.89% 6 9 472 620 2.63- 870 71.26%10.RichAltis-MO 74.20% 6 9 452 618 3.98- 880 70.23%11.TerryBeagle-MI 68.52% 6 9 473 622 0.02- 908 68.50%12.LarryShaw-OH 72.01% 6 9 419 554 4.45- 820 67.56%13.PaulMcGee-MD 74.31% 6 9 429 525 10.60- 824 63.71%14.HerschelWalters-IN73.47% 5 10 438 479 10.61- 762 62.86%15.EdGriffith-MO 73.91% 4 11 457 575 9.31- 890 64.61%16.RonLeGrand-MO 70.11% 2 13 262 341 14.94- 618 55.18%______________________________________________________________________________TeamWorld:Beloit,WI-May13-15submittedbyJeanetteClass,memberofQuailRidgeHorseshoeClub ItwasaC-O-L-DthreedaysinWisconsinbuttheShow-MeStatehorseshoepitcherswereREDHOTonthe24courtsinsidetheEdwardsSportsArenainTelferPark.Everyonewholookedattheforecastbroughtextralayersofclothes,plusearmuffs,gloves,blankets,handwarmers,etc.ItwasprettycomfortableFridaybutSaturdaymorningat7:30AMwasawindy,wintermornings(withtempsinthe30’s).Missouri#1gottheprivilegeofplayingatthattime.

TwentyteamswereincludedinthiseventwithfiveteamscomingfromMissouri,fiveteamsfromWisconsin,threeteamsfromMinnesota,twoteamsfromIndiana,IllinoisandIowa,andoneteamfromMichigan.Eachteammeetsallotherteamsforonematchinaround-robinformat.OnFridaymorningAnnouncerJeffSecordintroducedthepitchersandtheNationalAnthemwassungbyKevinBrekke.Theteamcaptainsgatheredatthescorer’stablepriortoeachmatchforacointossbyJeffSecordtodeterminewhochoosestheindividualopponentpairingsfortheteammatch.AndMayMadnesswasabouttobeginforthreefulldaysofcompetition.Wisconsincheese,anybody?FreeWisconsincheese?Whenapitcherwouldpitchagameof70%orhigher,theirnamewastossedinabucketforachancetowinablockofdeliciousWisconsincheese.Ifyournamewasdrawnyouandyourteammemberswonablockofcheese.MissouriteammembersMickGillette,GreggCravenandJohnSapperandtheirteammatesallwenthomewiththesesouvenirs.

TheFinals:MissouriTeam#1(MickGillette,GreggCraven,RichAltisand40’SteveJohnson)was2-2oneveryroundwithseven4-0sweepsforatotalof57.5winsinthe19rounds(76games).TherewasaswitchfromlastyearwhenMO#1was2ndseedandMichiganwasfirst.ItwasMissouri’sturntositoutthefirsttwogamesandplayonegameforthechampionship.ThisyearMO#1wastopseed,MIwas2ndseed.Wisconsin#1was3rd,MO#2(EdGriffith,JohnSapper,JimHowardand40’JamesDriver)was4thandMN#1was5th.ThistimeMissourididn’thavetofaceMichigan.TheyweredefeatedbyMinnesota#1andMO#2losttoWI#1.ThenextroundMO#2defeatedMichiganfor4thplace.WI#1beatMN#1.ThatputMinnesota#1into3rdplace,whichmeantWI#1andMO#1wouldplayfortheChampionshipTitle.GreggCravenwasnothappywithhislosingperformanceinthatgameandhavingnotseentheotherscoresyetofhisteammates,hewasalittlesurprisetohavepeoplecongratulatinghimbeforefindingoutthatSteve,MickandRichhadallwontheirgames!ArepeatfortheteamandMissouri’sthirdTeamWorldChampionshipeverinthe27

yearsthatthiseventhastakenplace.Missouri’sTeam#1teamaverageof64.01%wasthebestfortheweekend.

AndforthefirsttimeinitshistoryMissourihadtwoteamsinthefinals.EdGriffithhadthebestindividualaveragefortheMissouriplayerswith68.10%,whichwas3rdofallplayersbyonly0.11percentagepoints.MissouriTeam#3:AudraCraven-50.13%,VirgleMcCown-51.45%,CoriStoverink-39.21%,DonraMcCown-36.97%MissouriTeam#4:GaryNull-40.94%,DavidSchneider-34.85%,MelBruemmer-38.17%,RichReina-32.79%,EdgarStoverink30%MissouriTeam#5:WesleyStoverink-40.3%,KevinChambers-32.37%,SamGodboldt-24.34%,CarolHoward-22.81%,EdgarStoverink30.7%WewishtothankTournamentDirectorEarlPaulsen,theBeloitHorseshoeClubandallsponsorswhomadethiseventpossible.Itwasawellorganizedandplannedevent.Wewanttothankthe2016MissouriTeamWorldCommitteeMelBruemmer,GreggCraven,JimHoward&VirgleMcCown.IfyouareinterestedinrepresentingMissourinextyearatthisevent,contactMelat573-821-6350ormlbruem@aol.com.TeamWorldisthemostfuneventinhorseshoes,alittlechilly,butfun.

MissouriTeam#1Wins Ringers Shoes R%GreggCraven 16 530 800 66.25%MickGillette 15 530 800 66.25%RichAltis 16.5 512 800 64.0%StevenJohnson 13 478 800 59.75%

MissouriTeam#2 Wins Ringers Shoes R%EdGriffith 19.5 572 840 68.10%JohnSapper 15 508 840 60.48%JamesDriver 12 469 840 55.83%JimHoward 14 418 840 49.76%

______________________________________________________________________________HeadofMonHorseshoeTournamentWinnersCrownedsubmittedbyCharlesBunner,aswrittenintheTimesWestVirginianWinnerswerecrownedinsixclassesatthe30thHeadoftheMonHorseshoeTournamentatEastMarionPark.CindyHoffmanofPennsylvaniawonClassAwitha5-1recordand73.67ringerpercentage.ShewasfollowedbyPaulSalisburyofWestVirginia(3-3,51.67),RobertFaidleyofPennsylvania(2-4,66.67)andGlenLeonardofWestVirginia(2-4,54.67).BillyBreedenofVirginiawonClassBwitha6-1recordand59.09ringerpercentage.

HewasfollowedbyRandallWeakleyofVirginia(5-2,52.65),KevinL.BowmanofVirginia(1-5,48.18)andJamesCarpenterJr.ofWestVirginia(1-5,40.88).SaraPowroznikofWestVirginiawonClassCwitha6-1recordand48.26ringerpercentage.ShewasfollowedbyNateSheltonofWestVirginia(5-2,42.47),CharlesVarneyofWestVirginia(4-3,36.28),JerryNelsonofWestVirginia(4-3,31.29),WilfredKahrigofOhio(3-4,30.73),MeredithKahrigofOhio(2-5,37.57),BillColeofOhio(2-5,31.00)andRogerWehrofOhio(2-5,27.14).ArjayWhipkeyofWestVirginiawonClassDwitha5-1recordand40.46ringerpercentage.HewasfollowedbyJayCunninghamofWestVirginia(3-3,35.92),KenBurkhardofOhio(2-4,35.56)andJoeLeRoyofWestVirginia(2-4,30.14).KenWilhelmofWestVirginiawonClassEwitha6-0recordand38.60ringerpercentage.HewasfollowedbyStacyHudsonofWestVirginia(5-1,35.17),BurtonHareofWestVirginia(3-3,24.14),AlanStoverofTennessee(3-3,22.93),JohnShusterofWestVirginia(2-4,23.67),CharlesCaseyofWestVirginia(2-4,19.93)andGretaShipleyofWestVirginia(0-6,15.41).WilliamBuckelofMarylandwonClassFwitha5-1recordand25.00ringerpercentage.HewasfollowedbyDougShipleyofWestVirginia(3-3,16.35),RonWeissofPennsylvania(3-3,14.00)andAdamNelsonofWestVirginia(1-5,12.67).Atotalof$2,285waspaidtowinners.______________________________________________________________________________