Washer pitching
Washer pitching is a game, similar to horseshoes, that involves teams of players that take turns tossing washers towards a box or hole. The game has many variations, and may be called washer pitching, washer toss, washers, huachas or washoes (which is based on the similarity to horseshoes).[1]
The object of the game is to earn points by tossing metal washers, usually around two inches in diameter, and 1/8 inch thick, toward a hole, usually denoted by a can or PVC pipe, known as the cooter, often in a box.[2] Washer pits and boxes vary in size and shape, but a standard for one-hole washers is 16 in × 16 in × 4 in, with a cylindrically-shaped cup (4½ inches in diameter and 5 inches in height) located in its upper surface. Boxes are placed approximately 20 feet away from each other, a distance often determined by a string attached to the front of each box. However, if a string is not attached to the box, one may take 10 paces from box-to-box, this will usually denote 20 feet.
The throwing player stands next to or behind one box and tosses washers toward the other, normally using an underhand throw. Scoring is similar to horseshoes in that the second team to throw can wash-out/rebut any points that the first team may have scored, then add to their own total. 3 points are awarded to a non-rebutted ringer (a washer in the cup). 1 point is awarded to each non-rebutted washer inside the box. Games are normally played to 21 points.
References
- Bass, Debra D. (January 29, 2005). "Pitch in for fun". St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
- "Washers gaining popularity as 'poor-man's horseshoes'". Lawrence Journal-World. August 13, 2004.