Two area pitchers win titles at World Horseshoe Tournament
ZANESVILLE – Bob Jewett and Dick Lucas never considered pitching horseshoes before being introduced to the sport.
They started competing in leagues regularly around nine years ago at Sarbaugh’s Indoor Horseshoe Courts in Adamsville.
This month, each reached the pinnacle by capturing titles at the World Horseshoe Tournament in Topeka, Kansas.
Jewett, who turns 80 in November, won his first 10 games and went 13-2 to place first in the Elders I1 division, while Lucas, 62, claimed his second world title with a 12.5-2.5 record to win the Senior Men E crown.
Pitchers qualify by being a member of the National Horseshoes Pitchers Association and competing in at least four sanctioned tournaments to collect a ringer average. Divisions feature 16 competitors — grouped by age and average — in a pool play tournament.
Throwers 70 and older can throw from 30 feet, and everyone else throws from 40 feet.
Jewett said the 16 ringer averages in his class were separated by just 1.1 percent, as each match consisted of 40 throws in an effort to accumulate the most points.
Winning was a noteworthy accomplishment, but Jewett also enjoyed the experience.
“I was surprised (to win). They make the classes as equal as possible,” he said. “You anticipate winning, but you realize it’s not always possible. You’re there for the fun, and you meet a lot of awfully nice, friendly people.
“You don’t make a lot of money. The money I won didn’t cover my transportation, food and hotel.”
A world title was still special for Lucas, who won the Men’s J1 Division at the 2012 World Championships. He credited preparation behind his winning performance.
“I try to practice regularly for at least a month if not two for big tournaments. I have a court at home with lights so I can pitch in the dark if I need to,” he said. “When I compete with people who are as good as I am, I feel like I pitch better and try harder.”
Jewett took up horseshoes in 1998 and threw in his first of five world championships in 1999. He then took a break from the sport until his grandson, Scott Carpenter, moved in while attending Muskingum University around 2006.
Jewett asked Carpenter about joining a league, and they competed together for two years.
Even after Carpenter moved out, Jewett remained active in the sport.
“I wanted to entertain him, after he left, I kept going,” he said. “I play in the winter leagues at Sarbaugh’s. I throw on Tuesdays at South 60, and on Thursdays, I go to Larry Shaw’s courts in Coshocton. I really enjoy it.”
Lucas was introduced to the sport around the same time by Charlie Elliott, who was installing a fence on Lucas’ farm. Elliott had horseshoes with him and set up the posts, and the two began throwing.
It was an unexpected start of Lucas’ pitching career.
“(Charlie) asked if I wanted to pitch horseshoes, and I said I guess I’ll give it a shot,” Lucas said. “I knew some local people joining a league, and it sounded like fun. I joined them, and I’ve been doing it ever since.”
Horseshoes doesn’t have an age limit, as Jewett recalled a friend facing a 92-year-old man at a recent competition.
While pitching keeps them active, the sport needs help. Lucas referred to it as ‘an older person’s sport’ and Jewett had a similar sentiment, saying horseshoe pitching needs some youth involvement.
“It’s good exercise. You bend over, walk and use your arms and shoulders,” Jewett said. “The sports not too hard to do, but there’s not a lot of young people playing. We need them to get involved to keep it going.”
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