New England Hall of Fame
/Amos Whitaker// Player/Organizer		2005
Amos started playing horseshoes in the 1930's, and was a member of the Orange Club. He was a top player in the Franklin County and four- time county champion. He was the elected Massachusetts Horseshoe Pitchers Association President in 1960. Amos played in two World Tournaments. He was elected Second Vice-President in the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association, held in Muncie, Indiana, in 1960 He played in the Massachusetts State Tournament many times. He was third in Class A in 1987. He was Massachusetts State Elder Champion in 1996 with a 50.0% Amos was inducted into the Massachusetts State Hall of Fame as a "Player" in 1982. In 1979, Amos was awarded the Massachusetts State Player of the Year Award. He played in the New England Tournament 25 times. His best finish was 7th, and his best average was 65.7%. His first in Class A was in 1958 at Porthsmith, N.H. With a 5-10-51.7% In 1960 Amos invented the first scoreboard, similar to the ones that we use today. As quoted in the old "Horseshoe Pitchers News Digest","Amos new scoreboard will do much to make horseshoe pitching a spectator sport as well as a participating sport. Amos is to be congratulated on his wonderful contribution to the game. He spent many long hours in preparing the scoreboards used in the big tournament last season". The scoreboards were used at the Eastern States Exposition Tournament in 1961. He started promoting Junior horseshoe pitching in 1964 that produced Junior State Champion Bob Gore. His last year on record in the State of Massachusetts Average List, Amos, at the 30 foot line average an overall of 47.97% - High 3 of 52.45%. He was a tough competitor and giving his best at all times in the area for over 60 years, but always a gentleman.