Volume 24, Issue 2 - Fall 2022
Amy Miller, Editor
A PUBLICATION OF THE OHIO HORSESHOE PITCHERS ASSOCIATION, AN OFFICIAL NHPA CHARTER
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2023 NHPA/OHPA Sanction Cards
Adults $40.00 / Juniors $5.00
Additional fees apply
All debit cards, credit cards and PayPal are accepted
Additional fees apply
(Search for your name or card number, click Renew for Payment)
2023 Winter Tournament Schedule
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President's Message
Gary B. Roberts
As we transition from the summer pitching season to the winter season, I am grateful for all of those who provide indoor pitching opportunities for us. Kahrig’s Red Barn in Woodsfield, Sarbaugh’s Indoor Courts in Adamsville, Allen County Horseshoe Arena in Lima, the Darke County Horseshoe Club in Greenville, and the OK Horseshoe Club in Cincinnati have all hosted sanctioned tournaments. I would like to thank all of the owners, tournament directors, league directors, volunteers, and club members who make these facilities available for our enjoyment.
The Southern Ohio Senior Games Tournament was very successful this year. The Ross County Horseshoe Club hosted the tournament on September 24th and we had five classes. Participants received a nice t-shirt and free food was provided by Giovanni’s Pizza. Medals were presented to winners of each age division. We plan to have the tournament again next year.
Preparations are underway to host an outstanding World Tournament in Lansing, Michigan. The amount of work necessary to make this event successful seems overwhelming, but we have a talented team that gets the job done. We are anticipating a large number of entries this year. The Radisson Hotel is attached to the venue and there are many restaurants in walking distance. If you plan to attend, you should plan to make your reservation as soon as possible.
Bids for the 2024 World Tournament are due by December 31, 2022. No bids have been at this time but several cities have expressed interest. Those cities include Ocala, Florida, Green Bay, Wisconsin, Salt Lake City, Utah, and El Paso, Texas to name a few. We are anxiously awaiting receipt of the bids.
As most of you are aware, the age to pitch from 30 feet was changed from 70 to 65 as of October 1, 2022. Anyone who will be 65 years of age prior to December 31, 2023 can move to 30 feet. One changing to the 30 foot distance must throw 100 shoes in an official setting to set a new average.
Let’s make 2023 a successful, healthy, and enjoyable year for horseshoe pitching in Ohio! I will see you on the courts.
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2023 World Tournament
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing Convention Center
333 E. Michigan Ave
Lansing, MI 48933
July 17-30, 2023
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Brian Fisher - 1st VP and Travel Agent
The 2023 World Tournament will be July 17-30 with a warm up tournament being Saturday, July 15th. The host hotel is the place to stay as it is attached to the Lansing Center where we pitch. It is priced at $109-$139/night. A little pricey but very convenient, so well worth it. Make sure your reservations are at the Radisson downtown, 111 North Grand Ave. The same rate applies if you stay July 13-15th. I would reserve now for the full two weeks then adjust your stay when the pitching schedule comes out. Please contact me with any questions or concerns. 937-239-6877 brian.fisher6877@gmail.com
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Darryl Miller - 2nd VP, Regional Director
Another summer season has come and gone and as usual I am not thrilled with most of my tournament performances. But I guess that just makes me a normal horseshoe pitcher. I suppose I should be a glass half full guy and say that no matter how well I pitch, it is always a good time being around my horseshoe family. As I stated in the Spring Newsletter, we will need to re-sanction all courts in 2023. I have talked to a number of the tournament and league directors in preparation for re-sanctioning. I will be asking my assistant regional directors to help me with this assignment. I will also be working with Amy to get the schedule for next year finished as soon as possible. Hope to see you on the courts soon!
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Mike Byers - 3rd VP, HOF Chairman
Hello to all of you OHPA members and your families. I hope your summer was a good one and that the upcoming Holidays are filled with happy occasions.
For those who were unable to attend the State Convention in September, the Hall of Fame inductees were: Rich Knerem, pitcher category; Carol and Fred Sanford, promoter/organizer and Amy Miller, promoter/organizer. These individuals are all great ambassadors of the OHPA and very worthy of receiving this Honor. The election process went smoothly and a big " Thank You" to all of the committee members. I asked the at-large committee members, Delbert Fourman, Amy Francis, and Dave Rose to serve a second term and all agreed. State officers serve two year terms as will the at-large HOF committee members.
Just a reminder, anyone can nominate an individual for induction into the HOF. The nomination form and guidelines are available on the OHPA website and please include supporting documentation with your nomination. Feel free to contact me at 704-602-2933 should you have any questions. Happy Holidays and "See you on the Courts".
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Randy Shoemaker
4th VP, By-Laws Chairman, Medical Exemption
I had the good fortune to watch Gary Roberts at the Bob Evans Festival this year. He truly is amazing. I encourage everyone to attend and watch next year!
I hope Ohio has a large group going to the
World this coming year. It could be one of the largest in a long time!!
The Ross County Club had a busy summer. We held 5 tournaments and gained 8 new members in the league. See you on the courts!
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Carol Sanford - 5th VP/Photographer
Another season of summer horseshoes has come and gone, and although hectic at times, I think this has been one of the most enjoyable ones yet. With Covid easing up a little during the summer months, it gave us a chance to attend many tournaments around the state and reconnect with friends and family while getting to witness some fantastic pitching.
I would also like to give special thanks to those people who always help out whenever they can. We had 4 sanctioned tournaments in Chillicothe at the Ross County Horseshoe Club this year, plus a week long of unsanctioned tournaments at the Ross County Fair and there were several people who went above and beyond to help out in all capacities to make the tournaments run smoothly. I also want to give a special shout out to those who volunteer to keep score at tournaments - they are the "unsung heroes" - giving up their time to help keep the tournaments running smooth and on time.
My favorite event this year was the 51st Reno Family Horseshoe Exhibition at Rio Grande. If you have never been to it, you need to see it for yourself next year! Gary Roberts, along with his team, put on a fantastic show to try to spark interest in horseshoes. Gary demonstrates all the different turns, does trick shots of throwing shoes over Donna Shoemaker and/or Jenny Reno lying on the ground in front of the stake, with his son, Blake, laying on the ground across them, throwing between his son, Ryan's legs, and even combining all the tricks at the same time! It's unbelievable and stunning to the crowds that take the time to watch. Ryan narrates the show too, giving the crowd blow-by-blow accounts of the demonstration. After the show they invite anyone in the crowd to try pitching while giving out souvenir cups to those who manage to do well, plus answering any questions that they may have. And they do 4-5 shows a day for 3 straight days! Talk about promoting horseshoes!
Everyone stay safe this winter so we can ALL go the the World Tournament in Lansing, Michigan next year. Let's make Ohio the biggest group of participants!
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Amy Miller, Secretary/Treasurer, Newsletter Editor, Membership Director
In 2021, we had 265 members. Our final numbers for 2022 is 298. Its nice to see an increase in membership regardless of how we got here. Lets hope we can top 300 in 2023.
I've already made my hotel reservations for the 2023 World in Lansing, MI. I hope to see a great presence there of Buckeyes in that state up north!!! Looking forward to seeing you there.
I was honored this year to be inducted (Promoter/Organizer) into the Hall of Fame. My grandfather, Levi Miller Sr, was inducted in 1988. It is a great privilege to share the HOF wall with him. Thanks to my cousin, Darryl, for arranging for my family to surprise me by attending the convention. Thanks to my family for being there. Congrats to Carol and Fred Sanford who were also inducted as Promoters this year and Rich Kenerm for Player.
Hope to see you at the courts. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!
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Chuck Baker, Marion
Deana Bell, Chillicothe
LyDonna Detrick, Troy
Andrea Dillinger, Jackson
Alan Dillinger, Jackson
Joseph Hartman, Brookpark
Carter Hogue, Adamsville
Malinda Knight, Richmond Dale
Lori Krafthefer, Chillicothe
Russell Long, Troy
Deb Lyons, Chillicothe
Robert McClendon, Columbus
Misty Neff, Columbus
Danny Neff, Columbus
James Russell, Clyde
Donald Staiger, Mt Gilead
Daran Stephenson, Ney
Dan Swackhammer, Chillicothe
Cathy Templin, Washington CH
Gary Wallace, Bethel
Jason Warner, Hicksville
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Lonny Bowles, Bryan
Clint Burbridge, Mt Vernon
Raymond Daugherty, Greenfield
Kenneth Denlinger, Troy
Art Granlee, Marion
Anthony Holbrook, Harrod
John Mosier, Antwerp
Gordon Rausch, Harveysburg
Martin Russell, London
Larry Steinmetz, Tiffin
Jim Walters, Johnstown
Ken Wilson, Rockbridge
Jeff Wood, Hillsboro
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THE RENO HORSESHOE PITCHING FAMILY PERFORMS AT BOB EVANS FESTIVAL
By Gary B. Roberts
The original Bob Evans Farm is located in Rio Grande, Ohio. The house where Bob was raised is now a museum. In 1972, Bob decided to have a Farm Festival that featured arts, crafts, and activities that would reflect the culture of this Appalachian area. He felt horseshoe pitching belonged at the Festival. He contacted my uncle, Ottie Reno, about putting on a demonstration. Ottie, along with my brother, Donnie Roberts, attended this first Festival and pitched on two stakes driven in the ground. Little did we know that we would return to the Bob Evans Farm Festival every year for the next 46 years.
The Bob Evans folks built a professional court for us and the demonstration developed into me throwing 13 different turns followed by a series of trick shots and audience participation. We had very large crowds, and we continue to be invited back each year. We perform three times on each day of the three day Festival. I threw in excess of 1000 shoes during the nine exhibitions. We have now performed more than 400 exhibitions at the Festival.
I’m happy to say that I have not injured any of my family members during the demonstrations. However, there have been a few anxious moments. We plan to perform at the 2023 Festival.
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2022 Ohio State Championships |
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(left to right) Jr Boys Class B Champion - Cameron Hogue 32.5%;
Jr Boys State Champion - Caiden Hogue 50%; Jr Boys Class C Champion - Forrest Fourman 17%; Cadet State Champion - Carter Hogue 5.5% (Jr Boys Class B 2nd Pl - Ryan Fourman 27% not pictured)
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2022 Men's State Champion
6-0 / 84.44%
Alan Francis - Defiance
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2022 Women's State Champion
5-0 / 61.97%
Ruth Rife - Weston
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2022 Elders State Champion
5-1 / 66.12%
Dave Plowman - Cardington
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2022 Doubles State Co-Championships
Gary Roberts/Steve Mikesell 4-2 (combined 50%)
Don Epps/Rickey Muter 4-2 (combined 46.25%
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Youngest Pitcher
Carter Hogue, Adamsville
(8 yrs old)
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Oldest Pitcher
Paul Burkitt, Hilliard (91 yrs old)
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Sportsmanship Award
Tom Guill, Shelby
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Achievement Award
Ray Beyke, Greenville
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Frances Asher Award
Larry Shaw Sr, Coshocton
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Jim Knisley Traveling Award
Roy Dugger, West Carrollton
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Tournament Director of the Year
Dwain Klink, Lima
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Hall of Fame - Player
Rich Knerem, Windham
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Hall of Fame - Promoter/Organizer
Carol and Fred Sanford, Chillicothe
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Club of the Year
Darke County Horseshoe Club, Greenville
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Hall of Fame - Promoter/Organizer
Amy Miller, Hilliard
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10 years
Jeff Crunkilton, Shiloh
Jerry Hammond, Mt Orab
Mike Harder, Kenton
Norm Huffman, Jamestown
Richard Leeth, Greenfield
Jeff Wells, Middletown
20 years
John Forehand, Tiro
Tracy Hartranft, Circleville
Tammie Hartranft, Circleville
Ginger Hundt, Kenton
Sherry Murray, Zanesville
Butch O'Leary, Chillicothe
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30 years
Daisy Franko, Springfield
Ed Waugaman, Tiffin
40 years
Dan Sanders, Westerville
61 years
Jim Figy, Wauseon
Jim Knisley, Somerset
64 years
Gary Roberts, Beaver
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Link to Recent OBITUARIES
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Pins for Sale
The sale price is $1.50 per pin.
To place your order,
please contact Amy Miller at ohpasecretary@gmail.com or 614-507-2468
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Portable Court Donators
Thank You for Your Support!
Tom King, Chillicothe
Darke County Horseshoe Club, Greenville
Randy Shoemaker, Chillicothe
Ross County Horseshoe Club, Chillicothe
Greene County Horseshoe Club, Xenia
Ray Welsh, Louisville
Bremen Horseshoe Club, Bremen
Hershel McCollister, Frankfort
Dan Sanders, Powell
Irvin Fraley, Vermillion
Harry Menegay, Sterling
Harley Thomas, Bremen
Fulton County Horseshoe Club, Wauseon
Whetstone Horseshoe Club, Columbus
Dick and Dianna Guill, Mansfield
Hilliard Horseshoe Club, Hilliard
Ron Cook, Chillicothe
Jim Knisley, Bremen
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