Place the registered pitchers in classes, determine if handicapping is needed in any class, and create the round-robin pitching rotation for each class (hdcp charts below under Resources).
Round-robin play (where each pitcher in a class plays all the other pitchers in that class) is recommended by the NHPA.
If handicapping is needed in one or more classes to 'even' things out among the pitchers in one or more classes,
the main TD page has charts for 80% and 90% along with a document that provides the formula for 80, 85, 90, and any other percent handicap desired.
Which percentage to use? 80, 85, or 90 percent?
When I pitched, I carried about a 55% ringer percent; if I had no one in the A Class close to my ringer average, my opponents were given a handicap.
A pitcher with a high ringer percent has a more difficult time to pitch significantly above their average than a pitcher with a lower ringer average has.
Using a 90% chart in Class A can make it very difficult for higher ringer average pitchers to overcome the handicap points awarded. An 80% chart makes it easier on the pitchers with higher ringer averages.
I personally think an 85% handicap is a better option.
Note that handicap charts go by the number of shoes in each game.
Note that at least 100 shoes must be pitched by each pitcher to make it a complete tournament.
As you prepare the round-robin of games, you may want to use 40-shoe games, especially if pitchers play each other more than once.
Accept registrations for the tournament, checking e-Shoe that the registered pitchers are current members of the NHPA and get their current ringer percent there.
E-shoe will also calculate handicaps for you.
When someone contacts me to register, I want to make sure I have their name as listed in e-Shoe so I can find their NHPA member number and ringer percentage. I also make sure we exchange each other's contact information.
If they need to contact me at the park because they are running late, or I have canceled the tournament because of inclement weather,
I want to make sure we can find one another. Pitchers new to my tournaments may need directions on how to find the courts along with parking information.
And then there are pitchers brand new to pitching in sanctioned tournaments who need to pitch 100 shoes on a sanctioned court while (preferably) an NHPA member watches and counts ringers to get them a starting ringer percent.
I need to explain that process to them.Some parks require reservations to use their features. For ex, the horseshoe courts I use for sanctioned tournaments in Moscow, Idaho are within a large city park.
I need to reserve the use of that area of the park since my use might conflict with a large event that uses all the park (music event, play, fair, etc.).
I also can reserve the use of some picnic tables that get placed near the courts.
Information and videos on using e-Shoe and HSMaster (HorseShoe Master) are on the main NHPA website.
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