Dorothy Brush "Random Thoughts" Published Aug. 11, 2004

Horseshoe pitching is alive and well

There are sounds that trigger childhood memories. It might be the squeak of a screen door that could use a squirt of WD40 or the clank of a horseshoe as it strikes the metal stake. That happened as I read an article written by Bob Hassan about the Tennessee Horseshoe Pitchers Association hosting a tournament at Centennial Park on Saturday. After a long telephone conversation with Hassan, I knew I would be there to learn more about this group.

The sport of pitching horseshoes dates back to the 2nd century and it is thought bored soldiers in Greek or Roman army camps devised the game. All it took was two stakes driven in the ground, spaced quite a distance apart. In today's competition the distance is 40 feet for men and 30 for women and juniors. As for the cast steel horseshoes, they must be no more than 2 pounds 8 ounces. Those who compete regularly order custom made shoes that often sell for more than $60 a pair.

It was 1921 when the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association was organized and incorporated as the governing body of the sport in the United States. They hold a two week world championship tournament annually. It was not until 1961 Tennessee formed a state group. They have a membership of more than 130 but the number who show up for tournaments averages about two handfuls. Although a small group there are regulars who drive for hours to be there.

When I arrived at the park Saturday morning there were 18 men already practicing. They were a friendly group and I was greeted with, "Are you going to pitch?" Women are always welcome, and although their numbers are small, their skills are respected. Joan Elmore of Mt. Juliet is the top-ranked pitcher in the world I was informed.

Most of the men wore T-shirts with their names and towns printed on the back. When I asked about the history of the state group everyone pointed to Dexter Stallings from Powell. His shirt listed many accomplishments. Among them regional director, tournament director and secretary-treasurer.

Stallings came from a large family that farmed land in the area that became Oak Ridge. They seldom had free time but he remembers one Saturday he visited a grocery store near the farm and there was a horseshoe contest in progress. Stallings entered and was the winner. He smiled as he remembers getting 50 cents, big money in those days.

His interest in the sport never lagged and when the national group started pushing Tennessee to organize, Stallings was one of the seven who got involved and succeeded in 1961. Of the original seven Stallings said, "I am the only one still alive." He added, "Even though I came from a large family, I could never get any of the rest interested in horseshoes."

That interest has given him another family scattered around the state but meeting together almost weekly to pitch horseshoes. From Signal Mountain is Melvin Cooper, 1991 world champion and THPA Hall of Fame member. Another stalwart is Bobby Fields of Pikeville, Reigning Elder Tennessee champion and a member of the World Team Championship of 2004.

Crossville THPA members give strong support to the sport with a league that meets on Thursday. An enthusiastic booster is Bob Hassan. When he retired from the Air Force, he and his wife moved to Crossville about seven years ago. After building their house himself he looked for other interests and through the Senior Olympics he found horseshoe pitching.

Hassan thinks some feel they aren't good enough in horseshoe pitching to join the group. That isn't true. There are no age or sex barriers; it is open to all. The skill comes with practice and from what I saw Saturday you couldn't find a more supportive group. Call Bob Hassan for information at (931) 788-6646.

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Dorothy Copus Brush is a Fairfield Glade resident and Crossville Chronicle staffwriter whose column is published each Wednesday.