Volume 20, Issue 2 - Fall 2018
Amy Miller, Editor
A PUBLICATION OF THE OHIO HORSESHOE PITCHERS ASSOCIATION, AN OFFICIAL NHPA CHARTER
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Buy your 2019 NHPA Sanctioned Card!
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President's Message
Gary B. Roberts
I am entering my 61
st
consecutive year as a NHPA member. I have witnessed many changes in our sport during that time. The change that affects us most is the continuing decline in membership. The NHPA now has fewer than 10,000 members. We can blame this decline on many things. Some blame the NHPA Officers for not providing proper leadership and not making wise decisions. Others blame the thirty foot controversy. As we enter the 2019 season, let us not worry about who to blame for our situation. Instead, let us concentrate on what each of us can do to improve and enhance our sport. A famous quote states, “Better to light one candle than to curse the darkness”. Let us keep this in mind going forward.
I saw many positives during this past year. The participation in our Ohio State Championships increased over the previous year. The 2018 World Tournament was one of the most exciting in many years and there were over 1,000 entries. Plans are underway in London, Ohio to construct new courts. The Ross County Horseshoe Club has mounted a serious effort to construct a high quality indoor facility near their existing courts in Chillicothe, Ohio. In the coming year, we must create innovative ways to continue the enthusiasm that currently exists.
This past weekend, I and the other members of the Reno Family Horseshoe Pitchers participated in the 48
th
consecutive Bob Evans Farm Festival in Rio Grande, Ohio. We completed three demonstrations each day for three consecutive days. I threw more than 1,000 shoes during these demonstrations! Our hope is to complete 50 consecutive years.
Many people have asked about who represents Ohio as delegates to the NHPA Convention each year. Last year the delegates were Brian Fisher, Delbert Fourman, Randy Shoemaker, and Fred Sanford. Many others have served in this capacity in past years. Some who have served tell me that they are not interested in serving again. The Convention is a long and arduous venture. The first requirement to become a delegate is to be present at the World Tournament. I attempt to appoint delegates that are heavily involved in the promotion of our sport. Some say that delegates are not representative of the membership. I do not think this is true in Ohio.
Lastly, NHPA members can now present proposals for rules and bylaw changes on an annual basis. This year, you have until November 30, 2018 to present them. In subsequent years, the deadline will be September 30th to allow time for proper review. The proposed changes should be submitted in a format that quotes the current rule and then lists the proposed wording. Then the reason for the proposed change should be provided. All proposals should be sent to
gbroberts5542@yahoo.com
or mailed to 638 Salem Cave Road, Beaver, Ohio, 45613. All proposals will be given serious consideration by the Rules Committee.
It continues to be an honor to serve as OHPA President. I hope I will be able to contribute in some small way to the success of our sport.
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2018 World Report
Brian Fisher, 1st VP and Publicity Director
Every year, Ohio dominates at the World Tournament and this year was no exception. We sent 75 Ohio pitchers to Florence, South Carolina. That was way more than any other state. Fifteen of our pitchers attended their first World Tournament this year. Ohio has two World Champions! Gary Roberts won the Senior Men's title and Alan Francis won his 23
rd
Men's title. Of the 75 Ohio pitchers attending, 31 placed in the money. Ohio represented well this year. Congratulations to all. Next year's World Tournament is at Wichita Falls, Texas (July 22 – Aug 3, 2019). See the link below for more information. I hope to see a lot of Buckeyes in Texas!!!
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Austin Eidemiller, Troy
Sheldon Fisher, Troy
Jordan Kopietz, Wauseon
Mike Kuether, Yorkshire
Dan Long, Thompson
Tom Maffey, Goshen
Frank Morrow, Xenia
Bill Redfearn, Troy
Russell Rosch, Burton
Donna Shoemaker, Londonderry
Kay Spencer, Chillicothe
David Webb, Covington
Jerry Wolfe, Salem
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Paul Feathers, Delphos
Mike Hall, Chillicothe
Austin Hill, Greenville
Eric Hill, Chesterhill
Jasmine Knapp, Millersburg
Ron Kopietz II, Wauseon
Ron Kopietz III, Wauseon
Jared Luoma, Burton
Jim McCombs, Greenville
Steve Smith, Akron
Nick Teaford, Troy
Mike Worthington, Dayton
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Proposed Bylaw Changes are due March 1, 2019
If you would like to submit any proposed Bylaw changes, please mail a written proposal to include: (1) the Bylaw location (Article, Section, Number/letter, page number); (2) the current wording; (3) the proposed change of wording (underlined); and (4) reasons for this proposed change. All written proposals need to be mailed to OHPA, PO Box 475, Hilliard, OH 43026.
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HORSESHOE TRIVIA
By Gary B. Roberts
It is always interesting to observe the different deliveries and turns of our great pitchers. One anomaly in turns is the near disappearance of the one and three quarter turn in the Men’s Championship Division. In past years, this turn was very prominent. In this year’s World Tournament, Rick Howe was the only member of the Championship Division throwing this turn (part of the time).
In the 1965 World Tournament, three of the top five finishers threw the one and three quarter turn. Elmer Hohl was first, Ray Martin finished second, and Paul Focht was fifth. Fernando Isais, Ralph Maddox, Jim Solomon, Jerry Schneider, Ronnie Simmons, Buck Engle, Floyd Fowler, Pop Johnson, Bob West, and Stan Manker were all great pitchers who utilized the one and three quarter turn. It is a mystery as to why very few pitchers use it now.
The resurgence of the flip shoe is also of interest. At the 1972 World Tournament in Greenville, Ohio the great Jesse Gonzales averaged 80.84% in the Championship Division with the flip shoe against stiff competition. No other pitcher was ever able to exceed 80% with the flip shoe in World Tournament competition until this year in Florence, South Carolina. This year Gary Bearpaw averaged an amazing 81.68% to join Jesse as the only flip shoe pitchers to accomplish this feat. It seems Gary continues to improve every year. Not far behind was Dan Watson with his beautiful flip shoe averaging 79.89%. We may soon see a third pitcher enter the 80% club. If anyone tells you the flip shoe won’t work from forty feet, just have them watch Gary and Dan pitch.
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Secretary Notes
Amy Miller, Secretary/Treasurer
It was a great Summer of pitching! It just goes by way too fast. I was glad to help again with the West Liberty tournament. Next year, we plan to have a sanctioned tournament in Bremen. With the Winter months coming, I hope all the indoor facilities have a great pitching season.
It has become very concerning to us all that our membership is severely dwindling with each passing year. The NHPA passed a rule allowing special options to new members. Available for 2019 are Provisional Members ($10) and Trial Members ($0). See the 2019 Membership Application for further details. I'm hopeful this will make a positive difference in membership nationwide.
Please remember to support the National Horseshoe Pitchers Foundation whenever you shop with Amazon. Use this link
Amazon Smile
and Amazon will donate 0.5% of the purchase price to the NHPF. This is an absolutely harmless way to help the National Horseshoe Pitchers Foundation Hall of Fame and Museum.
Tournament/League Directors
: Please be sure to use the correct Sanction Number that has been assigned to your sanctioned tournament. Always use a pitcher's current Class and Natstats percentage when setting up your tournament. If you're not sure, ask me. Also, please turn in results as soon as possible because pitchers are waiting for them to post. We thank you for all the hard work and effort in supporting your events. Thank you for keeping horseshoes alive!!
Stay warm!
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HALL OF FAME Nominations are due March 1, 2019
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Link to Recent
OBITUARIES
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2018 Ohio State Championships
Greenville
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2018 State Juniors / Cadets
Cadet State Champion: Caiden Hogue / 49.44%
Jr Boys State Champion: Alex Francis / 40.45%
Jr Girls State Champion: Jasmine Knapp / 21.51%
Jr Boys Class B Champion: Bradley Norrod / 8.42%
Cadet Class B Champion: Cameron Hogue / 15.63%
Jr Girls Class B Champion: Lauren Park / 11.70%
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2018 Men's State Champion
5-0 / 82.74%
Alan Francis - Defiance
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2018 Elder's State Champion
5-0 / 77.12%
Virgil Rife - Weston
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2018 Women's State Champion
6-0 / 70.31%
Amy Francis - Defiance
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State Awards
Youngest Pitcher
- Cameron Hogue, Adamsville (8 yrs old)
Oldest Pitcher
- Paul Burkitt, Hilliard
(87 yrs old)
Sportsmanship Award
- Sherrill Hambel, Sterling
Club of the Year
- Ross Co Horseshoe Club
Achievement Award
- Jeff Wells, Middletown
Frances Asher Award
- Darryl Miller, Plain City
Tournament Director of the Year
- Brian Fisher, New Paris
Jim Knisley Traveling Award
- Roy Dugger, West Carrollton
Hall of Fame
- Bob Lautenschleger, Chesterland and
Carl Young, Live Oaks, FL
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State Convention
: Thanks to everyone for the food donations to help with the convention refreshments!
50/50 Saturday's drawing was won by
Lonnie Bowles - Bryan
50/50 Sunday's drawing was won by
Tom Guill - Shelby
Silent Auction:
The Auction was again a big success!! A total of
$630.00
was raised!! A special thanks to John Knapp, Jim Jacobs, Donna Shoemaker, Darke County Horseshoe Club and the OHPA Officers for their donations.
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62 years
Ottie Reno, Lucasville
61 years
Gary Roberts, Beaver
50 years
Jim Rhymer, Stoutsville
30 years
Roy Hunt, Lima
Tom Kirk, Casstown
Randy Shoemaker, Londonderry
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20 years
Lewis Ayers, Whipple
Roy Dugger, West Carrollton
Ed Frace, Sunbury
Mary Green, Zanesville
Dennis Szczepaniak, Avon Lake
Mike Worthington, Dayton
10 years
Mackenzie Bowles, Bryan
Jennifer Reno, Waverly
Richard Schneider, Lima
Al Williams, Columbus
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Pins for Sale
The sale price is $1.25 per pin.
To place your order,
please contact
Amy Miller at ohpasecretary@gmail.com or 614-507-2468
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Portable Court Donators
Thank You for Your Support!
Tom King, Chillicothe
Darke County Horseshoe Club, Greenville
Randy Shoemaker, Chillicothe
Ross County Horseshoe Club, Chillicothe
Greene County Horseshoe Club, Xenia
Ray Welsh, Louisville
Bremen Horseshoe Club, Bremen
Hershel McCollister, Frankfort
Dan Sanders, Powell
Irvin Fraley, Vermillion
Harry Menegay, Sterling
Harley Thomas, Bremen
Fulton County Horseshoe Club, Wauseon
Whetstone Horseshoe Club, Columbus
Dick and Dianna Guill, Mansfield
Hilliard Horseshoe Club, Hilliard
Ron Cook, Chillicothe
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Newsletter Submission Deadline is March 16, 2019
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Please send me your articles and pictures and I will add them to the Newsletter. Amy Miller
ohpasecretary@gmail.com
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Amy Miller, Editor
Ohio Horseshoe Newsletter
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