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National Horseshoe Pitchers Association |
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National Horseshoe Pitchers Association |
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The first National Sanctioned League Championship Tournament was played in Joelton, TN, the weekend of November 15 and 16. Eighteen teams from 13 states came to determine who has, "The best team in all the Sanctioned Leagues in the country." Such a tournament has been requested for some time. This tournament is the brain child of Homer Cain and Debbie Michaud, and others. Many feel it is about time. Of the 15,000 NHPA members, about 6,000 are league pitchers. At this time, each Club, or League, can send only one team to participate. The individual pitcher percentages are taken from NATSTATS. These percentages are used to calculate a 90 percent handicap, and the games are played "Count All." There is no problem getting scorekeepers. Two teams occupy two courts. While two of the team members are pitching, the third team member keeps score. When these games are pitched, they move to the next team. The teams were placed in groups of six and each team member played every other team member in the group. It is called a "match" when each member of a team has played all the members of the opposing team. After all three members of each team have played each member of the other team, the match is complete and they move to the next match. Each player pitched fifteen games - nine games on Saturday, and six games on Sunday. The three team-members have a chance of winning a total of forty-five games. Each win gave the team one point. A tie game gave the team ½ point. The total points for each team is compiled, and the team that has accumulated the most points, wins the tournament. Since you have established a "record", it is there for someone else to beat. All the teams don't have to be there for a playoff. In the event of a "tie", there are two "tie breakers." In the First tie breaker, one point will be given for most total points in a match for a possible total of ten (10) points per match. The Second tie breaker, will be won by the team with the highest point total over their entering average OR the closest to their entering average if there are no teams over their entering average. The "Flips and Turns" team from TENNESSEE consisting of Joan Elmore, Walt Sexton, and D. W. Story won this first time event with a total of 35 wins in 45 games played. The "Four Stakes" team from GEORGIA consisting of the Coile's - Jeff, Jimmy, and Dave took second place with 30 wins. The "Sandbar Sandbaggers" team from WISCONSIN consisting of Dave Forseth, Bernard Carley, and Ken Frame, took third place with 27.5 wins. Another team from (Perry) GEORGIA consisting of Buddy Ayer, Dane Clark, and Doyle Johnson took fourth place with 26.5 wins. The tournament needs a little more "tweaking", but all in all, is a great tournament. If nothing else, it pits the 35 percenters against the 80 percenters, and gives the lesser percentage pitcher a realistic chance of winning. For example, the winning team this year had two players with NatStats averages under 50%. They won their games pitching against players with both higher and lower percentages than their own. They are part of a "National Championship Team." There was some discussion regarding the fairness of a handicapped game. Several I talked with seemed to think this tournament favors the lesser percentage pitcher. Is the Count All and 90% Handicap fair to the higher percentage pitcher? The answer to the question, "is this tournament fair to the higher percentage pitcher," is probably "Yes." It is "Yes" if the better percentage pitcher changes his mindset a little. In order to win a scratch game, you have to pitch better than the opponent there beside you. When you pitch a 90% handicap game, you are pitching against yourself. You have to pitch a little above 90% of your average, every game, and stay "cool" in the process, if you expect to win. After all, winning, a lot of times, is pitching well under pressure. The pitcher who handles the pressure best, frequently wins. This applies to the lesser percentage pitcher as well as the higher percentage pitcher. As stated previously, this is a great tournament. We had 18 teams participate this year. We were hoping for 24 each, on two separate weekends. If we have more than that next year, we can free up more weekends. We will make room for this tournament! The NHPA Hall of Fame and Museum located at the Courts here in Joelton is now open. We had approximately 60 visitors over the weekend, and many went out of their way just to come by and visit and sign our Guest Book. We have received nothing but positive comments since the museum has been open. While you are here, you might want to go into Nashville and visit many of the historic and fun spots. Come visit us! Contributed by Jack Freeman, Facility Director |