Horseshoe pitchers keeping their passion alive during pandemic

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Life is full of passion.

For some, that passion can be heard through the sound of two metal pieces clanging together.

“Man, it’s relaxing. It’s fun,” said Springfield horseshoes player Mark Kiser.

It’s fun that goes best with a cold drink and some company.

“More importantly it’s the guys and gals you play against,” Kiser said.

Because what good is a ringer, if there’s nobody there to see it.

Kiser has been playing horseshoes most of his life.

With in-person tournaments shut down, he’s found his fix through Facebook live.

“I absolutely love it, you walk out your back door, there are your pits,” Kiser said. “I can be playing against a guy from New York tomorrow.”

Or from anywhere else in the world thanks to the Facebook group Horseshoe Pitching Online.

By simply hooking his iPhone to a chair, Mark can broadcast his pitches as part of virtual competition.

“When you pitch, you want to call out your scores and there’s always somebody watching live or they go back and watch the video,” Kiser said.

Then the scores are tallied up just like you were playing in person.

Those final scores typically look good for Raytown, Missouri’s Stan Griggs.

The 13-time Missouri horseshoes state champion is no stranger to the virtual competitions.

He says the ongoing health crisis has driven more people to playing online.

“Just in the last month, since this pandemic, we’re getting probably 20 to 25 members jumping on board every two or three days,” Griggs said.

Giving players like Griggs the chance to share their sport with others, and rediscover their own passion for it.

“It’s forced me to get out in my backyard and practice more,” Griggs said. “In return, I’m pitching as good as I did in my early 20’s, which was back in the early 90’s.”

But improved results are only a bonus in a time like this.

“I wouldn’t get to meet these guys, if this wasn’t possible,” Kiser said. “How exciting is that?”

Exciting for now, but not quite like the real thing.

“I cannot wait to go play guys one on one or ladies one on one and get to have that conversation while you’re playing,” Kiser said.

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