Washer Pitching

January 15, 2003 8:31 AM

An Exciting Game Your Whole Family Will Enjoy for Years to Come! In wishing warmer weather wasn't a few months away, and a search for odd or unique sports, washer pitching came up. But wait, the game quoits may be the predecessor to horseshoes and washer pitching. Both these games have a regional following. What are some other games people play that have a local or regional appeal?
posted by grefo (9 comments total)

I've actually played a variation of the washer-tossing game, called "Sewer".
posted by debralee at 8:57 AM on January 15, 2003

Here in Oxfordshire, the local game is called Aunt Sally. I'd never heard of it before I moved to the area. Basically, you throw six rolling pins at a small "dolly" from a distance of 10 yards. I'm hopeless at it!
posted by salmacis at 9:20 AM on January 15, 2003

In the Florida Keys, there's a bar game that involves a ring, a string and a hook. A 2" metal ring hangs from a string, the object is to swing it and land it on the hook, which is sunk into the wall. Have never heard it called anything other than 'The Keys Ring Game'.

How about Chicago softball, played with the enormous ball? People down here freak when I show them my Windy City softball.
posted by groundhog at 9:48 AM on January 15, 2003

When I was a kid, we played a game called 'bunsie.' It involved a racquet ball, a brick wall, and about ten kids.

A kid would throw the ball, hit the wall without touching the ground, and another kid would catch the ball without dropping it or using two hands. If the ball bounced on the initial throw, the thrower had to run and touch the wall before some other kid picked up the ball and threw it at the running kid. Same thing if a 'catcher' used two hands.

Then...if the running kid was hit before touching the wall, he received a 'bunsie.' Three of these and the unfortunate child would bend over in front of the brick wall while the other nine kids took turns throwing the ball at the posterior of the bent over child.

There are other technicalities, but I think you get the gist.
posted by grefo at 10:15 AM on January 15, 2003

I enjoyed lawn darts, until the government deemed everyone too stupid to use them. :-/
posted by shepd at 10:20 AM on January 15, 2003

...and created a game that's one of Texas' favorite pastimes.

I have lived in Texas my entire life and have never heard of washer pitching.
posted by maceo at 10:28 AM on January 15, 2003

maceo, I went to a buddies Ranch in Hamilton, Tx. They had a pit set up by their barn full of tools.

I learned to play this and did quite well for a greenhorn, they about ringed my neck too for beating them.

I asked were did they get the idea? They said it was a game they had played since they were kids. I took it, that it was easier finding washer rings than horse shoes, since I didn't see any horses on the ranch.

But now I know it was not just their game.
posted by thomcatspike at 12:28 PM on January 15, 2003

I was hoping they'd be talking about washing machine pitching. Oh well.
posted by small_ruminant at 1:37 PM on January 15, 2003

I learned to play washers on a camping trip awhile back. Last summer I set up a pitch in the back yard and enjoyed a few games. Everyone I show it to have never heard of it, but really get into the game.

I never thought of it as a regional game, nor did I ever think to look for "offical" info on the 'Net. Thanks for the links grefo!
posted by jazon at 2:14 PM on January 15, 2003