Hi b3c,
Thank you for an interesting question.
COURT LAYOUT - See diagrams at bottom of page. (Scroll This Page for
Horseshoe Court Dimensions}
http://www.horseshoepitching.com/rules/nhparul2.shtml
*****
OFFICIAL RULES OF HORSESHOE PITCHING
Published By The National Horseshoe Pitchers Association of America (NHPA)
http://www.sportsunlimitedinc.com/horseshoerules.html
The sport may be played by one individual for practice or by two or
more for sport. Horseshoe courts basically require a level area with 2
stakes located 30 to 40 ft. apart, with recommended improvements as
found desirable by the participants. NHPA sanctioned play must be on
sanctioned courts meeting specifications stated in NHPA Rules.
Section A. PERMANENT GROUND LEVEL COURTS
1. Dimensions - A horseshoe court shall be a level rectangular area 6
ft wide and a minimum of 46 ft long. A north-south setting is
recommended for outdoor courts to minimize the effects of the sun.
2. Pitcher's Box - The pitcher's box is the square 6 ft by 6 ft area
at each end of the court. It is composed of 2 parts - 1) the pit, and
2) the pitching platforms.
a. PIT - The pit is a rectangular area filled with the substance onto
which the shoes are pitched. Its maximum length (in the direction in
which the shoes are pitched) is 72 inches and its minimum length is 43
inches. Its maximum width is 36 inches and its minimum width is 31
inches. The pit must be centered in the pitcher's box. If the pit is
less than the maximum dimensions, the extra space shall be filled with
the same material of which the platforms are made, or some other
material different than the pit substance, and shall be level with the
pit and platforms.
b. Pitching Platforms - The pitching platforms flank the pit to its
left and right sides and are parallel to each other. They shall be
level with each other and to the top of the pit. They shall be 18 to
20-1/2 inches wide (depending upon the width of the pit) and shall be
a minimum of 6 ft. long.
3. Stakes - The stake is the target at which the shoe is pitched. Each
stake shall be centered between the platforms with a minimum of 21
inches from the stake to the front and back of the pit. On regulation
courts the stakes are 40 ft. apart. This is measured from the front of
each stake level with the pitching platform. Stakes shall be 1 inch in
diameter and may be made of cold-rolled steel, mild iron, soft metal
or synthetic material. Each stake shall be no shorter than 14 and no
higher than 15 inches above pit level and they shall both have an
approximate 3 inch lean toward each other.
4. Pit Substance - Clay, sand, dirt and synthetic compositions are all
legal substances to put in the pit. The minimum depth of the substance
shall be 4 inches. An 8 inch depth is recommended.
5. Extended Platforms - The pitching platforms on either side of the
pit shall be extended forward (toward the opposite pit) an additional
10 feet to accommodate pitching at shorter distances. The front of the
extended platforms shall be 27 feet from the opposite stake. The
extended platforms shall be level with and be of the same width and
material as the full-distance platforms. It is recommended that the 14
feet between the front ends of the platforms be filled in (using the
same material as the platforms) to provide a continuous level walking
surface between the two pitcher's boxes.
6. Multiple Courts
a. Side-by-side - To eliminate distraction and safely separate
activity, stakes of courts adjacent to each other shall be a minimum
of 10 feet apart. A greater distance (at least 12 feet) is preferable.
b. Back-to-back - A minimum of 16 feet and a protective barrier must
separate the stakes of back-to-back courts.
7. Backboards & Protective Barrier
a. Backboards - Every pit should have a backboard. It should be at
least 3 feet behind the stake, be at least 1 foot high and extend the
width of the pit. For spectator visibility, a mesh netting or chain
link material is recommended. If of solid material, it should be a
color that will provide a contrasting background so as to keep the
stake visible for the contestants.
b. Protective Barrier - All court complexes shall be surrounded by a
protective barrier. The barrier should be at least 8 feet behind the
stake. A chain link type fence at least 4 feet high is recommended.
8. Foul Lines - Foul lines shall be defined by lines extending across
the front of the full-distance and extended platforms. This places
them perpendicular to an imaginary line between stakes at 37 and 27
ft. respectively from the front of the opposite stakes. (Measured at
the level of the pitching platform).
[edited for brevity - please see page for complete directions]
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Best regards,
tlspiegel |
