Created by Penny Steinke
Things to know for your World Tournament Experience
Dress Code: All contestants competing in a World Tournament shall have, as a minimum, their last name and State or Country abbreviation professionally lettered on the back of their shirts . Said shirts cannot be sleeveless . No cut-offs are permitted and closed-toe shoes must be worn
Alcohol, Tobacco Products, and Illegal Controlled Substances: During the World and State Championship Tournaments, the use of alcohol, any form of tobacco, or illegal controlled substances while in the confines of the courts shall be prohibited for all contestants, officials, and scorekeepers .
Cell Phones: During the World and State Championship Tournaments, the use of cell phones shall not be allowed by anyone on the courts During the World and State Championship Tournaments.
Appropriate NHPA Member Conduct: An NHPA member, while in competition, shall make no disturbing noises or movements that would distract the opponent or contestants on adjacent courts . Other inappropriate behavior would include profanity, abusive language, obscene gestures, etc
Pit Preparation and Maintenance: Contestants (or designee) are responsible for preparing one of the pits of their assigned courts before each game . This preparation includes watering and turning of the clay (if needed), to keep it in a soft, putty-like condition . Upon completion, the pit material shall be level with the pitching platforms, with no evidence of a “dome” or “pocket” within the scoring area . For raised pits, the pit material should be prepared in the same way as above, except that the pit material shall be level with the side rails, and at a depth of four inches (4”), within the scoring area . Once a game has started, clay pit material within the scoring area may not be moved or altered without consent of the opponent. Any pit material moved for the measurement of a shoe or for the removal of a “buried” shoe may be replaced .
Delivery of Shoes: The contestant pitching first shall deliver both shoes (underhanded, and one at a time) and then the other contestant shall deliver both shoes (underhanded, and one at a time) . A contestant may deliver the shoes from either the left or right pitching platform, but in any one inning, both shoes must be delivered from the same platform . A contestant shall pitch the entire tournament with the same hand/arm.
Time Limit: A contestant shall deliver both shoes within thirty (30) seconds . This time limitation shall be determined by a judge and will start when the contestant steps onto the pitching platform with the intention of pitching and is in a “set” position for the first pitch
Position of Contestants During Delivery: When not pitching, any contestant shall stand quietly and stationary, at least two (2) feet behind their opponent, on their court’s opposite pitching platform, or behind any pitcher on an adjacent platform.
Crossing Over: If both contestants use the same pitching platform to deliver their shoes, the contestant pitching first should cross over (in front of the pit) to the other pitching platform and then move back to the position described in Section D, above. As the first contestant is crossing over in front, the second contestant should be crossing over and onto the same pitching platform, from the rear. If the contestants use opposite pitching platforms, the contestant. When not pitching, any contestant shall stand quietly and stationary, at least two (2) feet behind their opponent, on their court’s opposite pitching platform, or behind any pitcher on an adjacent platform. If the contestants use opposite pitching platforms, the contestant who pitches first should step directly back.
Scoring: Once the four (4) shoes of an inning have been pitched, the contestants shall walk to the opposite pit, determine the score for the inning, and then retrieve their shoes. No shoe shall be moved before its’ scoring value is determined. If this decision is in doubt, a judge shall be called. The judge shall make the necessary measurements and determine the scoring for the shoe(s) in question. To help speed up play, contestants are encouraged to carry measuring tools and to make their own decisions on scoring, whenever possible.
Calling The Score: The score shall be called to the scorekeeper by the contestant who scores one or more points, inning by inning . If no points are scored, the contestant who pitched second will call the score.
Here are the recommended calls for points allowed, in the following situations:
No ringers with the closest shoe in count - call “one point”
.
No ringers with the two (2) closest shoes in count call “two points”
.
One (1) ringer with either no shoe in count or the other contestant having the closest shoe in count - call “one ringer, three points”
One (1) ringer with the closest shoe in count - call “one ringer, four points
” .
Two (2) cancelled ringers with the closest shoe in count - call “two dead, one point”
.
Two (2) cancelled ringers with one (1) un-cancelled ringer - call “two dead, three points”
.
Two (2) un-cancelled ringers - call “two ringers, six points”
.
Note: No points shall be awarded in the following situations: »
All four (4) shoes out of count - call “no score” . »
Two (2) cancelled ringers with no other shoes in count call “two dead, no score”
Four (4) cancelled ringers - call “four dead” .