(18 and older) $500 for 1st place and $250 for 2nd place
1. The machine with the longest distance wins this class. HedgeBalls must weigh at least 12ounces and be 4 to 6 inches in diameter. Event is BYOHB (Bring Your own Hedge Balls). Hedge balls will be inspected by the officials before each competitive attempt.
2. Hedge Ball must leave the machine intact.
3. No part of the machine shall cross the firing line.
4. No "wadding" (including bean chaff, straw, foam, metal, or any other object, or foreign matter).
5. No explosives are allowed! Compressed air only, (no other gases allowed) 125 psi max pressure.
6. Hedge Ball must be loaded before pressurizing tanks, and Official must see you load it.
7. Machines using compressed air must have a check valve on the fill line for the tank and must be rated at the vessel working pressure.
8. Any machine that shoots out of the field of play will be allowed 3 hours to have spotters locate your Hedge Ball. The field of play will be defined at the event, but is generally an area 2 miles long x 1 mile wide. If in the field of play you will not need the 3 hours location time. (SEE GENERAL RULES NUMBER 5)
(18 and older) $500 for 1st place and $250 for 2nd place
1. The machine with the longest distance wins this class. Hedge Balls must weigh at least 12 ounces and be 4 to 6 inches in diameter. Event is BYOHB (Bring Your Own Hedge Balls). Hedge balls will be inspected by the officials before each competitive attempt.
2. Hedge Ball must leave the machine intact.
3. No part of the machine shall cross the firing line.
4. No "wadding" (including bean chaff, straw, foam, metal, or any other object, or foreign matter).
5. Machine shall consist of springs, cords, rubber, flywheels, dead weights, or other mechanical means of creating a stored energy.
6. Motorized winches and/or other cranking devices may cock the machine.
7. These machines require Back Stops
8. Any machine that shoots out of the field of play will be allowed 3 hours to have spotters locate your Hedge Ball. The field of play will be defined at the event, but is generally an area 2 miles long x 1 mile wide. If in the field of play you will not need the 3hours location time. (SEE GENERAL RULES NUMBER 5)
Youth 11-17 Trebuchet & Catapult Class
$250 for 1st place and $100 for 2nd place place
1. The machine with the longest distance wins this class. Hedge Balls must weigh at least 12 ounces and be 4 to 6 inches in diameter. Event is BYOHB (Bring Your Own Hedge Balls). Hedge balls will be inspected by the officials before each competitive attempt.
2. Hedge Ball must leave the machine intact.
3. No part of the machine shall cross the firing line.
4. No "wadding" (including bean chaff, straw, foam, metal, or any other object, or foreign matter).
5. Machine shall consist of springs, cords, rubber, dead weights, or other mechanical means of creating a stored energy. They can be made of wood, metal, or plastic.
6. Machines may have adult assistance on the design and building.
7. Machines must be assembled, loaded, and fired by children of the proper age group under full adult supervision.
8. Motorized winches and/ or other cranking devices may cock the machine.
9. These Machines require Back Stops.
10. Any machine that shoots out of the field of play will be allowed 3 hours to have spotters locate your Hedge Ball. The field of play will be defined at the event, but is generally an area 2 miles long x 1 mile wide. If in the field of play you will not need the 3 hours location time. (SEE GENERAL RULES NUMBER 5)
Theatrical Class Trophy for first prize
1. Hedge Balls can weigh anything you want them to weigh.
2. Hedge Ball must leave the machine intact. (To stay with the theme)
3. No part of the machine shall cross the firing line.
4. Wadding sounds like fun for this class must look great... (You are responsible for cleanup)
5. No age limit.
6. Machines limited to chuckin 100' or less. (Distance is not the goal; ability to ham it up is the goal).
7. Teams will be judged on the show, each team can hold as many shows per day that they wish to perform. Judging times will be set by the judges.
General Rules
1. The Hedge Ball Chuckin officials reserves the right to combine any classes if there is a lack of participation. Any class that is subject to cutting will be contacted to see where they want to be moved. This will mean they must meet the full qualifications of the class they move to. All classes must have Three (3) entries in that class to open it to competition. If any Class is cut for the year it will need 3 entries to open it again in the future.
2. Machines can only enter one (1) class per machine. Teams entering two machines on the same trailer in the same class may do so; provided they do not share components and they pay for both entries.
3. All Machines must be able to fire within ten (10) minutes. (Keep in mind that every attempt is made to give you (20) minutes by informing you 4 machines or more down the firing line.) Any machine not able to fire when the pit boss decides your ten (10) minutes are up will forfeit that round. NO EXCEPTIONS! Team captains are responsible for making sure they get their Hedge Ball weighed well enough in advance to ensure they have the time they need to set up. Any special needs or concessions about time needed for your machine should be brought up at the team captains meeting. The Hedge Ball officials and Pit Boss will try to work with you to ensure you the notice you need. Again, Team Captains are responsible for making sure your ready when it's your turn to chuck.
4. Hedge Balls are not to be altered in any way, excluding marker paints provided by the Pit Boss. All Hedge Balls must be in their natural state.
5. All machines must be set up in the assigned areas. You will be given notice of this area well in advance. No excuses will be entertained for not being in your spot (on game day). You will be required to move.
6. Any machine that shoots out of the field of play will be allowed 3 hours to have spotters locate Hedge Ball. The field of play will be defined at the event, but is generally an area 2 miles long x 1 mile wide. If your Hedge Ball is not found after the three (3) hours it is considered "Mush".
7. The longest distance of the event is the WORLD CHAMPION HEDGE BALL CHUCKER and wins the overall chuck regardless of class. All others first place winners are Champions of class entered.
8. Any machine using compressed air must have the Hedge Ball loaded before pressure is developed.
9. The pit boss starts the three (3) hour clock (logged) for the team taking option to have spotters locate Hedge Ball.
10. It is the responsibility of the prior year champion to return the traveling trophy to the current years’ Hedge Ball Chuckin contest in Eureka, Kansas. The trophy must be kept in good condition.
11. If you are disqualified for any round in competition for breaking SAFETY and GENERAL rules you will forfeit your longest distance not the distance of the shot you are being disqualified on.
Safety Rules
1. Hoses must be in good operating condition. Chafed or cut hoses must not be used. If using Chicago type quick connects safety pins must be installed in each of the two holes.Any manufacture recommended safety equipment designed for any type of coupler must be used.
2. Make sure all sections of your cannon barrel are properly secured down so that they will not blow off. Make sure you do not pinch or collapse your barrel when using aluminum barrel. All cannons not using an actuator valve powered by air or some other mechanical device must have a spring loaded normally open butterfly valve.
3. All machine captains and teammates are to follow Hedge Ball Chuckin Rules or you will be penalized or disqualified, depending on the nature of which rule is broken. If you are penalized, you will forfeit your chance to chuck in that round of competition if disqualified you will be referred to rule #11 of the General Rules. Major infractions that are deemed as challenging the safety of the chuck and/or others around your machine will be discussed during a quorum of the Hedge Ball Chuckin Safety Committee to decide on the actions to take. The results of the Quorum will be relayed to the team captain. There will be ZERO TOLERANCE for those who break safety rules.
4. The Hedge Ball Chuckin Committee reserves the right to request a team captain to dismantle his or her machine to inspect for foul play. For example, use of any other propellant other than compressed air. If you are caught using any chemicals (NITROGEN, HELIUM, HYDROGEN, or any illegal substances other than compressed air) you will be banned from the Hedge Ball Chuckin’ contest.
5. All portable air storage vessels used to fill their cannon must be stood up right and secured to a stationary device. No tanks or vessels may be stored lying down on the ground or transported lying down in any vehicle. Every vessel must have a safety cap on it when not in use. All nipples, fittings, manifolds, or airlines must be capable of handling the pressure of air on them. This is your responsibility.
6. All catapult and trebuchet machines must have a safety strap or mechanism to hold the throwing arm or boom in case of early fire when loading. You are responsible for making sure everyone stays clear behind your machine, in case of a misfire. Chuckers handling ropes or cable should wear gloves such as a sailing or repelling type to prevent burns
7. Inspect all hydraulic lines each time you cock or lift your machine. Make sure winches can handle the load and cables are in good condition. Make sure your release mechanisms are heavy enough to handle the load. Make sure you have an automatic brake or a dog lock on winch or cocking device. Tie-downs on cannons should not be directly to the barrel. All cannons must be secured to prevent upward recoil.
8. NO CHILDREN under 16 will be allowed to drive golf carts, four wheelers, dirt bikes, or ATVs alone. They may ride with an adult that has a valid driver's license. All golf carts, four wheelers, dirt bikes or ATVs must display their pit number on that vehicle in clear view. The Greenwood County Sheriff officers on chuckin field may control the use of this type of vehicles. No golf carts, four wheelers, dirt bikes, or ATVs, are permitted on the field beyond firing line unless you are an association official or spotter actively engaged in spotting Hedge Balls. All spotters on the field will enter the field and operate their vehicles AT THEIR OWN RISK!
9. Backstops will be required for any machine that can fire backwards (even if it never has done so). The Hedge Ball Chuckin officials will provide backstops for teams to share (take turns firing). Teams may make their own stops for the chuck but they must be constructed to a Hedge Ball Chuckin committee approved design standard. Contact us for a copy of this standard. Any machine inspected on the field or approved in advance, as "not able to fire backwards" will be exempt from this requirement. Machines marked for backstops that fire without one will be disqualified from the chuck. This includes anytime they fire while on the field.
10. Any machine found to have structural defects (weld fractures affecting the pressure vessel, load beams, firing pins, any load bearing members, supports or support subsystems) will be banned from chucking until repaired and re-inspected by a member of the safety committee.
11. Any grievance or protest needs to be sent to the security tent to be addressed by the Hedge Ball Chuckin officials.
12. All team captains must sign the field roster stating that they have received, read, and understand the 2008 rules of the Hedge Ball Chuckin’ contest. This sheet will be on the field and given to the pit boss, if it is not signed, you do not chuck.
13. Compressed air machines must have a bleed off device (valve) to allow for safely removing the air if the machine cannot be fired. This device should be installed such that it does not blow directly to the dirt or face level to prevent Eye injury. If it is exposed to the body level it should have a shield installed to deflect the air. Machines using compressed air must have a check valve on fill line for tank and must be rated at working pressure.
14. Machines may not chuck until the safety committee inspects and approves them to be safe by HEDGE BALL CHUCKIN’ SAFETY RULES
15. Hard Hats and Eye Protection to be worn by all fire line personnel in pit when firing.
16. Each Machine must have Fire Extinguisher mounted to machine and First Aid Kit in plain view and clearly marked for all people to see, but not on machine
17. All pressure vessels must be built to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (A.S.M.E.) construction codes. The vessels will have a manufactures nameplate with proper (A.S.M.E.) stamping and will be marked with the vessel’s allowable working pressure.
18. All pressure vessels shall be equipped with A.S.M.E. approved and scaled relief valve set at or below the allowable working pressure of the vessel. The relief valve will have a capacity equal to or greater then the flow rate of air being placed in the vessel. The main relief can be located on the air compressor if it is set at or below the allowable working pressure of the vessel. A smaller A.S.M.E. relief valve can be placed on the vessel when the operation required the tank to be filled from a cylinder tank. This valve will be set at or below the allowable working pressure or the vessel. All relief valves must be maintained in proper working order during operation of the vessel.
19. Air Cannon barrels must be metal and rated for 250 psig or greater.
Revision: 11/03/2007 changed date to 2008
Revision: 10/08/2007
Changed wording from Eureka Foundation and EF to Hedge Ball Chuckin Officials and Hedge Ball Chuckin committee.
Prize amounts were updated also
Revision: 09/08/2006
Changed "General Rules #3" [able to fire within three (10) minutes.] to [able to fire within ten (10) minutes.]
