The Tournament of Champions

CORDELE, Ga. — The Georgia Horseshoe Pitchers Association closed out April with a highly prestigious competition, the Tournament of Champions. An event held in Cordele, the tourney requires it’s competitors to be a member of the GHPA, and to have won a sanctioned tournament in the previous season. Thirty-four total pitchers hit the field Saturday, April 29, with six classes to compete in. Only one champion left with the trophy to cement their win.

Six class competitions took place before the winners of each came together in a championship round.

Up first, Larry Myers and Royce Byrd, both of Perry, took first and third in the Class A round. Five total games were played this round, and Myers closed the match with five wins and zero losses. He moved on to compete in the championship.

Perry put up a good fight in Class B but was found wanting, as Perry competitors Jean Bullington and Alexzander Schmidt took fourth and fifth place, each claiming 1.5 wins and 2.5 losses. Leonard Cooper, with 3.5 wins, went on to the championship representing Class B.

Class C played four games, and Perry’s Jim Henderson was able to claim two as wins, pulling him into second place. Vicki Marteney took first, with four total wins.

Class D saw Perry competing against one another, as three locals vied for the top spot. Perry’s John Rackley brought home first in Class D, with five wins and one loss, while James Rozier and George Schmidt took fourth and fifth, with two wins and three losses apiece.

Close competition was found in Class E, as Perry’s Dan Sanders fought for the top. In the end, however, Sanders would land in second with four wins and two losses. Dennis Lanning, with five wins and one loss, took first.

Class F had no Perry competitors. Jerry Wingfield took the win in this class with no losses.

Each of the first place winners finally came together to compete in the championship round. Perry’s John Rackley and Larry Myers took second and fourth place, with and record of 3.5/1.5 and 1/4 respectively. Jerry Wingfield took the winning spot, closing the Tournament of Champions for another year.

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