The same can be said about horseshoe courts in Richmond VA. Here in Virginia, one mans dream of changing his community is becoming a reality. 

Carl Otto, for the past twelve years, has taken a revitalized section of land in Richmond and turned it around. Starting with a Frisbee golf course in the 1993, a children's play ground, over one mile of jogging trails a bicycle moto cross (BMX)track, and finally horseshoe courts.  The courts themselves have been a 8 year project. By the spring of 2001, he had completed 7 courts. Late last fall I stopped by on my way to Chesapeake and found a surprise - not 7 courts, but 12!! Quietly built and accurate, to NHPA specs, with lights, chain link fencing and full walkways. One of the amazing things about the courts is that the foul lines are not painted on, but engraved in the walkways. Keeping the park in good condition, the courts needed to be as low-maintenance as possible. He anticipated painted lines wearing out and built them in. His fore sight is to be commended. 

Previously on this web site, I had written a story titled "What's wrong with this picture?" Gilley's Creek Park has courts, but no organized pitchers. Last month, as Regional Director, I sent out invitations to the horseshoe pitchers in the Richmond area inviting them to the park April 7th. The purpose was to see if there was enough interest with the local pitchers to form a club. 

More than 30 pitchers showed up...more than half of them invited by someone else who actually got the invitation!! Word of mouth! The excitement was contagious, and by the time I started my introduction and explanation, quite a few people had already said 'oh yeah, my buddy was going to come but he got tied up, but he's in it.' I spent about 15 minutes talking about the courts and what Carl is trying to accomplish locally, and then explained the importance that VaHPA/NHPA sees in their participation. At the conclusion, the group had agreed to meet back at the courts the next Sunday, April 14th at 2:00 to continue getting a club going. 16 people returned that day. They discussed some basic rules for the new club, pitched some 21 point games and left with the promise to be back again. I look forward to all the enthusiasm this has generated. This past Sunday was rained out. Weather permitting they will pitch again this coming Sunday the 28th at 2:00.

During the meeting I also announced the formation of another club 20 miles northeast. Mark Mater from King William has formed a sanctioned club. They will start pitching their league on the courts at Poor Farm Park in Hanover which is 15 miles to the north. He is working with his local officials to build courts in King William. The new King William Horseshoe Club was extended an invitation to hold tournaments at the Gilley's Creek location if they wanted. It was very warmly welcomed and accepted.

Looking back over the last year, with the formation of the Chesapeake Horseshoe Club, and the King William Club, and now possibly a Richmond club, they will all draw on the support of each other. I encourage all the clubs from the I-81 corridor to help them out and attend their events. The Eastern and Central parts of this state are primed and ready to go. With the start of 3 new clubs in the last year we can only look forward to more growth.

Let's help them out as much as possible!

Kevin