The turnout was great, and more than exceeded expectations. The newest Virginia club King William Horseshoe Club, showed up with 7 of it's members, the Chesapeake Horseshoe Club showed up with 10 of it members - from both clubs, most had never pitched a sanctioned tournament before. Ten pitchers bought their cards at the table, another 16 who signed up were brand new to tournament play. There were lots of qualifying rounds and tons of questions and explanations. It made for an exciting start to the day! 

At 1:00 we had 28 people signed up. As I was starting to set up classes, a few more folks showed up and signed in. The challenge faced was how to get this many people in with a late 1:00 start.  30 points or 40shoes, was the call. By the end of the day, I knew it was the right one. 

Once the tournament took off, my wife Pat ran the desk while I walked up and down the courts looking for trouble spots. With so many new faces to this sport, and so much learning going on, it was a challenge. I have never attended an event with so many new people. They all did a great job not only pitching, but also learning what the NHPA/VaHPA is all about.

We owe a big round of THANKS to the experienced VaHPA members that attended and helped out, and also to those wives that turned out to support their husbands. Arriving with the intent of providing the normal amount of support, encouragement and participation, they all did a dynamite job of pitching in and helping the whole tournament run smoothly. Phyllis Kelly, Mary Ellen Otto, Shirley Robinson, and Sheila Coffield all did a SUPER JOB, and we appreciate not only the support for their men, but for what they contribute to our sport. There were only 6 experienced tournament pitchers at the event, and they, along with the women, helped teach new pitchers all day long. They kept score continually, and trained new scorekeepers. They assisted at the table, posted scores, passed out clipboards, pencils and scoresheets. I caught some of this activity in a photo - if you look, there is one shot where it was simply amazing just how many double chairs for the scorekeepers were in use. Trainees on the courts, trainers beside them! Thank you all!

A Class was a challenge to set up (with a 30% spread from top to bottom). I asked the class if they would mind pitching a handicapped class. Hearl expressed it the best "Yep, sure. That's fine. I came to pitch shoes. " He certainly had his work cut out for him.

Although Hearl finished in 2nd place, it was not a disappointment to him. He pitched one of his personal highs for an event, ending up with an overall 69.06% for the day.  'A' Class ended up with a playoff between John Coles and Hearl.  After the playoff, Hearl said he just fell apart pitching 24 out of 40 for a 60% game in the playoff round. He may have only taken second place, but he is a winner for reaching and achieving a personal goal! Hearl looks forward to the day when he can not only hit a 70% event, but he has his eye on an 80% event. Keep trying and Good luck!

In B Class Joey Marasco and Patrick Doyle a fellow club member from Chesapeake also had a playoff for 1st place. Joey started the game with an impressive run of ringers. At 14 shoes he was throwing 50%. It looked like it was going to be blow out. But as many of you know, the game changes so fast. Joey fell apart in the middle stretch. At 26 shoes Patrick started to hit the peg. In the last 14 shoes Patrick was pitching 50%. At 38 shoes the score was Joey 27 and Patrick 26. Joey threw a ringer that Patrick could not cover taking the game 30 to 26.  Joey ended up with a 37.16% for the day and Patrick 34.01%

Newcomer David Turner is on a roll. He took C Class with 6 wins and 1 loss. By percentage Kirk Adams held second and Ken Robinson 3rd.

Daniel Yelimek, a junior pitcher from the King William Club takes home the bragging rights in D Class ending up with 6 wins and 1 loss. Kelly Boykin, a junior from the Chesapeake Horseshoe Club took 2nd with 5-2, and Mark Maters came in 3rd. A great showing by some new junior pitchers!

Timothy Boggs (King William) E class, took 1st place over Marvin Lunceford (King William) with Anthony Meekins (Richmond) coming in 3rd.

Both Mark Maters and Kirk Adams learned a lot watching how an event is run. Both Presidents of newly formed clubs have our support and that of the VaHPA. 

Comment from two of the pitchers sticks in my mind. Hearl Kelly and Glenn Patterson both said, "I came to pitch and have fun". And that they did.

A special thanks goes to Pat. She ran the desk, answered piles of questions, explained rules & all kinds of other questions, and handed out NHPA literature, while I nervously paced the courts looking for hot spots, keeping things moving. In the end I think everyone was satisfied.

See you on the courts again.

Kevin