By Lou Mumford 1 EAU CLAIRE Apparently, spitting tart cherry pits, an
activity that began at Eau Claire's Tree-Mendus Fruit
Farm as a neighborhood get-together and evolved into
an international competition, is a difficult habit to
break.
2 Don't believe it? The orchard at 9351 E. Eureka Road
on Saturday will host its 40th annual pit spit.
3 With every such event, it seems, there has been
suspense and even shock as contestants let the pits fly
across the 100-foot asphalt court. Usually, it's Rick
"Pellet Gun" Krause, a 15-time tournament champion,
or members of his pit-spitting family who are
responsible for the shock and awe.
4 Take, for example, Brian "Young Gun" Krause's spit in
2003 that traveled, with the roll-yes, rolls count-an
incredible 93 feet, 6 1/2 inches. Spits like that are the
reason a Krause usually walks off as tournament