Annual horseshoe league completes 45th year

(Michelle Bal photos) Pictured above are the 2020 Felch Horseshoe League top 8 players, from left, front, Jerry Truitt, Darrel Larson, Mark Sheldon, Jim Bal, Warren “Windy” Wickman; back, Jon Belaire, Jason Oman and Tim Vivio. Pictured below are Jim Bal, left, and Warren “Windy” Wickman, right, holding their trophies for winning the end of the year tournament on Aug. 29.
FELCH — For the 45th consecutive year, there was a men’s horseshoe league held at the Felch Township Community Center.
League runs every Tuesday night from the week after Memorial Day, to the week prior to Labor Day. The pandemic didn’t effect attendance this year says league spokesman Jim Bal of Norway. “We had 24-26 guys there every week, we had a great season,” Bal said.
Warren “Windy” Wickman and Darrel Larson have played in the league for 45 years. Wickman, a Felch resident, had the most wins on the season, during weekly league play.
At the end of the year picnic-banquet, the top eight throwers from the season compete in an end- of-the-season tournament. The draw for partners is done out of a hat, and Bal and Wickman teamed up and won the tournament.
Upon completion of the tournament and meal, each of the top eight competitors play another tournament for last bragging rights to end the season. Each player keeps track of their own wins, as partners change after each game.

Jon Belaire of Norway won the after picnic tournament, going 6-0.
- (Michelle Bal photos) Pictured above are the 2020 Felch Horseshoe League top 8 players, from left, front, Jerry Truitt, Darrel Larson, Mark Sheldon, Jim Bal, Warren “Windy” Wickman; back, Jon Belaire, Jason Oman and Tim Vivio. Pictured below are Jim Bal, left, and Warren “Windy” Wickman, right, holding their trophies for winning the end of the year tournament on Aug. 29.






