47 years and counting: Schnacke reflects on career with Clippers
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- In November 1976, the same month Jimmy Carter was elected President of the United States, Ken Schnacke was hired by the Columbus Clippers. Forty-seven years -- and seven U.S. presidents -- later, Schnacke is still working for the Clippers. He sums up his career thusly: “I was
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- In November 1976, the same month Jimmy Carter was elected President of the United States, Ken Schnacke was hired by the Columbus Clippers. Forty-seven years -- and seven U.S. presidents -- later, Schnacke is still working for the Clippers. He sums up his career thusly:
“I was thrown into the pool and was able to swim, and it’s been a love story since then.”
The Clippers have served as Cleveland's Triple-A affiliate since 2009, the same year their current home of Huntington Park opened. During Schnacke’s long stint with the International League franchise, he has progressed from administrative assistant to director of operations to general manager to, finally in 2001, GM and president. Despite all this, his initial arrival in Ohio’s capital city had nothing to do with Minor League Baseball.
“I went and studied engineering at Ohio Northern University and came down to Columbus when they created the Ohio EPA [Environmental Protection Agency],” said Schnacke, speaking from a suite during a late-season Clippers game. “I was in charge of air pollution control and everyone kind of wanted my job and I didn’t want my job. I had not been a very good athlete, but I love the game of baseball.”
Willing to jettison his nascent career within the federal government, Schnacke traveled to the 1975 Baseball Winter Meetings in Hollywood, Fla., in search of a job. This eventually resulted in an offer from the Texas League’s Amarillo Gold Sox.
“[Gold Sox GM] John Dittrich hired me as their financial guy and I was there for 10 days,” said Schnacke. “But that was the year that Minor League Baseball created the independent league Gulf States League. So I went down there with [Gold Sox broadcaster] Rick Rizzs and [Minor League Baseball executive] Bill Wood and John Dittrich and we found an old ballfield in Harlingen, Texas, where Gaylord Perry had played. We became the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings. So with 10 days of [baseball] experience after being an engineer, I was GM of a Class A independent team. I survived that year.”
After that trial by fire, Schnacke was hired by the Clippers. The team, having relocated from Charleston, W.Va., was gearing up for its inaugural 1977 campaign following six seasons in which Minor League Baseball was absent from Columbus. The Clippers played at Cooper Stadium, which opened in 1932, and called it home for the next 31 years.
“Cooper Stadium was classic,” said Schnacke. "It was the first Minor League park with roof suites. We had Astroturf, we were kind of mimicking the multipurpose Major League facilities at that time in Pittsburgh and Cincinnati and St. Louis. We had minor league football there, and we had the first version of Major League Soccer there. ... I was just trying to keep that place going."
The Clippers were a Pittsburgh Pirates affiliate in 1977-78, followed by a 30-year run with the New York Yankees. Schnacke’s Cooper Stadium memories from this time include Dale Berra collecting the winning hit during the Clippers’ first-ever home game, an appearance by the Famous Chicken that set attendance records, and inevitably, the team’s many Governors’ Cup championships. The Clippers won seven International League titles between 1979 and 1996, all during their affiliation with the Yankees.
“When we left [Cooper Stadium] after ’08, it was 75 years old. I never thought in my tenure or lifetime there would be a different ballpark, I just kept trying to improve it, trying to make it the Wrigley Field of Triple-A baseball,” said Schnacke. “And then this movement started with facilities in Columbus. … Suddenly, at the old place, we couldn’t keep up with the Joneses. So we had the opportunity to buy this parcel of land and move the Clippers about two miles as the crow flies. It kind of reinvented us. It was the best of both worlds.”
That “parcel of land” became Huntington Park, which opened in 2009 in what is now known as Columbus’s Arena District. The site, which Schnacke described as “kind of a junk pile,” had previously been utilized as an overflow lot and storage area for the Ohio State Penitentiary. Throughout the ballpark’s planning and construction process, he provided plenty of input.
“I kept talking about the magical ballparks that still existed,” said Schnacke, pointing out that elements of Huntington Park were inspired by Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Camden Yards and Oracle Park. “Opening Day [2009] was very special. We had a big parade, we had Bob Feller and some key Cleveland [baseball] people down here. We’ve had some magical nights.”
On occasion, Schnacke finds himself wondering where his career might have taken him had he not stayed in Columbus all these years. When it comes down to it, however, there’s no other path he would have preferred to travel.
“I lost my wife [Sandy] to cancer five years ago, but we raised three kids and she didn’t want to be moving all the time. We decided that, you know, we needed a stable family life,” he said. “So from that standpoint, we never got caught up in the trap of, ‘The grass is always greener on the other side.’
“I’ve never really had any regrets,” he concluded. “This has been a wonderful life.”
Benjamin Hill is a reporter for MiLB.com and writes Ben's Biz Blog. Follow Ben on Twitter @bensbiz.
Monday’s Cutters Game Canceled
The Williamsport Crosscutters game scheduled for June 12 vs. West Virginia Black Bears has been canceled due to rain & field conditions. The game will not be made up. All tickets dated June 12 can be exchanged for a ticket of the same value to ANY remaining 2023 Cutters home
Cutters Collapse In Ninth
Williamsport, PA - The Cutters allowed three runs in the top of the 9th inning, surrendering their lead and the series to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, 6-5. Drew Bryan looked for a solid start following the outing from Trenton Shaw on Saturday, and the right hander from Chicago didn’t disappoint.
Six-Run 4th Propels Cutters
Williamsport, PA - A six-run fourth inning and a dominant start from Trenton Shaw propelled the Cutters to a 8-6 win over the Scrappers. Trenton Shaw looked to bounce back from his previous start and he did so in strong fashion. The lefty worked five scoreless frames, striking out a
Cutters Downed In Sudden Death
Williamsport, PA - The Mahoning Valley Scrappers were able to edge the Williamsport Crosscutters in Sudden Death overtime, taking the first game of the weekend series. Tyler Kennedy took the start for the Cutters, his 2nd of the season, looking to build upon his last outing on Opening Night. The
Late Offense Leads Cutters To Second Straight Win
Granville, WV - The Williamsport Crosscutters offense showed up again Thursday night as they scored an even dozen, defeating the West Virginia Black Bears 12-7. The bottom of the order provided a lot as they were able to bring home 10 of the 12 runs. After falling behind 4-0 early,
Lumber Comes To Life; Cutters Dominate In First Win
Granville, WV - It took seven days to do it, but the Williamsport Crosscutters used 16 hits to find the win column for the first time as they take the middle game of this three-game series against the West Virginia Black Bears 13-1. After a scoreless two innings to begin
Cutters Fall To Black Bears In Series Opener
Granville, WV – The Williamsport Crosscutters continue to look for their first win of the 2023 MLB Draft League season as the West Virginia Black Bears rally in the eight inning to defeat Williamsport 6-5 in the opening matchup of this three-game series. The Cutters were the first to find
Chumley Homers; Cutters Can’t Avoid Sweep
Williamsport, PA - Reed Chumley’s two-run home run wasn’t enough as the Cutters fell 9-5 in the series finale to the Spikes, securing the sweep for State College. Drew Bryan was the first Cutters starter to complete three innings. Bryan allowed two runs on three hits and a walk, striking
Cutters Drop Third Straight To Spikes
University Park, PA - The Williamsport Crosscutters allowed 10 combined runs in the third and fourth innings, falling 12-5 to the State College Spikes in Game #3 of the opening four-game series at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Williamsport took the early 1-0 lead over State College thanks to a
Cutters Fall For Second Straight Night
Final Score State College 6 Williamsport 2 University Park, PA – The Cutters allow 6 runs in the third and fourth inning and fall to the State College Spikes 6-2 at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. The Cutters were able to take initial lead of the ballgame in the top
Cutters Walk Ten In Loss
Williamsport, PA - Five Crosscutters pitchers combined to walk 10 Spikes batters as Williamsport fell 4-0 to State College on Opening Night. Tyler Kennedy got the start for the Crosscutters, and allowed just one run (earned) over two and a third innings. The right-hander allowed a pair of hits and
Fans Invited to FREE Meet the Cutters Event May 31
The Williamsport Crosscutters will be holding a “Meet the Cutters” reception, Wednesday, May 31 from 5:00pm-7:00pm at Muncy Bank Ballpark. The event is sponsored by Country Store Brand Meats and Pepsi. Admission is free for all fans. Cutters manager Jesse Litsch and the entire squad of Williamsport Crosscutters players and
Cutters Opening Night & Single Game Tickets on Sale Now
Opening night and single game tickets for all 2023 Williamsport Crosscutters home games go on sale Monday, May 1 at 10am. Ticket prices for all games start at $8. The Cutters 25th Anniversary Season, presented by UPMC, opens on Thursday, June 1 when Williamsport hosts the rival State College Spikes.
Cutters Announce Promotional Schedule for 25th Season
The Williamsport Crosscutters have released their promotional schedule for the 2023 season presented by UPMC. The season opens Thursday, June 1 when the Cutters host the State College Spikes. Game times remain unchanged from last season with all Monday-Saturday games starting at 6:35pm. Sunday’s feature a 4:05pm first pitch. The
Potato Capers Identity Returns Every Friday in 2023
The Williamsport Crosscutters have announced that they will rebrand as the Potato Capers for every Friday home game as part of their 2023 season that begins on June 1. The team introduced the Potato Capers brand in 2022 to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Dave Bresnahan’s infamous hidden ball trick.
Cutters Honoring Military During 2023 Season
The Williamsport Crosscutters will once again honor active and retired military during the 2023 season. The program, Military Salute, is presented by EQT and honors an active or retired member of the armed forces in pregame ceremonies at every Cutters home game. Cutters Vice President of Marketing Gabe Sinicropi stated,
Annual Cutters 5K Race Set for June 24
The Williamsport Crosscutters, in partnership with Hope Enterprises, will be holding the Annual Cutters 5K on Saturday, June 24 at Muncy Bank Ballpark. The race is sponsored in part by; Bower Electric, Hamilton Patriot, Highmark, Horizon FCU, iHeart Media, Lamar, Muncy Bank & Trust, UPMC Health Plan, Williamsport Sun-Gazette, &
Charitable Tuesdays Return in 2023
Again, this season, the Williamsport Crosscutters will present Charitable Tuesdays. The program, presented by Pennsylvania Skill by Miele Manufacturing, gives local non-profit organizations a no-cost opportunity to have a presence at Muncy Bank Ballpark for the purpose of educating fans about their organization. Organizations will be chosen to be featured
Cutters Coaching Staff Announced
Major League Baseball and the Williamsport Crosscutters have announced the coaching staff that will join second year manager Jesse Litsch in the dugout in 2023. Returning to the staff as hitting coach will be Ron Perodin. In 2022 he served as outfield and base running coach for Williamsport. Perodin currently
Cutters Seeking Anthem Performers
The Williamsport Crosscutters are now accepting applications for National Anthem performers for the upcoming 2023 season. All individuals and groups who are interested in being considered are asked to fill out the short application available by CLICKING HERE. Applicants are also required to provide a link or file of them
Cutters Membership Clubs Return in 2023!
The Williamsport Crosscutters have announced that memberships in the popular Boomer’s Kids Club and Sr. Loggers Club are now available for the 2023 season. Membership in Boomer’s Kids Club, for kids age 12 and under, is FREE and presented by Lycoming Candy. Membership includes: - A free ticket voucher for
Be Part of the Crosscutters Host Family Program
The Williamsport Crosscutters Host Family Program is currently accepting applications for potential host families for the 2023 season. While many host families return year after year, the club is always looking to add to their list of availabilities for the players. “Host families play a crucial role in helping our
Litsch Returns to the Cutters Dugout in ‘23
Major League Baseball and the Williamsport Crosscutters have announced that former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Jesse Litsch will return for a second season as manager of the squad. He is the 15th manager in club history and becomes the 6th to lead the club for two or more seasons. In
Cutters Hot Stove Banquet Raises over $9,000 for Sojourner Truth Ministries
The Williamsport Crosscutters 15th Hot Stove Banquet was held January 24 at the Genetti Hotel in downtown Williamsport. The event featured former Pirates and Rockies manager Clint Hurdle, who also managed the Williamsport Bills in 1991, and Hall of Fame ESPN Baseball Analyst Tim Kurkjian along with Lycoming College head
Cutters Director of Smiles to Join the Bowman Field Hall of Fame!
The Williamsport Crosscutters popular Director of Smiles, Rhashan West-Bey has been announced as the latest inductee to the Bowman Field Hall of Fame. The induction will take place at the Williamsport Crosscutters Hot Stove Banquet on Tuesday, January 24th in the Grand Ballroom of the Genetti Hotel in Williamsport. The