Sanctioned League Rules and Regulations

Welcome

League play here at the Clearwater Horseshoe Club is open to all and is a wonderful opportunity in many regards, regardless of one's current level of play. It doesn't matter if you have been pitching horseshoes for some time or whether you would like to learn how to play the sport. All League play is handicapped making it fun, enjoyable, competitive and fair with regard to results and earning honors and recognitions for individual performance. Men, women, youth (juniors) and seniors are welcome to join our Club. It is an opportunity to meet new people, develop friendships, improve horseshoe pitching skills, have fun pitching, relieve stress, enjoy the benefits of non-strenuous exercise and practice the sport we have come to enjoy. We hope to see you at our premiere Florida horseshoe pitching facility here in Clearwater's Ed Wright Park.

Officers

The Clearwater Horseshoe Club leadership consists of eight officers, one of whom serves as our League Director. The League Director is a member of the executive council and the position is voted on each year by the general membership. Answers to specific questions perhaps not addressed in this section may be addressed by contacting our current League Director or any club officer.

Eligibility

Members of the Clearwater Horseshoe Club who also are members in good standing in the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association (NHPA) or Horseshoe Canada Association (HCA) are eligible to participate in league play. The following annual membership fees are currently in effect:

• Clearwater Horseshoe Club annual membership — $20.00
• NHPA annual membership — $25.00
• FSHPA annual membership — $11.00

Joining and Sanctioning

The above membership fees for renewing memberships are due and payable prior to the 1st of January each year. One may initially join the above at any time during the year. To join the Clearwater Horseshoe Club, contact the club Secretary/Treasurer or any club officer or stop by the Club during league play. FSHPA / NHPA application forms are available online at fshpa.com by clicking on the FSHPA Membership Application/Renewal Form tab.

All Clearwater Horseshoe Club play is sanctioned by the NHPA which provides liability insurance protection to the club. Completion of league play satisfies in part the eligibility requirements to compete in other competitions such as the State Championship Tournament, should one choose to do so. Also, ringer percentages achieved upon completion of sanctioned league play will be computed in determining your NHPA NATSTAT ringer percentage.

Attendance and Participation

Currently League play is available three times each week: Tuesday or Thursday late morning / early afternoon, and Monday evening, depending on one's preference. There are a few differences in rules and game format for the two league play formats which will be identified below.

In fairness to all players, every effort should be made to attend each week and as well for one to be eligible for prizes awarded at the end of league play. For Tuesday and Thursday League play, a season will consist of two successive 10 week sessions held on either Tuesday and Thursday late-mornings / early afternoons. One may choose to play on either or both days. Monday evenings League play consists of two successive 10-week sessions. One may participate in any or all sessions.

For morning / afternoon play, each player will pitch minimally 28 out of 40 total games per league session. Players pitching fewer than 28 games per session will be determined ineligible for prizes. For evening play, each player will pitch minimally 28 of 40 total games per league session. Players pitching fewer than 28 games will be determined ineligible for prizes at the end of the league play.

Whether pitching during the day or during the evening, a player may miss no more than a total of three weeks to retain their eligibility for prizes.

Entry Fee

The league entry fee will be established by the Clearwater Horseshoe Club Council. The fee for Tuesday and Thursday play has been established at $15.00 per single ten-week league session and Monday evening play has been established at $15.00 per single ten-week session. Any changes to the current fee schedule will be announced to the members by the Club League Director or Secretary/Treasurer in advance of or at the time of the first scheduled week of play. Most of the league entry fees paid in each of the three league sessions will be paid out in cash prizes depending upon performance. More on this in the Prizes and Awards section below.

Game Time

For Tuesday and Thursday league play, the first 10-week session will start on the Tuesday and Thursday at the end of October or beginning of November. The second 10-week session will start late January / early February. The first 10-week session of Monday evening league play begins on the first Monday in October. The second 10-week session of Monday evening league play begins approximately mid-January. League play will not be held during the Thanksgiving and Christmas / New Year holiday weeks.

Players will check-in 10:00 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays on scheduled dates of play. Play begins at 10:30 a.m. On Monday evenings, players will check-in by 6:00 p.m. and play begins by 6:30 p.m. Play generally lasts about two to three hours.

Court assignments and opponents will be decided by random draw immediately in advance of league play on the scheduled day. A League Score Sheet will identify your computed handicap and the court you will begin play on which will be determined by the number you draw. Each subsequent game will be played on an adjacent court either to the right or left of the court just played on. The League Score Sheet will also identify each player's handicap. Each pitcher will have the opportunity to pitch against four different opponents. Scores will be kept by the pitchers on each court using club provided score boards. Immediately after each game the scores will be entered on the League Score Sheet.

For any pitchers who haven't an established handicap, they will establish one the first week they play. They play their games without a handicap and after they have completed their games a handicap will be computed by the League Director. The handicap will then be added to their score to determine if they won or lost each game. Handicap values are re-computed each week based on all games played and may vary week-to-week as ringer percentages may vary up or down.

Play may begin anytime after your court assignment has been determined but no later than 10 minutes after all participants have drawn a number and have been assigned a court to begin play on. In case of a complete rain-out or cancellation due to inclement weather, the games not played may be added to the end of the season. In the event of a partial rain-out, the players involved will complete their games or game on a date and at a time mutually agreed upon. If an agreement cannot be reached for completion in a reasonable length of time (two weeks) the games will not be counted. If the temperature drops to 50 degrees or below, it is likely league play for that day will be cancelled and made-up on a later date.

General Playing Rules

NHPA and/or FSHPA rules will govern all league play except as herein modified by the Club Council. The maximum number of participants in each league (Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday) is 36. The game played is ringers only, count-all scoring with each ringer counting as one (1) point. Each player shall receive credit for all points scored at the end of each inning.

In advance of beginning play, competitors will decide who will "call" to match "heads or tails" for two flipped shoes. Then each will flip a shoe and the results will determine who will pitch first to begin the game. Order of pitching is double-alternate for each inning meaning competitors will alternate pitching first every inning. The League Director, if needed, will help resolve any scoring discrepancies should they occur.

All games that end in a tie will remain a tie. A tied game will result in each player receiving a ½ game win and a ½ game loss. In the event a player does not have an opponent, he/she will pitch alone with one game or with a "pacer." One's actual ringer percentage pitched must be no less than five (5) percentage points below their actual average ringer percentage to earn a win for that game. Otherwise, it is counted as a loss. When pitching with a pacer, the pacer will pitch second in every inning.

For Tuesday and Thursday league play, players will pitch 4 games each day and each game will consist of 40 shoes pitched by each player. Each player will receive a handicap based on the difference between his/her actual average score and 40 times 100%.

For Monday evening league play, players will pitch 4 games each day and each game will consist of 40 shoes pitched by each player. Each player will receive a handicap based on the difference between his/her actual average score and 40 times 100%.

Prizes and Awards

Final standings of players will be based upon the win/loss percentage of the total games played. Prizes will be awarded to the first five positions provided the player has completed the necessary number of games and all dues and fees have been paid. The League will recognize the following by awarding an NHPA sleeve patch:

• League Champion
• High Game (includes handicap)
• High Game Over Average (high game over ringer percentage average)
• High Average (high ringer percentage average)
• Rookie of the Year
• Sportsmanship
• Most Improved Player

Court Etiquette

All players are expected to observe the foul line. As each player pitches, their opponent must stand on the opposite walkway a minimum of two feet behind the player pitching on the same or adjacent court. Common sense safety should be exercised at all times when pitching, waiting for a turn or walking about after a game. After all games have been completed, any fetching of water, turning of clay or covering of the pit should be carried out in such a way making sure of safety concerns and as well making sure the players still competing on the neighboring courts are not interfered with or distracted.

Miscellaneous

Non-League players wishing to pitch shoes during league play may be asked by the League Director to fill a vacancy for that day. This person becomes a pacer. Under NHPA rules, pacers must be current NHPA members. Pacer fees for a club member is $1 each day and for non-club members the fee is $2 per each day. Pacers are not eligible for awards or prizes.

For additional information on League or Tournament play please visit the NHPA website at horseshoepitching.com. Then click on the following: "Resources & Forms" tab, then "Running Leagues" for the official rules (RGS Book) and the Sanctioned Club/League (Red) Book.