Louisville Colonels
After the 1906 season, Pittsburgh manager Fred Clarke sent Peitz to the minors, releasing him to the Louisville Colonels of the American Association. Despite his talent as a catcher, Peitz was said to be so slow in 1906 that some joked that "he has to drive the ball over the fence to get to first base." When Peitz was sent to Louisville, The Pittsburgh Press noted:
"When it comes to steady backstopping and the intelligent handling of pitchers, so as to get the best possible results out of their work, the German veteran is there with the best of them. No catcher knows the game better than Peitz. There is none better qualified to coach young pitchers and to handle them both before and during a game. Batsmen fear him, for he knows their weaknesses ..."
Another sportswriter noted that the release of Peitz sounded a note of warning that led to the release of other old-time stars: "The greatest must eventually fall, and that is what has happened to Peitz, Kelley and others."
Peitz spent parts of four years playing for Louisville from 1907 to 1910. Peitz also managed the Louisville club and won an American Association pennant with the team in 1909. Peitz was presented with a diamond ring by his players and "local admirers" after leading the team to the pennant.
Peitz was released by Louisville in July 1910 and played briefly during the 1910 season with the Lancaster Lanks of the Ohio State League for a portion of the 1910 season.
Read more about this topic: Heinie Peitz