June 1999
Are We Our Own
Worst Enemies?

Horse·shoes: a game in which the players toss horseshoes or similar pieces, the object being to throw the piece so as to encircle an iron stake, or come as close to it as possible, 30 or 40 feet away

Pitch·er: one who pitchers; in horseshoes, the player who pitches the shoe toward the stake

WHY is it that some so called "higher class" pitchers ridicule the pitchers in "lower classes?" This is only my second year in the WSHPA, but I've heard this talk since I joined. One said to another, "You've been pitching for almost 10 years and you're still a 30 percenter?" And another: "What does he know about horseshoes, he pitches in the F class!" I've had a veteran pitcher tell me that I'm not a pitcher, kidding, or not kidding. My response to him was that anyone who picks up a horseshoe and threw it, in a game, at a stake is a "pitcher." How did anyone start? By throwing the first shoe. You can call it a toss, sling, fling, throw, lob, or pitch; it is all the same. I believe as a 30 percent pitcher I can enjoy the great game of horseshoes as much as a 60 percenter.

Etiquette, sportsmanship, and courtesy, need leadership. Leadership doesn't come from players just because they have been pitching longer than a beginner.

Our sport will never gain in growth and popularity if veterans don't shape up and act their age in maturity toward our great game.

Here's a little blurb I thought was interesting by Ottie W. Reno, author of Pitching Championship Horseshoes.

"It has been my experience that beginners get too little help from experienced players. Those already in the game are reluctant to help: some are unable; others are unwilling. Too often a beginner's plea for help will be met with a reply as vague as 'Each pitcher just about has to work it out for himself. Keep trying and your problems will work themselves out.' This kind of advice is of little help. Anyone can play the game, especially those interested in pitching horseshoes should be given a chance to get into the sport. Encouragement is the key to a beginner, especially given by the experienced players. Then each player will have to decide for themselves how much time and effort should be put into the game. Efficiency at pitching ringers, the enjoyment of the sport, and ability to delivery under fire will increase in direct relation to the work put into the game."