Twin boys try their hand at washer pitching, September 1999. Photo courtesy Pond River Lodge #244

State Washer Pitching Tournament

Appearing in the 1920s as a popular variation to horseshoe pitching, washer pitching is highlighted in its annual tournament in Greenville, Kentucky, sponsored by Pond River Lodge #244. Prior to 1980, the tournament was confined to Muhlenberg County, but in that year, the Governor John Y. Brown of Kentucky declared the Greenville contest a statewide championship. Washers, 2.25 inches in diameter, are thrown to holes of a bit wider circumference spaced 30 feet apart, with participants standing 25 to 30 feet from the hole. The scoring is similar to that in the game of horseshoes. Twenty-one points win the game, but the game must be won by two points or more.

Washer pitching has grown in popularity for two reasons: 1) washers are lighter than horseshoes, requiring less physical size and strength of participants; 2) washers are, quite simply, easy to come by. Because size and strength are not a factor, children as young as six may participate on an equal basis with adults.

Project documentation comprises 10 pages of text, 26 color photographs, newspaper clippings, flyers, several sample washers, and a videotape of a WEHT news segment on the tournament.

Originally submitted by: Ed Whitfield, Representative (1st District).

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