Softball Hall of Fame to induct Ken Snyder

Contributed Photos  -Ken Snyder

An ardent and very successful slo-pitch softball player for five decades, Ken Snyder of Albion will be inducted into the Rochester Senior Softball Hall of Fame in ceremonies to be held October 29 at the Diplomat Party House in Gates.

“This is a terrific honor for me and for all players from Orleans County,” said Snyder. “I hope that over the years I have helped promote the game of Slo-Pitch Softball in this area. The days of playing five nights a week plus most weekends is now down to two leagues and a senior tournament once a month. I have sincerely been lucky to have been surrounded by terrific teammates, worthy opponents, honest umpires and great fans.”

Snyder, a pitcher/infielder who began is softball career as a teenager in Albion, has over the years played in many area leagues including Albion, Medina, Brockport, Hamlin, Hilton, Oakfield, Batavia and Clarkson.

His local teams have included Medina Knights of Columbus (1972-75), Mahans Liquor (1976-77), Peter Snell Realtors (1979-86), St. Mary’s Athletic Club (1978-1986), Morrison Realty (1987-1993) and Sneezy’s Softball Club (1987-2005). His Snell teams captured the Medina League regular season and or playoff title virtually every year during that stretch.

Snyder pitching for the Snell’s team during the early 1980’s.

The K of C and Sneezy’s teams he played on won numerous tournaments.

Interestingly, the length of his very successful career is well illustrated when at age 26 he earned MVP honors at a tournament in Buffalo while playing for KofC ; at age 54 he won MVP honors at the Perry Sea Serpent Classic in 2001 while playing for Sneezy’s and then at age 58, in his first year of Senior Softball competition, he earned MVP honors at a tournament in Manassas, Virginia in 2005.

Snyder switched from regular league and tournament play to Senior Softball at age 58 and currently plays in leagues in both Irondequoit and Clarkson.