GUIDING BODIES:
Florida Law Enforcement Games
National Horseshoes Pitching Association (NHSPA)

EVENTS:
Men Singles/Doubles
Women Singles/Doubles
Mixed Doubles (Female/Male Partner)

BRACKETING:
Double elimination

COMPETITION DURATION:
Competition usually lasts for six to eight hours per day

Game=50 points or 50 shoes cancellation

Each game will be scored by a scorekeeper. Winner will be determined by the highest score after fifty shoes or the first pitcher to reach fifty points. Should there be a tie after fifty shoes, two extra innings will be pitched. Should there be another tie, two additional innings will be pitched and continue in two inning increments until the tie is broken. A game is divided into innings and each inning constitutes the pitching of two shoes by each player or team.

The person or team obtaining the score will notify the scorekeeper loudly and clearly of how many points were obtained for each pitch.

POINTS:
A shoe must be within a shoe width of the stake to score
Closest shoe to the stake=1 point
Two Shoes closer than opponents=2 points
One ringer not covered=3 points
Two ringers not covered=6 points
One ringer not covered and closest shoe of same player=4 points
Pitcher having two ringers against one ringer for opponent=3 points

No pitcher, while his opponent is in the pitching position, shall make any remark or utter any sounds within the hearing distance of the opponent, nor make any movement that does or might interfere with the opponent’s playing. Penalty: Both shoes of the offender shall be declared foul in the inning complained of. No contestant shall touch their own or opponent’s shoes until the winner of the points has been agreed upon by the contestants or a decision rendered by the referee (event coordinator). The referee shall declare foul the shoes thrown by a contestant failing to comply with this rule, and award points to the opponent according to the position of their shoes. No contestant shall walk to the opposite stake or be informed of the position of shoes prior to the completion of the inning.

Foul Lines: Any shoe delivered when the pitcher’s foot extends on or over the foul line shall be declared foul, and removed from counting. In delivering a shoe, the pitcher must remain behind the foul line until the shoe leaves their hand. In delivering a shoe, the pitcher shall stand within the pitcher’s box, but outside an 18" radius of the stake. The opposing player is the only person who may call a foul shoe against their opponent.

 

Broken Shoes: When the shoe lands in fair territory and is broken into separate parts, it shall be removed and the contestant will be allowed to pitch another shoe in its place.

Choice of first pitch shall be determined by the toss of a coin or flip of a shoe(s). Order of follow shall be determined by points scored: pitcher scoring, pitches first in the next inning. No points scored by either pitcher, first pitcher alternates from previous inning pitched.

Foul shoes are those pitched when the contestant steps on or goes beyond the foul line, shoes striking outside the opposite pitching box, or shoes hitting the hard surface when pits are so constructed. Foul shoes shall be removed from the opposite pitcher’s box at the request of the opponent. A foul shoe shall not be scored or credited except in the score sheet column headed "pitches".

Measurements to determine points won shall be made with a measuring tape or some type of measuring device.

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01/24/07 - Last updated