Bud Neff, of Herman, throws a horseshoe against Ron Hans, left, Tuesday night in a league match at the Dew Drop Inn. Once 10 teams strong, the league has just three teams this season and is trying to survive.Seb Foltz/Butler Eagle

A league that's been around since 1953, with a well-established and historical Hall of Fame, has roots that are well-secured.

The Butler County Horseshoe League fits that bill, but the security of those roots has been tested this year.

A 10-team league at its peak, the circuit has only three teams competing this season with approximately 15 pitchers on each team.

“We used to have 10 teams with 20 pitchers on each team. That's quite a drop-off,” said Jim Brandt, captain of the Dew Drop Inn squad and a league member for 17 years.

Ron Watson, a league member for 32 years and West Sunbury team captain for 25, said his team barely has enough pitchers to complete a match at times.

“We've got 14 on the roster and it takes 12 to get through a match,” Watson said. “If a couple of people can't make it or someone is on vacation, it gets pretty tight.”

This is an excerpt - pick up the Friday Butler Eagle or subscribe online to learn more.