KANSAS
HORSESHOE PITCHERS ASSOCIATION
HALL OF FAME
ROLAND KRAFT
Lecompton, KS
1975
PLAYER INDUCTEE
Lecompton, KS
1975 PLAYER INDUCTEE
One of the greatest players in Kansas Horseshoe Pitching history, as well as one of the great stories of willpower and fortitude, was Roland Kraft of Lecompton. When Roland was 7 years old, he found himself in bed, paralyzed on the left side as a victim of polio. Within a year, Roland was back walking and getting stronger, but his left arm was still paralyzed. Unable to participate in other sports, Roland became interested in horseshoes at his grandparents’ farm where his uncles played the sport. Thus began a career that saw Roland become one of the greatest Kansas players of all time, including 10 Kansas State Horseshoe Pitching titles. First taking the title in 1947 after 3 straight runner up finishes, Roland then repeated in 1948, 1949, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960 and 1961. His high percentage tournament for these years was 76.5 percent in 1948. Unable to hold the second shoe while throwing the first one due to his paralyzed left arm, he would lean the second shoe against the stake and then have to lean over and pick it up, causing a lot more exertion than required of most players to play the game. He threw the 1-3/4 turn shoe. Roland also represented Kansas at the World Tournament by qualifying for 10 Men’s Championship Classes. One of Roland’s favorite stories was, when playing in the same World Tournament with Alvin Gandy and Marines Tamboer, these three Kansas greats defeated Carl Steinfeldt in three straight games during the tournament. When Carl was asked after this pitching session how he had faired, he replied, “Just fine until I ran into that ‘da----‘ Kansas Cyclone” (meaning, of course, these three Kansas greats). The year was probably 1953.Roland also served the Kansas State Horseshoe Pitchers Association as its long time Secretary-Treasurer in the late 1950s and most of the 1960s. After his retirement from playing in the mid 1960s, the Lecompton postmaster could often be seen at the courts watching the play. He also attended several World Tournaments as a spectator after his playing career ended. Roland passed away on February 24, 1982. For his outstanding long career as a 10 time Kansas State Men’s Champion, his 10 World Championship Class appearances, and his service as state Secretary-Treasurer, Roland Kraft was elected as a Charter member into the Kansas State Horseshoe Pitchers Hall of Fame in 1975 as a player. Following is a summary of Roland’s Kansas State Tournament Results as well as his World Tournament appearances. Some individual state results are unavailable; only those known are listed.
