MINNESOTA HORSESHOE PITCHERS'

Ringer Digest

January/February/March 2024

A Charter of the NHPA

Official Publication of the Minnesota Gopher State Horseshoe Pitchers' Association

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HAPPY 2024 !!

Helen's Corner

By Helen Hawkinson

Player Profile - Brian Wipper

If you pitch in a tournament in Minnesota you will more than likely see Brian on the courts. He runs the Santiago League with the help of his wife Ruth. She does the stats and Brian says he couldn’t run the League without her. Brian also pitches throughout the year in the Rice League, Becker League, and subs in the Winter Upsala League.

Brian started pitching when he was 11 or 12 on the farm with his Dad. They had a ritual to pitch a couple games after breakfast before working on the family farm in St. Cloud 8 miles West of Santiago. He got pretty good even beating the adults at graduation parties. His Dad pitched a turn but Brian has always pitched a double flip using rangers. He started with Glorys or any shoes that were on the pits.   Pitching softball was what he played more often until he turned 40 then it became a bit more dangerous so he took up competitive horseshoes. He enjoys fishing and hunting as you will see from the photo. He recently retired from the Sherburne County Highway Dept.

He is currently 66 and decided to move up to 30 feet last year. He is adjusting to the distance difference and pitched in the World Tournament in Lansing MI last year.  He has pitched in several World Tournaments including Cedar Rapids, Topeka, and Wichita Falls.

One memorable game was at a state tournament when Jerry Werk and Brian were in Class B and made the move ups. They were very proud to pitch in A Class where you pitch 40 points instead of 40 shoes. Brian was down 37 to 5 against Jerry when he started pitching nothing but ringers. Brian came back from the deficit and won the game.  A game he will never forget.  It is that type of competition and love of the game that keeps him pitching so much. Thanks Brian and Ruth for all you do.

Reindeer Ringer Tournament Class B Champion

Brian speared this nice 37" Northern Pike(app 14-1/2 lbs) in December

From the Editor

By Jerry LaBrosse

First I want to wish you all a happy and healthy New Year.

There are a lot of great people in our sport with interesting personal stories and accomplishments, and we all know some. Wouldn't it be great if we could share more player profile stories with our horseshoe family?

Helen Hawkinson has submitted some outstanding player tributes and profiles these past few years in the "Helen's Corner" feature.

I encourage you to reach out to Helen with your profile questions or ideas. hharleyhawk28@gmail.com

If you know anyone who may be interested in becoming part of our horseshoe family, always remember to forward these Digest emails to them as a sample of our sport. Encourage them to do the FAST, FREE, and SECURE sign up for both Ringer Digest and NHPA Newsline.

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Regional Director / Stats Guy

By Josh Olson

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Here is to a fun and successful 2024 Horseshoe Season. The 2024 Tournament Schedule has the Winter portion of the schedule available on eShoe and on our MGSHPA Website, Becker Clank and Thud courts will be hosting the winter Tournaments and make sure you sign up early because they will fill up fast! 

Don’t forget about Team World in Beloit Wisconsin! Team World is hands down my favorite Horseshoe Tournament of the entire year. 3 long days of tough competition and fun had by everyone who attends the Tournament. If you are interested in participating, please let me know. I will be forming/selecting the 2 top Teams to go and represent Minnesota in the Tournament, those players are selected by Ringer%, and also by following the team format requirements as well (3-30ft pitchers max on a team of 4-5 is allowed, no cap on Ringer% for the Team) So if you are above 50% you may get a phone call/text or email from me asking if you are available and willing to play in the Tournament. If you don’t make the top 2 teams, we still typically see another team or 2 come along to enjoy the Tournament and participate. There is a MAX of 24 teams allowed in the Tournament so not every team makes it some years. So the first weekend in February is when I will take averages and start the selection process for forming the 2 Teams to represent Minnesota.

The 2024 Tournament schedule will have a couple changes from last year, the Josh Olson Classic will be held in Bertha at the Lions Building, same site as the Bertha Open and the home of the inaugural Josh Olson Classic that was held in 2020. The Josh Olson Classic will be held Friday-Saturday June 14th and 15th, and the Bertha Open will take place Sunday the 16th, 2 Tournaments in one (3-day) weekend, don’t miss out! Speaking of changes, the Horseshoe Tour will be making a stop in Austin, MN Sat/Sun June 22nd and 23rd this year, and will also be back again in 2025! The Horseshoe Tour has a Facebook page with information, there is a entry form available online, with online signup as well, they have a Horseshoe Tour Newsletter that you can sign up for as well with constant contact which is what the NHPA and MGSHPA use for getting out tournament information as well. 

World Tournament 2024

Kennewick, Washington is the host for the 2024 World Tournament, should be a exciting and fun Tournament out in the Tri-Cities of Washington State. There are direct flights available out of MSP to Pasco Washington which is 10 minutes away from Kennewick and one of the Tri-Cities in the area, so keep that in mind if you are on the fence to decide to go to World in 2024 or not. Remember, you need 4 Events played prior to May 20th the Deadline, Becker Clank and Thud Courts are the only option this winter for Tournaments so make sure you sign up asap since they fill up fast!

There are 2 NHPA Officer positions up for election in 2024, the 5th VP Josh Olson, That’s me, and the President, Gary Roberts. Both of our positions on the NHPA Council are up for election in 2024, if you are interested and would like to throw your name in the race make sure you send you letter of intent to Gary Roberts, and the NHPA Newsline Editor Blaine Scott with your intentions prior to April 1st, 2024. Elected Officers need to submit their letters of intent by February 1st, 2024, if they are choosing to run again for another term. 

That is all for now, Tournament Directors, if you have not sent me your Tournament information, please send me a email with the information. Thank you and here is to a fun and successful 2024 

South Vice President

by Jeff Washburn

By the time you read this article, Santa will have come and gone. I’m hoping he was good to all of our Minnesota horseshoe pitchers and families.  Last year at this time, we were dealing with quite a bit of snow on the ground. Not so much this year, with temps in the 30’s and 40’s. Do I dare uncover my frozen court and pitch a few shoes?  Why not?  Last week, Brenda and I attended the Christmas program for 2 of our grandchildren which helps to remind me of what the most important things in my life really are, family, friends, and good health.  Hopefully, this season brings the same message for many of you, too!

2023 was another good year for horseshoes with the many regular club tournaments, many active leagues, and our state tournament and banquet in Genola.  Pitching horseshoes is a great way to enjoy some friendly competition, camaraderie with folks you know, the opportunity to meet some new horseshoe pitchers, and to help our local clubs by participating in leagues and tournaments.   The 2024 tournament schedule should be posted on our website soon, so it’s never too early to start planning your tournaments for next year. Look for more information on the 2024 Horseshoe Tour coming to Austin, MN next June 22-23rd. This looks to be a big event.

I have already renewed my 2024 card, and this is a good time for others to do the same.  This can be done by simply googling eshoe and selecting the NHPA eshoe tab or going on the MGSHPA website and clicking on the membership sign up tab to renew either electronically, or by mailing in the form to Janet Roubinek.

For those wishing to toss some shoes this winter, please check out the upcoming winter tournaments in Becker. The dates can be found on our MGSHPA website by selecting the Tournament Information tab on the left, then clicking on Full Tournament List on E-Shoe.

Here’s to wishing each of you and your families a safe, healthy, and Happy New Year, with of course lots of ringers. See you on the courts next spring.  All the best, Jeff

North Vice President

By Rory Pierce

Hello MGSHPA pitchers a quick message from your North Vice-President. The time this article reaches you the holidays will be over and we will be into 2024!! I hope your holiday season went very well and you and your families had a great Christmas and a Happy New Year. 2024 is going to be a great year for Pitching Horseshoes! I am looking forward to this and as always the great competition that Minnesota has to offer. As some of you already know we had quite the scare with My father Ray Pierce Sr, He is recovering amazing and I am 100% certain he will be on the courts pitching in the spring. Take this opportunity to visit our website and check out one of the winter tournaments that are going on. Also take this time and talk to friends or family and get them to come out and pitch as well. The Toby open is scheduled for June 29^th this year and with the extremely high payouts I am almost certain that this one will fill up very quickly. I will start taking sign-ups once our league starts in May. I will remind everyone in the next issue as well. But if you plan on attending making your hotel reservations would not be a bad Idea. The weather is getting colder at the time I am writing this and Spearing season is upon us! Good Luck on the Ice and be safe! See You all very soon! SKOL VIKINGS

Sincerely Rory L. Pierce Sr

North Vice-President

Promotion and News Media

By Michelle Foard

 Happy New Year to everyone! I hope the new year finds you all healthy and ready for shoes! Russ Girtz and I have been running tournaments in Becker this past fall. We will be continuing with tournaments Jan 13th, Feb 17th, March 16th and April 13th. The tournaments have been filling up fast. Don't forget to renew your membership. One thing when renewing your membership please make sure your address, phone number and email are up to date. A few times I needed to contact someone who signed up and the eshoe info was not correct. 

  Some exciting news for Minnesota The Horseshoe Tour is coming here to Austin, Mn. The Horseshoe Tour is for everyone. They will be here June 22 and 23. It is a 12 court complex. The address is 303 9th Ave SE Austin, Mn 55912. The Horseshoe Tour will work out deals with a few local hotels. If sign up with the Constant Contact through the Horseshoe Tour they will update you on this. There are local campgrounds as well. We hope to see many of you come play! 

  The World Tournament is in Kennewick, Wa. Delta does have direct flights from MSP to Kennewick. The tournament is a bit later this year. July 29th- Aug 10th. The format is changing as well. The Championship classes will play the first week instead of the second week. There are 3 hotels all within a mile of the Toyota Center. If you enjoy the outdoors there are lots of things to do out there. More info will be coming out. Check out the area and start planning your trip now. 

  With the new horseshoe season starting before you know it now is the time to start recruiting. Think about putting up flyers at local gas stations, community centers or restaurants. If you are on FB find the local community and post about joining your club. Think about people you can ask. Horseshoes is a sport for everyone. Let's share that with others. 

 Those of you who are snowbirds please send me pictures of your tournaments so I can share with others. 

 Hope to see some of you in Becker this winter.

Check out the Horseshoe Tour at https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/RecjZyP



From the MGSHPA Secretary

By Janet Roubinek

Happy New Year to my horseshoe family. 

A friendly reminder that if you are changing divisions, you can renew your 2024 membership online, but you’ll need to contact me to get the division changed: men to elders, cadet to junior, junior to men, or junior to women. If you want to pay by check, make it out to the MGSHPA, and send the entry form to 400 4th Ave NE, Pine City, MN, 55063. 

When changing divisions, you will have to establish a new ringer percentage. In the NHPA eshoes, your percentage will be wiped out. 

At the end of 2023, our saving and checking accounts balance is a little more than $5000. After the tournament directors have sent in the monies, there is about an additional $500 for the use of payouts at the state tournament in 2024. 

Janet Roubinek

MGSHPA Sec/Treas

Pumpkin Patch Tournament

10/21/23023 Becker MN

A Class

Russ Girtz, Pete Heltunen, Joe Mueller, Brad Heth, Lance Van Wyhe, Tom Prokop, Jerry Rajkowski, Patti Oakes 

A Class Winner's 

2nd Tom Prokop, 1st Lance Van Wyhe, 3rd Pete Heltunen 

B Class

Brian Wipper, Jenny Lammers, Denise Kleven, Steve Barron, Annette Grebinoski, Marlys Timm, Al Springer, Jerry LaBrosse 

B Class Winners

2nd Annette Grebinoski, 1st Denise Kleven, 3rd Jenny Lammers 

C Class

Bruce Henderson, Jon VanRyswyk, Scott Chalmers, Joy Brabec, Wayne Stach, Anthony Stach, Mike Timm, Mike Slinger 

C Class Winner's 

2nd Joy Brabec, 1st Anthony Stach, 3rd Wayne Stach 

Turkey Toss Tournament

11/25/23023 Becker MN

A Class

 Mark Smith, Brad Heth, Jerry Rajkowski, Michelle Foard, Rick Wright, Tom Prokop, Jerry Werk

A Class Winners

2nd Janet(not pictured), 1st Brad Heth, 3rd Jerry Werk

B Class

Back - Russ Girtz, Don Claseman, Brian Wipper, Pete Heltunen,  Denise Kleven, Roger Lodermeier, Marlys Timm, Lance Van Wyhe

B Class Winners

 2nd Pete Heltunen, 1st Roger Lodermeier, 3rd Russ Girtz

C Class

Bruce Henderson, Mike Timm, Robert Ciaciura, Dennis Barut, John Hustings, Wayne Stach, Art Lammers, Scott Chalmers

C Class Winners

2nd Scott Chalmers, 1st Mike Timm, 3rd Wayne Stach 

Santa's Shoes Tournament

12/8/23023 Becker MN

Wayne Stach, Russ Girtz, Cooper Devine, Jon VanRyswyk, Michelle Wenck, Robert Ciaciura

2nd Russ Girtz, 1st Michelle Wenck, 3rd Robert Ciaciura

Reindeer Ringers Tournament

12/9/23023 Becker MN

A Class

Eric Dehkes, Lance Van Wyhe, Russ Girtz, Jim Bilderback, Helen Hawkinson Mike, Rick Wright, Brad Heth, Jerry Werk

A Class Winners

2nd Jim Bilderback, 1st Helen Hawkinson Mike, 3rd Russ Girtz

B Class

 Aaron Mead, Colin Wanous, Denise Kleven, John Hustings, Brian Wipper, Marlys Timm, Paul Anderson, Roger Lodermeier

B Class Winners

2nd Roger Lodermeier, 1st Brian Wipper, 3rd Paul Anderson

C Class

Scott Chalmers, Bruce Henderson, Ron Ruch, Wayne Stach, Jeremy Black, Anthony Stach, Mike Timm

C Class Winners

2nd Anthony Stach, 1st Scott Chalmers, 3rd Jeremy Black

Publishing Schedule for the MGSHPA Ringer Digest

January-February-March

April-May-June

July-August-September-October

State Tournament Issue

November-December

Send all digest materials to the Jerry LaBrosse Jlabro6186@aol.com

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