When it comes to pitching, Curt Schnur means business.

He always has.

Schnur, 36, is entering his 14th season with Saxonburg of the Eagle County League and has posted 10 wins and a 1.92 earned run average over the past 10 seasons.

He also was one of the best pitchers to suit up for Butler High and the University of Delaware.

"I came from a baseball family," Schnur said. "Pitching is always what I did, from the time I was 6 or 7 years old."

Now in his 10th year as Knoch High baseball coach, Schnur's career has landed him in the Butler Area Sports Hall of Fame. He will be one of seven inductees at the 44th annual banquet Saturday night at the Butler Days Inn.

Schnur's grandfather was a pitcher. His father, Dess, was a catcher and longtime manager of East Butler in American Legion baseball. His brother, Des, played at the University of Pittsburgh.

"We were all either pitchers or catchers," Schnur said. "At those two positions, you're part of the action on every pitch. That's how we like it."

"Curt was a standout pitcher from the time he was 9 years old," his father said. "He just had the poise and attitude to play that position.

"He was always a dedicated kid with great control on the mound. He generally threw a no-hitter every year as he came up through the system."

Schnur was 20-2 as a three-year starter at Butler High, including 10-1 with a 1.39 ERA his senior year.

After considering Pitt, Ohio University, Slippery Rock and Allegheny, Schnur opted to continue his career at the University of Delaware.

A four-year starter at Delaware, Schnur wound up ranking among the school's top 10 in complete games with 20, innings pitched with 249, strikeouts with 191 and wins with 23.

His overall ERA in college was 3.04. He finished 11-3 his senior year with a 1.21 ERA and 10 complete games. He began that season with an 0-3 record after three game.

"My experience at Delaware was one of the best experiences I've ever had," Schnur said. "We built a winning tradition and we played together as a team."

The 1995 Delaware team set a school record for wins in a season. Schnur wound up pitching in the NCAA regionals during his college career.

He was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 34th round after his senior campaign.

"My goal while pitching in high school was to play Division I college ball," Schnur said. "My goal in college was to get drafted. I was able to achieve both of those goals."

After a season of Class A ball, the Braves released Schnur at the end of spring training the following year. He pitched for Chillicothe in the Frontier League for a year before ending his brief pro career.

"If you give 100 percent toward something and it doesn't work out, you don't have any regrets," he said. "I made the most of my opportunity. I just wasn't good enough to do it."

"Schnur said this summer likely will be his last as an active pitcher for Saxonburg.

"I play because I love to compete," he said. "But I've put my arm through years of abuse and neglect. I've paid for all those years of pitching baseball.

"I have a young family, other priorities now. I've played baseball for so long because I enjoy it. It's kind of been a selfish thing, something for myself."

Tickets for the banquet are $20 and are available at Bill's Beer Barn or from any HOF committee member.