Constitution and By-laws
of the
Michigan Division of the NHPA
established 1935
Preamble
Since the sport of horseshoe pitching affords a healthy, scientific, pleasant and competitive sport suitable to all persons, at a cost comparable to other sports and with a desire to unify horseshoe adherents, standardize horseshoe pitching rules, authorize and conduct tournaments of local, state and national scope, promote the establishments of league and clubs. We the horseshoe pitchers of Michigan, in convention assembled, do here establish the following Constitution and By-laws for the Association.
Article I: Name
The name of this Association shall be WOLVERINE STATE HORSESHOE PITCHERS ASSOCIATION (WSHPA).
Article II: Administration
Section 1.
All legislative power herein granted shall be vested in the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors shall consist of the president, 1ST and 2ND vice presidents, secretary, treasurer, WSHPA statistician and the chairperson of the standing committees.
Section 2.
The Board of Directors is required to meet a minimum of two times each year with one such meeting at the State Championship Tournament. The Board of Directors is responsible for the business of the WSHPA. A two - thirds majority of the Board of Directors must be present to form a quorum. A majority vote by the members of the Board of Directors present is required to transact any business.
Section 3.
The officers of this Association shall consist of a president, 1st and 2nd vice-presidents and secretary/treasurer. The officers shall be known as the Executive Council. The Executive Council shall be in charge of the Association's operating affairs. They shall be empowered to transact such business in the interest of the game and the Association as they deem advisable providing this is not contrary to the Constitution and By-laws or the Board of Directors.
Section 4.
The president and 2nd vice-president are to be elected in even-numbered years. The 1st vice-president and secretary/treasurer are to be elected in odd-numbered years. Their term of office shall be two years. Election of officers may be by secret ballot. Elections are held during the state Championships Tournament. Elected officers are to begin January 1. A member nominated for office shall be present at the meeting to accept the nomination. A letter of acceptance for a nomination may be submitted if the member cannot be present at the meeting.
Section 5.
In case of death, resignation or removal of an officer between state meetings, the president may make an appointment to fill the unexpired term. Any appointments are to be subject to a two - thirds vote of the Board of Directors within thirty days. Should the office of president become vacant due to death, resignation or removal, the 1st vice president shall become president and the 2nd vice president shall become the 1st vice president. The 2nd vice president position shall be filled at the next scheduled meeting.
Section 6.
State officers may be removed from their positions upon failure to perform the duties of the office or for any action the brings discredit to the WSHPA. A two - thirds vote by the remaining Board of Directors is required to remove an officer. Voting may be done by registered mail or telegram.
Section 7.
The Constitution and By-laws, Rules and Regulations may be revised by submitting changes at any membership meeting or sent to the chairperson of the Constitution and By-laws Committee by July 15. Such proposed revisions shall be published in the WSHPA's August newsletter. All proposed revisions shall be voted upon at the State Tournament meeting. Any additions, deletions and/or changes shall be approved by a two-thirds vote of members present at the meeting and shall become effective January 1 of the following year. The president may at his/her option, have the State Tournament meeting later if tournament scheduling or other unforeseen reason does not allow proper time for the meeting to be held during the tournament.
Section 8.
The 1st vice-president shall be the chairperson of the Constitution and By-laws Committee. The 2nd vice-president shall be the chairperson of the Grievance and Credentials Committee. The secretary shall be the chairperson of the Membership Committee. The chairpersons and committees shall be appointed by the president from the membership of the WSHPA. No member shall be selected for more than two committees or be a chairperson of more than one committee
A. Auditing and Finance
B. Hall of Fame
C. Publicity
D. Any other committee the president deems advisable for the good of the WSHPA.
It is necessary for majority of members of standing committees to be in actual attendance only if a problem arises which requires action by a particular committee. No committee shall decide an issue without a majority present. Should an occasion arise in which immediate action by a committee is required the president shall have the authority to dissolve the existing committee and appoint a new committee if a majority is not present. It shall be the duty of all committees to serve willingly and in the best interest of the WSHPA. Any committee member may be removed by the Board of Directors.
Article III: Judiciary
Section 1.
All officers shall have their books, records and property belonging to the WSHPA at all membership meetings. If unable to be present, the officers must forward these to the president by registered mail before the first day of the meeting. Officers shall turn over to their successors all records and property of the WSHPA that may or should be in their possession at the end of their term.
Section 2.
Any bill of account or expense against the WSHPA amounting to over one hundred dollars, except routing supplies, shall be submitted to the Board of Directors and paid when approved by the Board of Directors. Any bill not approved in this manner, or any amount contested by the Board of Directors, shall be brought before the membership for approval by a majority of members present.
Duties of the Secretary/Treasurer
The secretary/treasurer shall be the custodian of all membership records and act as recording secretary at all meetings, handle the issuance of NHPA cards and membership reporting to the NHPA.
The secretary/treasurer shall also be the custodian of the funds of the WSHPA. He/she shall furnish a complete statement of monies received and paid out at each membership meeting and/or any time the Board of Directors demands. He/she shall furnish the information requested by the Auditing and Finance Committee and have the books audited at least once per year. Any election of the secretary/treasurer shall be invalid if the elected person does not furnish the necessary information to be bonded or if he/she cannot be bonded for a minimum of $10,000.
Duties of the Statistician
The statistician is to gather and maintain a State Tournament record of statistics that may be pertinent to the WSHPA such as longest game, most consecutive ringers, State Champion, consecutive four-dead, etc. The statistician shall be the custodian of printed materials and other documents belonging to the WSHPA. The statistician shall maintain current ringer percentages and report all tournament results to NATSTAT. The statistician shall turn over these records upon demand of the Board of Directors or the authorized representative(s) of the WSHPA.
Article IV: Club Charters
Section 1.
A charter may be granted to any group requesting to sponsor a WSHPA tournament if the following guidelines are fulfilled:
A. The club shall furnish to the WSHPA treasurer the name of a club member or a local Parks and Recreation Department who shall receive money from the WSHPA.
B. The club shall furnish to the WSHPA secretary the name of a club member who will be responsible for organizing tournaments sanctioned by the WSHPA at the Scheduling Meeting.
C. The club shall have a minimum of nine clay horseshoe courts. There shall be nine courts set up for less than 40 feet pitching..
D. The club shall designate one member to handle publicity.
Section 2.
Objectives of all clubs and members.
A, To stimulate and maintain interest in horseshoe pitching.
B. To inform all interested persons in the rules governing the sport.
C. To promote sound ethics in fair play.
D. To encourage greater participation in local, regional, state and national contests.
Article V: By-laws
Section 1.
The WSHPA shall have jurisdiction over all members and guests at any WSHPA at any WSHPA function.
Section 2.
The WSHPA shall maintain at least a $300.00 balance in the treasury to carry over to the coming year.
Section 3.
All applications for State membership automatically entitle (when accepted) members to all courtesies and privileges extended to clubs and associations.
Section 4.
Annual membership dues are $30.00. Dues shall be distributed as follows:
A. $12.00 - NHPA Membership Dues
B. $4.00 - General Fund
C. $4.00 - State Tournament Fund
D. $7.00 - Newsletter
E. $1.00 - Secretary/Treasurer
F. $1.00 - Statistician
G. $1.00 - Michigan - Ontario Fund
If there are two or more cards bought in the same household the cost of the second and subsequent cards shall be $23.00 each if requested.
Section 5.
The WSHPA shall pay NHPA membership dues for juniors.
Section 6.
The WSHPA shall pay compensation of $100.00 per year to the editor of the newsletter.
Section 7.
The host club shall retain $2.00 out of each adult entry fee for court fees. In the event that a club or community would like to hold a WSHPA tournament, but does not have the knowledge or capability to do so, they may request the Board of Directors to appoint an individual, a committee or the officers of the WSHPA to act as tournament director or committee. In return, the tournament director or committee shall be paid 50 cents for each adult entrant. The 50-cent fee is to be paid from the $2.00 court fee. It is imperative that the Board of Directors is precise and explicit concerning the individuals who shall make up the tournament committee.
Section 8.
The cost of the newsletter shall be $8.00 to people who are not members of the WSHPA.
Section 9.
Roberts Rules of Order, revised and reading as follows shall govern the order of conducting all meetings.
A. Reading of the minutes of the previous meeting.
B. Approval, additions or corrections of the minutes.
C. Reading of the financial report.
D. Reports of officers, boards and standing or special committees.
E. Memorandum of the President.
F. Unfinished business.
G. New Business
H. Report of good and welfare work.
I Election of officers.
J. Adjournment.
Members shall not speak on any subject more than twice. Members shall speak no longer than five minutes the first time and no longer than three minutes the second time. Committee reports, recommendations and visiting guests shall be exempt from time limitations.
Section 10.
The president shall refer all resolutions made from the floor or received in writing to the appropriate committee.
Section 11.
The Hall of Fame Committee is to made from current Hall of Fame members when possible. Replacement of Hall of Fame Committee Members shall be selected by the existing Hall of Fame Committee chairperson and members. This committee shall decide the criteria for election into the Michigan/WSHPA Hall of Fame. Recommendations are to be presented to the president before any announcement. The committee may solicit information from the membership or introduce possible candidates independently.
Section 12.
Recommendations for lifetime membership shall be made by the Membership Committee to the president before any announcement. Criteria for selection to lifetime membership of the WSHPA are as follows:
A. Mandatory: A minimum of 15 years membership with the WSHPA.
B. Mandatory: Minimum age of 60 years.
C. Mandatory A resident of Michigan at time of selection.
D. Mandatory: A member of WSHPA Hall of Fame.
One of the following two are mandatory for selection
A. An officer, past or present, of the WSHPA
B. A Promoter of the sport.
A maximum of two selections per year.
There shall be no more than six lifetime members of the WSHPA at any time.
Section 13.
In the event this association should take action to no longer function, the assets of the association shall be awarded to the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association (NHPA).
Article VI: Tournaments
Section 1.
The Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the host club's actions and decisions during district tournaments. The Board of Directors may suspend the sponsorship of the district tournament by the host club if the Constitution and By-Laws, Rules and Regulations are not followed.
Section 2.
The host club is responsible for having the courts ready for all tournaments they hold and for furnishing shovels and water cans. The players are responsible for conditioning the courts at the start of each game. Players playing in the last shift are to condition and cover the courts upon conclusion of play.
Section 3.
District tournaments under jurisdiction of the WSHPA shall start at 9:30 A.M. All participating members must be signed in by that time.
Section 4.
Entry fees for district tournaments shall be $10.00 (minimum) with the following prize money breakdown
|
Four person |
Five person |
Six person |
Seven person |
Eight person |
| 1ST: |
18.00 |
18.00 |
22.00 |
22.00 |
22.00 |
| 2ND: |
14.00 |
14.00 |
16.00 |
16.00 |
16.00 |
| 3RD: |
-- |
8.00 |
10.00 |
10.00 |
14.00 |
| 4TH: |
-- |
-- |
-- |
8.00 |
10.00 |
The indoor tournaments held in Jackson are considered "special" tournaments and have a different prize money breakdown.
|
Four person |
Five person |
Six person |
Seven person |
| 1ST: |
12.00 |
12.00 |
15.00 |
18.00 |
| 2ND: |
8.00 |
8.00 |
10.00 |
12.00 |
| 3RD: |
-- |
5.00 |
5.00 |
5.00 |
Section 5.
The score keeping fee for all tournaments shall be One Dollar ($1.00) per player per game. Junior division score keepers at the State Championships Tournament shall be paid by the WSHPA.
Section 6.
The host club or tournament committee has the option to decide how ties for positions shall be broken. The host club or tournament committee decision shall be expressed before the tournament if different from recommended options. Recommended options are as follows:
A. All two-way ties for first place to be decided by a play-off game.
B. All other position ties to be decided by ringer percentage.
C. Three-way ties for first place shall be decided by the two lowest percentage pitchers to play one game with the loser placing third. The winning pitcher plays the highest percentage pitcher for first and second places.
D Four-way ties for first place shall be decided by the highest percentage pitcher playing the lowest percentage and the second highest percentage pitcher playing the third highest percentage pitcher. The winners shall play for first and second places and the losers shall play for third and fourth places.
E. All other circumstances shall be decided by the tournament director, the tournament committee and/or the Board of Directors.
Section 7.
WSHPA tournaments are to be NHPA sanctioned.
Section 8.
Sanctioned horseshoes shall be used in all tournaments.
Section 9.
A member’s average is based upon the method established by NHPA By-laws, Article XII: All NHPA Tournaments, Section 3., which reads as follows: ”All pitchers“ averages shall be based on the three highest NHPA sanctioned tournaments pitched in the 12 months or the last ten tournaments during the same period, whichever comes first. Members with less than three tournaments shall use the combined average of the one or two they have pitched. Out of state tournaments pitched are reported to the ptichers' home charter by NATSTATs and are used in calculating their average.
Section 10.
A new member or a member who does not have an established ringer percentage shall pitch 100 qualifying shoes or use a league percentage to decide his/her percentage in a district tournament. Men who are seventy or older, or disabled pitchers, shall reestablish their percentage upon declaring to be less than 40 foot pitchers.
Section 11.
All WSHPA sanctioned tournaments shall be 35 point cancellation. Any game between two pitchers with a 25% or lower ringer percentage shall play to 35 points or 50 shoes, whichever occurs first. In case of a tie game the pitchers shall pitch down and back (four shoes) until a winner is decided. If a class consists of only 5 players, they will be allowed to pitch to 40 points. The 25% rule would remain the same.
Section 12.
If there are four or more women, juniors or elder men in their divisions that fall within 15 percent from top to bottom they shall have their own group. If no groups can be made, they shall enter the 40 foot groups at their respective percentages.
Section 13.
Rain procedures.
A. If raining at starting time each group will be allowed one hour and thirty minutes delay. If still raining money will be refunded to all players in the effected classes.
B. If rain starts after classes have started play and less than one-half of the games have been completed, classes will be allowed one hour delay. If it is still raining play will be canceled for the effected classes and money refunded except court fees.
C. If rain starts after classes have started play and one-half or more games have been completed, classes will be allowed one hour delay. If still raining, play will be canceled and winners will be decided by wins and losses of games completed.
D. These rain procedures are not to apply to special preregistered tournaments. The tournament director will select rain procedures for these tournaments.
E. A rained out tournament shall not count as an eligible tournament for the State Tournament.
Section 14.
Forfeits:
In tournament competition, the wins and losses and all statistics accumulated shall remain in the books for a pitcher who has forfeited one or more games for any reason. A pitcher may miss any number of games due to illness or legitimate reason approved by the tournament director or tournament committee and still be allowed to return to competition. If a pitcher forfeits for an unapproved reason, the pitcher will not be allowed to return to competition and will forfeit all prize money and/or awards. Any pitcher who forfeits for an unapproved reason may be suspended from tournaments for up to one year. The Grievance Committee is required to meet within two weeks upon notification of a pitcher forfeiting for unapproved reasons. The decision of the committee shall be final.
Section 15.
Any pitcher leaving a tournament when they have money coming and does not wait for final positions to be posted, shall forfeit all money to the WSHPA. Money forfeited shall be used by the Friends of Horseshoes for a flower fund.
Section 16.
After a tournament schedule has been completed and announced there shall be no refund of entry fees to a no-show or a pitcher that drops out of the tournament. Pitchers that are no-shows to a preregistered tournament are required to pay the entry fee and any additional fee. The pitcher shall be suspended immediately and shall not be reinstated until all fees have been collected. Notification shall come from the secretary to tournament directors. The repayment may be added to entry fees or membership dues, whichever comes first. Upon receipt of this fee the member shall be reinstated and the tournament director shall notify the secretary.
Section 17
Groups scheduled for the second or later shifts shall not begin warmups until announced by the tournament director. Only pitchers scheduled for that shift shall warmup.
Article VII: State Tournament
Section 1.
To qualify for the State Tournament a member must have completed five sanctioned tournaments within Michigan, from the previous State Tournament; each weekend at one site constitutes two tournaments (recognizing a sanction league as one tournament). A junior must complete one sanctioned tournament.
The high three tournament percentage shall decide the placement in his/her class. The presiding class A State Champion shall be the top seed in their respective divisions.
All classes are to be scheduled by the State Tournament Committee consisting of the current President as Tournament Director and the rest of the Executive Council as assistants. The committee has the option to set up classes to the best of their abilities. All entries and qualifications for the State Tournament must be received by the secretary or tournament director on the Sunday one week before the tournament.
Section 2.
A resident of the Upper Peninsula must compete in three sanctioned tournaments in a recognized association or league to enable the member to qualify for the State Tournament.
Section 3.
Seniors (age 60 and over) may compete in Senior and open divisions at the State Tournament.
Section 4.
All participants of the State Tournaments shall wear a shirt of blouse with thir last name professionally lettered on the back while pitching.
Section 5.
There shall be two trophies per class for the State Tournament and first place trophies only per class for the State Doubles Tournament.
Section 6.
The State Tournament entry fee shall be $40.00.
Section 7.
Any club, that meet the requirements of having 18 similar and lighted courts, may bid to hold the State tournament. Bids are accepted before or at the spring membership meeting at least one year before holding the State Tournament. If more than one club bids for the State Tournament in the same year, the membership shall vote to award which club shall hold the tournament that year. The Executive Council is the authority in determining if a club meets the requirements for hosting the State Tournament.
Section 8.
This association shall award the Junior Boy and Junior Girl State Champion a $100 scholarship each. These scholarship monies shall be awarded upon a college, university or trade school's letter of enrollment to the association. This award must be claimed before their twenty-first birthday.
Article VIII: Playing Rules
Section 1.
All NHPA playing rules and regulations shall apply.
Section 2.
Referees or judges appointed by the Board of Directors, tournament committee or tournament director shall decide points when contestants are in doubt. Decisions of the referee or judge shall be final. Referees and judges shall ensure that rules are followed
Section 3.
All pitchers and score keepers shall wear shirts and blouses.
Appendix A: Miscellaneous Rules
A. Copies of rules, regulations, court courtesies and sale of merchandise shall be given to all new members each year and published in the newsletter each year for current members.
Jean Swarthout, Dorothy Smith, Duane Gillin, Paul "Dewey" Howard, Bob Wells and Paul Wishon are granted lifetime membership to the WSHPA. (Lee Jacobs will forever remain on the active membership rolls. See F below.)
C. The fiscal year for the WSHPA shall be Mar 1 through February 28.
D. The WSHPA shall purchase the NHPA ‘Newsline’ for the president and newsletter editor.
E. Up to 40 Ringer percentage sheets are to be made available to the membership monthly.
F. A resolution passed by the membership of the WSHPA on March 20, 1994 has retired WSHPA/NHPA card number 300001 in honor Lee Jacobs. Mr Jacobs is to forever remain on the active membership rolls of the WSHPA.
2007 Edition
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