This is not a NHPA Sanctioned Tournament. The Following Rules Apply to All Players.
1) Players:
Smash Saturday is a Gentlemen-Only event. All players must be Over 21 and Registered before the tournament begins. Teams may Register Online or Day of the Tournament.
2) Horseshoes:
St. Pierre American Professional Horseshoes are provided for pitching.
-Players Must use provided horseshoes. No other brand of ‘shoes are permitted for tournament play.
-Members of a team must throw the Same Set of horseshoes.
3) Points:
Ringer: 3 points
Shoe in Count: 1 point – this includes a Leaner.
Shoes more than a horseshoe length from the stake receive zero (0) points.
4) Dead Shoes:
Shoes that hit Grass in front of the pit, concrete, the 37′ foul line, wood, or land behind the pit are Considered Dead and Must be pulled from the pit prior to another horseshoe being thrown.
5) Definitions:
Ringer: – A ringer is a live shoe that comes to rest while encircling the stake.
A straightedge touching either the points or any part of the heel calks of the shoe must clear (not touch) the stake in order for it to be declared a ringer.
Shoe in Count: Any portion of the ‘shoe that is within a horseshoe’s length of the stake.
Leaner: A ‘shoe leaning on the stake.
6) Winner
The first team to reach 21 points (win by two) will be declared the Winner.
If there is a tie at 21 or if the score is 21-20, the teams will play until one team wins by two but not past one team scoring 25 “Straight to 25.”
7) Cancellation
We play Cancellation Format. Only one player is able to score each inning. After Each Player from a team has pitched two shoes to a pit, the score will be tallied.
— Ringer Point Values – Any cancelled ringer scores zero (0) points. Any Live Ringer scores three (3) points.
— Shoes In Count – A shoe within a horseshoe length of the stake is “In Count” and shall score one (1) point under the following conditions:
— 1. If there are two (2) cancelled ringers and no live ringer, the closest shoe to the stake, which is in count, shall score one (1) point.
— 2. If there are no ringers, the closest shoe in count shall score one (1) point. If the other shoe of the same player is the second closest shoe in count, it shall score one (1) additional point.
— 3. If there is one Live Ringer and if the other shoe, of the scoring contestant, is the closest in-count shoe to the stake, it shall score one (1) point (a total of four (4) points).
— 4. Opposing contestant’s shoes that are touching the stake, or that are in count and determined to be an equal distance from the stake, shall cancel each other and, like cancelled ringers, shall score zero (0) points. In this situation, the next closest shoe in count (if there is one) shall score one (1) point.
8) Delivery
Players will toss Two-In-A-Row. The first player will deliver both shoes (underhanded) and then the second player shall deliver both his shoes (underhanded.) A contestant may deliver the shoes from either the left or right pitching area, but in any one inning, both shoes must be delivered from the same side of the stake.
– No Player may start his pitch with both feet over the stake.
– Prior to the release of the shoe, a Player Must Not step completely outside the pitching platform with either foot.
-If in getting a “toe hold” on the front of the pitcher’s box the player’s foot extends a trifle over the foul line this shall not be considered an improper position. A shoe released while the player is standing outside the foul lines is a foul.
– No player shall touch his own shoes, or his opponent’s shoes after they have been pitched until the final decision has been made as to the values of the shoes. Failure to comply with this rule will result in both shoes of the offender being declared foul – and his opponent shall be entitled to as many points as the position of his shoes should warrant.
– If the end of a Game is determined by the presence of a single shoe, No Player may alter the playing surface with any object (hands, claws) in order to tell his partner the Game may be over. Failure to comply with this rule will result in both shoes of the offender being declared foul – and his opponent shall be entitled to as many points as the position of his shoes should warrant.
-No contestant shall walk to the opposite stake (except to remove a foul shoe).
9) Foul Lines
Players must observe the Thirty-Seven-Foot (37′) foul line and must start Each Pitch within a reasonable distance to the Stake. No Player may start his pitch with both feet over the stake.
Tournament Officials will not be policing this rule. It is completely up to the players and opponents to be mindful of this. If a violation is pointed out and Confirmed by an Official, the player will be given a warning.
After the First Warning, if it is proven that a violation has occurred again, Offending Player’s team will be deducted a single point from their current game. If this happens a third time, the offending Player’s team will forfeit the game.
There are many different ways of tossing a horseshoe and we’ll have all kinds at this event. Players May Not Cross the 37′ foul line before releasing the ‘shoe – what happens after the horseshoe is released means nothing. Long follow-throughs, jumps, wiggles, screams, moans, beer drinking are all tolerated immediately after the toss.
10) Pre-Game
-Each player is allowed 2 warm-up pitches before the game.
-A shoe-flip at the beginning of each game will determine which team goes first.
– Pit Preparation and Maintenance
Players are responsible for preparing one of the pits of their assigned courts before each game. This preparation includes sweeping the concrete surfaces and making sure the sand in the pit is consistent from front to back. Sand may be re-leveled during the game, without consent of the opponent.
-At no time may brooms or rakes be used to maintain the courts during a match.
-Only team members playing in a particular game are permitted to enter the playing surface.
11) Mobile Phones
If a player answers his phone, begins to text, or attempts to make a call while his game is in progress – that player’s team will be deducted five (5) points from their score. If the team has less than five (5) points on the board, that team will be penalized all of its points. This rule is strictly enforced.
12) Additional
-This is a Double-Elimination tournament.
-Players may only pitch for one team unless otherwise determined and all parties are notified.
-Judges decisions are final. This is a Gentleman’s Game. Please respect the rulings of the judges.
Tournament Officials reserve the right to modify any of the above rules. If changes arise, teams will be notified.