Pitching with Muskegon
Training Facility inmates

By Joe Poliski
WSHPA member and 2001 WT participant

Dean's note: Joe Poliski and three other WSHPA members made two trips to the Muskegon Training Facility to demonstrate our great game, in October 2000 and in July 2001. The following is his story.

"It was a great experience and a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time with the inmates, discussing and demonstrating the game of horseshoe pitching." -Joe Poliski

At the World Tournament in North Dakota (August 2000), I was fortunate enough to win the WT in my class. The local paper here in Grand Rapids printed an article about the event.

Because of the article, the Recreation Director at the Muskegon Correctional Facility, (part of the Michigan prison system) contacted me. I was invited to bring three other pitchers from the Grandville Club to hold a clinic and pitch with the inmates.

Paul Bogardus, Harve Ponstein, Jerry Kastiline and I decided to go. The first step was to be screened by the FBI. Before entering the yard at the prison, we had to leave all belongings in a locker. We were then searched, including taking off our shoes and socks. We then went through a series of checks before we entered the main yard. We were welcomed by four well manicured pits and a couple hundred inmates seated in the stands and standing around yelling, "Bring on the chumps" and other chants (both good and bad).

We were introduced and well received, although one guy said he would rather have had the girls volleyball teams show up. We held a little clinic, discussing the NHPA, the flip, turn, 30-40 foot pitching distances, rules, etc. We then pitched against the inmates who were chosen by the director. It was great fun. The inmates were very enthusiastic, cheering and chanting for their fellow inmates. Some of the guys were very good and gave us a real challenge.

We were invited back and this time they were waiting for us. Some were gone, but new faces were there. They practiced all year and did their very best to beat us. Later in the morning, each of us took an inmate for a partner and played doubles. That was a lot of fun because they were in a real competitive spirit.

It was a wonderful experience. I met some really nice guys who were truly happy to see us. We shared stories, fellowship, and in some cases were asked to

deliver messages and we promised to send them horseshoe literature. When we left there were hugs, handshakes, some tears, prayers true signs of gratitude.

When we left the gates, Paul, Jerry, Harve and I had a good feeling because we had them laughing and enjoying themselves. We set aside their problems - if only for a little while.


The following article appeared in the Megaphone, the MTF newspaper.
(A picture of the guests was also printed.)

MTF Horseshoe Tournament

by R. Huff, Staff Writer

On September 21, 2000, we had the privilege of hosting some of the best horseshoe champions in the state. It was a chilly day, but the tournament drew a large crowd of spectators, and everyone enjoyed the special event.

The champions brought in their own horseshoes, which were wider than the usual horseshoes that we are used to seeing. The guests' shoes also had bigger claws in which to hook onto the ringer a lot easier than the shoe we use. Our horseshoe pit is 40 feet long, but the guests throw from 35 feet. The guests seem to have had an advantage for the above-noted reasons.

All in all, it was a nice way to spend the afternoon at MTF, watching our home team throw against some of the best horseshoe champs in this state. The guests that came into this facility were a delight to have here and we hope that they will return again to throw against some of our best! The state champs included Mr. Joe Poliski, Mr. Paul Bogardus, Mr. Harve Ponstein and Mr. Gerald Kasteline. Of course, our friend Mr. Cal Aldrink made this horseshoe throwing contest possible.

The MTF general population wishes to thank Mr. Cal Aldrink for coordinating this event and a special thanks to the state champs who came into our facility. By the way, these gentlemen threw ringer after ringer from start to finish. Our guys threw well, also.


Dean's note: Everyone has more than one good horseshoe pitching story. Please write it down as Joe has done, and I'll take care of the rest. Send by e-mail to deanMschmitz@cs.com or mail to me at the address on the Ringer Report cover. Also, send me copies of articles about horseshoe pitching that appear or have been in your local newspaper.

August 2001