By RICHIE HALL
The Sheridan Horseshoe League conducted a free clinic on Wednesday at Biddle Park, coinciding with the town’s Fourth of July Festivities.
The clinic gave festival-goers a chance to see what happens at the park’s horseshoe pit every Tuesday evening, when the League has its regular competition. Those that came over got a chance to try their hand at pitching horseshoes, and got to chat with some of the league’s regular competitors as well.
Ron Holliday, who started in 1982, was among the regulars in attendance. He spoke about how the league tries to promote the sport, saying that the clinic “was another free activity we could do out here for the people while they’re attending the festivities.” Holliday said he’s gotten to meet people from all over Indiana and pitch in state championships among other things.
There is a camaraderie that exists among the horseshoe pitchers. Holliday told a story about when his motor home’s alternator went out when he was in the Southern Indiana town of Odon. While in Odon, he found some people with whom he had pitched horseshoes.
“They put me in there, next day they went and got me an alternator and everything and I was on my way,” said Holliday. “You get a lot of great friendship in the sport of horseshoes because it’s a friendly game.
While horseshoes is for everyone, it is definitely a sport and requires the necessary patience and practice of any other competition. Holliday had some advice for those who are getting started: “Just be patient.”
“Start from a shorter distance and keep gradually working your way back to where you should be for your age,” said Holliday. Women pitch from 30 feet, as do senior citizen men. Everyone else throws from 40 feet.
“You just gradually work yourself back and then when you get not good, but comfortable at throwing your horseshoes, it’s good to be in a league or something, and you learn real quick there,” said Holliday.
In Tuesday action, Jeff Ogle lead all pitchers in three individual categories to help Price Heating capture the first round of the Sheridan Horseshoe League.
Price will compete against the winner of the second round at season’s end. Should Price take the second round, it will be the league champion with no playoff.
The Sheridan League will be hosting the O’Reilly Horseshoe Tournament on Saturday. The tournament is open to anyone 18 and over. No pre-registration is required and two sessions will be available, with starting times at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
The league still has a couple of team openings available. The league pitches at 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday night.
Team Standings Won Lost Points
Price Heating 47.5 22.5 9586
JBS United 41 29 9523
Deem 39.5 30.5 9483
Carey on Main 35.5 34.5 9298
Ashpaugh Electric 33.5 36.5 9590
Traditional Concepts 13 57 9285
Individual Leaders
Actual Game Score
Jeff Ogle 79
Richard Law 75
Greg Emry 69
Actual Series Score
Richard Law 204
Jeff Ogle 201
Greg Emry 184
Handicap Game Score
Jeff Ogle 141
Michael Milcoff 137
Sam Gibbons 130
Handicap Series Score
Jeff Ogle 387
Sam Gibbons 385
Chuck Sutton 375
Corey Wilhelm, 10, Westfield, tries his hand at pitching horseshoes as Mike Milcoff (left) looks on during the Sheridan Horseshoe League’s free clinic. The clinic took place during the town’s Fourth of July festival Wednesday at Biddle Park. Milcoff was second in the Handicap Game standings during this week’s league action. (Richie Hall)
Don Dwigans is one of the league’s veteran pitchers. (Richie Hall)