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How to put on a
Horseshoe Pitching CLINIC
This outline, with your own little
modifications, will give you an idea of how to go about putting on a
horseshoe pitching clinic. Getting started on something seems to be
the key to getting things done. This should give you a jump start on
putting on that clinic that you've always been talking about.
This is just a suggestion of presentation
material and commentary. There are probably more transparencies and
commentary than what you will be able to use and still keep your
audience interested. Pick out the stuff for a beginners clinic and
use it for that. Pick out the stuff for a more advanced clinic and
use it for that. After all, YOU will be the presenter.
PURPOSE OF CLINIC:
1. Recruit new pitchers
2. Information for those who "know it all"
3. General information for the public
4. Sign-up for league play
5. Information for those wavering on joining a club
6. Part of your Club's Open House
7. Orientation before your club begins league play
8. Starting a new Club
9. Recreation Department Information
10. (You can add to this list.)
CLINIC PREPARATION
Determine:
DATE, TIME, and PLACE to hold Clinic
If inside, have a portable court setup.
If outside, on the courts, have a presentation area with seating,
electrical power, and free from the wind. You could use a building
for the classroom portion and then go out to the courts for
practical experience.Clinic Staff:
Chief presenter, presenter assistant, demonstrators (the "good"
pitchers), registrar, fees collector, handout provider, court setup
crew (all staff should wear their horseshoe pitching shirts). The
chief presenter should definitely be the most informed person on
horseshoe pitching "book work".
Gather Equipment:
Overhead projector, transparencies for the presentation, video
player and monitor, video: Basics of Horseshoe Pitching, a
fully equipped horseshoe pitching box, different brands of
horseshoes, hooks, and other pitching equipment.
HANDOUTS: The least that a clinic could bring about is "free"
information. Make sure people go away in hand with something about
horseshoe pitching. Gather and have plenty of handouts about your
local club, state association, NHPA, NHPF, where to buy horseshoes
and equipment, horseshoe pitching newsletters, NHPA Newsline
magazine, and whatever else you can gather and make copies of.
Refreshments
and treats are always an ice breaker
and gives people something to do when coming in.
Displays: You could also have a display area showing
individual pitchers trophies and awards (trophies that no one sees
after they are won), different brands of horseshoes, newspaper
articles about horseshoe pitching, pictures, and whatever else you
may think people would be interested in. Anything to peak their
interest.
Advertise:
Through your local recreation department, poster fliers, sending out
personal postcards, newspaper articles, radio, local cable TV
bulletin boards, posting on the internet, state horseshoe
association newsletters, word of mouth, and you may know of other
sources.
CLINIC PROCEDURE:
1. Set-up all equipment and make
sure it works
2. Set-up tables for handouts, displays, horseshoes and equipment,
etc.
3. Register people as they come in
4. Give them "handouts"
5. Take any fees for joining the club and leagues (have applications
available for local and state organizations)
6. Make sure everyone has a place to sit or stand and to be able to
see the video and overhead projector screens
7. Turn on Overhead Projector
8. (Slide 1) Welcome them to the clinic and the great game of
horseshoes, etc.
9. Introduce Clinic Staff
SHOW VIDEO: Basics of Horseshoe Pitching
PROCEED with remaining set of overhead transparencies
END with demonstrations and "guests" pitching on the courts.
Answer personal questions by directing them to the proper people.
Welcome
to the
Horseshoe Pitching
CLINIC
CLINIC STAFF Introductions
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Commentary 1
(Suggested)
1. Welcome everyone to the
clinic
2. Introduce Self; clinic staff participants/pitchers and say
sometime about each on their horseshoe pitching careers; and
other distinguished people in the audience
3. Say that you invited NHPA President Dave Loucks to the
Clinic, but he sent a video instead that you will show
4. Show video: Basics of Horseshoe Pitching |
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Handout Package
1. Local Club Flier
2. State Association Flier
3. NHPA Rules and Flier
4. Lucky Shoe Pro Shop
5. NHPF Flier
6. Other Information
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Commentary 2
(Suggested)
For a breaker after the video
say this:
Horseshoe pitching is a family Sport. Horseshoe pitching boasts
of being one of the few sports that has a national champion for
men, women, boys, girls, senior men and women, elder men, and
can still be played in one's backyard. It can be played by one
or more and by the young as well as the old.
1.
Briefly explain each handout piece
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Sanctioned Pitching
What is it?
Fees: Local Club Horseshoe Clubs
Fees: State Association Membership
and League play
Fees: NHPA Membership and
Tournament play
Fees: World Tournament structure
and locations |
Commentary 3
(Suggested)
1. Explain what
a sanctioned court is: Courts meet the specifications and safety
standards of the NHPA, can hold sanctioned tournaments on the
courts
2. Explain what a sanctioned club is: Courts meet the above
standards and all members must belong to the State/NHPA
Associations.
3.
Explain what the local, state and NHPA fees are, State
Newsletters and the NHPA Newsline Magazine $12 per year (show
them). Say something about the World Tournament setup,
locations, class play, how many days it takes, etc. World
Tournament: $100 entry fee payout 7 places (16 in a round
robin); Clubs bidding need a building for 48 portable courts,
plenty of good camping and motel space is needed (Usually about
1500 participants, families, spectators, etc.)
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National Horseshoe
Pitchers Foundation
1. Educate the Public
About and Promote the game of horseshoes
2. Build a Hall of Fame, Museum & Library
in Joelton, Tennessee
Location has a building with 18 courts
and an open sided building with 20 more
Contributions are tax
deductible
The NHPF
P.O. Box 159027
Nashville, TN 37215
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Commentary 4 (Suggested)
1. The National Horseshoe Pitchers Foundation was formed in 1996
under the guidance of NHPA President Dave Loucks. Dr. Jack
Freeman of Nashville, Tennessee, donated 65 acres of land which
has a building with 18 courts and an open sided building with 20
more. The grounds are located about 10 miles northeast of
Nashville. The NHPF eventually will have camping and motel space
available to host a World Tournament within a few years.
Prominent tournaments are now held there yearly.
2.
Comment of what this will mean when the NHPA has a "home base"
in Joelton, TN; (similar to the Bowling Hall of Fame in St.
Louis)
3. Make sure they have access to the new NHPF brochure.
4. World tournaments will be held there when no club makes a
bid. |
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Game
History
Horseshoe pitching is
patterned after the game of quoits*. Quoits is a modification of
an old Grecian game of discus throwing. The camp followers of
the Grecian armies, who could not afford the discus, took
discarded horseshoes, set up a stake and began tossing
horseshoes at the stake.
The first horseshoe pitching tournament in which competition was
open to the World was held in the summer of 1909 in Bronson,
Kansas. The winner was Frank Jackson. The stakes were only 2"
high then.
*Quoit: A ring of rope or metal
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Commentary 5 (Suggested)
1. Comment on the games of Quoits and Washers
2. First tournament in 1909, yes, stakes were only 2 inches high
3. Point out current champs, (use Newsline Magazine with that
information), Ted Allen: 10 world championships
4. Walter Ray Williams, Jr. on how he promotes the game, demos
during bowling season, etc.
5. Point out current State Champs
6. Local, State and World Champions, if any from local State
and/or surrounding area |
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WHY PITCH HORSESHOES?
EXERCISE
Throwing, bending, reaching,
walking, working the clay
CAMARADERIE
Local clubs, sanctioned tournaments,
life long friends, practice alone or with someone
COMPETITION
Can be made as serious and as fun as you want
AGE/GENDER
There's no advantage of being young
or old, male or female
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Commentary 6 (Suggested)
1. It has been said that a round robin horseshoe tournament is
more strenuous than a round of golf, you will know it if you
haven't pitched for awhile when you brush your teeth the next
morning.
2. Examples:
Round robins of 6-7 take 3-4 hours to play
State Tournament = 2 days of round robins
World Tournament = 3 days of round robins |
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OBJECT of PITCHING SHOES
1. Score Ringers (Usually the one pitching
the most ringers wins)
2. Get the Top Score
first (Backyard: 11, 21, 25;
Sanctioned:
35, 40, etc.)
3. Lead after the Shoe
Count is completed
(24, 40, 50 shoes, etc.) |
Commentary 7 (Suggested)
1. Ringers win games, but not always, points are important
Backyard: 11-15-21-25 point count
League Doubles, 12 innings, 24 shoes each player
League Singles, 40-50 shoes
State Tournament: 40 pts.; State sanctioned play: 35 pts.
State Doubles Tournament: 50 shoes per team, count all
World Tournament: 40 shoes (3 hour time slots have to be kept to
keep tournament moving
2. World Tournament Championship play: 40 pts. (Jim Wiltse 75,
MI vs Frank Buhan 84, PA, threw 96 shoes in one game '99 WT) |
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Commentary 8 (Suggested)
1. Point out the parts of the shoe and purpose of parts
2. Explain what a balance shoe means: Try to find a shoe that
will turn or flip with your style of pitching. Try different
models of shoes to find the right "fit" for your pitching style.
3. 40+ or more styles of pitching shoes
4. About a dozen manufacturers
5. Order from Lucky Shoe Pro Shop, or any NHPA distributor
6. What shoe to pitch? Deadeye, Allen, Imperial, Diamond, M & M,
Gordon, Mustang, Ohio, any many others, try them to see the
difference |
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Shoe Specifications
All shoes must be sanctioned and approved by the NHPA
1. Weigh no more than 2 lbs.,
10 oz.,
(there are no minimum standards)
2. Not exceed 7-1/4 inches in width
3. Not exceed 7-5/8 inches in length
4. Opening of the shoe must not exceed 3-1/2 inches.
(A 1/8 inch tolerance to 3-5/8 inches is allowed on used shoes)
5. May not exceed one inch in thicknes
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Commentary 9 (Suggested)
1. Explain the specifications
2. Explain how the shoes are checked at the World Tournament,
must fit in the "shoe check box," sold by Lucky Shoe Pro Shop |
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Commentary 10 (Suggested)
1. Explain the difference between an indoor and outdoor set-up,
pit sizes
2. Emphasize safety, fencing, removing stakes if not fenced
(10 ft. minimum distance between courts) |
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The Pitching Court
1. 40 foot Distance: measured
front to front of each stake
2. Back stops: 12" high
3. Pitching platforms: 18" wide
4. Stakes: 1" cold rolled steel, 14-15" high,
measured perpendicular from pit area with 78° (3 inch) lean
5. Foul lines: 36" in front of stakes
6. Pitching platform and pit area: 6 feet square
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Commentary 11 (Suggested)
1. Continue from #10 with court information |
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Pit Material
CLICK ON THE
PITCHER BELOW
SAND
CLAY (blue or potters)
KLAWOG
(Klawog sells for $8.95 per 50 lb. bag in skids of 40 bags, plus
shipping.)
Synthetic Clay
$2.00 a lb. |
Commentary 13 (Suggested)
1. Sand: not good for indoor pits
Some mixtures of sand work best for outside
2. Poor clay can be mixed with sawdust to hold moisture
3. Clay
is good when played on and worked often (putty like substance)
4. Synthetic clay used by the Sarbaugh Courts in Ohio and in Las
Vegas tournament, it is dustless
5. Those who haven't pitched in clay usually don't like it at
the beginning, why? One needs to hit the stake, no sliders, sand
or dirt is gouged out into a real "pit", most of the time clay
isn't prepared correctly
6. Clay is the preferred pit mix, however, some sanctioned
tournaments are held on courts with sand pits
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OTHER EQUIPMENT & ITEMS
Horseshoe carrying box,
Hooks, gloves, file, calipers, band aids,
percentage calculator
CLOTHING:
1. Always wear comfortable clothes & shoes
2. NHPA Jackets, caps, shirts, tee-shirts,
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Commentary 14 (Suggested)
1. Show samples of equipment,
SHOW what's in a horseshoe pitchers box
2. Hooks (can't be any longer than 36" and have more than a 2"
protrusion, for safety purposes)
3. Point out what pitchers wear at tournaments, NHPA clothing,
(Lucky Shoe Pro Shop carries clothing items)
4. Wearing apparel need not be expensive. The shoes on your feet
should be comfortable and have soles that will grip the surface
on which you are to stand. Any type of sportswear will do, but
it should be two things, comfortable and neat. A players last
name, hometown and state should be on the back of their shirt in
two inch letters. The first name should be on the front of the
shirt. By wearing your pitching clothes every time you play, you
will never be conscious of your attire when you compete, thereby
eliminating one more possible distraction. (Some State
Associations and the World Tournament require you to wear a
tournament shirt.) |
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Basic Rules
1. Observe
FOUL LINES
(37 feet for 40 footers
and 27 feet for 30 footers)
2. Elders, Females,
Juniors pitch at 30 feet
(Those under age 70, who qualify under
the NHPA health clause, pitch at 30 feet)
3. Stay on pitching
platform when pitching
4. Agree on the score before picking
up the shoes
5. Court Maintenance |
Commentary 15 (Suggested)
Expand on whatever you want to talk about for Rules
1. Have a "demonstrator"
point out foul lines with demonstrations
2. Stay on platform
3. Don't pick up shoes until score is agreed upon
4. Don't walk in vision line of another pitcher
5. All pitchers must maintain the courts
6. Can't step on or level clay during play without opponent
permission
7. Can't paint stakes during play without opponent permission
8. Demonstrate HOW TO
WATER & TURN THE CLAY
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Basic Etiquette
1. Flip a shoe to
see who starts game
2. Shake hands before and after competition
3. Step off to right in front
of pit after pitching
4. Stand quietly, behind opposite platform
when not pitching
5. Be a good sport-- win or lose
6. Encourage and help each other
to enjoy the game
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Commentary 16 (Suggested)
USE WHATEVER YOU WANT FROM THIS LIST
1. A player is expected to stand at the back of the opposite
pitching platform, out of vision range while the opponent is
pitching.
2. During mixed play (mixed distance) the short distance pitcher
must walk to the rear of the full distance platform
3. Exit the pitching platform in a clockwise rotation (unless
pitching a left-handed player). Enter the pitching platform from
the rear of behind the player pitching first.
4. Harassment will not be tolerated, either by spectators or
opponents.
5. If the conduct of your opponent is other than acceptable,
please do not put your "brand" on them; see the director or the
judge
6. Loud profanity is not acceptable (we all mutter on occasion).
7. Stay within the boundaries of your court.
8. Do not pick up the shoes until the opponent has had time to
observe the position of the shoes and mutual agreement is
reached as to their value.
9. Be aware of the foul line, you may not touch it with your
foot while delivering the shoe.
10. Carry your own, accurate, measuring tools.
11. You are encouraged to settle point determinations. If you
cannot agree on a point or a ringer please call for a judge.
12. The decision of the judge is final.
13. Please observe carefully before leaving your immediate
court. It is discourteous to walk in the line of vision of
another player.
14. Painting stakes and leveling the clay during play is not
allowed unless agreed upon by you and your opponent. Stepping on
the clay to level it during play is not allowed unless the
opposition agrees.
15. Please do not take extended breaks during play.
16. There may be times when you disagree with the way the Club
conducts league play. Please take the issue to a Club officer as
there may be a reason that is not readily apparent.
17. Each player is expected to water (if needed) and turn a pit
prior to commencing a game.
18. Use proper scoring calls and always look at the scorekeeper
when calling the score. |
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Basic Etiquette
Without
loss in competitive spirit, all participants shall maintain a
friendly, civil attitude with one another, officials,
scorekeepers and spectators, all of whom are expected to
reciprocate in like manner. Boasting, fault finding, whining and
complaining only serve to lessen respect for individuals and for
the sport.
Horseshoe pitching
should be based on skill,
not distraction or psychology.
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Commentary 17 (Suggested)
1. Read the overhead, taken from NHPA unwritten rules
2. Same "Quiet" rule that applies to tennis and golf is also
used in horseshoe pitching
3. If things aren't to your liking, you can always become an
executive committee member and help change things and help run
the Club
4. You have 30 seconds to deliver both shoes. Don't rush, but
don't stall and delay the game |
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![[horseshoe pitching]](pitching.gif)
