2005 - Dale Carson

Maryland State Champion for 18 years (1947-1960, 1969-1972) and one Pennsylvania Championship. (NHPA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS TITLES Top Men with 10 or more wins – started 1909. Compiled by Mel Yockstick, 1/12/07). Dale once said “I would not have my good health today if it were not for horseshoe pitching. My doctor recommends it.” 

(Reference Pitching Championship Horseshoes Second Edition, Revised by Ottie W. Reno) Inducted into the NHPA Hall of Fame, 1976.

Eight-time Maryland State Champion (1974-1975, 1977-1982). One of the founding fathers and organizer of the Baltimore Metro Horseshoe Club. In 1976 he was one of the top 36 pitchers in the world. Upon receiving his induction, he said, “It’s not so much about the game as it is about the people you meet along the way. I loved every moment.”  

Junior was a member of the Frederick Horseshoe Pitchers Assn., the MD Horseshoe Pitchers Assn., and the National Horseshoe Pitchers Assn. for over 25 years. During the majority of that time, he was not only an active pitcher, but also served as the Treasurer for the Frederick and MD State clubs. Always happy, helpful and full of wisdom and enthusiasm, he was an inspiration and friend to all, and a mentor to many a new pitcher.

John holds a number of records. As a Junior pitcher in 1975, John set the record for tournament ringer percentage with an average of 89.5% over seven games. He’s pitched in the Men’s Division everywhere he has resided. While in Maryland he represented the NHPA at the White House, where he gave advice on the construction of the horseshoe courts and pitched with President George W. Bush. John wrote the By Laws for the MDHPA and was a big factor in bringing our charter together. 

First recorded Maryland State Women’s Champion (1975-1980, 1982-1984) for a total of nine Championships.

Ref: The American Directory of Horseshoe Pitching, Ottie W Reno. Published 1984 by Rosemont Publishing and Printing Corp. Ann said, “I’m most proud of being Maryland’s first State Women’s Champion, sort of a pioneer I guess.” 

Les was a long time member of the Baltimore Metro Horseshoe Club. He was one of the clubs original members and organizers. Held the position of club Treasurer for the better part of fourteen years. Les was also an Assistant Regional Director for Maryland. Les won his share of Class Championships. He said it was tough pitching against the likes of Grant and Dale, but greatly enjoyed the competition and their friendship.

From the backyard to the World Championships if people were throwing shoes, Bud was there. He brought a positive attitude to the game and believed that winning was second and that encouraging friends and fellow pitchers was an important part of every game. Bud loved the game and was the sprit of our sport. He showed his support by recruiting new members and assisting others in any way he could. Constantly sporting his horseshoe logo shirts and hats, he wore them proudly wherever he went, using them to start many conversations, to make new friends and to recruit new pitchers. He built his own set of courts at home and invited all to his Shoe Shack. He was a proud member of the Frederick Horseshoe Pitchers Association, having joined the Club in 1996. 

Stacy was a member of the Baltimore Metro Horseshoe Club since it’s beginning and an active member of the NHPA for over 17 years. Stacy has pitched his share of tournaments. Two most notable were the 2008 World Tournament where he placed fifth in his class and was one of the oldest at age 91 to pitch in the World Tournament. He was a Maryland State Class Champion in 2002.  

Elbert has been an active member of the MDHPA and the FHPA for 30 years. He served as Tournament Director for the FHPA for a number of years. Elbert is a big proponent of the sport of horseshoe pitching. He is encouraging to new pitchers as well as to those striving to improve their game. Elbert is an accomplished pitcher. He is an 11-time MD State Champion (1989, 1991, 1993-1995, 1997-2000, 2002 & 2008) and holds one of the top ringer percentages in the Nation (5th in the Men’s Division as of 8/14/09). He has been in the National Top Ten for Men’s High Ringer Percentage for over 10 years. He won the Eastern National Championship in Erie, PA for four years straight (2006-2009) and was Champion of the Raymond Frye Memorial Tournaments in Winchester, VA from 1998-2001. In 2009, he was 1st in the nation for High Ringer Percentage of all sanctioned leagues, maintaining a league average of 75%.   

Duke is a long time member of the Baltimore Metro Horseshoe Club. He has been one of the NHPA’s most consistent players. Duke has introduced us to the Harford County’s Horseshoe Tournament, held every 4th of July weekend. He loves the game and gives all of himself to the game. He helps as much as he can, be it advice on pitching, sharing an experience in pitching or just keeping score in a tournament. Duke has inspired a lot of our younger players today. You can always talk to Duke and if he feels up to it, he’ll be happy to play a game. 

Jack has been an active member of the Frederick Horseshoe Players Association for the better part of 40 years. He participates in League and Tournament play. Jack has won his share of games, including the Maryland State Elders B Class Championship. Jack has held several offices over the years, 20 years as Vice President of the FHPA and 15 years Vice President of the MDHPA. Jack has been a real ambassador of our sport and a great leader.  

Will was a long-time member of the Frederick Horseshoe Players Association. He joined the club in 1988 where he captured many League and Tournament Championships over the years. He first started pitching horseshoes on his Grandfather’s farm in Virginia when he was about 8 years old with a regular horse’s shoe and a stick of stove wood stuck in the ground. In the early 1990s he served as President of the club for 6 years. Will pitched in the 2008 World Horseshoe Tournament.  He was a great tribute to the game.  

Diana has been a true leader ever since she joined the NHPA. As a member of the Frederick HPA, she has held the office of Secretary and League Director since 1991 and has served numerous times as a stand-in Tournament Director. She is a valued consultant and a great promoter of the sport. She is currently the Secretary/Treasurer of the MDHPA, a position she’s held in since its formation in 2001, and further back to 1991 when the FHPA was considered to be the MD Charter. She has also been the volunteer Statistician for the State. An NHPA member since 1989, Diana enjoys the sport of horseshoes and the people that participate.  

For over 20 years Pete has been a member of the NHPA and the Frederick HPA. He was one of the first Regional Directors of Maryland. Over the years, Pete has been very instrumental in organizing tournaments, constructing horseshoe courts, and helping to facilitate horseshoe pitching events and pitching exhibitions. In 1992, Pete received the Presidential Sports Award for Horseshoe Pitching. He has also pitched in many tournaments; most notable he was the Frederick County Club Champion. Pete has two indoor courts at his home in Ijamsville, Maryland. He has developed an impressive gallery of horseshoe pitching memorabilia.  

Jane has been a member of the Frederick Horseshoe Pitchers Association 23 years. She is past President of the MDHPA as well as the FHPA, having served for over 10 years. Always a great ambassador of the sport, she has served well as a spokesperson for Maryland. Jane has been a world competitor and a State Class Champion. She was one of Maryland’s first Women’s State Doubles Champions. An excellent organizer, very kind and helpful to others, she has truly been an asset to horseshoe pitching.  

Larry first started pitching at a company picnic. He was introduced to the NHPA at a Fun Pitch held by the Baltimore Metro Horseshoe Club. There he joined their leagues and soon became an active Club and NHPA member. With the BMHC he became the League and Tournament Director. Larry is also the MDHPA Eastern Regional Vice President and Chairman of the MD Hall of Fame Committee. A student of the game since the beginning, he is also a leader and a teacher of the game, bringing prestige to the art of horseshoes. Larry is a true sportsman; he listens to others and plans to continue in this path for years to come.  

Jerry has been involved with horseshoe pitching for over 40 years and has been an active NHPA member for 21 years. He currently holds six Maryland State Doubles Championships. His average has been 60% or better over the past five years and he is ranked in the Men's Top 100 in the world. Jerry is a member of the NHPA-sanctioned ProTour. As a member, he helps to promote the sport of horseshoes and good sportsmanship. He has encouraged many players and is a great asset to our sport. He won his first ever Maryland State Men’s Championship Title the day of his induction. 

Vicki is an excellent pitcher and is very dedicated to the sport of horseshoe pitching. She is a five-time Maryland State Women's Champion and also holds four Maryland Women's State Doubles Championships. She is ranked in the Women’s Top 100 in the world. Vicki is a member of the NHPA-sanctioned ProTour, in which she has also won a championship title. She is most thankful to the people who encouraged her to pitch and helped her become the player she is today. She now offers some of that same advice to others and enjoys all the people she meets along the way.