OKLAHOMA HORSESHOE PITCHERS�
ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
BYLAWS
Revised March 13, 2022
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE II���������� ���������������� PURPOSE
ARTICLE III�������� ���������������� ADMINISTRATION
ARTICLE IV������������������ ���������������� AMENDMENT
ARTICLE V���������� ���������������� JUDICIARY
ARTICLE X���������� ���������������� STATE DOUBLES
ARTICLE I � NAME
SECTION 1
The name of this organization shall be the �Oklahoma Horseshoe Pitchers� Association.� Herein-after, it shall be referred to as the same.
SECTION 2
Location: Headquarters, in care of the Secretary and Treasurer, name and address during tenure of office.
ARTICLE II � PURPOSE
SECTION 1
The purpose of this association, an affiliate of and in harmony with the National Horseshoe Pitchers� Association of America: Promote among its members, the populace of the state of Oklahoma, an opportunity to participate in the exercise and art of pitching horseshoes for fun, skill, competition, health and relaxation; encourage arrangements for facilities for contests, therein providing a creative outlet for the community, suitable for all ages and sex.� We hereby establish the following rules, regulations and bylaws.
ARTICLE III � ADMINISTRATION
SECTION 1
The officers of this association shall be selected from and elected by the association membership and shall consist of a President, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer.� They shall herein be referred to as the �Executive Council� and shall serve a term of three years without pay; exception � Secretary/Treasurer�s amount subject to vote of the membership The 3rd Vice President's term to coincide with the President's term; the 1st Vice President's term to coincide with the Secretary/Treasurer's term; the 2nd Vice President in the third year. (no proxies allowed)
There shall be at least one woman on the Executive Council at all times.
SECTION 2
The Executive Council responsibility shall be: charge, as well as direction, of the association and that such action be in harmony with the constitution and the bylaws of the association.
Areas of responsibility include:
a. Power to remove officers and appoint officers in event of resignation, removal or death.
b. Any major issue, or removal of officer, malfeasance of office, or any action that tends to reduce or discredit the efficiency of the association shall be conducted upon only after sufficient notice to all members by the Secretary upon orders of the President stating time, place, date and nature of business. A two-thirds majority of those present may take action and render a decision that will be final.
SECTION 3
1. The election of officers will be held at the annual meeting; date, time and place to be announced by the President. The newly-elected officers will take charge of their offices effective the first day after the State Singles Championship Tournament for that year.
SECTION 4
Unless so stated herein, Roberts Rules of 2. In order to announce candidacy for office in the OHPA, a member must be paid in full and in good standing with the association. 3. Any stnding officer of the OHPA must be in good stnding with dues paid in full no later than January 30. shall guide the parliamentary procedures. Format for conduct of meeting is:
1. Invocations
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Reading of the Minutes
4. Report of Standing Committees
5. Report of Special Committees
6. Unfinished Business
7. Recognition of Visitors
8. New Business
9. Financial Report
10. Election of Officers
11. Adjournment
ARTICLE IV � AMENDMENT
SECTION 1�
The Constitution, Bylaws, Rules and Regulations may be amended only on odd numbered years.� An amendment must carry by a two-thirds vote of members present at the meeting. No amendment can be made that is contrary to rules of the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association.
SECTION 2
Any proposed amendment must be in writing and bear the signature of the petitioner, so that it can be read to the delegation prior to discussion and voting.
ARTICLE V � JUDICIARY
SECTION 1
The President (Chief Executive) shall preside at all association meetings. Line of succession shall be: Vice Presidents in their order, followed by Secretary-Treasurer.
SECTION 2
The President shall be empowered, when deemed advisable, to call special meetings to appoint committees when necessary; also to remove such committees or committeemen from their or his/her said position at any time.
SECTION 3
The Secretary/Treasurer shall be custodian of the records, funds, and property of the association. These items shall be turned in upon the end of tenure of office or upon Presidential demand.
SECTION 4
The Secretary/Treasurer shall be empowered to collect monies for membership, qualifying fees, entry fees or assessments that have been authorized by the association; also to pay out such monies as necessary for the continued function of the association or on the verbal order of the President.� This person is also to be the one responsible for correspondence that is in the best interest of the association.
SECTION 5
The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Vice Presidents, in their order, shall
1. Assume the duties of the
President in the absence or disability of the President
2. Assist the President, when requested and assume any duties appointed to them
by the President.
SECTION 6
The Executive Council and Regional Director shall be the Judiciary Council.� They will interpret and define the bylaws, rules and regulations of the association. They will also act as arbitrators in any protests and/or disputes of serious nature.
ARTICLE VI � MEMBERSHIP AND FEES
SECTION 1
Any reputable person, who can provide proof of residency in the state of Oklahoma, may become a member upon payment of the necessary dues.
Dues to be set at $25.00 for adult members. $17.00 for national dues, $4.00 for state dues, and the remaining $4.00 divided equally between the Hall of Fame and a State Tournament prize fund.
�
Dues for Junior and Junior Cadet members shall be the $5.00 required for national dues.
All junior members must attach a copy of their birth certificate to their membership application to insure placement in the proper distance division.
The application for membership shall include an optional subscription to receive the State Newsletter by U.S. mail at a cost of three dollars.
SECTION 2
Pitching divisions shall be as described in the NHPA RGS Book. Specifically,
1.Junior Cadets - any pitcher nine (9) years old or younger for the entire calendar year.
2.Junior Boys - any male pitcher eighteen (18) years old or younger for the entire calendar year.
3.Junior Girls - any female pitcher eighteen (18) years old or younger for the entire calendar year.
4.Open Men - no age restriction.
5.Open Women - no age restriction.
6.Seniors - become eligible to pitch in the Senior Division at any time during the calendar year that they become sixty (60) years old. Note: Seniors may choose to remain in the Open Men or Open Women Divisions.
Elder Men - become eligible to pitch in the Elders Division at any time during the calendar year that they become seventy (70) years old.
Physically Challenged Men -� Physically challenged, male pitchers less than seventy (70) years old may be given permission, by their governing Charter, to move onto the extended platforms in the Elders Division. The prior completion and approval of a Medical Exemption Form (available from Charter Secretaries) is required.
For additional information concerning eligibility and pitching distances, refer to the RGS book.
SECTION 3
Members are permitted to enter open non-sanction tournaments. The exception is: State Championship in all classes must first obtain sanction for title to be at stake.
ARTICLE VII � RULES OF CONDUCT
SECTION 1
The rules of this association shall not be contrary to those of the National Horseshoe Pitchers� Association.
In addition are those set forth by this association as follows:
In all meets and tournaments at all levels, the members of the association shall conduct themselves in a manner of the highest order as to set forth the best image before the membership and the public at large, subject to local ordinance and/or park regulations.� There shall be no
a. Profane or vulgar language
b. Heckling, ridicule or horseplay
c. Open drinking of alcoholic beverages on the courts
d. Public drunkenness
e. Gambling
f. Fighting, brawling or disturbance of peace
g. Smoking on the courts by competitors or scorekeepers
h. cell phone usage by competitors, scorekeepers or judges on the courts or during a game
In that we wish our facilities to be a place conducive to bringing the family and children, and open to all public, members should conduct themselves in a respectable manner while on the courts or in the stands. Violations will be subject to action by the Executive Council, tournament director or others in charge.
SECTION 2
World Tournament dress code as set forth in Article X, Section 7 of the N.H.P.A. By-Laws will be enforced in all O.H.P.A. sponsored events. I.E. State Singles Tournament, State Doubles Tournament, Oklahoma Open.
(All pitchers competing in a World Tournament must have, as a minimum, their last name and State or Country abbreviation professionally lettered on the back of their shirts. Said shirts cannot be sleeveless. Further dress code can be imposed by the Executive Council if all entrants are notified not later than the mailing of their pitching schedule.)
ARTICLE VIII � STATE TOURNAMENT
SECTION 1A
The title �Champion Horseshoe Pitcher of Oklahoma� is accorded to the winner of the Championship Class, but the championship in any class can be contended for only in state tournaments sanctioned by the National Horseshoe Pitchers� Association of America.
SECTION 1B
The location of the State Tournament shall be put up for bid at the annual business meeting at least 4 months prior to the tournament date and voted on by the members present.
SECTION 2A
The responsibility of the Executive Council shall be to promote one such sanctioned tournament each year, on Labor Day weekend, making all the necessary arrangements to include:
a. Selecting the best sponsor
b. Adequate facilities
c. Trophies and awards with equitable distribution thereof
d. Establish type of play, conduct of meet and manner of scoring
e. Arrangements made in time to alleviate conflicts.
SECTION 2B
The Executive Council shall arrange all entrants into pitching classes according to their current ringer percentages � Size of class, percentage spreads, fairness and the best interest of the association and membership will all be considered in the scheduling.
Once the pitching schedule has been created and approved by the Executive Council by a majority vote, it will not be revised. (The Executive Council reserves the right to make last minute revisions to the schedule should circumstances arise that warrant said changes.)
SECTION 3
a. To be eligible to pitch in the state tournament, you must be a member of the O.H.P.A. and the N.H.P.A. (Refer to ARTICLE VI SECTION 1) and be able to show proof of residing in the state of Oklahoma for a period of no less than six months prior to the entry deadline, or by approval by Executive Council review.
b.
To qualify to pitch in the
Oklahoma State Tournament, a contestant must have pitched in at least three (3)
NHPA sanctioned events within the twelve-month period between last year�s entry
deadline and this year�s entry deadline. Tournaments pitched ON this year�s
deadline date are included in this year�s twelve-month period. Tournaments
pitched ON last year�s entry deadline are not.� At least two (2) of these
events must have been pitched in the state of Oklahoma. �A Junior or Junior
Cadet needs only one event (tournament or league) pitched in the state of Oklahoma within that time span to qualify. When extenuating circumstances prevent participation in the designated number of events, the requirement may be waived by a majority vote of the Executive Council following a request by the affected party and council review of the details.
c. New members (beginners only) must pitch 200 shoes in the presence of and scored by an O.H.P.A. member appointed by the Executive Council. Total amount of ringers will be divided by two.� All score sheets must be signed by the scorekeeper and a member of the Executive council.
d. All score sheets, entries and fees must be in the hands of the state Secretary two weeks prior to the state tournament.
e. The average used to seed contestants into the State Tournament schedule and classes will be the NatStat averages shown on the NHPA website at the time the schedule is created.
f. State Secretary will mail out a pitching schedule no later than one week prior to the state tournament.
g. Qualified members must be present to pitch at the scheduled time. If absent at the beginning of play, the member will forfeit the first game and if not present for the second game, he or she will be scratched from the tournament and entry fee forfeited. Exception: Entry fee may be refunded for extenuating circumstances determined by the Executive Council.
SECTION 4
Current champions in any �Championship Class� will have to qualify for the State Tournament under Article VIII, Sec. 3b, to be seeded in the �Championship Class� by current percentage.
SECTION 5
Round robin play will be used to determine the winners of each class. Games won or lost will decide the contestant�s standing. The scoring system will be decided in advance by the officers. The �Championship Class� will pitch the same type game and use the same type scoring as the World Championship Class.
SECTION 6
All ties for first place shall be settled by a one-game play-off. If there is a three-way tie, #2 and #3 will play one game and the winner will play #1 in a one game play-off. If more than a three-way tie, play will continue as a round robin. The two winners will play each other in a one-game play-off. All other classes will settle a first-place tie in a one-game play-off. A tie for any place less than first will be settled by percentage first, then by total points.
SECTION 7
The host club and the Executive Council shall be responsible for the tournament director, scoring devices, scorekeeping material, scorekeepers (if needed), announcing of necessary ground rules, time limit between games, responsibility of players, etc� All scorekeepers will be stationed at the center of the courts during play.
SECTION 8
The Regional Director shall be responsible for class and state champions receiving patches and for the continued existence confirmation.
SECTION 9
Awards for all Championship Classes shall read as follows:
OKLAHOMA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
MEN�S DIVISION
STATE CHAMPION
Subsequent places will read:
OKLAHOMA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
MEN�S DIVISION
1ST RUNNER-UP
2ND RUNNER-UP
All other classes will read:
OKLAHOMA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
MEN�S CLASS A
1ST PLACE
2nd PLACE
3RD PLACE
And so on, with the divisions and classes labeled accordingly.
Divisions will be for Men�s, Women�s, Senior�s, Elder�s, Junior Boy�s, Junior Girl�s and Junior Cadet, provided there is an entry in each division. Qualifications for each division will be as set forth in the NHPA RGS book, Rule 1 � Pitching Divisions.
ARTICLE IX � OKLAHOMA OPEN
SECTION 1�
The site of the Annual Oklahoma Open Tournament shall be put up for bid, the same as the State Championship Tournament. It shall be bid and voted on at the Annual State Meeting, one year in advance so as to allow ample time for advertising/publicity.
ARTICLE X � STATE DOUBLES TOURNAMENT
SECTION 1�
The site of the annual Oklahoma State Doubles Tournament shall be put up for bid, the same as the Oklahoma State Championships. It shall be bid for and voted on at the annual business meeting the preceding year to allow ample time for advertising/publicity. Tournament Director, trophies and paper supplies will be provided by the host club. Paid entries shall be sent directly to the Tournament Director.
SECTION 2
There will be a division for each distance in which an entry is received � 20, 30 and 40 foot. Count-all, handicap scoring will be used, with championship trophies being awarded in each division. If a division has too many entries to compete in a single round robin, it will be divided into heats, with the winners of each heat advancing to the championship round. If fewer than four heats, runners-up will also advance.
SECTION 3
A team must consist of two pitchers who use the same distance foul line. Eligibility requirements will be the same as for the State Singles tournament.
ARTICLE XI � HALL OF FAME
MISSION STATEMENT
To establish a system to help determine qualified nominees to the Oklahoma Horseshoe Pitchers Hall of Fame. Note: Being �qualified� does not GUARANTEE nomination.
There will be three ways to qualify:
(1) through pitching skill and achievement
(2) through service to and promotion of the game of horseshoes
(3) through a combination of pitching achievements, service and promotion
All three systems will be based on pre-established, objective measurements and accomplishments (point system) to free the membership from personal bias, politics, religion and racial differences.
Qualifying achievements and points must be earned while the individual is a member of the Oklahoma Horseshoe Pitchers Association.
TYPES OF AWARDS
Pitching Ability and Achievement
A. Win at least three State Championships in the Women�s or Men�s top class. Residency requirements in the by-laws are adequate or can be changed if one feels need for more stringent residency requirements.
B. Qualify for the top Women�s or Men�s class in the World Tournament.
Service and Promotion
Recipient must accumulate at least 15 points due to service or promotion in the following categories:
1. National officer, one of V.P.�s or higher (per term)�����15
2. Regional Director (per term)����������������..� 4
3. State President (per term)�����������������..� 5
4. State Secretary (per term)�����������������..� 4
5. State Vice President (per term)���������������.� 3
6. Regional Director (per term) max 4 points����.� 4
7. State Area Director (per term) max 3 points��������.� 1
8. Local club officer (per term) max 3 points���������..� 1
9. Promote one open tournament that survives five years��..� 3
Max 3 points
PITCHING AND PROMOTION
An individual can qualify for nomination through a combination of pitching achievements, service and promotion. In this category, each State Championship won in an adult division of a championship class (or the top class of a state tournament where the term �championship class� was not in use) will receive 5 points. These, combined with points acquired from serving in a leadership role or promoting tournaments, will earn consideration for nomination when totaling 15 or more.
Procedure
Once an individual has attained the level of pitching achievement, or has attained the required points through service and promotion or a combination of pitching achievement and promotion, he/she will be considered for nomination by the Hall of Fame Committee.
The committee will consider all who meet the requirements, verify the qualifications using any means available, and determine which individual appears most deserving at that time - through achievements, deeds and character - to be brought before the delegation of members. This process could include an interview with the prospective candidate.
The HOF committee has the option to present a name for nomination of an individual that has not met the requirements for pitching achievement or service and promotion, based on other criteria such as consistently assisting at tournaments with maintenance, scorekeeping, record keeping, etc� and helping promote the sport in ways other than holding office or running tournaments.
The committee chairperson will present the name of the nominee(s), along with a history of qualifying data at the annual business meeting. Nomination must be ratified by a two-thirds majority of all current OHPA members in attendance.
Presentation
The award may be presented at an autumn awards banquet in the same year of nomination, or a Hall of Fame tournament in the spring of the following year.
The award shall be purchased with funds from the OHPA treasury.
ARTICLE XII � JUNIOR DIRECTOR
SECTION 1
The Executive Council shall appoint a Junior Director for the OHPA, who will oversee and promote the Junior horseshoe pitching program. This director will report directly to the president for approval of activities, promotions and expenditures.
Executive Council shall
take applications and conduct interviews, to select the most qualified
applicant for the position.
The Junior Director must be an adult member (18 or older) of the OHPA.
SECTION 2
Duties and responsibilities shall include (but not be limited to):
1. Making sure each club knows there are scholarships available and where to get them for all juniors at the state and national level.
2. Receiving scholarship applications and sending them to the Executive Council for approval and selection.
3. Assisting each club in appointing a junior director of their own and working with these people to get juniors involved in tournament and league play.
4. Making a presentation at the annual OHPA business meeting on the progress of the junior program.
5. Attending the Cowboy Hall of Fame's Annual Children's Festival to assist with the OHPA's exhibit.
6. Coordinating "extras" for the juniors, such as a junior party during the state tournament or at some other time during the year, or "juniors only" tournaments and events.
Other events and/or responsibilities not listed here may arise and may be assigned to the Junior Director at the discretion of the President and Executive Council.
ARTICLE XIII � JUNIOR SCHOLARSHIPS
SECTION 1
Scholarships in the amount of $150 will be awarded to the Junior Boy and Girl who win the championship title in the annual state singles tournament.
The funds will be kept by the Oklahoma Horseshoe Pitchers Association for the awardees and will NOT accrue interest during this period. At such time the Junior completes high school AND turns 18, a copy of the diploma and birth certificate should be forwarded to the OHPA Executive Council, at which time the funds will be released to the applicant.
SECTION 2
An additional scholarship in the amount of $150 will be offered to all active Junior pitchers who are OHPA members based on the following criteria:
ELIGIBILITY:
1. Juniors who were OHPA members (within the class requirements listed below) and participated during the pitching season prior to the last school year in a sanctioned Junior League, Open League, or if a league was not available, participated to the fullest extent possible in local OHPA tournaments. (If a league is available locally, the applicant must have participated in at least two-thirds of the scheduled matches.)
2. Applicant must be accepted into an accredited higher education institution upon completion of high school.
CLASS AND AGE REQUIREMENTS: Must have completed any of grades 7 through 12.
SCHOLASTIC REQUIREMENTS: Must maintain a grade average of no lower than a C for the ENTIRE school term, not just for one or two quarters. An official, up-to-date transcript of grades must be furnished with the application.
MULTIPLE AWARDS: Any Junior meeting the grade and pitching requirements is eligible for this award, whether a previous winner or not.
SELECTION PROCESS: The OHPA Executive Council will review all applications and determine the winner based on scholastic grades and horseshoe pitching participation.
PARENT OR GUARDIAN REQUIREMENTS: �������� Parent or guardian must certify that they understand NO FUNDS will be transferred to any applicant if further education is not pursued after completion of high school. In the event the applicant does not pursue higher education within one year of graduation from high school, the funds will revert back to the OHPA.
DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS: At such time a Junior who is awarded a scholastic/participation scholarship completes high school AND turns 18,
a copy of the diploma and birth certificate along with a copy of acceptance into an accredited college or university should be forwarded to the OHPA Executive Council, at which time the scholarship funds, without accrued interest, will be forwarded to the Junior.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: The deadline for application is June 21st of each year.
ARTICLE XIV � ALL OTHER AREAS
In the event a ruling is required on an incident or topic not specifically covered in this document - all rules, guidelines, specifications and bylaws of the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association will be upheld.