Organizer
1987
In 1925 Sam Bartram moved back to Bridgeport, Connecticut from Indiana. He brought with him his knowledge of horseshoe pitching. Finding lunch hours long he brought his shoes to work and found many interested not only here but also outside of work, and put on exhibitions of his skill in pitching the "open" shoe. At this same time definite rules and regulations were being developed for "pitching contests." As he learned these he passed them on to others.
It was time, he thought, to get proper courts in the local park. After many run-a-rounds, he finally was offered courts in the then undeveloped Beardsley Park. Material for three courts was available but there was a labor shortage. Not daunted by this Bartram and some other enthusiastic built the courts.
In 1931 Sam held a City Championship after getting five additional courts. He won this first championship, and also in 1932, 1933, 1938, and 1939.
Wanting to use his courts to their fullest, this determined man publicized a State Championship he was to hold in Bridgeport. Seventeen men showing up ready to pitch rewarded him. It was Sam, himself, who had interested these other horseshoe pitchers in other parts of Connecticut with his exhibitions and enthusiasm. With his ever-expanding push, he organized, with the help of another club (Stamford), to hold the first Fairfield County Tournament.
The year 1935 saw Sam Bartram President of the Newly organized Connecticut State Horseshoe Pitchers Association. League play within and outside of the state was not started.
During World War II the only horseshoe courts to survive were the ones in Beardsley Park, now fifteen. It was Sam Bartrum that kept the interest going and made it possible for the Connecticut Horseshoe Pitching Association to get going again.