Evening star., 1941-08-17
New Federal ToiIers
To Swell Talent for
Star S Tourney
Qualifying Test First
Week in September
To Be Revealing

Harry Woodfield, promotional d.
rector of the National Capital
Horseshoe Pitchers Association,
speaking:
"A lot of folk look down their
noses at horseshoe pitching, yet 1t
has become a highly developed SCI
entific game with several co-ordi-
mated movements comparable to
more widely publicized games of
skill and Drawn. To throw ringers
consistently one must have the
proper grip, aim point, backswing,
crossover, forward swing, release
and follow through.
'It is necessary for the winner Of
q national championship to aver
age IS ringers in every 100 shoes
p4tched, and yet. with possibly 2,00o.-
600 pitchers in North America, there
are less than 10 known who can
maintain this average under pres
sure"
However, nobody, with the pos
sible exception Of one man, will be
thinking of an IS average when the
18th annual Evening Star ringer
championships are held next month.
The possible exception Is Clayton c..
Henson of Arlington, who will de-
fend the principal title, the Metro
pontan District championship.
Henson Stands Alone.
Henson Is the only flipper OF big
time class ever produced by this
sector. He Is averaging better than
80 per cent ringers in tuning for the
tournament. He shot 80 per cent
to land among the qualifiers IN the
national championship last year.
He has tossed as many as 80 con-
secutive 3-pointers in competition.
And 50 far as a vast majority OF
Metropolitan Washington twirlers
is concerned he has tossed himself
more or less permanently onto the
Metropolitan throne.
None is conceded an outside
chance of topping Henson IN The
Star Tournament, but that event
none the less is expected to be q
humdinger generally for competl-
tion. Before the Henson bomb can
explode, three major titles will be
settled, for none of which he will
be eligible. meaning the District,
Southern Maryland and Northern
Virginia.
Competition for Fleshman.
Lee Fleshman's strangle hold OF
the last several years on the South
ern Maryland crown may be broken
by a newcomer, George Kenfield, q
Census Bureau employe, who is
showing to exceptional advantage in
the Interdepartmental Horseshoe
Associations weekly contests. There
are believed to be others In Lees
territory, newly arrived for Gov
ernment Jobs, who will spice the Old
Line scrap, and the same condition
is expected In Northern Virginia,
where Charley Howery holds forth
as champ.
The washington title. won last
year by Clair Lacey, will not be
defended, Lacey having been trans
ierred to Philadelphia in Federal
service.
Irwin Carlberg of the Civil Serv-
Ice Commission appears to be the
strongest aspirant to District honors,
but will cross his fingers until the
qualifying test is held during the
first week in September.
Medal Test Is Revealing.
This will bring out all the new
talent. Also it will serve to give
many recruits of the sport true
line on their ability. Annually the
newcomers, with no expectation of
going places in the tournament, or
even qualifying for match play, take
the 100-shoe test for the competi-
tive experience.
In each section Is will qualify for
the match-play eliminations and
those vino reach the semifinals, plus
survivors of a consolation event for
defeated quarter-finalists, will move
on to the Metropolitan District play
offs and the probably futile crack
at Henson.
The entire tournament will be
played on lighted public
parks courts opposite the Commerce
Building on Fifteenth street. There
Is no entry fee. with all prizes pro-
vided by The Star. These include
a trophy for the winner and run
nerup of each section.