IT'S TOUGH BEING A TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR PROMOTION AND PUBLICITY start with the Tournament Director. First impressions of WSHPA tournaments are in the hands of the TD, as well as the host club support staff and WSHPA officers. Members of the WSHPA who pitch in these tournaments are equally important. Who do you remember at your first tournament, the tournament champ or the name of the person who befriended you? Leadership doesn't come from players just because they've been pitching longer, but from those who practice good etiquette, sportsmanship, and courtesy. Etiquette, sportsmanship, and courtesy need leadership and are very important when running a tournament. A well-run tournament is one that leaves each pitcher with a good feeling and the desire to come back and compete in the following week's games. I have made a checklist of what a TD's responsibilities are. Refer to Rule 13 - Tournament and Sanctioned League Administration - Section A of the NHPA rules. You may agree or disagree with the following: 1. Make information available a. Membership packets for those joining the Association during your tournament b. Local club material c. WSHPA material d. NHPA material e. NHPF material f. Horseshoe Pitching Newsline magazine g. WSHPA Ringer Report newsletter h. WSHPA membership form i. NHPA Newsline subscription form 2. Tournament crew responsibilities a. Publicize the tournament a few weeks before the tournament date in newspapers, Cable TV bulletin boards, radio, etc., Post flyers b. Put out flag, bulletin board, have National Anthem available to play c. Equipment: Uncover courts, put out shovels, paint, watering containers, chairs, score-boards, score sheets, pencils, etc. d. Lunch items and cooking 3. TD's opening remarks a. Welcome everyone b. Introduce new members and where from c. Introduce officers: Local and WSHPA d. Raffles: 50-50 and other

4. Reminder of simple court rules a. Work pits before each game, paint stakes b. Scorekeepers paid 50¢ per game, juniors don't pay, give score keepers courtesy of finishing their work by staying off the court when your game is completed c. 50 shoe or 35 pt. rule (20% & under pitchers) d. Juniors 9 and under pitch at 20 feet e. Exiting the pitching platform, (interfering with those approaching to pitch, etc.) f. All pitchers stand 2 feet behind backstop (or the opposing pitcher) when not pitching g. Observe foul lines h. Talking on & off court - disturbing pitchers i. Put cell phones on vibrate j. Reminder of etiquette, manners, sportsmanship k. Practice not allowed for afternoon group until morning round robins are completed 5. General a. Where rest rooms are (if not obvious) b. Where the next tournament will be c. Other announcements from anyone d. Play the National Anthem e. Hand out round-robin cards 6. Second Half a. Announce first half winners b. Hand out second half line-up cards c. Make sure enough score keepers are available The job of the TD and his/her staff is an important one. This list does not include qualifying new members, assigning judges (use tolerance with new pitchers), checking pitchers in, making sure all entrants are NHPA members, handling money, recording averages, making out line-up cards, checking score sheets, calling off a tournament due to weather, handling disputes, recording standings, getting prize money and patches ready, and sending in tournament forms to the WSHPA secretary and statistician. Have I missed anything? Probably! The next time you go to a tournament, remember that you, too, should have the experience of being a TD. Start out by being the TD assistant. But for now, your job is to be a leader in etiquette, sportsmanship, and courtesy and then winning your round robin. Court Upkeep: At discount stores good shovels and watering containers cost about $3 each. Spray paint for stakes is under $2 and sometimes $1 per can. TD's and the host club have the responsibility to see that all courts are supplied with these items. Tournaments will run more smoothly and delays will be minimal. All courts should be in playing condition. Stakes set properly, back boards in place, adequate supply of clay in the pits, pitching platforms clear of debris, 30 and 40 foot foul lines in place and platforms available for short distance pitchers. August 2003