NORTHERN UTAH HORSESHOE PITCHERS ASSOCIATION
CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
2019 edition (as amended April 13, 2019)
ARTICLE I – NAME
Section 1 The name of the Association shall be the Northern Utah Horseshoe Pitchers Association. (NUHPA).
ARTICLE II – OFFICERS
Section 1 The President and the three Vice Presidents shall be elected at the Annual Convention Awards Banquet for a term of two years.
Section 2 The President and the Central Vice President shall be elected in the odd numbered years. The Northern Vice President and Southern Vice President shall be elected in the even numbered years.
Section 3 The members shall elect a Women’s and a Junior Representative each year at the Annual Awards Banquet.
Section 4 All of the above officers and representatives shall be the voting members of the Board of Directors.
Section 5 The Past Presidents, Region Director and the Assistant Region Director shall participate as voting advisors to the Board of Directors.
Section 6 The Secretary/Treasurer shall be appointed by the President each year, subject to approval by the Board of Directors.
Section 7 The President may appoint as many Special Assistants as deemed necessary to carry out business.
ARTICLE III – ADMINISTRATION
Section 1 The Board of Directors shall be the governing body of the NUHPA and shall establish the policies of the association.
Section 2 The President shall conduct the business of the NUHPA, call meetings when deemed necessary, preside over all meetings and make decisions, when necessary, in the best interest of the NUHPA.
Section 3 The Vice Presidents and both Representatives shall assist the President in all matters. The Past President and the Regional Representative shall automatically be advisors to the President. In the absence of the President, the Vice Presidents shall be the Acting President in this order: South, Central, then North.
The Vice Presidents and Tournament Director shall be in charge of the class line-up at regular tournaments as assigned by the President.
Section 4 The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep all records current, complete statistics and scores for each tournament, report the results of each sanctioned tournament to NatStats, collect and dispense all monies or name someone to do so. The Secretary shall receive $1.00 for each adult pitcher in each tournament. Exception: The Secretary shall receive $1.00 for each pitcher (adult/junior) during the Utah State Championship Tournament when NUHPA is the host.
Section 5 The Tournament Committee shall be made up of all officers present at each tournament and the Tournament Director, if they are not an NUHPA officer.
ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP AND FEES
Section 1 Any reputable person who is a resident of Utah may become a member of the NUHPA by payment of National and State dues. This will extend all privileges of a NHPA card.
NOTE: The NHPA/NUHPA Membership Card is recognized in all of the United States and all foreign countries that operate under the rules of the NHPA.
Section 2 FEES National Membership State Membership Total
$25.00 Adult $8.00 Adult $33.00
$5.00 Junior/Cadet $2.00 Junior /C $ 7.00
Tournament Entry Fees
$20.00 Adults
$ 5.00 Juniors
Special Tournaments – Memorials (Or set by the Tournament Committee)
$20.00 – Adults
$10.00 – Juniors/Cadets
Northern Utah Championship
$30.00 Doubles per team ($15.00 per pitcher, Adults/Junior)
$20.00 Singles (Adult pitchers)
$10.00 Singles (Junior/Cadet pitchers)
Utah State Championships (Per North –South Agreement)
$20.00 Doubles per team
$35.00 Singles - Adult
$10.00 Singles – Junior/Cadet
Section 3 WEBSITE A website has been established for NUHPA thru the NHPA. This service has a maintenance fee of $50.00 per year which provides us with the support, domain name, website design help, updates and the links necessary for everyone to view. This maintenance fee will be taken out of the general fund to be sent to NHPA each January and may be adjusted if the fees increase with the approval of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE V – REGISTRATION AND ELEGIBILITY
Section 1 Registration for all local tournaments, including memorials, shall close 30 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time. Anyone registering less than 30 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time must be approved by the Tournament Committee except those tournaments requiring pre-registration. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Section 2 Pre-registration for the Northern Utah Championships is required two weeks prior to the tournament. Pre-registration for the Utah State Championships is required per the notification of the Tournament Committee.
ARTICLE VI – TOURNAMENTS
Section 1 Member ringer percentages shall be as listed in NatStats most current listing, prior to the tournament. NatStats calculates percentages based on the three highest NHPA sanctioned tournaments pitched in the preceding 12 months or the last ten tournaments during the same period, whichever occurs first. These Stats can be found at the following Internet address: www.horseshoepitching.com/natstats/UT.txt”
Section 2 It shall be the responsibility of each member to check NatStats or with the Secretary and know what their percentage is as determined per Section 1 of this Article.
Section 3 The Northern Utah Championships and the Utah State Championships seeding shall be based on the ringer percentages as determined per Section 1 of this Article.
Section 4 When pitching on courts where the schedule shows a split time, the 30% ringer percentage shall apply. In split class tournaments, pitchers with the 30% or more shall pitch in Class C or above. Pitchers with less than 30% shall pitch in Class D or below. The Board of Directors may adjust the 30% rule if it becomes necessary. The Board of Directors shall be responsible to notify the affected members by having the Secretary call or send notices out to all members.
Section 5 When all pitchers pitch at the same time, the 30% rule shall not apply. Pitchers will be seeded where they fit in the percentage line up.
Section 6 To qualify for the Northern Utah Championships, a member must have pitched in at least FOUR NUHPA Sanctioned Tournaments during the current season. Exception: The Tournament Committee shall make a decision regarding the qualification of members who have not pitched the required four NUHPA Sanctioned Tournaments.
Section 7 All cancellation rule games shall be 40 points or 50 shoes, whichever comes first. A class may be assigned a lower score or lower shoe count, subject to Tournament Committee approval.
(a). Game Ties.
For scratch play, cancellation and count all, we pitch two additional innings (down and back) until the tie is broken.
For handicap play, cancellation and count all, we end it as a tie giving each player 1/2 win and ½ loss, with the exception of first place.
Final Standing Ties (First Place)
All ties for first place ARE PLAYED OFF, including handicapped games.
2 tied: head to head playoff.
3 tied: ladder playoff - lower two % pitchers play first round, loser places 3rd and winner moves on to play the top % pitcher, winner places 1st and loser places 2nd.
4 tied: bracket play off - ranked by percent #1 vs #4 and #2 vs #3 - winners play for 1st and 2nd. The losers are placed 3rd and 4th by average or points depending on method of play.
5 tied: bracket ladder combination playoff - ranked by percent, #1 sits out. #2 vs #5 and #3 vs #4 - The losers are placed 4th and 5th by average or points depending on method of play. Winners move on and play each other. This round's loser places 3rd. The winner moves on to play #1 for 1st, with the loser placing 2nd.
4-way and 5-way first place ties are rare but have happened.
Playoff games are half the shoes of a full game, but not less than 20 shoes.
Final standing ties for other places (Non-First Place).
Non-first place ties are NOT played off.
Cancellation: players are placed by ringer %, if still tied then "who beat who," if still tied then total points.
Count all: players are placed by total points, if still tied then "who beat who," if still tied then by ringer %,
Handicap: players are placed by "who beat who”, if still tied, then total points (including handicap points).
(b) Game scores or shoe count for doubles, mixed doubles, count-all and any other such game shall be determined by the Tournament Committee. Handicap classes shall be determined by the Tournament Committee.
(c) Handicap classes shall be determined using an 80% handicap, 50 shoes, alternate pitch when the ringer percentage between the top and bottom class positions are greater than 12%.
Section 8 Rules for walking doubles—the two pitchers from opposite teams with the higher ringer percentage shall be opponents and shall be the No. 1 or A pair. The two pitchers from opposite teams with the lower ringer percentage shall be opponents and shall be the No. 2 or B pair. The No. 1 pair shall begin on the pit nearest to the score table. First pitch for each pair shall be determined by a shoe toss. The No. 1 pair shall always pitch first, regardless of what end they are on. After all eight shoes have been thrown, all players will walk to the opposite end and check their own shoes. The No. 1 pair opponent that scores shall call out the score and pitch first. The No. 2 pair opponent that scores shall call out the score and pitch second.
Section 9 Prize money shall be given to the first place, second place and third place winners in each class. The amounts are to be: $30 for first place, $20 for second place, and $10 for third place. Money and trophies shall be presented at the next scheduled tournament. Trophies and awards for the State, NUHPA and Memorial Championships (including the Living Legends) shall be presented at the Annual Banquet.
Section 10 Utah State Championships. To be determined by a joint Northern and Southern Tournament Committee per the North South Agreement and by the guidelines set forth in the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association Constitution and Bylaws.
Section 11 In Regional and State Championships, winners are decided on the basis of games won and lost. Ties for first place must be played off. When there are more than two players tied for first place, first place shall be decided by a ladder type playoff based on ringer percentages pitched. All other ties, second and below, shall be decided by ringer percentage, then “who beat who” in the regular round robin, then highest above/closest to their entering ringer average.
Any player leaving before checking the standings shall forfeit their playoff opportunity.
For Handicap classes: Tournament Committee shall determine the amount of the handicap. Class winners will be determined by win/loss record or by total points scored. An alternate-pitch format shall be used. For the breaking of Class ties, the options in Section 7 above may apply, except that ringer percentage shall not be used. Game handicapping shall not be used in any Championship Class of a designated Division of any State Championship Tournament.
Section 12 Memorial Tournaments. Non-club visitors who hold a State and National card may pitch in the Memorial Tournament and may participate in prize money but shall not be eligible for the Memorial Trophies or other Memorial prizes.
Section 13 Scorekeepers shall be paid $.50 per game, with this exception: State Tournaments require scorekeepers to be paid $1.00 per game.
ARTICLE VII – NUHPA HALL OF FAME
Section 1 The Northern Utah Horseshoe Pitchers Association Hall of Fame Committee shall consist of five members, appointed by the President, with at least two members to be Past Presidents. Members of the Northern Utah Horseshoe Pitchers Association may nominate persons for consideration for induction into the Northern Utah Horseshoe Pitchers Hall of Fame.
ARTICLE VIII – AMENDMENTS
Section 1 Roberts Rules of Order, revised, shall govern the order or conduct for all meetings.
Section 2 These Bylaws may be amended at any general meeting by a two-thirds majority vote of members in attendance. Voting members must have a current National and State card.
ARTICLE IX – JUDICIARY
Section 1 The officers shall be the Judicial Body and shall define and interpret the Constitution and By Laws. Technical points shall be submitted to them for decision and the ruling declared official.
Section 2 The Tournament Committee shall be the governing body at all tournaments in regard to the interpretation of technical points on matters not covered by the Rules and By Laws. The decision of the Tournament Committee shall be final.
Section 3 The Northern Utah Horseshoe Pitchers Association shall comply in all ways with the Constitution and By Laws and Rules and Regulations of the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association.
ARTICLE X – INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENTS
Section 1 Invitational tournaments may appear on the regular schedule. All advance notice possible shall be given to members by the Board of Directors.
Section 2 Where the number of participants is limited, the number of pitchers to be invited shall be determined by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE XI – NUHPA JUNIOR PITCHERS
Section 1a Fees for Junior Pitchers will be according to the following fee schedule.
National Card Registration $5.00
State Card Registration $2.00
Tournament Entry Fees $5.00
“Memorial” Entry Fees $10.00
Northern Utah Championships $10.00
Utah State Championships $10.00
Section 2 Junior fees will be applied to the Junior Award fund for the purchase of trophies and awards for Junior pitchers and will be awarded at the annual banquet.
Section 3 A Junior Scholarship fund was established in 2006 to provide an opportunity to increase the number of Junior pitchers in the Northern Utah Horseshoe Pitchers Association. In order to continue to build this fund, $0.25 from each adult pitcher in each tournament will be applied toward the Junior Scholarship fund. A maximum of $1000 to the committed scholarship fund will be maintained. If the fund meets that amount, the contribution of $.25 per adult pitcher shall be collected into a “Rainy Day Fund” to be used for extraordinary expenses, i.e. flowers for funerals, etc.
Section 4 Junior Awards Available (Juniors who elect to compete at the adult level are not eligible for these awards)
1. Juniors in the NUHPA shall receive the following scholarship awards:
$ 7.50 scholarship for 1st place finishes in NUHPA local tournaments.
$ 5.00 scholarship for 2nd place finishes in NUHPA local tournaments
$15.00 scholarship for 1st place finish in “Memorial” tournament
$10.00 scholarship for 2nd place finish in “Memorial” tournament
$30.00 scholarship for Northern Utah Class Champion
$20.00 scholarship for Northern Utah 2nd place in class
Utah State Junior Champion scholarship will be as agreed upon by NUHPA and SUHPA and as listed in the North-South Agreement.
2. Juniors will also receive a tournament trophy, ribbon, or medallion for placing 1st or 2nd.
3. A scholarship of up to $200.00 can be applied for by a junior, or former junior, who has had three (3) years as an NUHPA junior. This scholarship shall be up to the approval of the Executive Board on a case by case basis. More than one award may be made if more requests are received and money is available in the fund.
4. NUHPA Junior Scholarship Rules
➢ Must maintain a B average or better for the entire senior year. Must also submit school transcript or copy of report card for verification and record keeping purposes.
➢ Must be a member of NUHPA for four years beginning with the freshman year of high school and still be a member upon graduation.
➢ Must actively participate in the NUHPA by pitching, being a scorekeeper, judge, helping with the pits, welcoming other junior pitchers, or anything to help with the Tournament.
Must pitch in 5 sanctioned NUHPA tournaments per year beginning in the ninth grade, but only has to pitch in 3 sanctioned NUHPA tournaments in the senior year. (Utah State Championship and Northern Utah Championship do not count for scholarship purposes.)
Must pitch in 2 of the 3 Northern Utah Championships in the Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior years to be eligible for a scholarship. It is recognize that the 4th Northern Utah Championship will not yet have been held when a senior has graduated from high school. We are also allowing them to miss 1 Northern due to possible school conflict, an emergency situation, or for some unforeseen reason.
The Secretary/Treasurer reserves the right to discuss all qualifications and scholarship awards with the scholarship committee. The committee consists of the NUHPA President, North, Central, and South Vice Presidents, Woman’s Representative and the Secretary/Treasurer. Scholarships will be awarded when the Secretary/Treasurer receives proof of payment of registration into a school of higher learning such as a trade school, junior college, university, etc. and upon approval from the scholarship committee. A junior who joins too late to meet the above qualifications will be awarded a partial scholarship if they meet all of the other qualifications. The junior must be a member for at least two years to be considered for a partial scholarship. The amount of the scholarship will be determined by the Secretary/ Treasurer and approved by the scholarship committee. All juniors that meet all qualifications will be awarded a scholarship. Amount will depend on money available in the scholarship fund and the number of juniors entering college. The NUHPA President reserves the right to determine the amount of the scholarship. Scholarship money for any eligible junior will be held for three years from the fall semester following the date of their graduation. This is allowing a junior up to one year to enter college. In the rare instance where a junior graduates earlier than May of their senior year, then the scholarship money will be held for one year from the date of their graduation.
Section 5 The money is to be kept in the Junior Scholarship Fund and record kept of how much each junior is to receive. The money is then to be paid to the educating facility for tuition and not to be paid to the individual. The junior, or former junior, should request the entitled scholarship money, when needed, through the treasurer of the NUHPA. A report as to how the Junior Scholarship money is used is to be given at the General Membership meeting each year by the Board of Directors.
Section 6 NUHPA Junior Pitchers may elect to waive their Junior Pitching status for NUHPA tournaments and participate in the tournament by paying the adult tournament entry fees. By doing so, they will not be eligible for Junior Awards defined in Section 4 paragraphs 1 and 2, but will continue to be eligible to apply for Junior Scholarships following the guidelines out lined in Section 4 paragraphs 3 and 4. In order to comply with current NHPA rules, Junior Pitchers may not receive monetary rewards. They may, however, choose to receive the award by placing the funds in the NUHPA Junior scholarship fund (under their name) or in a Utah Education Savings Plan (UESP) established in the Junior Pitchers name by their parents. Deposits may be made by the association in the award location of choice when the Junior Pitcher is eligible for a monetary award. Parents accept the responsibility, according to NHPA Requirement 6 Section D to make sure the Junior Pitcher’s amateur standing is not jeopardized by their choice of award.
Section 7 If the Junior pitcher chooses not to pursue education beyond high school, and has not had a UESP account established; after attaining 18 years of age he/she may submit all the NUHPA Junior Award Scholarship Certificates earned before age 18 to the NUHPA Secretary requesting payment as shown on these certificates. The Secretary then has the authority to write checks payable to the individual for the total amount shown on the certificates. This rule is in compliance with the NHPA rule regarding Juniors who win in the World Tournament and can be paid after reaching age 18.
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