The Virginia State sponsorship tournament was opened by Ricky Hall explaining what the event is, and why we ask for sponsors: The proceeds from this event (after expenses) are applied in whole to the State Singles to help keep entry fees down, and cover that event’s cost.  He also thanked the Winchester Club for hosting The Old Dominion this year, and lead the crowd into rounds of applause for this years sponsors. Those are: 

 The VAHPA thanks each and every sponsor for the support and contribution. Due to their generosity, the VaHPA can continue to meet, in part, it’s goal of promoting the sport and increased membership at our events.  

The day started out with picture perfect weather, mild temps and overcast skies. We were pleased to welcome pitchers from West Virginia that attended, and several new Virginia members also. Some of the Virginia pitchers had never pitched at the Winchester courts, and were impressed with the amenities, location and layout.  

There were many exciting moments during the day’s play. Evelyn Zahorchak and I, manning the scoring table, chuckled with some pitchers and moaned in empathy with others as the score sheets came in.  

In E Class, newcomer Micheal Huff took the class, ending the day with a 7-0 record. He did not just walk away with the title, however – his opponents made him earn the first place position. In the second round, he faced off against Gail Walker. The game was a really tight one, and Walker was in the lead the whole game – right up until the last four shoes. The class was limited to 40 shoe games, and after shoe 36, the score stood 17-16, Walker’s favor. Huff threw down and landed four points. Gail threw down and missed. At that moment, they each had 2 shoes left, and it was anybody’s game. Huff threw first, and missed the pin. Gail, knowing this was her last chance, threw down, but her shoe just bumped the pin, coming to rest as a point. At the end of the game, the score was 20-18 Huff’s favor. What a close match that was! 

In another close match, in the 4^th round, it was Gail against Thomas Banks. The score tied at 14 shoes. Gail took the lead. The score tied again at 24 shoes, and again, Gail took the lead. She maintained a one point lead until the game ran out of shoes, and ended with the score of 20-19, Gail’s favor. What frustration for Thomas, always knowing that one elusive ringer would have made a difference. What great persistence and determination on Gail’s part. She maintained her cool and just kept getting on the pin. By the end of the day, “walkin’ on” was a term being bantered around the class, in response to Gail (Walker) lucky bouncing shoes that ended up as ringers.  

It was refreshing to watch our brand new junior pitchers, Cesar and Kirk in Class E. Their enthusiasm didn’t fade all day as they competed – losing some, winning some. Getting accustomed to the round robin table and changing courts. Learning the etiquette  of the sport, they enjoyed the entire experience. We look forward to seeing them again soon.  

In D Class, George Zahorchak was on a roll, taking first place with a record of 7-0. However, he had to work to get there. Another newcomer, Richard Brown from Richmond, gave the class a real work out. Richard’s only loss of the day was against George in a very close match in the 4^th round. At 28 shoes, the score was tied 22-22. George kept pouring on the ringers. A lucky six-pack by Richard tied the score again 28-28 at 36 shoes. With only four shoes to go, George kept his cool, earning another ringer, but Brown only collected two points on the very last throw. The game ended 31-30 George’s favor, but both pitchers were smiling as they walked off the court. What a good close game! 

And that game must have whet the tastebuds of Richard. He went on to his next three matches and DEMOLISHED his opponents 41-3, 41-3, 43-5.  Since this was Richard’s very first tournament, all we can say is “ Watch out fellow pitchers, this guy will be movin’ on up the ranks, and we’ll be glad to see his progress. “ 

The C Class first place winner, John Hansroth, from WV had a great day for himself. He ended the day pitching 11% over his starting average, with only one loss all day. Charlie Walker, VA, was also having a great day, winning all of his matches, except the one he pitched against John in the 5^th round. At the end of seven rounds, both pitchers stood at 5 wins, 1 loss, and a playoff was called to battle for the first place position.  

The playoff was tight., with the lead changing back and forth. By shoe 36, the score was 23-24, Hansroth’s favor. Then, as it happens sometimes, none of knows why, Walker hit a cold spell while Hanroth kept piling up the points. The game ended with a score of 40-24, after 54 shoes. What a disappointing finish of the day for Charlie, he could only shake his head in wonder as he shook the hand of John with congrats.  

B Class competition was no less exciting, with the longest game of the day recorded – 78 shoes in round 3, between Jerry Colyer and Edward Thompson. With a 40point unlimited format, after 45 minutes, Evelyn & I began to joke that we might have to get them another scoresheet soon. Talk about persistence and determination – that award goes to Jerry for this round of pitching. Edward opened the round and maintained the point lead for A FULL 72 SHOES. Jerry kept matching him ringer for ringer, up and down the courts. On shoe 74, Jerry’s persistence paid off, and he finally tied the score at 36-36. On shoe 76, Jerry got a six-pack, Edward covered one. The score was now 39-36. On the last throw, Jerry threw down first, got one ringer, and landed a point with the next shoe. All he could do was hold his breath and watch anxiously as Edward stepped up to pitch. Was it the pressure? Was he finally just tired out? We don’t know, but somehow, Edward missed the pin completely on those last two shoes, giving Jerry the win with a score of 43-36. 

In another long tight game in B Class, Ray Barb and Don Swaim battled it out. The lead went back and forth several times, but never more than a couple points difference. At 58 shoes, the score was 37-36, Swaim’s favor. With both pitchers throwing ringers, canceling each other out, it took another 10 shoes to finish the game. Ray finally buckled down and ended the suspense by laying down two sets of doubles on shoes 66&68. The final score was 42-37. Great pitching folks!! 

The A Class competition was a surprise all day. Amy Hall started off rocky, pitching her first game against Ronny Walker, ending with a 48% for the game. Ronnie took a win on that one 44-35, Amy’s only loss of the day. As is typical, she gave herself a mental shakedown and walked back onto the courts determined to do better. Which she did without a doubt. Improving game-by-game, her fifth round against Renee Cowan saw her finish with a 84.38%, trouncing Renee 41-6.  

Ealier in the day, we had welcomed Chan Herrel to the event. He suffered his only loss of the day in his match against Amy Hall in round four. This set the stage for a playoff between Chan and Amy. Both pitchers were primed, up to maximum performance mode. And it’s this type of play that makes us spectators stand in awe. What ringers were layed down !! With the score at 11-10 at shoe 18, Amy just kept those doubles pouring. By shoe 46, the score was 37-13, Amy’s favor. But Chan wasn’t done yet. It took Amy another 20 shoes to finally close the door.  In an amazing outpouring of ringers, Chan made 17 ringers out of the next 20 shoes. Amy made 15 out of those 20. It was the final throw, however that did it, when Amy got a double and Chan only covered one. What a day, what a finale, what great competition !! 

As we closed up to head home, I quietly stood for a few minutes, listening to the pitchers calling back and forth. See you next week! See you in Tennesee! See you in Draft!! Take Care!! Drive Safe!!  Our family of pitchers, all looking forward to the next opportunity to catch up with each other. It’s that kind of day, that kind of ending, that leaves us all looking forward, to the next time.  

See you on the courts soon.   Pat