The SFRC should be ready for 2012 fresh off their winter filled with tournaments around the southwest United States and the 96 team tournament in Nicaragua.

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$1299.99 on eBay

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.”

 

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

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.

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

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

Final Score: SCHLITZ GUSTO GUYS 18 – Ziegler 20

Ziegler started out hitting the ball very well scoring 11 runs in the top of the 1^st inning.  As is the case in many of the SFRC games, we’ll bend, but we will not break.  We answered with 13 runs of our own in the bottom of the 1^st inning.  After that, the defense of both teams locked it down.  A few runs were scored by both teams and with two outs in the bottom of the 7^th with two on, trailing by two runs Ol’ #35 walked to the plate.  No need to finish reading, we know what happened….He got out.  Clutch.

Last out: Mr. Clutch (#35)

Game #2 vs. Goodfellas

Less than six minutes after the SFRC lost to Zielger, Ol’ #35 walked to the plate with a similar, but very different, situation.  Two on, two outs in the top of the first.  What happened?  #35 hit a HR.  Again, clutch.  When the SFRC need a big hit in a scoreless first inning game, nobody is better than #35.  This game saw all kinds of things a softball field has never seen.  We saw the “Lars shift,” which is simply moving the shortstop about 50 feet back so he is playing a shallow left field whilst the left fielder and left-center fielder pinch together.  Only to see Lars stick it to them as seen here:

Lars beats the shift from Tom McInerney on Vimeo.

We had the opposing team yelling at Patsy for blowing her horn.  Patsy, don’t give in to the bullies.  In my opinion, they were yelling at the wrong things.  Their team was down by a lot and they were booting balls and not getting hits.  Somehow they blamed Patsy.   This game also saw a very pretty / “make it look routine” double-play with Kurty scooping the ground ball, stepping on second and tossing to Cinco at first.  Get a look:

Kurty Double Play from Tom McInerney on Vimeo.

Final Score: SCHLITZ GUSTO GUYS 24– Goodfellas 6 (and Patsy won the mental game)

Last out: Cinco

The SFRCGG were carrying a five game losing streak into this game, and that is simply unheard of in our world.  We have been shutout a time or two, but we have never endured a five game losing streak.

Game #1 vs. Midwest Realty Group

Brain climbed on the bump to continue filling in admirably for Sans who is still out with a bum wing.  We fell behind early 4-0 in the first.  2’s scored the first run for the SFRCGG in the 3^rd inning leading to a 6-1 deficit.  The bad guys found green all night and we just couldn’t lock them down.  We managed to push three runs in the bottom of the 6^th inning, including Matty trying to make things happen by running right over second base on his way to third.  After a brief conversation with Brain, who was also standing on third, Brain headed home to score.  It simply was not enough as the Schlitz Gusto Guys suffered their sixth straight loss.

The highlight of this game was clearly CW’s back to back triples to straight away deep center.

Final Score: SCHLITZ GUSTO GUYS 4 – Midwest Realty Group 15

Last out: Lars

Game #2 vs. Beer Me

“Beer Me” is the same team name on the same field we first faced them last year.  However, this is a very different squad than the one who started the game last year with three straight strikeouts.  The 2011 version of “Beer Me” can hit the ball fairly well.  However, there are a few certainties in life, but one of them is that the SFRCGG will, under no circumstances, lose seven straight games.  Everyone hit well and we had a number of clutch two out hits.

Speaking of clutch…No one is more clutch than Pub Krull who started the game with a line drive homerun.  That was one of four runs Pub Krull scored and one of two homeruns he had in the game.  I could almost see the size of his head change during the night.  Not because of arrogance, but rather all of the HGH and other PED he had been ingesting (see Barry Bonds).

The hit parade was on all night as the SFRCGG were simply ready to outscore anyone, including Beer Me.

Pub Krull scored four runs, as did 35.  Veteran Ryan and Lars touched the plate three times.  Brain, Matty, Pauly and 2’s crossed twice and FNG Ryan scored once.

Final Score: SCHLITZ GUSTO GUYS 23 – Beer Me 14

Last out: 2’s

Play of the Game: Pauly made a diving catch in left

Fan of the Night: Kurty, Ol’ #4

At 11:00pm the SFRCGG could still field a team (per the norm) to play a third game if we only had lights and an opponent.

Game 1 vs. Celts

The SFRCGG’s came up firing batting around and scoring five in the first inning.  We fell flat for a couple innings before scoring another five in the 4th inning.  We had our chances, we did what needed to be done…at least for six innings.  We came close, but in the end, we just didn’t have enough losing by one in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Final score: SCHLITZ GUSTO GUYS 13 – Celts 14

Last out: Brain

Game #2 vs. Eddy’s Bar & Grill

It was time for the bats to fall flat.  After averaging 14.8 runs per game over the first five games, the SFRCGG could only muster six runs (three by Pub Krull) against Eddy’s Bar & Grill.  There simply were not too many highlights in this game.  It’s time to forget this happened and look forward to next week.

Final Score: SCHLITZ GUSTO GUYS 6 – Eddy’s Bar & Grill 20

Last out: Matty

Fans of the game: Pub Krull Jr. and Nate Jr. (good job retrieving the homerun ball)

It was significantly warmer in Week #2 than Week #1.  Temperatures were in the mid to upper 50′s.  Earlier in the day the forecast called for a 70% chance of showers.  Again, that may have been true at Burnsville Mall, but certainly not at the park.  It was nice to be back at SFRCMP “Away,” otherwise known as Neill Field B.  We welcomed a new SGG, Evan.  How did we know he was the FNG?  He parked in the outfield of SFRCMP.  It’s okay, I think he can be trained.

Game #1 vs. Ziegler

Brain manned the bump for the third straight game due to Sans’ “minor should hitch.”  Pub Krull started the game with a solo homerun to center.  Clearly the most clutch hit (0-0 game in the bottom of the 1st) since Mr. Clutch (#35) himself.  Nice work Pub Krull.  The started the momentum and allowed the Schlitz Gusto Guys to take an early 4-0 lead.  Ziegler wasn’t intimidated and pushed seven runs in the top of the 2nd inning and another four in the top of the 3rd.  The Schlitz Gusto Guys batted around in the 4th and 5th innings scoring six and seven runs respectively.  Part of the seven runs was an extremely clutch “no-doubter” grand slam by Pub Krull scoring 2′s, Evan and Lars who had all reached on singles.  We fell just a little short in the end.

Final Score: Schlitz Gusto Guys 18 – Ziegler 22

Last out: Evan

Game #2 vs. Goodfellas

Goodfellas made the transition from the fall league into the ever competitive Burnsville Wednesday night D/E Recreational league.  The Schlitz Gusto Guys pushed one run in the top of the 1st, but allowed 10 in the bottom of the 1st.  Goodfellas was sure the game would be over early.  What they did not know is that there is no “quit” in the SGG.  We have plenty of “want to” on our squad.  We fought back a little at a time.  We managed eight runs in the 5th inning and seven more in the 6th and final inning.  Unfortunately the game was cut short due to time.  Brain and Ryan both took a turn on the bump and did what they good to make the defense play.

Solid hitting by all of the SGG’s.  It is not difficult to see how was scored 22 runs.  Pub Krull went 5-5.  Brain hit the ball hard as well and got robbed at least twice ending up 2-5.  Matty hit the ball hard all game, but had a 2-5 to show for it.  Cinco was on 4-5 five times.  #35 was 4-4.  Nate got after one that went well over the left-fielder’s head on his way to a double.  Pauly was an impressive 3-4, Ryan was 3-4, Potter was 3-4, 2′s was 3-4, Evan was 3-4 and Lars was 3-4.  If my calculations are correct, the SGG hit 0.673 (35/52) for the game.  That could be some kind of SFRC/SGG record.

Final Score: Schlitz Gusto Guys 22 – Goodfellas 25

Last out: Cinco on a line drive to second

Hightlights of the game: Evan got robbed of an extra base hit by the Goodfellas left fielder making a diving catch towards the line.  Evan was also part of a little league homerun as Goodfellas played “hot potato” with the ball.  Another highlight: Lars sent a ball deep, well over the left-fielder’s head.  Way to earn some respect Lars.

Lowlights of the game: Ol’ 35 booted far too many ground balls, one resulting in the picture to the left.  Lars took a ball off the forearm in left-center that had a nasty tail on it.  We are still waiting on a picture from that mess.

Per the norm, we shutdown the fields as the last team to leave.