KANSAS
HORSESHOE PITCHERS ASSOCIATION
HALL OF FAME
ROGER POTTS
Leonardville, KS
1992
PLAYER INDUCTEE
Leonardville, KS
1992 PLAYER INDUCTEE
Starting his horseshoe pitching career as a Junior division player standing at the men’s foul line instead of the allowed 30-foot distance, Roger Potts captured the Kansas State Junior Boys title in 1973 in his only attempt with an average of 45.3 percent ringers. Three times, he also represented Kansas in the World Tournament Junior division. After a successful transition to the men’s division, Roger improved his game until he was a challenger for the men’s Kansas State title. He captured the Kansas State Championship three times with titles in 1989, 1990, and 1997. His highest ringer percentage average was 71.4 percent while winning the crown in 1989. Roger has participated in the Championship Division at the Kansas State Tournament every year since his first appearance in 1977 for a string of 25 straight years (through 2001). He also represented Kansas in the World Tournament Men’s Championship Division when he made the top class four straight years including 1985, 1986, 1987, and 1988. Also in the World Tournament Championship class during these four years was his father,Kansas great Merlin Potts. This was one of the few instances in World Tournamenthistory with father and son competing in the Championship Class at the same time. Roger’s best game at the World Tournament was his final qualifying game in 1985 at Lafayette, Indiana. Knowing he was near the cutoff to make the Championship Class, Roger recorded a game of 45 ringers out of 50 shoes for an average of 90 percent ringers against Len Lipovsky of Minnesota, thus securing his initial appearance in the Championship Division. His best finish in the World Tournament was an 11th place finish in 1986 at Ainsworth, Nebraska, averaging 70.4 percent ringers for 31 games. Roger served the Kansas Horseshoe Pitchers Association as its Vice President in 1979 and 1980. He also served as Secretary- Treasurer in 1985, 1986 and 1987. For his horseshoe career, including one Kansas Junior State Title, three Men’s State Titles, his four World Tournament Championship Class appearances and his service as a Kansas State officer for 5 years, Roger was elected into the Kansas State Horseshoe Pitchers Hall of Fame in 1992. Following are Roger’s Kansas State Tournament and World Tournament results.
