Hall of Fame

Florida State Horseshoe Pitchers Assn., Inc.

Ralph Cantrell

2007

Born: July 5, 1932 in Rock Island, Tennessee

Wife: Nancy; 1 Daughter, Pamela 3 Son’s, Ralph Jr., David, Darrell

Ralph graduated from the University of Tennessee as a distinguished military graduate. Ralph retired from the U.S. Army in 1980 after serving for 26 years, where he primarily worked as a Procurement and Contracting Officer. Ralph continued his work as a Contract Administrator for Martin Marietta until his full retirement in 1990.

Ralph moved to Orlando, FL from Huntsville, AL in 1984. Prior to moving to Orlando, Ralph was very active in the Huntsville Horseshoe Pitching Club. He held various executive positions in the club and played a large part in helping to host three world tournaments in 1980, 1982, and 1984.

Ralph’s love and enthusiasm for the sport of horseshoe pitching became readily apparent when he came to Florida. Moving to Orlando in 1984, Ralph became active in the Orlando Horseshoe Pitching Club after retiring in 1990. He has held every position in the Orlando club including tournament director for several years. He has also organized a City horseshoe tournament in Orlando.

Ralph was asked to fill the position of Grievance Committee Chairman for the FSHPA in 2000 and 2001; he readily accepted this position.

He has participated in world tournaments in Huntsville, AL, Perry, GA, Greenville, OH and Canada.

His world of horseshoes extended beyond the local clubs in Florida. He was tournament director of the National Senior games at the Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World in 1999. Because of the success of this tournament he was asked to become tournament director at the National Senior Games in Baton Rouge, LA which he accepted. He also ran the senior qualifying event at St. Cloud for three years.

Ralph became an accomplished pitcher in the sport of horseshoe pitching. Ralph was one of the top pitchers in the state of Florida for many years, having won several “A” class competitions.

His willingness to help others learn the game was a unique quality that has benefited many a horseshoe pitcher. Unfortunately, Ralph was forced to give up pitching horseshoes with the Florida clubs after becoming blind. However, because of his love for the game he has become active in the Blind Veterans Horseshoe League. Ralph is very deserving of this honor.