Sheaf For Distance Federation

Sheaf For Distance Rules

• Non spinning Technique is allowed: Any style of throwing maybe used as long as it is deemed safe by the judge for all those on the field and the audience watching.  The traditionally method of throwing the sheaf for distance has been to use a spinning motion.  However, the rules allows the new and controversial "Stand and Deliver" technique.  
  
  
• Coordination Rule: If the judge feels that the thrower cannot spin without stabbing himself or another human being with the hay fork, the judge has the right to disqualify the participant.
  
  
• Throwing area: A foul line painted on the ground or some sort of trig board must be used. There are no side foul lines or box to be thrown from. However, the thrower must be behind the foul line or trig when the sheaf is launched so measurements can be taken.  Generally, no vectors are used in the landing area.
  
  
• Sheaf: The sheaf should be lighter in weight.  It is suggested that a sheaf weighing 14 pound or under should be used.
  
  
• Approach but no follow: An approach of any reasonable length under 15 feet is allowed but the thrower is not allowed to cross the foul line/trig board.
  
  
• Measurement: Measurement is made from the trig or foul line closest to the center of stance to the closest landing point in the field or the throw measure can include the roll at the discretion of the judge.  But one method must be used for all contestants.
  

History of the Seaf For Distance Competition

This sport appears to be celtic in origin since a sheaf and hay fork are used.  But the true history of this event is clouded.  After extensive research sponsored by the Sheaf for Distance Federation, the following theories on who invented this sport have been put forth: 

• It was invented by a group of midwest A Division throwers who frequent Ancient Athletic (AA)events and haunt AA's board. 
  
  Apparently, one thrower was about to launch the sheaf for height when another made an off handed comment causing both the thrower and the crowd to explode with laughter. Unfortunately, the sheaf flew off the fork traveling a great distance towards the commenting athlete! Despite assertions to the contrary, claims of the direction of the toss being purely coincidental where made and accepted by all those involved.  Never the less, the roots of the sport were born in this incident. 
  
  Although this theory is plausible, no credible witnesses have been located to confirm this event. 
  

• Not to be out done by their counter parts, several wives of smack division members claim they invented this sport so they could get practice at launching objects at their husbands. 
  
  The one big problem with this theory is that most believe they already have enough practice launching things at their husbands!
  

• Others say it was invented by a group at a picnic following an Iowa backyard games. At the end of the day, while the throwers where unwinding by drinking beer, smoking cigars, and having a good time, some one spontaneously through a sheaf for distance. 
  
  Several pictures have surfaced of this event but are either to fuzzy to identify anyone or appear to be doctored because they contain a disembodied head floating in mid-air. The head is of a mythical polish giant that was slain by John Vinzant several years back.
  

• A doctorate student of early American History claims the event was started in the Carolinas during American Revolutionary War. The children of the Scotch-Irish apparently took pleasure in terrorizing their Scottish Tories neighbors by launching flaming bags of pig manure at the Tories log cabin's front doors.  (Scottish Tories backed the British even though the same British drove many of them out of the highlands after the failed Jacobite uprising some 20 years earlier). 
  
  However, historians have not found and collaborating records of these events.
  

• A completely unfounded but persistent rumor is that a Scotch-Irish-Jamaican-opera loving-biker from Wisconsin invented this sport as a satirical commentary on invented championships. Our researchers have iron clad evidence that this person did not invent this sport but was present when it was invented.  All attempts to locate this person have failed. 

• Strongman competitors have weighed in on this issue floating a highly controversial theory that this event is not Celtic in origin but is a product of the Show Me state.  Repeated claims have been made that Sheaf for Distance was an event in a Northern Missouri Strongman contest. Adding to the controversy is that the roll was included in the measure of the throw!
   

The real person who invented this sport and why maybe lost to time.  For all we know Santa and his elves invented it on a whim!