New England Hall of Fame
///Mickey Vecchitto Player		1975
Michael "Mike" Vecchitto, Middletown, Ct. When living in Meridan Mike organized a Meridan Horseshoe Club. After a year he contacted the Connecticut Horseshoe Association, and in 1939 entered his club in the Connecticut State Horseshoe League. This participation continued until 1942 and World War II terminated the Connecticut State League. After World Was II (1948) when the Connecticut State Association was being re-organized by two former members, he was contacted and it was Mike who arranged for a meeting place in Middletown. As a result of this meeting he became Secretary-Treasurer for eight years (1948-1956). The workload of the State Association necessitated separating of the two offices. He became Treasurer, an office he still holds as of date of induction. He re-organized the Meridan Horseshoe Club and entered it in the New State Horseshoe League in 1948. The club won the league title in 1950. Mike moved to Middletown. Here, in 1954, he organized the Middletown Horseshoe League. He convinced the Recreation Director that horseshoes courts would be an asset in the new Veterans Memorial Park. He also got publicity from the local editor, and the Park Department approved six courts which were increased to eight by 1957. He continued this league play through 1959. The courts, now twelve, are still used by the Connecticut State Horseshoe Association for two of their tournaments. Clay courts in Southington resulted from Mike's efforts with help from Don Harrison. That same year, 1955, Mike succeeded in getting the New England State Championship Tournament held in Connecticut on these courts. He was a tireless worker during the tournament. His enthusiasm for horseshoes and his drive put him on two different television programs in 1957. One the first local station Mike had a short interview, but the work he put in consisted of drawn illustrations showing a horseshoe in motion for a ringer and other items he thought would be of general interest. The second show was in a nearby town. In this longer appearance he had the State Champion, a former state champion and an outstanding pitcher engaged in a ten minute doubles match with him after his interview. The other pitchers, too, were interviewed. He also assisted, before 1960, at various state tournaments. Mike was appointed Regional Director of the New England States for 1960, by the N.H.P.A. He became chairman of the Regional Directors in 1961 through 1963. Unfortunately, the Middletown League after a few years faded. But in 1971 Mike started another league with high hopes. A leg problem has prevented tournament play since 1967, but he plays in the New Middletown league.