LEO FITZPATRICK Jackson, MI  Leo started pitching horseshoes in the summer playgrounds when he was 10 or 12 years old. During the depression years he pitched at the Orange Street Courts which were close to his home. They held the city tournaments there in those years. Hadie Leach was the city champ in those days. Leo started to pitch in the Jackson County League in the 60's while working for Goodyear Co. Goodyear was their team sponsor. Leo joined the NHPA and WSHPA about 1970 and pitched until 1992. For many years he pitched in the lower classes. He won Class B-1 in the 1976 State tournament and with lots of practice, he kept moving up until in 1984 and 1985 he was runner-up to the state champion and then he was able to win the State Championship in 1987. Leo pitched in many tournaments. In Michigan he pitched at Lansing, Dimondale, Lake Orion, Lapeer, Tecumseh, Adrian, Grand Ledge and others. In Florida he pitched in Orlando, Bradenton, Brookville, Sarasota, Fort Myers and the Florida State Fair in Tampa. In Arizona he pitched in Phoenix, Meza, Tucson, and a league in Apache Junction. In Ohio he pitched in the World Tournament at Toledo. He also went to the World in Minnesota and Lafayette Indiana. Leo was instrumental in the development of the Jackson Horseshoe Club and helped in their construction. He was one of the best class "A" pitchers in Michigan, Florida and Arizona. He was an inspiration to many pitchers and a credit to our organization  
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