President's Message
Reporting In from the NHPA Council Winter Meeting

Newsline Story

published March-April 2016

 

The NHPA Council held their annual winter meeting January 22-23 in Montgomery, Alabama, host site of the 2016 World Horseshoe Tournament. The meeting was held at the Embassy Suites for two full days with a short break to tour the 70,000-square-foot Multiplex Center at the Cramton Bowl, located on the edge of downtown Montgomery.

 

V.P. Election Deadlines are on the Horizon

Newsline Story

published March-April 2016

 

Positions up for re-election this year are 1st Vice President and 3rd Vice President.

 

Junior Scholarship Winners Announced

Newsline Story

published March-April 2016

 

It is my pleasure to announce the winners of the 2015 Junior Scholarship program. Congratulations to these seven Junior Scholarship recipients for their academic achievements and their NHPA involvement:

 

Taking a Look at Montgomery – the City and the 2016 World Tournament Venue

Newsline Story

published March-April 2016

 

World Tournament pitchers are in for quite a treat this year in Montgomery, Alabama . The Multiplex at Cramton Bowl is one of the best venues I have seen to host our event. It is spacious, modern, clean, air-conditioned, and beautifully laid out.

 

Seeking Sponsorships

Newsline Story

published March-April 2016

 

Horseshoe pitching is an activity that an estimated 20 million people participate in, at some level or in some form, each year! This number alone should make the NHPA one of the most sought after sponsorship opportunities in existence. However, sponsorship proposals have been in place for many, many years with no takers.

 

Two New Additions to the Guidelines Section of the RGS Book 2016

Newsline Story

published March-April 2016

 

Part 1: Hand Signals

 

Over the past two years, there have been several articles and discussions about the use of hand signals, to help ensure that scorekeepers understand the intended verbal calls being made during league and tournament play. Although hand signals, for some calls, have been …

 

Two New Additions to the Guidelines Section of the RGS Book 2016

Newsline Story

published March-April 2016

 

Part 2: Inappropriate Behavior during Sanctioned Events

 

The sport of horseshoe pitching is generally thought of as a “gentleman's game,” with each game starting and ending with a handshake. Expected behavior is generally touched upon in some of the various Playing Rules sections, and may also be learned from other pitchers.

 

Opening the World Tournament Comments Box

Newsline Story

published March-April 2016

 

During its recent winter business meeting, the NHPA Executive Council reviewed every comment received in the Comments Box during the 2015 World Tournament in Topeka.

Many valuable suggestions were made and actions are being taken to address the situations in question.

 

Voting Underway for Hall of Fame, Anticipating 2016 Inductees

Newsline Story

published March-April 2016

 

Materials needed to conduct the 2016 Hall of Fame voting have been sent to all members of the Hall of Fame committee. By the time you are reading this, voting will be well underway. Committee members must review a considerable number of bios each year before making their choices in each category.


 

Keep it Fresh and Local to Promote the Sport

Newsline Story

published March-April 2016

 

Looking out the window I see five inches of fresh snow. It is hard to imagine that in a few short weeks, the clanging of horseshoes in parks, backyards and at clubs throughout the nation will once again be in full swing. One of the things that can attract new pitchers to our sport is keeping the courts looking fresh, groomed and well-used.

 

Another Contributing Factor

Newsline Story

published March-April 2016

 

Ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to broach a subject that is seldom spoken of. It is, indeed, a delicate subject, and I will attempt to speak about it with utmost decency. The subject matter pertains to all of us, and it is our eventual end-of-life predicament that we all face.

 

Junior Profile: Damon Beatty

Horseshoes with a Smile

Newsline Story

published March-April 2016

 

Not many seniors in high school have their next years planned and want their senior year to never end. Damon Beatty from Sand Springs, Oklahoma, is having his best academic year and is looking forward to his college career. Damon is going to major in sports management, as he has always had an interest in sports. He currently participates in horseshoes, basketball, football, and working out; and loves to make people smile. 

 

Horseshoe Pitching Facts & Folklore

Hall of Fame Members Profiled (Continued)

Newsline Story

published March-April 2016

 

To continue the series of Hall of Fame member bios, here is another offering of inductees from the early 1970s:

 

Reliving Older Tournaments

Newsline Story

published March-April 2016

 

As the past Hall of Fame inductees are being reviewed and bios presented for an update to present members, here’s a series of older tournaments that are also going to be researched and presented in this article space. Last issue we revisited the Congressional Horseshoe Tournament. This issue we will revisit the John Rosselet Memorial Open.

 

The Story of Bob Rogers, Designer of the Hall of Fame & Museum and ‘15 NHPA Achievement Award Winner

Newsline Story

published March-April 2016

 

In 2006, an article appeared in the local community newspaper of St. Charles County, Missouri, describing plans and the signing of a lease between the NHPA/NHPF and the St. Charles County Parks Department to build a new NHPA Hall of Fame (HOF) and Museum in Quail Ridge Park, in Wentzville, Missouri.