ARTICLE	PAGE
	IDENTITY	I	2	go there
	PURPOSE	II	2	go there
	MEMBERSHIP      Fees, FSHPA Inc., Newsletter, suspensions	III	2	go there
	EXECUTIVE COUNCIL      Interpret by-laws	IV	2	go there
	ELECTED OFFICERS      Duties, Allowance, Eligibility      Terms, Removal, Vacancies	V	3	go there
	APPOINTED OFFICERS      Duties, Term	VI	4	go there
	STANDING COMMITTEES	VII	4	go there
	MEETINGS      Membership, Awards, Club-Executive Council      State Closed Tournament Site	VIIi	4	go there
	ELECTION OF OFFICERS      Election procedures, Voting	VIIIA	5	go there
	CLUBS      Application, Officials      Voting & Responsibilities	IX	5	go there
	STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT      When, Prizes, Eligibility, Divisions      Age & Entry, Registrations, Format & Fees,      Distribution	X	6	go there
	ALL FSHPA TOURNAMENTS      Sanctioning, Fees, Averages      Ranking & Tie-Breaking	XI	7	go there
	PARLIMENTARY AUTHORITY	XII	7	go there
	AMENDMENTS	XIII	7	go there
	ANNUAL AWARDS      Outstanding Member      Most Improved Player      Hall of Fame	XIV	7	go there
	STANDING RULES		9	go there

FLORIDA STATE HORSESHOE PITCHERS ASSOCIATION BYLAWS ARTICLE I IDENTITY The name of this organization shall be the Florida State Horseshoe Pitchers Association, hereinafter known as FSHPA. The FSHPA is a Charter organized under the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association of America, hereinafter known as NHPA. return to table of contents ARTICLE II PURPOSE The purpose of the FSHPA shall be to teach, foster, develop, and promote the sport of horseshoe pitching within the State of Florida. Also, it will authorize, provide guidelines, and schedule all NHPA/FSHPA Inc. sanctioned tournaments, both as a recreational pastime and a competitive sport. return to table of contents ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP Section 1. Any reputable person may become a member upon: a. Payment of annual dues as designated in these Bylaws b. Providing evidence of legal residence in the State of Florida as determined by the filing of federal tax returns, voting, and/or driver license laws, or a declaration of domicile. Section 2. Juniors may join at a reduced fee as designated in these Bylaws. A junior is a person eighteen (18) years old or younger for the entire calendar year. Section 3. Annual dues for an adult FSHPA Inc. membership are $11.00 of which $4.00 is allocated to the annual State Closed Championship Tournament and $1.00 is allocated to the FSHPA Inc. Hall of Fame Facility expenses. Annual dues for a junior member are $3.00. Members of FSHPA Inc. who have received an NHPA Inc. lifetime (50 year) exemption shall also be exempt from paying annual dues to FSHPA Inc. Section 4. A membership card shall be issued and payment of dues will be so noted on the member's NHPA card. Section 5. Dues are due and payable on January 1, or upon joining. Membership expires on December 31 of the current year. Section 6. A member shall not be in good standing when annual dues are more than (30) thirty days late. Section 7. Any member may be suspended for; a. willfully violating any official rule or Bylaw of the FSHPA Inc. or NHPA. b. fixing games, cheating, or being a part of any other conduct unbecoming a member. c. placing a bet of monetary value on a contestant, or self, when participating in competition. d. using unsanctioned horseshoes in a tournament. e. indulging in actions, words, or phrases disturbing to others. f. using profane language when on the tournament grounds. g. forfeiting in a tournament for an unapproved reason Section 8. For any of the above reasons, a member may be suspended for one year. Section 9. No member shall be suspended until given a fair hearing before the Executive Council, or Board appointed by same. Section 10. Members who have been suspended for one year may be reinstated after one year has lapsed, by a majority vote of the Executive Council. return to table of contents ARTICLE IV EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Section 1. Members. The Executive Council shall be made up of the elected officers of FSHPA Inc. Section 2. Authority a. The Executive Council shall have full power to conduct the business of the FSHPA Inc. between annual meetings provided such business is not contrary to the Bylaws of the FSHPA Inc. b. When required, the Executive Council shall define and interpret these BY-LAWS. It's rulings shall be official, unless overturned by a two-thirds vote of the affiliated Club Presidents when assembled at the Annual Club-Executive Council Meeting. Section 3. Meetings a. The Executive Council shall meet at the call of the President or any three (3) members of the council. b. A quorum for any meeting of the Executive Council shall be three (3) members. c. The Executive Council may conduct business by mail, e-mail or telephone when necessary. return to table of contents ARTICLE V ELECTED OFFICERS Section 1. The elected officers of the FSHPA Inc. shall be; a. President b. First, Second and Third Vice-President c. Secretary-Treasurer Section 2. Duties of the elected officers: a. The President shall; 1. be the chief executive officer of the FSHPA Inc. 2. preside at all meetings of the FSHPA Inc. 3. have power to assign specific duties to other officers. 4. appoint any committee, Standing or Special, name its chair, change the make-up of a committee, fill any vacancies or discharge the committee as is deemed necessary for the good of the organization. 5. appoint a State Statistician, Editor of the FSHPA Inc. Newsletter, and a Historian; with approval of the Executive Council. 6. appoint delegates to the NHPA annual convention who meet requirements of NHPA Bylaws Article IX. 7. report to the NHPA, biannually, the name and address of the person elected to serve as NHPA Regional Director, and the name and address of the Assistant Regional Director, when applicable. 8. be an ex officio member of all committees. b. The Vice-Presidents shall; 1. in their order, assume the duties of the President in the absence or disability of the President. 2. assist the President, when requested, and assume any duties that their offices imply. c. The Secretary-Treasurer shall; 1. be custodian of all funds, property, records and any other FSHPA Inc. assets. 2. keep records of all monies received and disbursed, provide a written statement of same; quarterly to the Executive Council and annually to the membership. Fiscal year is defined as April 1 of previous year to March 31 of current year. 3. deposit all monies received to the account of "FSHPA, Inc." in a federally insured bank. 4. keep accurate records of memberships in FSHPA Inc. and NHPA. 5. collect and transmit dues to NHPA as required by NHPA Bylaws ARTICLE III 6. pay all bills for routine supplies and all other special purchases approved by the Executive Council and Club Presidents at their annual meeting. 7. create and present annual budget for approval at the annual business meeting. Section 3. Officers allowances: Expense allowances shall be paid to the following annually: President................$200.00 Secretary-Treasurer....$1,500.00 State Statistician.......$500.00 Editor of Newsletter.....$250.00 Section 4. All officers must; a. be members of FSHPA Inc. and NHPA b. be a legal resident of Florida per FSHPA By-Laws Article III Section 1 sub-sec b. Section 5. Term of office: a. All officers shall serve a two-year term. b. The President, First Vice-President and Third Vice-President shall be elected in odd numbered years. c. The Second Vice-President and the Secretary-Treasurer shall be elected in the even numbered years. d. The newly elected officers shall take office at the conclusion of the annual Club Officers/Executive Council meeting, State Closed Tournament or awards banquet, whichever is the latter. Section 6. Removal from office: a. Any officer may be removed from office upon failure to perform the duties of the office or for any reason that brings discredit to the FSHPA Inc. b. Removal from office shall be by majority vote of the remaining members of the Executive Council. c. Officers electing to run for another office must first resign his/her present office, by notifying the Executive Council of his/her intent. Intent shall then be published in the March NEWSLETTER prior to election of officers. Section 7. Vacancies in office: Any vacancies in office, except that of the President, shall be filled within thirty days by the President, with the approval of the Executive Council. Section 8. Records and property held by officers: Upon completion of their term, all outgoing officers, and committee chairs, shall deliver to their successors, all records and property of the FSHPA Inc. held in their possession. return to table of contents ARTICLE VI APPOINTED OFFICERS Section 1. The officers appointed by the President shall be; a. State Statistician b. Web Master c. Editor of the FSHPA Newsletter d. Historian e. NHPA Regional Director f. Hall of Fame Chairman Section 2. Duties of the appointed officers: a. The State Statistician shall; 1. keep a record of individual ringer percentages of players who participate in sanctioned tournaments in the manner prescribed by the FSHPA Inc. 2. report the current individual ringer percentages and other required data, to the appropriate Tournament Director, one week in advance of a scheduled tournament. 3. provide the FSHPA Inc. Secretary/Treasurer, at the close of each "tournament year", with the names of the members who are entitled to receive the annual awards for the current "tournament year". Note: Refer to ARTICLE X, Section3.bfor definition of "tournament year" 4. report tournament results to the Editor of the FSHPA Newsletter, and the NHPA National Statistical Center, in the prescribed format. b. The Web Master shall: 1. Maintain the FSHPA Inc. Internet web site under the direction of the Executive Council. 2. Work with the FSHPA Inc. Publicity Director to include items of interest to the general membership and casual observers. 3. Work with the Newsletter Editor in displaying the FSHPA Inc. quarterly newsletter. 4. Display individual's tournament statistics and NATSTAT averages. c. The Editor of the FSHPA Newsletter shall; 1. gather, edit and arrange information for publication in the FSHPA Inc. Newsletter. 2. endeavor to make the FSHPA Inc. Newsletter meaningful and interesting to members. 3. publish the FSHPA Inc. Newsletter d. The Historian shall; 1. gather, record, and preserve data pertaining to the history of FSHPA Inc. 2. submit historical facts and articles of interest to the FSHPA Inc. Newsletter Editor. e. The duties and responsibilities of the Regional Director and Assistant Regional Director are set forth by NHPA in the publication entitled: "NHPA Guidelines for Regional Director". Section 3. Terms of appointment: All appointees shall serve for an indefinite period as determined by the Executive Council. return to table of contents ARTICLE VII STANDING COMMITTEES Section 1. The Standing Committees of the FSHPA Inc. shall be: Bylaws, Auditing & Finance, Promotion, Grievance, Hall Of Fame, Nominating/Elections and Junior Program. return to table of contents ARTICLE VIII MEETINGS Section 1. Annual Membership Meeting At this meeting, the annual membership banquet is held in conjunction with the presentation of annual awards; Hall of Fame, Outstanding Member, and Most Improved Player. Section 2. Annual Club-Executive Council Meeting a. The Executive Council, plus the President of each affiliated Club (or his/her representative), are empowered to conduct the business of the organization at this meeting, except for that conducted at its Annual Membership Meeting. b. Twelve of the members identified in (a), above, constitute a quorum. c. Committee Chairmen, Appointed Officers and the NHPA Regional Director are ex-officio members. d. Members identified in (a), above, must be present and possess a current FSHPA Inc./NHPA membership card. Each shall have one vote and one additional vote for each 25 NHPA/FSHPA Inc. members. (See Article IX, Section 5a.) e. The President, with consent of the Executive Council, shall set the date of this meeting. f. Business of this meeting shall include selection of the Annual State Championship Tournament site for two years hence. The site is selected by the acceptance of a Club's offer and approval by majority vote. A selected Club must have adequate facilities and be agreeable to hosting the tournament. g. A copy of the minutes of this meeting shall be published in the next issue of the "FSHPA Inc. Newsletter". return to table of contents ARTICLE VIIIA ELECTION OF OFFICERS Section 1. The President shall appoint a nominating/election committee and a committee chair for the current tournament year. The nominating/election committee's function shall be: a. Actively seek out candidates for those offices being elected in the current year. b. Conduct the election of officers in the following manner: 1. Make available a secure polling booth or area at the State Closed Championship Tournament between the hours of 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM on each and every day of the singles competition, if office is contested. 2. Provide printed ballots for each office being elected pre-printed with the names of candidate for each office that have declared their candidacy prior to February 15th of the current year. If there are no declared candidates for a vacant office, the President of the FSHPA shall, with the approval of the Executive Council, fill the vacancy within 30 days as per Article V Section 7. 3. To insure that each voter is a member of the FSHPA Inc. and is in good standing prior to issuing a ballot. The FSHPA Inc. Secretary shall provide a list of members in good standing as of March 31st of the current year. To insure that the ballot box is secured and will not be opened until after the closing hour of voting on the final day of singles competition. The ballot box(es) may be opened only by the Nominating/Elections committee chair-person, or elections committee member appointed by the FSHPA Inc. President to act in their absence, and in the presence of the FSHPA Inc. President and at least one FSHPA Inc. Vice President In the absence or disability of the President, the Vice Presidents shall, in their order, assume the duties of the President. 5. To provide to the NEWSLETTER editor a list of candidates listed by office, prior to February 15th of the current year 6. To provide for the possibility of a run off election if no candidate for a particular office receives a majority. The top two candidates and ties receiving the most votes shall be in the run off election. The run off election shall be conducted at the annual awards banquet. Verified membership in good standing of the FSHPA Inc. is required to vote in the run off election. 7. To count and verify the accuracy of the count for each office to the FSHPA Inc. President. Section 2. The NEWSLETTER editor shall provide up to one page of space in the MARCH issue for each declared candidate. Newsletter Editor may edit or refuse objectionable material and may re-size the article to fit the format of the Newsletter. Candidate has the right to appeal any changes made by the editor to the Executive Council. Candidates must provide their article to the Newsletter editor prior to February 15th of the current year. Section 3. Members in good standing and not attending the annual Closed Championship Tournament may elect to vote by absentee ballot. a. Ballots must be requested by voting FSHPA Inc. member through the U.S. Postal Service, cancelled stamp, no later than March 25th of the current year. b. The Sec/Treas. Shall send all ballots through the U.S. Postal Service, cancelled stamp, to the requesting member. c. All ballots shall be returned by requesting member through the U.S. Postal Service, cancelled stamp, to the Sec/Treas., in the envelope provided, no later than April 5th of the current year. d. The Sec/Treas. shall provide a list of absentee voters and their ballots to the election committee chairperson. return to table of contents ARTICLE IX CLUBS Section 1. Clubs shall be organized under the FSHPA Inc. Charter Section 2, Any club may apply for affiliation with the FSHPA Inc., by letter addressed to the Secretary-Treasurer, and presented with a list of officers and members. Section 3. Affiliation of new Clubs may be approved by a majority vote of the Executive Council. Club certificates shall be issued by the FSHPA Inc. Secretary-Treasurer, and must carry his/her signature, and that of the President. Section 4. FSHPA Inc. Club officials shall include a President, Secretary-Treasurer, and a Tournament Director. Officials shall be elected by an annual Club membership vote. Any, or all offices, may be held by one person. Section 5. A Club President is empowered to participate in conducting the business of FSHPA at the Annual Club-Executive Council Meeting. He/she shall have one vote, except as follows: a. A Club having 25, or more, NHPA/FSHPA Inc. members shall have one additional vote for each 25 NHPA/FSHPA Inc. members. To establish entitlement to additional votes, the Club's membership count must be a certified list, NHPA card number and name, of FSHPA Inc./NHPA members by the Club Secretary to the FSHPA Inc. Sec/Treas., no later than January 31st. A member holding membership in more than one club may only be counted as a member of his/her home club when determining the rights to additional votes. The membership count, as of the previous year on December 31st, is required. Section 6. The Club Tournament Director shall: a. Submit to the FSHPA Inc. State Statistician a proposed schedule of tournaments, and entry fees, for the ensuing season. b. Submit no later than April 15th of each year, together with his/her name, address, and phone number. c. Conduct FSHPA Inc. tournaments at his/her discretion, provided that the FSHPA Inc. Bylaws and NHPA Bylaws are not violated. d. Provide a pitching opportunity for all 30' and 40' pitchers. e. Report promptly to the State Statistician the results of sanctioned tournaments conducted in the format prescribed by FSHPA Inc. and NHPA. f . Transmit to the FSHPA Inc. Secretary-Treasurer, the required tournament fee, immediately following each FSHPA Inc. sanctioned tournament. g. Post the prize list at each tournament being held. Section 7. The Club Secretary shall; a. maintain a current list of Club members complete with address, phone numbers and NHPA membership card numbers. b. report to the FSHPA Inc. Secretary-Treasurer, at the Annual Executive-Club Meeting, the name, address, phone numbers (home & cell) and email address of all Club officers, or whenever there is a change in elected officers. return to table of contents ARTICLE X STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT Section 1. A State Championship Tournament shall be conducted by the Executive Council. If possible, it will be held annually during the month of April. Section 2. An estimated prize and trophy list shall be developed no later than thirty (30) days prior to the tournament. Approval by a majority of the Executive Council is required. Section 3. Eligibility of entrants: a. Entries are restricted to FSHPA Inc. members who are residents of the State of Florida as defined in the FSHPA Inc. Bylaws, Article III, Sec. 1, Sub B. b. An adult member must have pitched in a minimum of five (5) FSHPA Inc. sanctioned tournaments during the preceding "tournament year". An NHPA sanctioned league membership may be counted as one (1) qualifying tournament, if it covers 400 shoes or more. A State Championship Tournament, shall not count as a qualifying tournament in any "tournament year". A Junior or Cadet must have pitched in a minimum of (1) FSHPA Inc. sanctioned tournament during the preceding "tournament year". A State Championship Tournament shall not count as a qualifying tournament in any "tournament year". NOTE: A "tournament year" is defined as the period starting April 1 and ending March 31 of the following year. c. A player may not pitch more than once in the same FSHPA Inc. tournament in order to satisfy the five (5) tournament requirement in (b), above. d. State Championship entries with entry fee payment must be postmarked by April 1 of that tournament year. e. All pitchers competing in the State Championship Tournament must have as a minimum their last name professionally lettered on the back of their shirts. Said shirts cannot be sleeveless. Section 4. The State Championship Tournament shall include a separate division for Men, Women, and Elder Men. Divisions for Senior Men, Senior Women, Junior Boys and Girls will be scheduled and played if the Executive Council deems there are sufficient entrants for competition. Section 5. Some divisions may impose age restrictions on entrants as follows: a. Men - no age restrictions - pitch 40' b. Women - no age restrictions - pitch 30'. c. Elder Men - pitch 30'. This division may include any aged man with a verified physical handicap that prevents pitching 40'. d. Senior Men - at least 60 years old prior to the day the tournament starts - no maximum age - pitch 40'. e. Senior Women - at least 60 years old prior to the day tournament starts - no maximum age - pitch 30'. f . Junior Boys and Girls - any who will be 18 years old, or less, for entire calendar year in which the tournament is played - pitch 30'. Junior cadets may pitch from 20 feet until the end of the year following their twelfth birthday. g. Handicapped - no age restrictions - pitch 30'. Section 6. Handicap scoring is not allowed where a Division Title is involved. Section 7. A Championship division cannot be mixed. Other sections in a division may be mixed at the discretion of the Executive Council. Section 8. The "Cancellation Method" must be used in the State Championship Tournament. However, the "Count-All Method" may be used in the preliminary rounds, to determine the championship classes. Section 9. The winner of each division of the State Championship Tournament shall be declared the State Champion of their respective division. Section 10. Fifty-cents ($.50) of the FSHPA Inc. sanctioned tournament fees ($2.00 for each tournament entry) received from Club Tournament Directors during the current fiscal year shall be added to the State Championship Tournament cash prizes. return to table of contents ARTICLE XI ALL FSHPA TOURNAMENTS Section 1. All FSHPA Inc. tournaments shall be NHPA sanctioned, so certified, and be conducted in accordance with the NHPA "Official Rules for Horseshoe Pitching". Section 2. Entry is restricted to players holding a current NHPA approved membership card. Section 3. Each Club will individually establish entry fees for tournaments sponsored by their Club. Section 4. Tournament entry requests, with entry fee payments, are due at least seven (7) days before the tournament. "Dropouts" or "No-shows" will forfeit entry fees unless tournament is cancelled. Section 5. Mixed tournaments may be conducted at the discretion of the Club. Mixed events must be suitably identified in the FSHPA Inc. tournament schedule. Section 6. All pitchers' averages shall be based on the published NHPA NATSTATS averages as described in the NHPA RGS book PLAYING RULES, RULE 11 Tournament/League play Section D - Seeding Contestants. Section 7. Any member without an average will pitch a minimum 100 consecutive shoes to establish their seeding percentage. This qualifying must be scored in writing, witnessed by two FSHPA Inc./NHPA members. Alternatively an NHPA sanctioned Club or league average may be used if it covers 100 shoes or more. Section 8. Players shall be assigned to divisions/sections based upon the ringer averages as described in Section 6. They will be grouped in an equitable and reasonable manner. Section 9. Class Winners and Class Ties between contestants shall be decided at the tournament committee's discretion as per NHPA RGS Book PLAYING RULES, RULE 11, SECTION B. Method of determining Class Winners and finishing positions shall be posted on the tournament grounds prior to start of the tournament. If the method of determining tied and finishing positions is not posted the 'Who Beat Whom' method as described below shall be used. a. Class Winners will be determined by wins/losses when using cancellation scoring. b. In a Scratch Class, when score is tied at end of Regulation Game then both players shall pitch 4 additional shoes until a winner is declared, using the same method of play that was used to begin the game. See RGS Rule * Section B. 2. Additional Innings. c. In a Handicap Class, when score is tied at end of Regulation Game then the game is over and both players receive a half point. d. If two or more players are tied with the same number of wins/losses then the following 'Who Beat Whom' tie breaking method will be used to determine order of finish among tied players. Scratch Classes: 1st tie breaker - HSMaster Head-To-Head Points 2nd tie breaker - Highest Ringer Percentage Pitched 3rd tie breaker - Total Points Scored Handicap Classes: 1st tie breaker - HSMaster Head-To-Head Points 2nd tie breaker - Highest Above/Closest to their Entering Ringer Percentage 3rd tie breaker - Total Points Scored e. If Count All scoring is used winners in a tournament may be determined on the basis of total points scored rather than games won or lost. If two or more players are tied with total points scored, then determine order of finish using the Who Beat Whom method above. Section 10. The handicap and count-all system of scoring is to be optional throughout any pitching activity except as otherwise provided for the State Championship Tournament. return to table of contents ARTICLE XII PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY The rules contained in the current edition of "Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised" shall govern the proceedings of the FSHPA Inc. in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these By-Laws. return to table of contents ARTICLE XIII AMENDMENTS Section 1. These By-Laws may be amended at any Annual Club-Executive Council Meeting. Advance notice of proposed amendment(s) must be submitted to the BY-LAWS Committee Chairman by February 1st and published in the March NEWSLETTER. Amendments may be clarified and/or modified at the annual Club Officers/Executive Council meeting. The amendment(s) will be adopted following a two-thirds majority favoring vote. Section 2. These By-Laws may be revised at any Club-Executive Council Meeting by a two-thirds majority favoring vote, providing such revision had been announced at a previous meeting. Section 3. All FSHPA By-Laws amendments or revisions that are passed shall become effective on June 1 of the year of approval. return to table of contents ARTICLE XIV ANNUAL AWARDS OUTSTANDING MEMBER This award shall be made annually to the FSHPA Inc. member who has done the most during the previous calendar year to promote and foster the sport of horseshoe pitching. The requirements for this award are: Section 1. Any FSHPA Inc. member may nominate another member. Nominations shall be sent to the FSHPA Inc. President. Deadline for nominations is March 1st of each calendar year. In the event that no nominations are received by FSHPA Inc. President by March 1 of each year, the Executive Council can consider a member for this award. Section 2. The nomination should contain sufficient information to permit an intelligent evaluation of the person's entitlement to this recognition. Section 3. The Executive Council shall select the recipient of this award based upon the information provided, or otherwise obtained ,concerning the nominee. HIGHEST TOURNAMENT YEAR RINGER PERCENTAGE An award shall be given to the player with the highest ringer percentage in each of the three pitching classes; Mens 40 foot distance, Elders 30 foot pitching distance and Women pitching 30 or 40 feet. Section 1. Eligibility - The member must have competed in at least 10 FSHPA Inc. sanctioned tournaments in the preceding tournament year. The winning player must be a resident of the State of Florida. Section 2. Ringer percentage will be the true ringer percentage; total ringers divided by total shoes pitched during the tournament year. MEMBER COMPETING IN MOST FSHPA TOURNAMENTS Recognition shall be given to the member(s) that compete in the most FSHPA Inc. sanctioned tournaments in the preceding tournament year. Section 1. Eligibility - The winning member must be a resident of the State of Florida. MOST IMPROVED PLAYER This award shall be made annually to the member who has most improved his/her ringer average over the previous "tournament year's" ringer average. Section 1. Eligibility - The member must have competed in FSHPA Inc. sanctioned tournaments as follows: a. Ten (10) tournaments during the current "tournament year" b. Five (5) tournaments during the previous tournament year". c. Ringer average comparison must be at the same pitching distance. d. The member must be a resident of the State of Florida. Section 2. The State Statistician will determine the recipient of this award based upon the officially attained ringer averages. PLAYER OF THE YEAR This award shall be made annually to the resident member who averages the highest finishing position in his/her tournament class as described below. Eligibility - Must be a Florida resident and must havee competed in a minimum of 15 FSHPA Inc. sanctioned tournaments. Average finishing position is derived as follows; a. A member receives 5 points for each first place finish, 4 points for each second place finish, 3 points for each third place finish and 1 point for each fourth place finish and zero points for all finishes below fourth. b. Sum the points as described in (a) above. c. Divide points by total number of tournaments to arrive at average finishing position. d. Previous years winners must have improved their ringer percentage a minimum of five percent over the year in which they won the award to be eligible. TRIPLE CROWN AWARD This award shall be presented to those members that pitch in all three state tournament events, Mixed Doubles, Doubles and Singles and win their class in all three events. The award shall read 'Triple Crown Winner'. TRIPLE CROWN CHAMPION AWARD This award shall be presented to those members that pitch in all three state tournament championship events, Mixed Doubles, Doubles and Singles and win their class in all three events. The award shall read 'Triple Crown Champion'. HALL OF FAME The FSHPA Inc. Hall of Fame was established in 1975. A Hall of Fame exhibit is located in Ed Wright Park, Clearwater, Florida. It contains the official FSHPA Inc. Hall of Fame plaque with the names of Hall of Fame members and year of induction, photographs and memorabilia pertinent to its members, FSHPA Inc. and NHPA. New members are inducted at the FSHPA Inc. Annual Awards Banquet which is held in conjunction with the State Championship Tournament. Section 1. Eligibility - A candidate must have been; a. a resident of Florida and an FSHPA member for a minimum of ten years. b. an outstanding player, or a member who has performed outstanding service to FSHPA and an NHPA member for a combination of ten years in FSHPA and ten years in NHPA, respectively Section 2. Anyone may recommend a candidate utilizing the FSHPA Hall of Fame nomination form. The nominating letter should be addressed to the Chairman, Hall of Fame Committee and contain a history of the candidate's accomplishments in sufficient detail to permit an intelligent evaluation of the person's entitlement to this recognition. Deadline for nominations is on or before March 1 of each calendar year. Section 3. The Hall of Fame committee shall; a. the committee shall consist of the Chairman, the President plus five additional members in good standing. b. select members for induction; one outstanding pitcher and one outstanding organizer but not necessarily both. Selection may be based upon nominating letters, or background research conducted by committee members, of persons they consider potential candidates. c. Vote by ballot on a scale of 0-5 with no more than one name entered per point value. Committee members are not obligated to enter a name for a point value if they feel there are no worthy nominees. A nominee must receive a minimum of twenty-two (22) votes to qualify for induction. If more than one nominee in a category receives the required minimum number of votes, then only the person receiving the greatest number of votes in a category will be selected. Section 4. The Hall of Fame Chairman shall; a. transmit copies of nominations to committee members with appropriate ballots. b. tabulate votes and notify successful nominees of their selection for induction. c. arrange for purchase and presentation of appropriate individual plaques to new inductees. d. arrange for inscription and installation of individual plates on the official FSHPA Inc. Hall of Fame plaque. Section 5. Members of the Hall of Fame shall; a. have a lifetime exemption from payment of FSHPA Inc. annual dues. return to table of contents   STANDING RULES Standing Rules are for guidance of the Executive Council. They may be adopted, changed or suspended by majority vote at any meeting without notice. Between meetings, the Executive Council may adopt, change, or suspend a Standing Rule; but it must be ratified at the next meeting for it to continue. Standing Rules take effect immediately. 1. The executive Council members shall have their annual FSHPA Inc./NHPA membership and Awards Banquet fees paid by the FSHPA Inc. 2. The Executive Council, by majority vote, may authorize the purchase and presentation of special awards they deem suitable for the advancement and goodwill of the FSHPA Inc. 3. Authorized NHPA distributors of game related items have sole sales rights at any NHPA Sanctioned tournament and cannot be refused by the tournament director or committee as long as there is no violation of local laws. 4. The following must be published in the FSHPA Inc. Newsletter: a. The Annual Report of the Secretary-Treasurer. b. Tournament results. c. Changes to BY-Laws. d. Changes in NHPA playing rules. 5. If a current State singles champion enters and pitches in a NHPA World Tournament, his/her initial entry fee shall be paid by FSHPA Inc. 6. An amount, up to $50.00 (fifty dollars) shall be expended for flowers or other appropriate remembrance upon death of a member. 7. The FSHPA Inc. shall maintain a SPECIAL bank account to cover losses or other contingencies. Withdrawals from this account shall require prior approval of the Executive Council and the signature of two FSHPA officers (preferably the President and Sec-Treas.). The FSHPA will strive to maintain a minimum balance of $10,000.00 in this account at all times. 8. The Executive Council shall have as a minimum four meetings per calendar year; one in each calendar quarter. Each quarterly meeting date, time and place must be published in the FSHPA Inc. newsletter. The annual Club Officers/Executive Council meeting shall qualify as one of the quarterly required meetings. The President may call additional emergency meetings as the need arises. 9. Any member wishing to speak before the Executive Council at any scheduled quarterly meeting will be allowed up to five minutes time to make their presentation. Member's intention to speak and the subject matter to be presented must be made in writing to the President at least 14 days prior to the scheduled meeting. 10. The nominating Committee Chairperson or any member of the nominating committee may not be a current member of the Executive Council. Accepted as amended on May 15, 1993 at the annual Business Meeting held at Winter Haven, Florida. Amended May 11, 1996 at the annual Business Meeting held at Winter Haven, Florida. Amended May 4, 1997 at the annual Club Officers/Executive Council meeting held in Winter Haven, Florida. Amended May 1, 2000 at the annual Club Officers/Executive Council meeting held in Beverly Hills, Florida. Amended April 18, 2001 at the annual Club Officers/Executive Council meeting held in Palm Bay, Florida. Amended April 17, 2002 at the annual Club Officers/Executive Council meeting held in Clearwater, Florida. Amended April 10, 2003 at the annual Club Officers/Executive Council meeting held in Beverly Hills, Florida. Amended April 21, 2004 at the annual Club Officers/Executive Council meeting held in Melbourne, FL Amended April 20, 2005 at the annual Club Officers/Executive Council meeting held in Clearwater, Florida. Amended April 19, 2006 at the annual Club Officers/Executive Council meeting held in Beverly Hills, Florida. Amended April 18, 2007 at the annual Club Officers/Executive Council meeting held in Melbourne, FL. Amended April 21, 2008 at the annual Club Officers/Executive Council meeting held in Clearwater, Florida. Amended April 22, 2009 at the annual Club Officers/Executive Council meeting held in Beverly Hills, Florida. Amended June 1, 2010 by approval at the annual Club Officers/Executive Council meeting held 21 April 2010 in Melbourne, Florida. Amended June 1, 2011 by approval at the annual Club Officers/Executive Council meeting held 27 April 2011 in St. Cloud, Florida. Amended June 1, 2012 by approval at the annual Club Officers/Executive Council meeting held 18 April 2012 in Bradenton, Florida. Amended June 1, 2013 by approval at the annual Club Officers/Executive Council meeting held 17 April 2013 in Clearwater, Florida. Amended June 1, 2014 by approval at the annual Club Officers/Executive Council meeting held 23 April 2014 at Beverly Hills Florida Amended June 1, 2015 by approval at the annual Club Officers/Executive Council meeting held 22 April 2015 at Bunnell, Florida Amended June 1, 2016 by approval at the annual Club Officers/Executive Council meeting held 20 April 2016 at Bradenton, Florida Amended June 1, 2017 by approval at the annual Club Officers/Executive Council meeting held 19 April 2017 at Clearwater, Florida Amended June 1, 2022 by approval at the annual Club Officers/Executive Council meeting held 20 April 2022 at Clearwater, Florida return to table of contents