WPHPA Website

About the WPHPA

The Western Pennsylvania Horseshoe Pitcher’s Association (WPHPA) is a charter member of the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association (NHPA). There are two state charters in Pennsylvania – Western and Eastern. For complete rules on the sport of horseshoe pitching, visit the NHPA Website.

Dues for the WPHPA are $20/year for an active adult member pitcher, $15/year for an adult member non-pitcher, and $8 for junior pitchers. Active member cardholders may pitch in NHPA sanctioned leagues and NHPA sanctioned tournaments. Non-pitcher cardholders may pitch in NHPA sanctioned leagues only.

The WPHPA has several individual clubs that take turns holding NHPA sanctioned tournament all through the year. There is an NHPA sanctioned tournament held almost every weekend in Western PA – with exceptions of major holiday weekends and special occasions.

Major events in Western Pennsylvania include the following major tournaments:

Annual Pennsylvania State Tournament – Open to all active WPHPA and EPHPA cardholders who have pitched in three or more NHPA sanctioned tournaments within Pennsylvania.

Annual Eastern National Tournament – Erie, PA – Open to all active cardholders. Draws entrants from PA, IN, KY, OH, NY, FL, MD, WV, among other states.

When pitching in an NHPA sanctioned tournament, you must wear a clean shirt with your name, town, and state on the back in professional lettering no less than an inch in height. You must pay scorekeepers $1.00 per game.

If you have any questions, email the Webmaster.

You don’t need to be a professional horseshoe pitcher to be a member of the WPHPA. Skill level ranges from a ringer percentage of 1% up to 85%. When you enter a tournament, you are placed with pitchers of your own skill level. All you need to know is what division you are going to pitch in:

Mens Division – Any male pitcher pitching 40’

Womens Division – Any female pitcher. Women pitch from 30’

Elders – any male pitcher over the age of 70. Elders pitch from 30’.

Junior Boys – Any male pitcher age 18 or younger. Junior Boys pitch from 30’

Junior Girls – Any female pitcher age 18 or younger. Junior Girls pitch from 30’

Cadets – Any pitcher age 9 or younger. Cadets pitch from 20’

After you’ve determined your division, you need a ringer average. For this you will need to qualify for 100 shoes in the presence of an NHPA member. If you do not have a local club at which you can do this, the first tournament you enter will have you pitch your 100 qualifying shoes before the tournament.

Click here for a WPHPA Membership form.

For additional information, please contact any WPHPA Officer or Area Representative. We’ll be more than happy to help you.