Rules Proposals
THE
OFFICIAL PLAYING RULES, GUIDELINES, AND SPECIFICATIONS
FOR THE SPORT OF HORSESHOE PITCHING
(aka
The RGS Book)
printable versions require adobe reader
NHPA Official Rules Change Proposals for 2009
Requirement 4, Section B (found on page 30)
Currently reads:
Section B - Divisions
A World Tournament shall include separate Championship Divisions for Juniors, Open Men, Open Women, Seniors, and Elders. If Class, pitching performance is used as a "qualifier" for determining who will advance to Championship Division play, the Championship rounds shall be assigned a separate sanction number and both Class and Championship play shall each count as a separate tournament.
Change to read:
Section B - Divisions
A World Tournament shall include separate Championship Divisions for Juniors, Open Men, Open Women, Seniors, and Elders. If Class pitching performance is used as a "qualifier" for determining who will advance to Championship Division play, the Championship rounds shall be assigned a separate sanction number and both Class and Championship play shall each count as a separate tournament.
Note: Qualified Alternates in Championship Divisions - Unless the tournament director has been contacted, contestants who have not checked in one half hour before their scheduled pitching time shall forfeit all games and be replaced by a qualified alternate. For Championship Divisions, alternates are determined by the results of Class Play and their names will be announced at the awards ceremony.
PASSED 92 - 38
Reasoning: To establish permanent procedures to follow in the event of "no shows" in championship divisions of the world tournament.
Rule 1, Section E * change #1 (found on page 8)
Currently Reads:
Section E - Elder Men (become eligible to pitch in the Elders Division at any time during the calendar year that they become seventy (70) years old)
1. Elder Men may pitch from any place on either the extended or full-distance platforms, and shall observe the twenty-seven-foot (27') foul line. Elder Men must notify their Charter secretary, in advance, of the date that they intend to begin pitching from this shorter distance. Once a member declares himself a short distance pitcher, he must remain a short distance pitcher for that entire calendar year. Note: See RULE 11, Section D.1 for additional information about re-qualifying.
2. Physically Challenged Men - Physically challenged, male pitchers less than seventy (70) years old may be given permission, by their governing Charter, to move onto the extended platforms in the Elders Division and observe the twenty-seven-foot (27') foul lines. The prior completion and approval of a Medical Exemption Form (available from Charter Secretaries) is required. At the World Tournament and at State Championship Tournaments, they shall compete in the Elders Division.
(The term "Elders" also appears in Req. 3, Sec.A.1, Req. 4 Sec. B, and also in the table of contents under Rule 1 Sec E on page 8)
Change to read:
Section E - Men's Short Distance (become eligible to pitch in the Men's Short Distance Division at any time during the calendar year that they become seventy (70) years old)
1. Short Distance Men may pitch from any place on either the extended or full-distance platforms, and shall observe the twenty-seven-foot (27') foul line. Men's Short Distance pitchers must notify their Charter secretary, in advance, of the date that they intend to begin pitching from this shorter distance. Once a member declares himself a short distance pitcher, he must remain a short distance pitcher for that entire calendar year. Note: See RULE 11, Section D.1 for additional information about re-qualifying.
2. Physically Challenged Men - Physically challenged, male pitchers less than seventy (70) years old may be given permission, by their governing Charter, to move onto the extended platforms in the Men's Short Distance and observe the twenty-seven-foot (27') foul lines. The prior completion and approval of a Medical Exemption Form (available from Charter Secretaries) is required. At the World Tournament and at State Championship Tournaments, they shall compete in the Men's Short Distance Division.
(This title change will also be made in Req. 3, Sec.A.1, Req. 4 Sec. B, and also in the table of contents under Rule 1 Sec. E on page 8)
FAILED 46 - 84
Reasoning: The term "Men's Short Distance" has a more distinguished sound to it, and also would more accurately describe all pitchers in that division. Pitchers in this division under a medical exemption may be much younger, and the term "Elders" is not accurate. Also, men switching pitching distances should be required to remain at their new distance for the entire calendar year because it creates confusion and extra work for the Natstats director.
Rule 1, Section E * change #2 (found on page 8)
Currently Reads:
Section E - Elder Men (become eligible to pitch in the Elders Division at any time during the calendar year that they become seventy (70) years old)
1. Elder Men may pitch from any place on either the extended or full-distance platforms, and shall observe the twenty-seven-foot (27') foul line. Elder Men must notify their Charter secretary, in advance, of the date that they intend to begin pitching from this shorter distance. Once a member declares himself a short distance pitcher, he must remain a short distance pitcher for that entire calendar year. Note: See RULE 11, Section D.1 for additional information about re-qualifying.
Change to read:
Section E - Elder Men (become eligible to pitch in the Elders Division at any time during the calendar year that they become seventy (70) years old)
1. Elder Men may pitch from any place on either the extended or full-distance platforms, and shall observe the twenty-seven-foot (27') foul line. Elder Men must notify their Charter secretary, in advance, of the date that they intend to begin pitching from this shorter distance. Once a member declares himself a short distance pitcher, he must remain a short distance pitcher for that entire calendar year. Alternately, if a member starts the year as a short distance pitcher, he may change to the Open men's division, but must remain in that division for that entire calendar year. Note: See RULE 11, Section D.1 for additional information about re-qualifying.
PASSED 120 - 10
Reasoning: Men switching pitching distances should be required to remain at their new distance for the entire calendar year because it creates confusion and extra work for the Natstats director.
The NHPA Executive Council has the authority to grant temporary or permanent waivers for court specifications under II Specs, Section D.
The following change to the RGS book is needed to document the action taken by the NHPA Executive Council at the winter board meeting on January 18, 2009. There will be a vote to accept this council action at the 2009 convention. To be clear, there would need to be a 2/3 majority vote against accepting this action to overturn it.
II - SPECIFICATIONS FOR COURT LAYOUT, Section D (found on page 38)
Currently Reads:
SECTION D - Court Sanction Waiver
Some Court sanction requirements may be waived by the Regional Director and/or the NHPA Council under special circumstances (also see GUIDELINES, PART II, #5, Section B, and Regional Directors Guidelines).
Change to read:
II - SPECIFICATIONS FOR COURT LAYOUT
SECTION D - Court Sanction Waiver
1. Any portable or permanent in-ground courts that measure less than 31" inside width, but not less than 29", and were built prior to 2007, will be granted a permanent waiver and considered conditionally sanctioned, provided they meet the remainder of the minimum basic requirements. Should these courts ever be refurbished, they must be modified to meet the original 31" minimum width at that time. The sidewalls of these wavered courts are considered foul territory, and any live shoes that come to rest touching them is considered a foul shoe, regardless if it is within 6" of the stake.
2. Some Court sanction requirements may be waived by the Regional Director and/or the NHPA Council under special circumstances (also see GUIDELINES, PART II, #5, Section B, and Regional Directors Guidelines).
PASSED 101 - 29
Reasoning: There are many portable pits in service that measure 29" inside because of the construction method of getting 3 equal pieces from a standard 4' X 8' sheet of plywood. The narrow condition has rarely, if ever, been an issue in sanctioned play.
