WEST SUNBURY — After 60 years, Lloyd “Snuffy” Covert stands alone.

The Chicora resident is the only person to compete in the Butler County Horseshoe League through every season of its 60-year history.

“I never thought that would happen,” the 76-year-old Covert said. “I never thought the league would be around this long.”

Covert pitches for the Dew Drop Inn team these days. He's been on a number of teams over the past few decades.

“Really, I haven't bounced around that much. Most times, it was the same guys just playing under the name of a new sponsor,” he said.

The league had four teams — Oneida, Chicora, Herman and Hilands — when it was formed in 1953. It's had as many as 12 teams.

There are eight teams and approximately 150 players in the circuit this year.

“We've had a lot of changes over the years, but what's never changed is having good people in this league,” Covert said. “Everybody knows everybody. It's a fun night out.

“I've met so many friends in this league, I don't know where to begin.”

Covert pitched for Boydstown, which won the league championship in 1956. He pitched for the league's first dominant team — Butler Hunting and Fishing — which won five of six league titles from 1958 through 1963.

Covert's last league championship was with Colonial Inn in 1985.

“When I was growing up, it was a ritual every Sunday ... playing horseshoes on dirt in our backyard,” Covert recalled. “My father, two uncles, a bunch of family members and friends played.

“We wound up forming one of those first teams in the league. I had two brothers who never played, though. They were never interested in it.”

Numerous other players in their 70's — Chuck Young, Sonny Schiebel, Jim Simpson and Ken Rasp among them — have been in the league for most of those 60 years.

“In Petrolia, we used to pitch shoes just 30 feet from the railroad tracks,” Simpson said. “It was that way in Harmony, too.”

“A train came by, we would just keep playing. Nobody got distracted,” Covert said.

Ken Geibel, 61, of the Dew Drop Inn estimates more than 30 league members exceed 70 years of age. The average age in the league is in the mid-50's.

“Our team has 18 players and I'm one of the youngest guys,” Geibel said. “We definitely need some younger blood.”

Rasp agreed.

“It's hard to find new players,” he said. “Everybody's friendly, but you do worry about the future of the league.”

West Sunbury has a younger player in Travis Genaway, 17, a senior at Moniteau High School. His father got him involved.

“We have a horseshoe pit at home, but we don't practice much,” Genaway said.”It's hard to find time. Most of our horseshoe pitching is in league play.

“I remember coming to matches to watch my dad when I was a little kid. Most of those same guys are still here. It's amazing watching them play — and they're still kicking my butt.”

The Butler County Horseshoe Hall of Fame has appropximately 130 members. It was formed in 1983 and Covert was inducted in 1990.

Covert is one of numerous Hall of Famers still active in the league.

“It's a fun night out and it's exercise,” Covert said. “I pitch in the Happy Hunter's League on Thursdays, too.”

Covert and his late wife were married 48 years. He gave her one of his kidneys in 2002. The surgery was performed in the winter and he never missed any horseshoe time.

“I've been blessed with good health and my family has always supported me in this,” Covert said. “As long as I'm still standing, I'll still be playing.”