There's a new game in town

Bishop England grad creates ‘Sal’s Washer Sets’

When a recent graduate of Bishop England High School begins business classes this fall at the University of South Carolina, he may already know a thing or two from the business concept he launched in his parents’ garage. Sal Badolato began making Sal’s Washer Sets during the summer between his junior and senior year of high school. The game is a small wooden box with a pipe in the middle and metal washers that one throws to try to land in the pipe - think of a cross between horseshoes and cornhole with a system of points for where the washer (a metal ring) lands. Rules can be adapted for the age of players or available space. A local sporting goods store (that has since closed) sold some of his sets. Each set retailed for $50.

When Sal Badolato, his parents Frank and Laura Badolato and siblings Andrew, Miranda and Emma moved to Mount Pleasant from St. Louis, Missouri, he did not see anyone playing his favorite backyard game, Washers. Badolato would like to change that. In St. Louis the game has a big following, and Badolato played the game at barbecues and in PE at school. One example of the game’s popularity is that the Catholic church that his family attended had a large tournament every year. As a grade school student, he was fascinated by the game but was too young for the parish tournament. The first year that he was able to compete with his friend Adam Shipp, they won first place! The fact that Sal Badolato won a tournament is not that surprising because he was a standout midfielder for Bishop England’s soccer team, earning a coveted invitation to the Clash of the Carolinas all-star game this past June.

A 2018 graduate of Bishop England High School, Sal Badolato credits his family for support and encouragement. His parents may be his biggest supporters - giving him tools to use (not to mention space in the garage).

When asked who would be interested in this game, Badolato said, “The game appeals to people of all ages! It differs from cornhole because it is smaller, easier to transport, cheaper, but a tad more difficult. Someone would be interested in this game because it is something new!”

Badolato anticipates local interest in the game and has developed a set that is easy to transport and set up. Along with the game, rules and variations on the rules are included. He can customize the colors of the set and add handles. When asked if he will continue making the games as a USC student, he said that he is optimistic and will take orders as they come. For more information contact Sal Badolato at 314-400-0701 or jsbadolato@gmail.com.

Amy Johnson is a visual art teacher at Bishop England High School.

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