SFRC

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Surprisingly, it was a beautiful night for two games.  There was jealousy all around for the new SFRCGG beer holder which was still hot off the presses.

You can only keep a lion in a cage for so long.  When said lion comes out of its cage, it may snack on a small bunny or a dirty rat (see Game #1 vs. Goodfellas), but only until it identifies the largest water buffalo (see Game #2 vs. Midwest Realty) to attack.

Game #1 vs. Goodfellas

Goodfellas is an interesting name.  The team certainly has a couple of “fellas” who seem like good people.  They also have two or three of the biggest Jack-O’s in the league.  These are the same goons who chose to yell at Patsy a few weeks ago for blowing her horn instead of their own players for popping out and booting balls.  In summary, this is a fun team to beat.  How do I know this?  Because that is what we do.  Yes, the SFRCGG beat the Goodfellas regularly.  That’s just what we do.  It doesn’t matter that they kick fence posts after losses and talk about “losing to one of the worst teams in the league.”  Maybe I’m missing something, but in most leagues (of any sport) wins and losses are the distinguishing numbers between which teams are better than others.  Currently, the SFRCGG are two games up on Goodfellas.  Maybe I heard them wrong.  Maybe they were upset about losing to H-Bombs (second worst team in our league) back on May 11^th.

On to the details of Game #1….

Sans took the bump for the first time in 2011.  He admitted to having a few jitters.  After walking the first two batters, Sans was locked in and pitched a very good game.  With the first two batters reaching base, the SFRCGG fielders took over and shutdown Goodfellas in the first inning.  We answered with two runs in the bottom of the first.  The game was low-scoring as neither team could get things going.  The SFRCGG took a 5-3 lead into the top of the seventh inning.  After getting two outs Goodfellas put together a little rally and scored three times to take a 6-5 lead.

Karma and the SFRCGG came to bat in the bottom of the seventh.  Matty started off with a solid single.  Cinco followed up with a line drive single of his own.  Mr. Clutch came to bat with two on and no outs.  Surpringly, contact was made, and although Mr. Clutch stood and watched what he thought was a HR, he made it to first for a single off the fence that scored Matty. With Cinco on second and Mr. Clutch on first, Ryan hit a solid single loading the bases.  CW made a sacrifice taking the “last out” rule and a game winning SAC fly.

Karma was caught winking to the right side of the infield.

Final Score: SCHLITZ GUSTO GUYS 7 – Goodfellas 6

Last out: CW (Game winning SAC fly)

Game #2 vs. Midwest Realty

The lion (SFRCGG) was tired of snacking on a small rodent and they were ready for a real meal.  This came in the form Midwest Realty who was tied for first place heading into the evening.  It is difficult to single out an individual leader for this game.  It may sound cliché, but it was Leader, Leader, Leader, Leader, Leader throughout this game.  The worst stats for the game were two players who went 2×4 (which is very good).  The best went 4×4.  As a team, we were 30×43 for the game.  That is a 0.698 average.  When the team bats around .700, you are going to win most games.  Numbers don’t lie.

We plated three runs in the top of the first inning and shut them down defensively for a 3-0 lead after one.  The second inning was one for the record books.  It went like this: walk, double, single, walk, single, single, single, single, single (first out of the inning was thrown out at the plate after we had scored seven runs), walk, single, single, single, double, error.  Some fun numbers for the inning:

• ·        19 plate appearances
• ·        All but one person batted twice
• ·        There were only two walks
• ·        We had 14 hits in the inning
• ·        We scored 14 runs

That really took the fire out of Midwest Realty.  It did not, however, take the fire out of the SFRCGG’s.  We went on to score one run in the third, four in the fourth and three in the fifth on our way to a 25-8 victory.

Final Score: SCHLITZ GUSTO GUYS 25 – Midwest Realty 8

Last out: Mr. Clutch whilst running from second to third on a ground ball (yes, #35 has the beer holder per the new rule “Last out of the second game brings a 12-pack AND the beer holder”)

Post game:  It went something like this:

• “We are out of beer.”
• “No, really?  Let me look [helping himself].”
• “Can I have another [putting a couple in the back pockets]?”
• “Remember that play in the Savage, NM tournament?”
• “We are chasing a pennant.”
• “How old are you?”
• “28.”
• “I’m 50.”

 

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It was a very nice evening for two.  Some may even describe it as Mrs. H.  The forecast called for 82 degrees and sunny with a 0% chance to precipitation.  It was actually 87 degrees just before first pitch.  In other words, it was balmy.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011 marked a couple of occasions worth celebrating.  The first was the return of SANS.  Yes, that’s right.  Ol’ #0 made his 2011 debut.  This brought all kinds of fans to the park.  One fan (Pub Krull’s brother-in-law) came all the way from California.  The other occasion worth celebrating was Ryan’s engagement.  Shocking that he was able to coerce a “yes” out of Brandi.

Game #1 vs. Celts Pub

Strange game.  It felt like we were hitting a pumpkin.  The ball felt like mush.  There was not much pop off of either team’s bats.  Brain started on the hill and quickly recorded four of the first six outs by Celts Pub.  The SFRC put the pressure on early scoring six runs in the second inning.  Celt’s pub made a nice rally in the sixth inning to close within 8-6.  However, the SFRC did what they do.  Potter led off with a single which was followed by a single by Sans and a single by Pub Krull.  Brain followed that up with a double.  Three runs later, the SFRC had an  11-6 lead and locked down the defense in the bottom of the seventh to secure the win.

Final Score: SCHLITZ GUSTO GUYS 11 – Celt’s Pub 6

Last out: Mr. Clutch (#35) – This never seems to change

Highlight of the game: Ryan caught in a rundown either fell or slid head first 15 feet away from first base.

Even Ryan is surprised she said "Yes."

Game #2 vs. Eddy’s

Brain started the game with a chance for the second “Snapper Mow’em Down” inning in SFRC history.  Unfortunately, the third batter made contact and grounded out.  The SFRC had the bats going early in this game scoring four runs in the first and four runs in the third.  Unfortunately, Eddy’s got to work in the second and third and fourth innings scoring nine runs.  The SFRC came charging back and took the lead 10-9.  In the top of the seventh Eddy’s broke through scoring three runs.  The SFRC bats were done after the sixth inning.

Final Score: SCHLITZ GUSTO GUYS 10 – Eddy’s 12

Last out: Ryan

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No surprise here, the forecast didn’t look good.  The rain was coming.  However, the softball weather Gods anticipated such an event and scheduled the SFRCGG for Lac Lavon on June 22, 2011.  Why?  Take a look at the forecast.  The SFRCGG were scheduled to play at 6pm and 7pm.  We did just that and when we were finished the skies couldn’t hold on any longer and dumped rain like it was the Amazon rain forest.  For those with SFRCGG experience, we know there is a covered area to enjoy cold beverages and stay dry.

Game #1 vs. Celt’s Pub

I am not sure what to say.  The SFRCGG brought their bats and simply did not put them away….all night.  Kurty set the tone with a lead off homerun to straight away center.  The game went something like this: Lead off homerun, hit, hit, hit, hit/run, hit/runs, hit/run, hit/outfielders quitting, hit/outfielder walking/run, hit, hit, hit/runs, Nate GRAND SLAM, hit, hit/run, CW HOMERUN FOR AN OUT!, hit/run….angry team shaking hands.

Final Score: SCHLITZ GUSTO GUYS 28 – Celt’s Pub 16

Last out: ???

Game #2 vs. Ziegler

This was a mixed bag of Ziegler players.  Meaning, we only recognized about half the team.  We never put our bats away.  This game went something along the lines of: Start with two runs since Ziegler didn’t bring a game ball, hit, hit, hit/run, hit/run…hits/runs on our way to 27 runs and a four inning game (mercy rule).

Final Score: SCHLITZ GUSTO GUYS 27 – Ziegler 5

Last out: Matty

Players of the night: We have many options.  Everyone hit very well.  Brain was 9-9.  CW hit his first homerun (check that, it was an out).  Nate hit his first career homerun and it was a GRAND SLAM!  Kurty set the tone with a lead off homerun.  Bruce showed that age cannot take away a sweet swing going 5-7 on the night with a SAC (and an RBI).

56 runs in two games and nine total innings.  That is more than six runs per inning played.  I’m pretty sure that is a SFRCGG record.

Fan of the night: The one, the only…the original Schlitz Gusto Guy….#25!  Yes, Mr. Brian Niehaus made it all the way back from Las Vegas to come enjoy some ice cold Tall Boys under the shelter of the rain.  The ankle is on the mend and we anticipate he’ll be ready for Fall Ball, if he can make it back for a week or two.

We are all looking forward to the return of the Leader of Leaders, Sans.  Set to make his 2011 debut July 6, 2011.  All things will be right with the SFRCGG’s again.

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There were quite a few environmental factors involved for the June 15th double header.  Let’s start with the forecast.  She had been moist for 28+ straight hours.  However, the Schlitz Gusto FRC Guys were never worried.  They were never afraid of a rainout.  It simply doesn’t happen in the SFRC’s world.  We had a small pre-game BBQ to start off this nice evening.  As you can see to the right, it didn’t look good.  Or did it?  Take a closer look and you will see that the chance of precipitation drops from 64% all day to 21% for the 8pm and 9pm games.  Shocked?  No.  Surprised?  No.  Numbers don’t lie.

As further proof, you can see the shadows and the sun shining on SFRCMP Away 30 minutes before our first pitch.  Get your sunglasses out, we’ve got two to play!

We have stated it before and we’ll state it again.  The SFRCGG do not get rained out on Wednesday nights.  It simply doesn’t happen.  I’m pretty sure you can check the Farmer’s Almanac to verify.

Another environmental factor we were faced with on June 15th, 2011 was the “retro hill.”  We have not seen SFRCMP Away this unkempt since the late 70′s.  A welcome change for 2′s.  This was clearly going to be a night for the SFRCGG’s.

Game #1 vs. H-Bombs

This game was back and forth throughout.  We had some very nice plays, like CW catching a ball over his shoulder like a wide receiver.  This may have been the catch of the year.  Matty went back to get a few as well.  #35 missed a hard one-hopper that would have been an easy triple play in the first inning.  The SFRC scored two in the first, four in the third and then pushed five in the fifth.  The defense came through when it needed to on the way to a victory.

Final Score: SCHLITZ GUSTO GUYS 11 – H-Bombs 8

A couple of highlights…

CW goes middle:

CW goes middle from Tom McInerney on Vimeo.

Nate doubles to right:

Nate double to right from Tom McInerney on Vimeo.

Last out: Mr. Clutch (#35)

Game #2 vs. Beer Me

As we have mentioned previously, Beer Me is a new and improved squad over the 2010 version.  Heading into this game we were 1-1 against Beer Me in 2011.  In the last meeting the Schlitz Gusto Fighting Red C Guys pushed 23 runs.  To start this game Brain suggested it would take 24 runs to win.  It did not look good early.  The SFRC had not scored through two innings.  However, the last five innings were a completely different story.  We scored four in the third, six in the fourth, four in the fifth and three in the sixth.  We were up 10 heading into the bottom of the 6^th inning.  Give Beer Me credit.  They did not roll over and quit.  They pushed 10 in the bottom of the 6^th to tie the game.  I think they were trying to stall as we were cutting it close on time.  I believe they thought they were going to take the lead.  However, the SFRC may bend, but we will not break.  As umps on SFRCMP have learned, do not give us extra time.  We were not looking to score one or two runs.  The SFRC got after it in the top of the 7^th inning scoring nine runs.  We had 10 of the first 11 batters in the inning got hits.  10 of 11.  The 12^th batter reached on an error.  We allowed one harmless runner to score in the bottom of the 7^th to secure the win.

Highlights of this game included Beer Me yelling age-discriminating banter towards Lars having the left-fielder come in a few steps.  Lars calmly winked at the pitcher and proceeded to launch a ball that one-hopped the fence.   The only regret is that we do not have video of this hit.

In this game six leaders had six at-bats.  The other four leaders (who played) had five at-bats.

Final Score: SCHLITZ GUSTO GUYS 26 – Beer Me 18

Last out: Cinco

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Game #1 vs. Celt’s Pub

Celt’s Pub is the top team in the league and they were looking to add to that lead by beating up on the SFRCGG.  Unfortunately for them, we had other plans.  We scored four runs in the first inning to take an early 4-2 lead.  Celts Pub didn’t quit and scored four in the second, three in the third, four in the fourth and one in the fifth.  Of course the SFRCGG was aware of the game situation throughout.  And whilst we bent, we did not break.  Defensively we kept the game within reach.  Offensively we were pacing ourselves for the sixth and seventh innings.  In the fourth  inning Nate lead the Leaders with a single.  Potter followed it up with a single of his own.  Lars knocked in a run with a single.  After a harmless fielder’s choice, Brain hit a single, Matty tripled, Cinco hit a single, #35 got a single, Ryan followed with another single.  Yes, that was nine base runners out of 10 plate appearances with eight hits. All said, the SFRC scored six runs in the sixth.  When we quickly shut them down in the fifth, we got right back to hitting.  CW went for a triple, Nate reached on an error, Potter found grass for a single, Lars had another RBI single…all before we found an out.  Brain quickly got us back on track with a single before Matty took a walk and Cinco singled.  T-Mac singled and Ryan followed with another single as well.  In other words, it was Leader, Leader, Leader, Leader, Leader…sounds like runs.  Yep, seven runs in the fifth inning and that was the submission hold on Celt’s pub.  They were shutout in the top of the sixth and the game was called because of time.

Final Score: SCHLITZ GUSTO GUYS 18 – Celt’s 14

Last out: Mr. Clutch (#35)

Game #2 vs. Eddy’s

With a very well stated goal of “Finish the Season in Third Place” we took the field against Eddy’s.  We had just beat the team in first place (Celt’s Pub).  The SFRCGG have always been a Memorial Day and after team.  We have done our best work as the season progresses and the temperature warms up.  We have 20+ years of data to prove it.  Numbers don’t lie.   With these facts in mind, June 8^th is not too early to make sure we keep our seasons goals in mind.  “Finish the Season in Third Place.”  We took the first two innings off scoring only one run.  Eddy’s didn’t exactly set the world on fire either.  The game was close throughout before the SFRCGG finally bowed out losing 11-12.

Final Score: SCHLITZ GUSTO GUYS 11 – Eddy’s 12

Last out: Cinco

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