Official Publication of the Minnesota Gopher State Horseshoe Pitchers' Association

Horseshoe pitching has many good stories to tell. This is the story about respect for the past blended with excitement for a new beginning.

  

My Dad, Dan Girtz, started me in horseshoe pitching when I was a kid. We lived not far from the Priemesberger Arena in Genola so we had access to a world class facility. Many nights were spent pitching and watching the adults pitch. Then the 1981 World Tournament came to town and I was in awe. Seeing the championship Boy's and Girl's classes was impressive. Then to watch the Men's and Women's champions was even more unbelievable. Unfortunately, other interests drew me away from competitive horseshoe pitching for many years. Fast forward to 2013 when I entered (and won) a small non-sanctioned doubles tournament at a local festival. I was hooked by the game again. That win, with Don Claseman as my partner, led me to join the Santiago Horseshoe Club's Summer League. That league, organized by Jim Aleckson and Brian Wipper, just celebrated its 25th Anniversary. I had a fun year and met my doubles partner, Boots Skelton, on the first night. I also recruited a rookie player, Wayne Peterson, to join us in the league. 

 

Wayne and his family were also quickly hooked and soon put in a court in their back yard. As the summer went on, I challenged Wayne to find us a nearby building for some winter pitching. Within a week he came up with a great solution: the local Legion Post. The Legion had its meetings in a portion of the old Fire Station in Becker and the dimensions of the underutilized truck bays were perfect to fit four courts. We worked out an agreement with the Legion members and started planning the court layout.

 

Mike DeMars was able to get us a load of clay from southern Minnesota, we found a local welder to create the initial set of stakes and some unused deck material from my back yard formed the boxes. We settled on Open Pitch Tuesdays and a Singles League on Wednesdays and then started looking for some players. Ten players signed up and we were ready to throw. Wayne suggested several ideas for a club name including Clank & Thud which quickly stuck. My son came up with some logo ideas and the club setup was complete. The Open Pitch nights have been successful including several new adult and youth pitchers trying their hand. We can always use more so please come join us if you have an open night!  Discussions of the proper technique for turns or flips are common on Tuesday nights!

Clank & Thud Horseshoe Club founding members

Tuesday Night Open Pitch saw youth players

The League turned out to be a blast. We played a 50 shoe, count all, handicapped, double round robin format. We selected a 90% handicap level that produced exciting close games each night. Our goal is to run at least 2 league sessions in the early spring, so let me know if you want to come over.

 

Thanks to all who have helped get us this far, especially Legion Post 193, Wayne, RaeJean, Ron, Chuck, Boots, and Jim.

 

Come on over and pitch.  You can contact us through our website at www.clankandthud.weebly.com.

 

The meeting was called to order at 9:58am by president Cathy Ziemann who offered a welcome to the membership and introduced Kevin Maloney, Manager of Sports for the 2015 National Senior Games. Maloney gave a brief address on the 2015 Games which will be held in Minnesota and will include a horseshoe pitching competition.

 

Cathy recognized that the Fall Membership Minuets could not be approved as the October-November edition of the Ringer Digest was still in the process of being published. Mention was given to approve the minutes at the next meeting.

 

Financial Report (Bonnie Holland) - MGSHPA Income Statements were presented from the time period of January 1, 2014 to October 31, 2014. Robin Constance made a motion for approval, seconded by Sig Armitage.

 

Constitution & Bylaws (Gordy Schmidt) - Reminder was made of proposed rule change to the language in Bylaws regarding the suspension of members. Language change was proposed in October-November issue of Ringer Digest.

 

Officer and Director Reports - Bonnie Holland began by handing out a packet titled "Duties of a VP" outlining general expectations of the VP position. Mention was made that Alexandria has added new horseshoe courts. Robin Constance (West Metro) gave a brief update on State Doubles and the Senior Games (to be held in 2015). Jerry LaBorsse (Historian) gave an update on the Primm Valley tournament, stating that the courts currently being used in Prim Valley will not be needed in MN for two years. It was also mentioned that the door spring and skylight on the trailer need repair.

 

Ringer Digest (Kayla Yaeger) - Indicated that the October-November Digest would come out in the beginning of November in order to incorporate more tournament results and league wrap-ups in the fall edition. 

 

New business - Sig Armitage mentioned a desire to see high game patches (like those awarded at many club banquets) awarded in tournaments, with possibility of one patch per class. Cathy Ziemann moved to table the discussion until pricing information and a design could be researched.

 

 

A motion was made by Gordy Schmidt, seconded by Robin Constance to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 10:55am.

About Us

MGSHPA's Ringer Digest is the official newsletter of the Minnesota Gopher State Horseshoe Pitchers' Association. It is free to members of the MGSHPA and other interested partieis. Changes of email address can be sent directly to RingerDigest@gmail.com.

All submissions subject to editing, available space, and must be received by the 10th of the month preceding the date of issue.