League Rules

1. Sodbusters Summer League will be open to anyone wishing to pitch horseshoes who holds club and NHPA membership cards for the current year. 

2. The league will be singles play which will be sanctioned and governed by NHPA rules:

   • No Alcoholic Beverages will be allowed in the court area during League play. 

   • No Smoking in the court area at any time. 

   • No Foul or Abusive Language will be permitted.

   • No Cell Phones in the playing area. 

3. Our league will pitch on Tuesday night. Practice time is from 6:00 to 6:30 PM. All Pitchers will start league play at 6:30 PM unless otherwise stated, following announcements or other business. 

4. IN CASE OF RAIN: All players are expected to be present at the start of league play. A decision to postpone play will be voted on by the players in attendance via roll call, and will require a majority vote to confirm. In the event of postponement, make up dates will be decided on a case by case basis. 

   • In the event that the immediate forecast calls for a likelihood of rain or severe weather, the club president and league director will communicate to make a decision by 5PM whether to contact pitchers, especially those who travel from a considerable distance to play. 

   • During league play, if it should begin to rain, the two opponents playing each other will be allowed to decide whether to continue their game or terminate it. If both players agree to terminate the game a half (1/2) point will be awarded to each player. (The league director will have the final say as to not wet the pits so much that it could affect an upcoming tournament the following weekend). 

   • IF AT ANY TIME LIGHTNING SHOULD OCCUR, ALL PLAYERS WILL STOP PLAY AND LEAVE THE COURTS IMMEDIATELY! 

5. METHOD OF PLAY: Count - All Scoring method will be used. 40 shoe games and 90% Handicap will be used. o Players must pitch 150 horseshoes in order to establish their handicap – if a player has a bye or less than three games their first night, they must still pitch those games. 

6. SUBS: Players must arrange their own subs. o No new subs will be allowed to sign up and play during the last three (3) weeks of the league. 

7. SCORESHEETS: Each player is responsible for keeping their own score, and to turn in their score sheets at the end of each game. Players will write their NAMES, GAME #, DATE, and COURT # on the score sheet. At the end of each game BOTH players must check the score sheet and sign it. The players' signature will verify that they agree on the outcome and accuracy of the score sheet. If you do not have an opponent, you still need to fill out a sheet. Sodbusters Summer League Rules – 2022 Page 2 of 2 

8. POINTS FOR WINS, TIES, OR LOSSES: 

   • ONE (1) POINT FOR A WIN OR FORFEIT 

   • HALF (1/2) POINTS FOR A TIE 

   • ZERO (0) POINTS FOR A LOSS 

   • A forfeit loss will be awarded if you are not there and have no sub scheduled. 

   • In the event that a player has no opponent, a win will be awarded to them.  

     • A player has the option to pitch their game despite their opponent’s forfeit. While still counting as a win, pitching the game would affect their handicap and ringer percentage.  

     • If they have pitched fewer than three games, they must pitch their game in order to establish their initial handicap. 

9. LEAGUE AWARDS: will be awarded according to the number of league players, as determined by the elected Awards Committee. Players must pitch 2/3 of their matches to be eligible for all league awards. 

   • Most improved player will be determined from last year's ringer average. For a new player this will be determined after the completion of 12 games played. 

   • Subs will only be eligible for percentage patches. All other awards will be presented to league members only. A minimum of 400 shoes pitched is required for award consideration. 

10. Courts not being used during league play will be available for club member to practice on. 

11. Each player is responsible for the upkeep of their courts. Please turn over the courts before each game and at the end of league play, turn the courts and water them.