The Bionic Governor and former Mayor of the VaHPA made a spectacular come back at the Mountain View Singles, April 12. After years of attending our tournaments as a cheerleader and supporter of the VaHPA, but sitting on the sidelines due to bad knees, Raymond Deal had surgery to replace his second knee late last year. After a few months of therapy, a few games pitched in Marvin’s basement, Raymond was eager and ready to get back on the courts.

A bit disappointed that the weather at Petersburg prevented him from pitching his first event, Raymond came to Stuarts Draft to pitch. Qualifying in the 50% bracket, Raymond made the cut for A Class, seeded second, with Denny Davis in first seed. In warm up Raymond said he felt great and expressed a little bit of concern making the five games. He said he was relieved it wasn’t an 8 man class.

Stepping up to meet his first opponent Ray Staton, Raymond said “I’ll do my best, I came to have fun.” Ray took off with the lead and held it for 20 shoes, the score 17 to 15, but the 22nd set of shoes was the start of Raymond's come back. He settled in, and pounded the staub only allowing Ray 8 more points. Finishing the game at 46 shoes the score 43-25, Raymond came off the courts with a glow. “I don’t know why I’m so nervous, I feel like a kid again.” He had pitched 26 ringers in 46 shoes for a nice 56.5% in the first game!

His second opponent was his long time friend Marvin May. Raymond’s nerves quelled, he took off in a commanding game. Showing no mercy, Raymond took the game 40 to 6 in 32 shoes, once again pitching a 56% game with 18 ringers out of 32 shoes.

In the third game against Randall Weakley, Raymond started dropping his shoes and missing the peg some. It wasn’t enough to lose the game, however. He won in 48 shoes, 45-15, pitching a 47%.

A bit disappointed with himself, he said “I've got to lift my shoe up!” Struggling a little bit in the game against Robert Staton, Raymond still managed to win 40 to 18 in 46 shoes.  Dropping in percentage to a low of  45%.

Meanwhile, number one seed, Denny Davis had been playing well also. Pitted against each other going into the fifth game, both Denny and Raymond were undefeated with 4-0 records. This would be the decision maker. With four-dead on the first shoes of the match, the spectators had a taste of what was to come. At 18 shoes the score stood 7 to 5 in Raymond’s favor. Raymond poured it on, with 4 more 4 dead calls. Denny tried to match the flurry of ringers that Raymond was throwing, but at 40 shoes, the score stood 35 to 11. It took another 14 shoes to secure the game for Raymond, finishing 42 to 17. Pitching the best game of the day, and the highest game in the tournament, Raymond threw 37 out of 54 shoes for a whopping 68.5% ! 

Shaking hands after the game, Denny said “You deserved that one!” Champion Raymond Deal took A Class with an unblemished record and finished the day by saying “It's great to be back! That was fun!”

In the other classes:

Granville Weakley took the honors in B Class with 4-1, and William Hartless edged out Ronnie Hicks by 3% to take second.

Patrick Doyle went undefeated in C Class finishing the day with a 27.9% average. A three way tied for second by wins and loses went to Randy Richard in 2nd with a 24.6%, John Ham 3rd with 21.6% and Alma Doyle 4th 13.6%.

D Class provided the cliff hanger of the day. At the end of the scheduled rounds a three way tie for first place existed. Amanda Tolbert (JrGirl), James Matsko and Jeremi Skillman all stood at 4-1. Amanda and James faced off in the first round of playoffs. Amanda had lost to James in the first round of games, so was determined to do her best to take him down this time. The game was a tough one with the lead changing hands four times. At 48 shoes Amanda had the lead 24 to 23. Almost a sure thing. But the "game ain't over till it's over" .James pitched up first - one ringer on the peg !Amanda pitched next and couldn't cover him. With that last shoe thrown, Amanda landed in 3rd place. With the final score 26-24, James moved on in the playoffs..

James then faced off against Jeremi. James had lost to Jeremi earlier, so again, this was a rubber match. Taking the lead, James held on for 20 shoes. Then Jeremi started really hitting the peg. Pitching his best game of the day, the lead never changed hands again. Jeremi threw 12 out of 50 shoes for a 24% game winning 36 to 29. James finished 2nd place for the day in his class, but took honors for overall pitching. He threw the best-over-average in the tournament, throwing 5.4% above his starting average.

What a great day of pitching ! The bright sun felt wonderful after a week of rain, but a reminder to all was evident by sunburns  - remember that sun block! On behalf of the Stuarts Draft Horseshoe Club our sincere appreciation to all that attended, we'll see you again soon! 

Kevin.