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Happy Homestead Horseshoe Pit Rules
The Rules
The rules set forth here are based on the National Horseshoe Pitchers Associaton of America's official rules, NHPA. Be aware, the many regional variations exist and, unless you're playing in a tournament, it is customary to adopt local rules.
- · · Each player pitches both shoes followed by the opponent's two shoes.
- · · In pitching a shoe, the player may not cross the foul line.
- · · When playing teams, half the team throws from one stake and half throws from the other.
- · · Games can be played to 40 points in a point limit game or 40 shoes in a shoe limit game. In the shoe limit game the player with the highest points wins. If a tie exists then each player can take a half win or a two inning tie breaker can be thrown.
Scoring
- · · Any shoe must be within one horseshoe-width (measured across the outside of the open end of the shoe) of the stake to be considered for points. (Official rules call for 6 inches max).
- · · The closest shoe to the stake gets 1 point.
- · · If you have two shoes closer than any of your opponent's, you get 2 points.
- · · Ringers are worth 3 points each and must completely encircle the stake so the ends can be touched with a straight-edge without touching the stake.
- · · If you have the closest shoe and a ringer, it's 4 points.
- · · If your opponent throws a ringer on top of yours, they cancel and no points are scored.
- · · Leaners are worth 1 point and are considered closer than any adjacent shoe except ringers
PLAY OF THE GAME AND VALUE OF THE SHOE
Section A. Innings
The game is broken down into innings. Each inning consists of four pitched shoes, two by each contestant.
Section B. Value of the Shoe
1. Ringer - A ringer is a shoe which comes to rest encircling the stake. A straightedge touching both
points or any part of the heel calks of the shoe must clear (not touch) the stake in order for a shoe to be
declared a ringer. A ringer has a value of three points.
2. Shoe in Count - A shoe which is not a ringer but comes to rest with any portion of it within 6 inches of
any part of the stake is a shoe in count. A shoe in count has a value of one point. A "leaner", or any other
shoe which is touching the stake (but not a ringer), is considered a shoe in count and has a value of one
point.
3. Shoe Out of Count - A shoe which comes to rest further than 6 inches from the stake is a shoe out of
count and has no scoring value. A shoe which is declared to be a foul shoe (see Section H) is considered
to be a shoe out of count (no matter where it comes to rest).
Section C. Delivery of Shoes
1. The contestant pitching first shall deliver both shoes (one at a time) and then the other contestant shall
deliver both shoes (one at a time). A contestant may deliver the shoes from either the left or right
platform but, in any one inning, both shoes must be delivered from the same platform. A contestant shall
pitch the entire tournament with the same hand or arm, except in the case of a medical emergency. If both
contestants use the same platform to deliver their shoes, the contestant pitching first (after delivering
both shoes) should cross over to the other side in front of the pit and then move to the rear of that
platform. As the first contestant is crossing over in front, the second contestant should be crossing over
in back and mounting the platform from the rear.
2. A contestant shall deliver both shoes within 30 seconds. The time shall start for the first contestant
when the pitching platform is taken in preparation to pitch, after both contestants have retrieved their
shoes. The time shall start for the second contestant upon taking the platform after the first contestant has
delivered the two shoes.
NOTE: Extra time taken to repair a damaged shoe by filing a burr, etc., or a delay resulting from a
distraction not caused by the contestants, shall not be penalized.
Section D. Position of Contestants During Delivery
1. The Pitcher - During the entire address and delivery of a shoe, when a contestant's foot is in contact
with the ground, it must be in contact with the designated pitching platform. The lone exception is that
the contestant may stand behind (but not to the side of) the full-distance platform. No contact either on or
over the foul line is allowed until after the shoe is released.
2. The Opponent - The opponent, while not pitching, shall stand on (or behind) the other platform at least
2 feet to the rear of the contestant who is pitching. If the competition is mixed (in terms of pitching
distances), the opponent shall move to the rear of the full-distance platform. The opponent shall be quiet
and stationary so as not to disturb the contestant who is pitching or contestants on adjacent courts.
3. No contestant shall walk to the opposite stake (except to remove a foul shoe) or be informed of the
position of any pitched shoes prior to the completion of an inning.
Section E. Flow of the Game
1. Once the four shoes in an inning have been pitched, the contestants shall walk to the other end to
determine the score for the inning and retrieve their shoes. No shoe shall be moved before its scoring
value is determined. If the decison is in doubt, a judge shall be called. The judge shall make the necessary
measurement(s) and determine the scoring for the shoes in question. (Contestants are encouraged to carry
measuring devices and to make their own decisions whenever possible to help speed up play.) Play shall
continue in similar fashion in each inning until the game limit is reached.
2. At any one time, a contestant shall carry and use only two horseshoes during the course of a game. A
spare shoe or shoes should be kept available at courtside in case of a broken shoe or if the contestant
desires to switch shoes. Shoes may be switched between innings, but not during an inning unless a shoe
breaks (see Section F).
3. If it is discovered during an inning that a contestant has pitched the shoe of an opponent, the shoes
shall be picked up and the entire inning shall be repitched using the correct shoes. If the contestants fail
to discover the error until after all four shoes have been pitched, the inning shall be scored on the basis
of whatever shoes they pitched. If agreement cannot be reached, a judge shall be called. Based upon the
input from the contestants, the judge shall either determine the scoring for the inning or void it and
order it to be repitched.
4. When a shoe is being measured by a contestant and it (or the stake) is accidently moved, the inning
shall be scored only if the contestants can come to an agreement. If no agreement can be reached, a judge
shall be called. As in (3) above, the judge shall either determine the scoring or void the inning and order
it to be repitched.
NOTE: If a judge moves a shoe (or the stake) while making a measurement, the judge shall either
determine the scoring for the inning or void it and order it to be repitched.
5. It is legal for a contestant to carry and use a blunt ended hook or shoe pick-up device not exceeding 36
inches in total length. Any hook on the device cannot protrude more than 2 inches from the main shaft.
Care should be taken in using the hook so as not to endanger the opponent. Also, contestants are
encouraged to carry a file and towel to keep their shoes smooth and shoes and hands clean and dry.
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