Lebanon Pretzel Eaters
The Lebanon Pretzel Eaters were a minor league baseball team based in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. In 1892, the Pretzel Eaters played a partial season as members of the Class B level Pennsylvania State League, hosting minor league home games at Penryn Park. The team folded before the end of the Pennsylvania State League season.
| Lebanon Pretzel Eaters | |
|---|---|
| Minor league affiliations | |
| Class | Class B (1892) |
| League | Pennsylvania State League (1892) |
| Major league affiliations | |
| Team | None |
| Minor league titles | |
| League titles (0) | None |
| Team data | |
| Name | Lebanon Pretzel Eaters (1892) |
| Ballpark | Penryn Park (1892) |
History
Lebanon first hosted minor league baseball with the Lebanon team of the 1889 Middle States League. The Lebanon team, continued play in 1890 as members of the Atlantic Association.[1][2][3] In 1891, the Lebanon Cedars played as members of the Eastern Association.[4][5][6]
The Cedars did not return to Eastern Association play in 1892.[2] Instead, Lebanon continued play in a new league, as the "Lebanon Pretzel Eaters" became charter members of the Class B level Pennsylvania State League,[7] continuing play at Penryn Park.[8]
The "Pretzel Eaters" nickname corresponds with the amusement amenities within Penryn Park, which hosted the team.[9]
The Allentown Colts, Altoona Mountaineers, Easton, Harrisburg Ponies, Johnstown Pirates, Reading Actives and Wilkes-Barre Coal Barons teams joined Lebanon in beginning Pennsylvania State League play on May 23, 1892.[10][11]
On July 21, 1892, the Lebanon Pretzel Eaters folded. Lebanon ended their Pennsylvania State League play with a record of 22-25. George Carman served as manager in the shortened season.[12][13]
Lebanon next hosted minor league baseball in 1902, when the Lebanon team returned to Pennsylvania State League play.[13]

The ballpark
The Lebanon Pretzel Eaters hosted home minor league home games at Penryn Park.[8] Penryn Park opened in 1885 in Lebanon as a public park. The park was built by the railroad to attract visitors and increase railroad passenger use of the Cornwall and Lebanon Railroad system serving Lebanon . Penryn Park contained the Cornwell and Lebanon Railroad Station, which still exists today. Penryn Park flooded in July, 1925 and never returned to use as a public park.[9]
In August 1889, the Penryn Park hosted four integrated games between the Cuban Giants and Lebanon Grays teams.[14]
The Cornwell and Lebanon Railroad Station was constructed in 1885 and is still in use, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[15] Today, the former station is used as a commercial business, located at 161 North 8th Street.[16]
Year–by–year record
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1892 | 22–25 | NA | George Carman | Team disbanded July 21 |
Notable alumni
- George Carman (1892, MGR)
- Bill Fagan (1892)
- Jack Fee (1892)
- Ed Knouff (1892)
- Jerry McCormick (1892)
- John Riddle (1892)
- Frank West (1892)
See also
Lebanon Pretzel Eaters players
References
- "Worcester minor league baseball Statistics and Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN 978-1932391176.
- "1890 Worcester/Lebanon minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- "Eastern Association (B) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference.com.
- "1891 Eastern Association". Baseball-Reference.com.
- "1891 Eastern Association (EA) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- "1892 Lebanon Pretzel Eaters Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- "Penryn Park in Lebanon, PA minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- Groh, Joshua (March 28, 2022). "How a railroad rivalry spurred the creation of Penryn Park, Cornwall's answer to Mount Gretna".
- "1892 Pennsylvania State League (PSL) Minor League Baseball on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- "1892 Pennsylvania State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
- "1892 Lebanon Pretzel Eaters minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- "1902 Lebanon Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- "August 16, 1889: Integrated baseball in Pennsylvania: Cuban Giants defeat Lebanon Grays – Society for American Baseball Research".
- "National Historic Landmarks & National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania" (Searchable database). CRGIS: Cultural Resources Geographic Information System. Note: This includes Gerald A. Collins and David C. Stacks (April 1974). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Cornwall & Lebanon Railroad Station" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-02-28.
- "Strickler Insurance - Personal, Business, Benefits - Lebanon, PA". Strickler Insurance Agency Inc.