A Tribute to the E. Walt Snyder Baseball Team
    Written by J. Albert Lutz and published in the Liverpool Sun August 5, 1891.
    Republished in conjunction with the Perry County Sesquicentennial.


    Professor J. Albert Lutz, the principal of the Millerstown schools.
    E. Walt Snyder, a resident of Liverpool, sponsor of the team, father of Dr. Charles Snyder of Marysville.

    "Fatty" ..unknown
    "Webster" was Wilson W. Ritter of Liverpool.
    "Picket" was Frank Hamilton, principal of the Liverpool schools for many years.
    "Ritter" was Lew Ritter, who later played professionally for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
    "Tom" was Professor T.J. Williamson, father of Professor Alvin S. Williamson.
    "Wesley" was Wesley Kauffman, who had a grocery store in Liverpool for many years.
    "Vallie" ..unknown
    "Hen" ..unknown
    "Noodle" was John Ritter, who had an ice cream parlor in Liverpool.
    "Mike" was M.J. Shure, whose father had a livery stable in Liverpool.
    "Solly" was Professor Ralph Shumaker, who taught school in Liverpool for many years.
    "Frazier", manager ..uhknown
    Information from Mrs. James K. Holman

    Here's to the Snyders
    The champion deciders,
    A team of ball players that many clubs fear.
    We're the champions of Perry
    And that's why we're merry
    We beat every club in the county this year.

    There's Fatty the Catcher.
    No where is his match or
    His equal at plating for age in the State.
    The Bloomfielders reckoned
    His throwing to second
    Was as perfect and grand as his work at the plate.

    And Webster the Twiler.
    The champion ball hurler
    Can rattle his victims and put them to route.
    His pitching's a wonder
    And makes batters ponder
    As to how in the dickens they came to strike out.

    Our Shortstop is Pickett.
    And he is just the ticket
    To scoop up a grounder or pull down a fly.
    His throwing to bases
    Quite readily places
    His judgement unerring, his record on high.

    On First we have Ritter.
    And none there are fitter
    To captain a team and lead them to fame.
    He plays with ambition
    And then in addition
    He's as good a base stealer as goes in a game.

    And Tom is the dandy.
    To fill Second handy
    To cut off a runner who tries to steal down.
    He throws a bee liner
    His running is finer
    Than any other we have in the town.
    And Wesley defiant.
    Covers Third like a giant
    And no one throws harder or further you know.
    When swinging the willow
    The fields grow yellow
    And scatter far out as they can go.

    In Right Field is Vallie.
    For whom you can tally
    A putout whenever the ball comes his way.
    He made a good showing
    But now he is going
    And carries along our best wishes for aye.

    And Hen is in Center.
    Who plays with intent or
    desires to pull down long hits in his field.
    He watches with eager
    For good plays or meager
    And gets out of the game the best it will yield.

    In Left we have Noodle.
    And now bet your boodle
    When he takes willow and steps to the plate.
    For he is the Ritter
    Who always can hit her
    He won the last game by a three bagger gate.

    And Mike is a wonder
    To make batters ponder.
    His speed is terrific, his shoots are immense.
    He's an extra I'm saying,
    an extra at playing
    When he strikes out the batters, their disgust is intense.

    And an extra is Solly
    Who always is jolly.
    He plays Centerfield and he makes a good show.
    He's ready for duty
    And then here is the beauty
    We have nothing but Liverpool boys, don't you know?

    I must tell you at leisure
    Of Manager Frazier
    A veteran pitcher whose equals were few.
    But we're Champions of Perry
    And that's why we're merry
    Say, Bloomfield where are you, we are looking for you!


    Footnote: I have had this poem in my possession for some time.
    I'm not a typist and it was too poor a copy to scan. Typing it
    in HTML format required my undivided attention. Enjoy it now.
    Anyone wanting to volunteer to type these stories for the website,
    please get in touch with me.

    Neil Wingenroth
    Webmaster
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