Oklahoma Horseshoe Pitchers Association

The name of this organization shall be the Oklahoma Horseshoe Pitchers Association, hereinafter known as OHPA.

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

The purpose of this association, an affiliate of and in harmony with the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association (NHPA) 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 II - ADMINISTRATION

SECTION I 

Officers shall be selected from and elected by the association membership and shall consist of President, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer.  They shall be known hereinafter as the Executive Council and shall serve a term of three years without pay; exception is Secretary-Treasurer with annual stipend to be voted on by association membership.  The 3^rd Vice President’s term coincides with the President’s term; the 1^st Vice President’s term coincides with the Secretary-Treasurer’s term; and the 2^nd Vice President in the third year.  No proxies allowed. 

SECTION II 

The Executive Council’s responsibility shall be charge, as well as direction, of the association and that such action be in harmony with the constitution and Bylaws of the association.  Areas of responsibility include:

a. Power to remove officers and appoint officers in event or 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 III

The election of officers will be held at the State Annual Meeting.  Date, time, and place to be announced by the President in ample time to be included on the tournament schedule.  The newly-elected officers will take charge of their offices effective the first day of January of the year immediately following the election.

a. Candidates for OHPA office must announce their candidacy in writing to be received by the President and published to the membership at least one month prior to the annual meeting.

b. In order to announce candidacy for office in the OHPA, a member must be paid in full and in good standing with the association.

c. All officers shall be NHPA adult members in good standing (dues paid and not under suspension).

SECTION IV

Unless so stated herein, Robert’s Rules of Order shall guide the parliamentary procedures.  Suggestions for conduct of meeting is Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, Recognition of Visitors, Financial Report, Reports of Standing and Special Committees, Reading of Previous Minutes,

Old Business, New Business, Election of Officers, 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 NHPA Bylaws.

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, 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 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd Vice Presidents, in order, shall

a. Assume the duties of the President in the absence or disability of the President.

b. Assist the President, when requested, and assume any duties appointed to them by the President.

SECTION 6

The Executive Council 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 for full adult members are $10 (OHPA) dues) plus the current NHPA dues.
• Dues for Juniors and Cadets 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 ensure placement in the proper distance division.

SECTION 2

Pitching divisions shall be as described in the NHPA Rules/Regulations Guidelines Specification (RGS). 

ARTICLE VII - RULES OF CONDUCT

SECTION 1

The rules of this association shall not be contrary to those of the NHPA.  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 profane or vulgar language; heckling, ridicule, or horseplay; open drinking of alcoholic beverages on the courts; public drunkenness;

Gambling; fighting, brawling, or disturbance of peace; smoking on the courts by competitors or scorekeepers; and 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 NHPA Bylaws will be enforced in all OHPA sponsored events (i.e. State Singles Tournament, State Doubles Tournament, Oklahoma Open).  All pitchers competing in a World Tournament must have, at 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 “State Champion” is awarded to the winner of the Championship Class in each division at the OHPA State Singles tournament.  All other class winners shall be named “State Class Champion”.

SECTION 1B

The location of the State Tournament shall be put up for bid at the annual meeting at least four months prior to the tournament date and voted on by the members present.  Paid entries shall be sent to the Secretary-Treasurer. 

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 adequate facilities; trophies and awards with equitable distribution thereof; establish type of play, conduct of meet, and manner of scoring; and 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.  Note:  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 OHPA and the NHPA (refer to ARTICLE VI, SECTION 1) and must 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 3 NHPA sanctioned events within the 12-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 12-month period.  Tournaments pitched ON last year’s entry deadline are not.  At least 2 of these events must have been pitched in the State of Oklahoma.  A Junior or Cadet needs only 1 event (tournament or league) pitched in the State of Oklahoma within that time span to qualify.

c. New members (beginners only) must pitch 200 shoes in the presence of and scored by an OHPA member appointed by the Executive Council.  Total amount of ringers will be divided by 2.  All score sheets must be signed by the scorekeeper and a member of the Executive Council.

d. Current OHPA members who have been inactive for a period of 2 years or longer may qualify in the same manner as a new member, by pitching 200 shoes in the presence of and scored by an OHPA member appointed by the Executive Council.  Total amount of ringers will be divided by 2 to establish entry average.  All score sheets must be signed by the scorekeeper and a member of the Executive Council.  Members who have been inactive LESS than two years will be required to establish an eShoe average before being allowed to compete in the state tournament.  All applications shall be reviewed by the Executive Council and decisions reached on a case by case basis, with all circumstances taken into consideration for the food and well-being of the OHPA and the sport of horseshoe pitching.  Examples of circumstances that may invoke exception are, but not limited to, surgery, illness, tour of duty, etc.

e. All score sheets, entries, and fees must be in the hand of the state Secretary-Treasurer two weeks prior to the state tournament.

f. The average used to seed contestants into the State Tournament schedule and classes will be the eShoe averages shown on the NHPA website at the time the schedule is created.

g. State Secretary-Treasurer will mail (or e-mail) out a pitching schedule no later than one week prior to the state tournament.

h. 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, SECTION 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 and length of games will be decided by the Executive Council after receiving entries and seeding contestants in accordance with the NHPA RGS.

SECTION 6

All ties for first place shall be settled by a one game playoff.  If there is a three-way tie, #2 and #3 will play one game and the winner will play #1 in a one game playoff.  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 playoff.  All other classes will settle a first place tie in a one game playoff.  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

1^st RUNNER-UP

2^nd RUNNER-UP

All other classes will read:

OKLAHOMA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

MEN’S CLASS A

1^ST PLACE

2^ND PLACE

3^RD PLACE

As so on, with the divisions and classes labeled Juniors, Cadets, Open Men, Open Women, Seniors, and Elder Men, provided there is an entry in each division.  Qualifications will be as set forth in the NHPA RGS, Section 1, Playing Rules, 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.  Tournament Director and paper supplies will be provided by the host club.  Paid entries shall be given to the Tournament Director. 

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 State Meeting, one year in advance.  Tournament Director and paper supplies will be provided by the host club.  Paid entries shall be given 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.  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 OHPA Hall of Fame (HOF).  Note:  Being qualified does not GUARANTEE nomination. 

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 an adult member of the OHPA for at least 10 years.

TYPES OF AWARDS

Pitching Ability and Achievement

a. Win at least three State Championship’s in the Men’s or Women’s top class.  Residency requirements in the Bylaws are adequate or can be changed if one feels need for more stringent residency requirement.

b. Qualify for the top Men’s or Women’s class in the World Tournament.

Service and Promotion

National officer, one of the Vice Presidents or higher (per term) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	15
Regional Director (per term) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	4
State President (per term)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	5
State Secretary-Treasurer (per term) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	4
State Vice President (per term) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	3
Regional Director (per term) max 4 points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	4
State Area Director (per term) max 3 points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	1
Local Club Officer (per term) max 3 points  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	1
Promote One Open Tournament that survives 5 years (max 3 points) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	3

         

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.  Each first place winner of a class at the NHPA World Tournament will receive 2 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, will be considered for nomination by the HOF 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 state 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 HOF tournament in the spring of the following year.

The award shall be purchased with funds from the OHPA treasury.

COMMITTEE

a. The HOF committee shall be made up of 3 voting members, to be appointed by OHPA President, based on recommendation from the committee Chairman.

b. All committee members must have current membership in the NHPA through the Oklahoma Charter.

c. All committee members must inform the committee Chairman of any changes in their mailing address.

d. There are no term limits for serving on the committee.  A member should inform committee Chairman if they wish to resign their position.

e. Committee Chairman will attempt to call a meeting of the HOF committee during each state tournament and may also conduct any necessary business via mail, e-mail, or phone conversations.

NOMINATIONS

HOF nominations may be submitted to the committee by any member in good standing, and must be on the official nomination form, which can be obtained on the OHPA website.

BYLAWS

Bylaw proposals pertaining to HOF qualifying may be submitted to the HOF committee Chairman by any member in good standing.  Proposals shall be submitted 7 days prior to the 30-day deadline.  All HOF Bylaw proposals will be reviewed and discussed by the committee, which will evaluate the merit of the proposal and, if approved, will forward to the Executive Council to be presented at the annual state meeting.

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.

SECTION 2

Duties and responsibilities shall include, but not limited to:

a. Ensuring each club knows there are scholarships available and where to get them for all juniors at the state and national level.

b. Receiving scholarship applications and sending them to the Executive Council for approval and selection. 

c. Assisting each club in appointing a junior director of their own, working with them to get juniors involved in tournament and league play.

d. Presenting at the annual state meeting on the progress of the junior program.

e. Attending the Cowboy HOF’s Annual Children’s Festival to assist with the OHPA’s exhibit.

f. Coordination “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 Junior Girl and $75 to the Cadet who win their championship title in the annual state singles tournament.  The funds will be kept by the OHPA 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

a. 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).

b. 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 point 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 enrollment into an accredited high education institution, 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 21^st 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 NHPA will be upheld.

Updated 3-25-2023