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the national horseshoe pitchers \ • WM • W -wm. ESHOE Pirn momm JANUARY, 1987 Official Publication of THE NATIONAL HORSESHOE PITCHER'S ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA SUPPORT YOUR NHPA AND IT WILL WORK FOR YOU GAME RELATED SALES DISTRIBUTERS NATIONAL BUYER DENNIS OHMS PIKE COUNTY EDWARD DOMEY 777 WEST MIDVALLEY RD P.O. BOX 810 P.O. BOX 298 CEDAR CITY, UT 84720 CIRCLEVILLE, OH 43113 WILKINSONVILLE, MA 01590 (801) 586-9352 (614) 474-7727 (617) 865-4619 WALLY SHIPLEY ROBERT REID WILLIAM SMITH 2646 BASSWOOD ST. 34 N. BEECHWOOD AVE 1175 STEWART DRIVE NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92660 SCOTTSBURG, IN 47170 DUNEDIN, FL 33528 (714) 760-3658 (812) 752-2195 (813) 736-5556 SUB-DISTRIBUTERS RICHARD DOBLE GLEN ROBECK WARD GOODALE JR. 8 NEWMAN STREET 2317 SO. PATTON COURT HC68 - BOX 29A KEENE. NH 03431 DENVER, CO 80219 SPRINGFIELD CENTER, NY 13468 (603) 352-3788 (303) 934-0632 (607) 264-3995 ************************************************ SPECIAL JANUARY AND FEBRUARY ]H P J BUMPER STICKERS / s $.85 EACH jf OMOES vlMITEVERYOilEi fe. ******** X ************************************* X* GAME RELATED SALES POLICY The National Horseshoe Pitchers Associations policy is to make Game Related Items available to everyone. Through our National Network of Distributers and Sub-Distributers we aim to give everyone service. If you are in an area that is not covered properly we ask that you call it to our attention. It should be mentioned that if you purchase any Game Related Items from anyone other than a listed Distributer or Sub-Distributer the NHPA receives no benefits at all. WHEN YOU SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL ORGANIZATION YOU HELP YOURSELF The Horseshoe Pitcher's News Digest/January, 1987 3 THE HORSESHOE PITCHER'S NEWS DIGEST is published on the 5th of each month at Aurora, Illinois, U.S.A. by the National Horseshoe Pitcher's Association of America. Editorial office, P.O. Box 1606, Aurora, Illinois 60507. Phone: 312-898-3974. Subscription rates — 1st Class $12.00 per year in advance. NHPA membership cards are available through each state secretary for $7.00 plus any state association dues. Forms close on the 10th day of each month preceding date of issue. Advertising rates on request. F. Ellis Cobb, Editor. NATIONAL OFFICERS Dave Loucks, 13656 Thoroughbred Loop, Grass Valley, CA 95949 (916) 477-7060 President Earl Winston, Rte. 2, Lamonte, MO 65337 (816) 563-3536 1st Vice-President Barry Chapelle, 2716 E. 61st Ave., Portland, OR 97206 (503) 775-7876 2nd Vice-President Vincent Yannetti, 322 Longwood Ave., Bound Brook, NJ 08805 (201) 356-3862 3rd Vice-President Bonnie Seibold, 1043 Grayson Ave., Huntington, IN 46750(219)356-3489 4th Vice-President Gene VanSant, P.O. Box 270, Sun City, CA 92381 5th Vice-President Donnie Roberts, Box 278, Munroe Falls, OH 44262 (216) 688-6522 Sec./Treas. | Volume 31 January, 1987 No. 1 FROM YOUR PRESIDENT. DAVE LOUCKS A new year has been ushered in and many have put their pitching shoes aside for the winter months. It is a time to reflect and renew goals that we perhaps did not at- tain in 1986. A year ago in this column, I listed ten challenges that I felt we needed to address. To that end, we made some very good progress. 1) The delegates approved the "Proxy Vote." 2) World Tournament cash bids and awards have substantially in- creased. 3) The responsibilities of our Regional Directors have been expanded. 4) More recognition and opportunity is being given to the low percentage pitcher. 5) The News Digest readership has increased modestly as has 6) National membership. The preceding six accomplishments supported some progress in two other areas; improved communication and unification of State and National goals. There remains however, much to do in these two areas as well as new challenges we haven't even attacked yet. Two 1986 goals were not achieved but we did make progress. By just 2 delegate votes, we missed getting the two-thirds majority needed to regionalize the World Tournament on a rotating basis. The other was the task of obtaining national media recognition. Despite much hard work and some success at local levels, we have been unable to interest a major sponsor or network in our World Tournament. Just six weeks ago, Turner Broadcasting System, who at least opened their ears to us, reported that they were unable to become involved due to a full schedule of pro- grams. By my measure, 1986 was a successful year for the NHPA. A near 8 out of 10 isn't too bad in any endeavor. There is however, much more that can be done. Most of us pick up our pitching shoes in the Spring with renewed enthusiasm and the challenge of making this year better than the last. It is with this in mind that I announce my in- tention to seek your support and re-election as President of the NHPA for another two years. DAVE'S COURT REPORT The Fourth Annual Las Vegas Hacienda Horseshoe Pitchers Extravaganza was a huge success. With a 64% increase in entrants over the previous year, we had a record turnout. A total of 315 pitchers (254 men, 61 women) representing 36 states and Canada took part in what was the largest tournament ever held next to our World Tournaments. Pitching indoors on 18 rubber surface courts, the format of mixed "Dutch" han- dicap is proving to be very popular. There were 13 classes, all of which shared equal- ly in the $22,250 prize money that was awarded. Due to an added purse donated by the Hacienda Hotel and Nevada Beverage, we were able to pay 14 of every 24 pit- chers in each class. Think of it, nearly 60% of all entrants received at least $50.00 in 4 The Horseshoe Pitcher's News Digest/January, 1987 COURT REPORT — (Continued) prize money. With the beautiful trophies, plaques and special prizes, the total value of awards exceeded $30,000. If you missed this one, be sure to make your plans for the 1987 event, scheduled for Nov. 15-20. RINGERS REMEMBERED By KEVIN CONE The man whose career has spanned the longest in regards to when he first made the championship class of the World Tournament to his last is surprisingly Harold Darnold of Burlington, Iowa. Harold first made the Championship group in 1941 at 16 years of age. He last made the top group in 1984. That is a span of 43 years. Darnold also was in the championship class five other times. He made it once in the 40's, once in the 50's, three times in the 70's, and so far twice in the 80's. An amazing career that has spanned five decades with Harold still going strong working towards his sixth decade of championship pitching. Ted Allen's span was 40 years 1933-1973. Fernando Isias 37 years 1933-1970. Guys still going strong also Don Titcomb 39 years 1947-1986. Carl Steinfeldt 32 years 1952-1985. Our own vice-president Earl Winston 34 years 1952-1986. But the most amazingly durable career has to be that of Frank Stinson's of Minnesota. Frank was the first person to ever win World Titles in two different divisions. Frank won the Jr. World title in 1924, then 52 years later, in 1976, he won the Senior World ti- tle. Stinson, as of last year, ranked 27th on the Men's all-time world tournament vic- tory list, 36th on the boy's list and 7th on the Seniors list and he is still pitching in World tournaments. Hats should go off to this outstanding pitcher and tremendous individual. The only other people to win World titles in two different divisions are Paul Focht, Men's 1962, Intermediate 1976; Carl Steinfeldt, Men's 1976, Inter. 1978; Tari Powell, Girls 1976, Women's 1984; and the only two people to win multiple championships in more than one division are Walter Ray Williams, Boy's 1971, 72, 75 and Men's 1978, 80, 81, 85; and current Men's Champion Mark Seibold, Boy's 1966, 69; Men's 1979, 1986. In the July issue of the Digest it was stated that Elmer Hohl, Floyd Toole, and Curt Day were the only men to ever pitch three consecutive 90% games in World tourna- ment play but with further research I found that there are two more to add to this list. In rounds 6-8 of the 1948 world tournament Guy Zimmerman also accomplished this feat pitching 90.3, 93.3 and 90.0% consecutively. Also, Casey Jones had three straight in rounds 10-12 90.0; 91.0 and 91.2%. Jones had 13 90% games in this tour- nament, a record he shares with Elmer Hohl who tied it in 1968. In the first twelve games, Jones pitched eight 90's, 89.9; 89.4 and 88.9 but round 15 of this 1948 World Tournament held in Milwaukee, Wl was the greatest of all-time when the "Big Four" all pitched over 91 %. Isais 91.2; Allen, 93.3; Jones 93.5 and Zimmerman who became the first to accomplish the ultimate — a perfect 44-44 for 100%. Don't we all wish these outstanding feats were recorded on film to see today. One perfect game to announce, Vicki Winston gets her name in the history books once again with an 18 shoe perfect game on September 13, 1986 against Brenda Mahnken. Congratulations, Vicki! Trivia Question: In the history of the World Tournament, who is the only man to have pitched every game over 80% for a complete tournament? DOUBLE RINGER Expanded and starting earlier with features and pictures before, during and after the World Tournament at Eau Claire, Wis.