WPHPA Rules
Robert Matthews:Contact Email
Western Pennsylvania Horseshoe Pitching Association
Welcomes All
Constitution and
By-Laws
Constitution
and By-Laws of the
Preamble
In as much as the sport of horseshoe pitching affords the
opportunity to promote a concentrated and direct effort from which all
participants can obtain a healthier environment leading to a competitive sport
suitable to all persons, we, the horseshoe pitchers of Pennsylvania, in order
to promote and foster this sport, and to assist and help Western Pennsylvania
Horseshoe Pitchers’ Association, Inc.
Constitution
Article I – Name
The name of the Association shall be the “Western
Pennsylvania Horseshoe Pitchers’ Association, Inc.” hereinafter referred to as
“The Association”.
Article II – Purpose
The purpose of this Association shall be to promote and
foster the sport of horseshoe pitching throughout the state of
Article III –Membership
The requirements of membership shall be set out in the
By-Laws.
Article IV –Affilliation
Section
1
The association operates under a charter by the National
Horseshoe Pitchers’ Association, referred to as the N.H.P.A.
Section
2
The rules of the N.H.P.A. will govern all matters not
specified in the constitution and By-Laws of this association.
Article V –Officers
Section
1
The officers of the Association shall consist of President,
Vice-President and Secretary-Treasurer.
Section
2
These officers are to be elected bi-annually by a majority
ballot vote of all voting members and shall hold office until and including the
regular annual meeting of the Association held on odd numbered years.
Section
3
The method of nomination, election, and related details
shall be set out in the By-Laws.
Article VI –Representatives
Section
1
Representatives shall be elected from the membership to
serve on the Executive Council (explained in Article IX).
Section
2
They shall be elected bi-annually by a majority ballot of
all voting members and shall hold office until and including the regular annual
meeting of the Association held on the next even numbered year.
Section
3
The number of Representatives, method of nomination,
election, and other related details shall be set out in the By-Laws.
Article VII—Duties of the Officers
President—The duties of the President shall be to preside
at all meetings and to administer the business of the Association, to pass on
any obligations, and to handle other duties that may come to his attention in
promoting the best interest of the Association, and to co-sign all warrants.
Vice-President—The Vice President shall have the same
duties as the President, but shall assume them only in the absence of the
President. Specific details of duties shall be set out in the By-Laws.
Secretary-Treasurer—The duties for the Secretary-Treasurer
shall be to keep accurate minutes, act as custodian of all funds of the Association,
co-sign all warrants for the Association expenditures, keep financial records
of Association funds, attend to correspondence and any other duties which may
come to his attention as necessary to promote the best interest of the
Association. Specific details of duties shall be set out in the By-Laws.
Article VIII—Duties of the Representatives
These Representatives shall serve on the Executive Council
and shall represent various geographic sections throughout the state. They
shall serve and assist the officers of the Association in such matters as to
promote the best interest of the Association.
Article IX—Executive Council
The elected officers and representatives shall constitute
the Executive Council. It shall act on behalf of the Association as specified
in the Constitution and By-Laws.
Article X—Committees
The President shall appoint committees as he decides they
are necessary.
Article XI—By-Laws
Section
1
The Association may adopt By-Laws when approved by a
majority of the members in good standing present at the regular annual meeting.
Section
2
The requirements to amend and/or adopt will be set up in
the By-Laws
Article XII—Meetings
Section
1
The regular annual meeting of the Association members shall
be held at the site of the State Tournament. The President will notify members
of the time and place of the regular annual meeting when the State Tournament
is held in the East. Meeting should be away from pitching times. President and
State Tournament committee should choose the time for the meetings to be held.
The meeting will last until all Association business is concluded.
Section
2
The President may call others meetings by notifying all
members in good standing of the time, place, and purpose of the meeting at
least two weeks before the meeting.
Section
3
No changes in the Constitution and/or By-Laws will be
considered unless a minimum of 10 members are present and voting.
Section
4
“Roberts Rules of Order”, revised and reading as follows,
will govern the order of conduct of all meetings:
1.
Reading
of the minutes of the previous meeting
2.
Approval,
addition, or correction of the minutes
3.
Reading
of the financial report
4.
Report
for officer, boards, and standing committees
5.
Report
of special committees
6.
Memorandum
of the President
7.
Unfinished
business
8.
New
Business
9.
Report
of good and welfare work
10.
Report
results of Election and Installation of new Officers
11.
Adjournment
Article XIII—Amendments
Section
1
This Constitution may be amended by a minimum of two-thirds
affirmative vote by all voting members present at the regular annual meeting.
Section
2
Any proposed Constitutional amendment can only be
considered as stated in Article XXI
End of Constitution
By-Laws
Article XIV—Membership
Section
1
Any reputable person, regardless of race,sex,creed,color or
pitching ability that has his/her principal residence in Pennsylvania may
become a member of the Western Pennsylvania Horseshoe Pitchers Association,Inc.
upon payment of the Association plus those of the National Pitchers’
Association(hereafter referred to as N.H.P.A.
Section
2
The Association dues may be ratified or changed at the
regular annual meetings. If no such action is taken, the dues shall remain the
same as the preceding year.
Section
3
Annual Association dues are $25.00 for adult tournament
players, $20.00 for adult non-tournament players and $8.00 for juniors.
Section
4
Each member in good standing shall be entitled to one vote
in the affairs of the Association at any meeting of the members. Junior members
may vote but are not permitted to hold office in the Association.
Section
5
A member in good standing must be accorded all rights and
privileges extended by affiliated clubs and Associations.
Section
6
A member may be suspended for:
a. Non-payment
of dues or fees
b. Willfully
violating the Constitution or By-Laws of the Association
c. By
participating in the tournament under an assumed name, being guilty of fraud,
fixing games, or conduct
unbecoming a member.
d. For
directly or indirectly betting on a contest or self, when entered in the
competition.
e. For
consistently violating the rules and standards set up by the N.H.P.A. and the
Association.
For all but the first violation (a) a member may be
suspended for a period of one year. Members suspended for non-payment of dues
and fees shall be reinstated upon such payment of dues and fees. No members
shall be suspended until given a fair trial before the Executive Council.
Article
XV—Representatives
Section
1
The general membership shall be represented on the
Executive Council by one representative nominated by each the charter’s
recognized clubs and also one representative at large for members not belonging
to a recognized club in the charter. The size of the council depends on the number
of recognized clubs holding sanctioned tournaments within the association’s
geographical boundaries of
Section
2
The female membership shall be represented on council by a
minimum of one member of that sex.
Section
3
If for some reason the required representatives cannot be
nominated by the charter clubs, the President shall appoint other members to
represent those clubs in order to meet the requirements of the by-laws.
Article XVI—Executive Council
Section
1
The Executive Council is an administrative—judicial body
empowered to act on all matters not specified in the Constitution and By-Laws
Section
2
The President shall act as chairman. All necessary meetings
shall be called by the President.
Section
3
More than half of the Council’s members present shall be
necessary for quorum.
Section
4
Each member of the Council shall have one vote, and the
majority shall rule. Ties will be broken by the President’s decision.
Section
5
In matters that the President shall decide are urgent
enough for immediate action, the President shall poll the Council by mail or
phone without having a formal meeting. In this situation, all members of the
Council must be notified.
Section
6
The Executive Council shall also be the judicial body and
shall define and interpret the Constitution and By-Laws. Technical points shall
be submitted in writing for decisions, and ruling declared official.
Section
7
Should any member of the Council(with the exception of the
President) not be able to fulfill his responsibilities due to death,
resignation, suspension, or movement to out of state residence, his position
shall be filled by an appointee(preferably nominated by the club they
represent) for the duration of the term by the President.
Section
8
Minutes shall be kept of all meeting by the
Secretary-Treasurer and are to be made available upon demand by any member of
the Association.
Section
9
Any member in good standing that wished to have name placed
on the ballot for any of the state offices, must have submitted their name to
the Secretary Treasurer in writing for the office they wish to run for prior to
the start of the annual state meeting in which the election is to be held. This
shall include all incumbent officers and club reps. Offices include: President,
Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, Club
Representatives from each of the charter’s recognized clubs and also one
Representative at Large (for members not belonging to a recognized club).
Article XVII—Sanctioned Tournaments
Section
1 – General Rules
a.
Requests
for State and NHPA sanctions shall be made through the Secretary-Treasurer of
the Association. The usual requirements shall be that all members of sanctioned
classes belong to the State and NHPA. Associations and that the event adheres
to the requirements set up by the State and NHPA.
b.
NHPA
rules will govern all events that are sanctioned by the Association, with the
exception of those stated in the Constitution and By-Laws of the Association.
c.
All
tournaments conducted in the State shall collect via the tournament director, a
tax payable to the Secretary-Treasurer of the Association for the purpose of
providing support for the State Tournament and promoting the Association. This
tax shall be $2.00 per person per tournament and shall remain in effect until
changed at the regular annual meeting. The tax does not apply for Junior members entering at a reduced entry fee.
d.
All
contestants in any sanctioned event shall be in good standing of the Association
or another state Association.
e.
Pitchers
must have shirts with their name and hometown neatly displayed on the back.
f.
Contestants
must enter with average of their highest ringer percentages in all sanctioned
tournament they pitched in the preceding 12 months of entry deadline.
Alternately an NHPA Sanctioned Club or League average may be used if it covers
400 or more shoes pitched.
g.
First
place will be determined by a ladder type single game play-off. All other
positions shall be determined by ringer percentage.
h.
A
minimum $10.00 entry fee for adult players (no minimum for juniors) and a $1.00
score-keeping fee from each contestant per game is required.
i.
As
a courtesy, all members are allowed to drop-out of one sanctioned tournament
per year without penalty because of health problems and still receive credit
for the tournament as long as half the scheduled games have been completed. A
legitimate reason must be provided to the tournament director and the final
decision to give credit for the tournament will be made by the tournament
director of that event. No other credits for incomplete tournaments will be
awarded once a member has used up this one-time annual allowance.
j.
Any
rule changes shall be approved at the annual state meeting.
Section
2—State Championship Tournament
a.
The
site of the State Horseshoe Tournament shall be decided by the members at the
regular annual meeting from sealed –monetary bids submitted to the Association.
To host the State Tournament, a club must have a minimum of 13-lighted courts.
The facilities and staff will be adequate.
b.
A
minimum of $50.00 can only be accepted from bidders. If said bidder does not
receive the bid to host the State Tournament, the bid money will be returned to
losing bidder or bidders. Bidder who received bid to host the State
Tournament—bid money goes to the Association. No bids will be considered unless
the following conditions are met.
1.
The
facilities and staff will be adequate
2.
Guarantee
a minimum of $1500.00 cash prize fund plus awards.
c.
The
President will have the responsibility of placing the tournament if no such
bids are presented.
d.
The
tournament committee will consist of the executive council of the Association,
along with no more than 8 members of the Host Club. The President of the
Association shall represent the Association by being responsible for the
conduct and administration of the State Tournament.
e.
The
tournament committee shall submit to the President a detailed tournament
program in writing listing anticipated prize money distribution, conduct of
classes, awards distribution, and anticipated general costs of the tournament.
These records shall be made public at the annual meeting.
f.
Adult
contestants must reside in
g.
The
Championship men’s class shall consist of the top 16 entries in that division
playing a qualifying round robin on the first day. The top eight ringer
percentages from first day of qualifying shall pitch on second day for
Pennsylvania State Championship. The second eight pitchers who do not qualify
for Championship Class will pitch the second day, in a class that would be
known as Class A. The class size for all other division’s championship classes
will be determined by the tournament director, advised by the committee as
needed and will be based on the number of entries per division, with intention
and obligation of making those divisions as fair as possible for all
participants. Players in all other lower divisions shall be seeded by their
previously established ringer percentage. The tournament will be conducted in a
round robin fashion, with each contestant required to compete with every other
contestant in their class. Subsequent classes shall be added to each division
to accommodate all entries.
h.
Games
won and lost shall determine the position of the players with the exception of
the qualifying round of the Championship Class. The winner of this division
shall be crowned the “Pennsylvania Horseshoe Pitching Champion” and the
association shall recognize no other player as said Champion.
Section
3—Indoor State Tournament
a.
We
will also hold an Indoor Championship at one of the indoor clubs yearly. All
Classes will be non-mixed and the tournament will have one championship class.
The winner of this class will be the PA Indoor State Champion. (The outdoor
state champions are considered State Champions, and the indoor champion will be
recognized as simply Indoor State Champion).
b.
Adult contestants must reside in
Two of these required tournaments must be INDOOR
tournaments held in
Article XVIII—Specific Duties of the Vice President
Section
1
He shall coordinate all tournament directors of the charter
clubs.
Section
2
Hold Tournament Directors meeting yearly to formulate next
years schedule, etc.
Article XIX—Specific Duties of the Secretary-Treasurer
Section 1
He shall handle all business
associated with the NHPA including NHPA cards for new members, annual
membership renewals, tournament sanction
certificates, awards and jackets for future State Champions and the
administration of the annual Ed Blum Award.
Section
2
Expose events through the Association Newsletter and the
NHPA. The Pitchers Pulse will be the
official newsletter of the Association. There will be a minimum of two issues
of The Pitchers Pulse annually, to be
printed and dispersed in approximately early April and early September prior to
the start of the next season. Each club is to submit an article about their
club for print in The Pitchers Pulse.
Section
3
He shall handle, or direct, all statewide newspaper
publicity for the State.
Section
4
He shall submit a written financial report of the fiscal
year (Oct 1 thru September 30) to all Association clubs and Executive council
members.
Section
5
He shall have the authority to designate agents such that
the above responsibilities are faithfully discharged.
Article XX—Specific Duties of State Statistician
Section
1
State Statistician shall keep all records of all reports
from each tournament held in the Association, and report same to Nat Stats
(NHPA). He shall also keep accurate records of State Point Challenge and Ed
Blum Memorial Awards programs in the Association, so that the awards can be
presented at the State Meeting.
Article XXI—Annual Stipends
Section
1
The President shall receive $75.00, the Vice-President
shall receive $75.00, the Secretary-Treasurer shall receive $2.00 per member,
and the State Statistician shall receive $75.00. All executive council members
shall receive mileage to and from the site of the state tournament. Mileage to be paid at the IRS rate for the current year.
Section
2
The stipends can only be changed by the members at a
regular annual meeting.
Article XXII—Amendment Procedure
Section
1
Constitutional and/or By-Law
amendments.
a.
Any
member in good standing may propose additions or changes either in writing or
at the annual membership meeting.
b.
Proposed
changes must be seconded and passed by a majority of voting members at the
meeting.
c.
Amendments
may be made to a proposed change when approved by the membership prior to the
vote on the original proposed change.
End of By-Laws
Last
updated April 2010