Tossing shoes
Story and photos by Kathy Tretter
There’s an old saying: “Close doesn’t count except in horseshoes and hand grenades.”
Odds are pretty good that Korean War veteran Sylvester “Vesty” Nord knows a bit about both.
The 86-year-old, lifelong Ferdinand resident who saw combat during his service, has been pitching horseshoes his entire life.
In 1988, after “retiring” at age 61 from a lengthy stint playing Liniment League softball, Vesty joined Ferdinand’s 5th Street Park Horseshoe League.
He took home his first trophy in 1990 and is still going strong 25 years later.
The league plays on Wednesday nights through the summer.
As of last week, Vesty’s team was in the running for second place in the six team league (four men per team), with just one more night of league play and a few rain make-up games to complete the 2013 season.
The wiry athlete tossed a six-pack (translation double ringer) and did his customary leap in the air, clicking his heels to the side.
“He used to get up even higher in the air,” noted a fellow thrower, about 40 years Vesty’s junior who added, “but I couldn’t even do that now.”
Ferdinand’s 5th Street League was founded in 1967 and has been going strong ever since. (NOTE: A second league formed at 18th Street Park soon after it was built, but the original league decided to stay at 5th Street Park.)
Indiana State Horseshoe Pitching records go back as far as 1919, and the state’s official horseshoe association was not formed until 1953. Still, after 46 continuous years of play, the 5th Street League may be one of the older ones in the state, although not sanctioned.
Nope, the players are there primarily for a good time.
On this night a small group of fans perch on a picnic table and heckle the throwers, who range in age from Kyle Lechner, 22, to Vesty.
Fellow thrower Silas “Hike” Heichelbech, is a mite younger than Vesty at almost 82 (his birthday is October 5). Hike has been tossing shoes with this league since its inception (46 years and counting, although he is quick to confess he missed the 1979 season when on assignment out of the area for DMI).
Hike started pitching horseshoes as a teenager. “They put in a field behind the Oasis,” he recalls. “Only one pit and the winner held the shoes. We played every Saturday.”
Arnie Lange, a spry 79, is still at it as well and serves as his team’s captain. Watching the St. Henry man toss a shoe is a study in grace and strength.
This particular night is sultry but the players don’t seem to break a sweat. League Treasurer David Lindauer was in charge of bringing refreshments to keep everyone hydrated as play continues on the four sets of horseshoe pits at Fifth Street.
After his six pack toss, Vesty emits an easily distinguished, deep, throaty chuckle (imagine Dracula laughing and you’ll have it). By jove, his actions seem to say, “I’ve still got it.”
He does indeed and, while this season is coming to a close, Vesty has no intention of hanging up his.
