SFRC

Another week of Schlitz Gusto Guy softball and more lessons learned.  First, the evening only gets more entertaining as the minutes turn to hours and a 7:30pm arrival turns into an 11:30pm departure.  If there is one constant in the 20+ years of SFRC / Schlitz Gusto Guy softball, it is the conversations and laughter after the lights go out.  In the spirit of trying to keep this site somewhat “clean,” I’ll have to do my best to document the conversations on the night of June 9^th, 2010 in code.  The night started with the FNG stating “McLovin’, I’m going to get dirty tonight too.”  For what it’s worth, the FNG was also planning on sliding into base or making a diving catch as well.  It only got better from there.

Entering June 9ths games the Schlitz Gusto Guys (a.k.a. LEADERS) were batting seven points higher than we finished last season.  And, we had hit one more HR than we had all of last season.  Numbers don’t lie.  Let’s recap the games.

Game #1 vs. Team Ziegler

There is not another team we have been more evenly matched with in the past decade.  Our games against Team Ziegler always seem to be one or two run games and at the end of the season we have split wins and losses.  This game was no different.  The game was back and forth with the lead changing hands at least three times.  Cinco welcomed the evening with a L O N G homerun to left-center.  McLovin’ (a.k.a. Sans) hit a hard shot up the middle that hit the pitcher’s shoulder.  Brain immediately commented that it was the hardest ball Sans has hit in 10 years.  It was smoked.  Worth mentioning, no one in the league tries to steer clear of the pitcher more than Sans.  Unfortunately, this one was a direct hit.  “Sorry Team Ziegler pitcher.”  T-Mac, Ryan and Sans were all 3×3 in Game #1.   Brain and Pauly each had two walks and the Schlitz Gusto Guys took an unprecedented seven walks as a team.  This is unofficially a Gusto Guy team record.

The game was played at a very quick pace thanks to a few four pitch innings for both teams.  It was played so quickly that the ump was willing to let us play an 8^th inning if we were able to tie the game in the bottom of the 7^th.  Unfortunately, Pub Krull missed this opportunity.  But don’t worry, redemption would be had before ol’ #36’s head hit the pillow for the night (read on).

T-Mac did feel the need to berate the FNG in front of his teammates.  It’s important to know we never, under any circumstance, use the term “leader” when referring to an individual on an opposing team.  For the past few weeks we have heard the FNG yell out, “No outs, who is going to get the leader?”  We have straightened this out.  From now on it will be, “No outs, who is going to get the first one?”

Final Score: Schlitz Gusto Guys 7 – Team Ziegler 10

Last out: Pub Krull

Game #2 vs. Moose Knucklers

The Schlitz Gusto Guys remembered how they fell apart in Game #2 last week.  Determined not to do the same this week, we came out swinging and fielding.   We moved positions quite a bit and Kurty pitched a solid game and fielded 4-5 balls up the middle as well.  The Schlitz Gusto Guys were down 12-10 heading into the top of the 7^th.  “We need three to take the lead.”  Lars started off the inning with a single.  After an out, Al lined a single to center.  Two men on, one out and Pub Krull stepping to the dish looking to avenge his game #1 ending strikeout.  BAM!  Three run homerun by Pub Krull.  A truly “clutch” homerun.  Brain followed that up with a single and Matty also lined a single to left-center.  Ol’ 35 flew out to left for out number two.  Cinco stepped up and on his own personal mission to lead the squad in homeruns playing only part-time, he launched a three-run homerun to deep left-center field.  The Schlitz Gusto Guys are CLUTCH!  In the field Brain and CP locked it down to finish the win.

Matty was 4×4 with four runs scored.  Pub Krull had three runs scored.

Final Score: Schlitz Gusto Guys 16 – Moose Knucklers 12

Last out: Pauly

Fan of the night: TO!  Also, Patsy and friend (see quotes).

Nightcap conversation:

In an effort to keep this website “work appropriate,” this may be somewhat cryptic for those that were not closing down SFRCMP at 11:30pm.  I apologize.

I think we can safely make the following assumptions about CP:

• He prefers a rotary telephone
• He prefers to watch television in black and white
• He prefers the shaggy orange/yellow/green carpet over hardwood floors, area rugs or even a nice Berber carpet
• When leaving SFRCMP Field B, he prefers to walk on the right side of the hill (most others choose the less “nappy” left side of the hill)
• He loves the Amish way of life
• He wished he was in that room at St. Thomas circa 1993
• He likes to navigate more than drive

And why?  Because that’s how “they” liked lived in 1975.  The counter argument of course, is simply that “things change” and generally they get better.  If this wasn’t true, they wouldn’t change at all.  We’d still be sending telegrams and the Hindenburg would just be one of many airship disasters if it were up to CP.  Instead, in 2010 we speak on the phone, send emails and travel via jets.

Some other notes worth mentioning:

• Pub Krull carries a Tommy Hilfiger sack for his shoes, etc.
• The FNG has the nicest shaved head….(we’ll leave it there)

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It was beautiful out on the evening of June 2, 2010.   A night which couldn’t be matched since mid-2009.  Dare I this evening was gorgeous (a.k.a. Mrs. H)?  It was almost too nice out.  The Schlitz Gusto Guys were ready early.  We had a full squad of 13 leaders about 15 minutes before game time.  These early arrivals lead to a pre-game jog (see below) for a few of the Gusto Guys.  Unprecedented.  Not as unprecedented was the 118 cans of adult beverages available for consumption by the Schlitz Gusto Guys (a quick note to the good folks at Schlitz – apparently we have upped the purchasing).  This leads to an enjoyable evening of softball with the Schlitz Gusto Guys.  We are nothing if not a team that enjoys a nice summer evening with a large number of adult beverages.

Gusto Guys Run from 35 on Vimeo.

Game #1 vs. Edina Realty BCO

With the pre-game runs in a couple of Schlitz Tall Boys down, we were ready to play.  This game was a textbook Schlitz Gusto Guy softball game.  We fielded our positions and hit the ball all over the park.  We turned a less-than-smooth double play moved runners around the bases.  The Gusto Guys played so well this game ended in the 6^th inning because of the “Mercy” rule.  Better yet, we didn’t have any outs in the 6^th when the game ended.  That leaves the last out to Greg (FNG) back in the 5^th inning.  Never make the last out of the inning, it could count as the last out of the game!  Everybody hit the ball well.

Final Score: Schlitz Gusto Guys 18 – Edina Realty BCO 3

Last out: FNG got forced out

Play of the game: CW going back and to his right…looking at the ball….staring at the fence…looking at the ball….winking at the fence…grinning….jumping….making the catch in right-center.

Game #2 vs. Celts Pub

Game #2 was the inverse of Game #1.  The sun was out in full force.  Apparently the Gusto Guys were impacted more than Celts Pub.  Ol’ 35 booted countless balls (including a couple of triple play opportunities).  We did come about a step and a half of turning a triple play.  Potentially the second closest the Gusto Guys have been to turning a triple play (see the archives for the other).  We were one Kurty lighter for Game #2 as he hopped on a team that was short for the 7pm game.  We definitely could have used him since Ryan may have been the only Gusto Guy with two hits in our second game of the night.  Sans did let out a solid grunt for a line drive hit in the last inning.

Final Score: Schlitz Gusto Guys 6 – Celts Pub 14

Last out: Lars

Fan of the night: We had a very solid showing.  Potentially the largest crowd in Schlitz Gusto Guy history.  However, the winner of “Fan of the Night” goes to 2’s niece all the way from Chicago (potentially our second longest commute for a fan – Pappa Lars has made the trip from Arizona in the past)

Facts:

• The average age of the Schlitz Gusto Guys on June 2, 2010 was 44 years old
• At 10:30pm (4.5 hours after the first pitch) we could still field a team of nine leaders
• The average age of the Gusto Guys still at the fields at 10:30pm?  46 years old
• It never makes sense to park in the upper ramp at Lac Lavon.  This is true for countless reasons, but one reason stands alone.  That reason was clear just west of the beach circa 1998.  BABUSHKA my friends….babushka.  Again, NEVER park in the upper ramp.

An unscripted highlight from our friend Walt (you may need to listen closely / turn up the volume):

Leader from 35 on Vimeo.

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We’ve been waiting for a night like May 19^th.  It was “Mrs. H.”  The temperature at game time was about 74 degrees and sunny, with very little breeze.  May 19^th is a good day for a few reasons.  It is Kevin Garnett’s birthday.  May 19, 2010 is the 6^th anniversary of one of the greatest Game 7 performances in NBA history.  KG went off for 32 points, 21 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals and 5 blocks in an 83-80 Timberwolves win.

May 19, 2010 was also a night where the Schlitz Gusto Guys did what they do.  Hit, run, hit, run, make plays, hit some more, come back from trailing, and potentially most importantly, shut down the field at around 11:15pm after finishing our last Schlitz Tall Boys.  Delicious.

Game #1 vs. Beer Me

First and foremost we’d like to recognize our opponents as fellow Schlitz Tall Boy drinkers.  It was nice to see another squad with Schlitz Tall Boys enjoying some D/E Class softball on a beautiful evening.  The game was back and forth throughout.  The Shlitz Gusto Guys took an early 3-1 lead and extended it to 4-1 by the 4^th inning.  Beer Me put a run of their own together and took the lead 9-8 heading into the top of the 7^th.  The Gusto Guys have no quit in them.  Heard as we approached the dugout, “We need two to take the lead.”  We have been over this before, but you will never hear “one to tie” from a Gusto Guy dugout.  We are more optimistic.  It is simply “Two to lead” or “Two to win” for us.  And so, we went on a hit parade.  Leader = Single, Leader = Single, Leader = Single, Leader = Single, Leader = Single, Leader = Single, Leader = Single….One at a time the Gusto Guys stepped up got a hit and moved the runners, got a hit and scored a runner.  As we took the field in the bottom of the 7^th we were up 13-9.  We locked them down and completed the win.

Beer Me was more than just a little impressed / jealous of the Schlitz uniforms.  The Gusto Guys were looking GOOD!

Sans hit well and Cinco made his 2010 debut without getting out.

Final Score: Schlitz Gusto Guys 14 – Beer Me 10

Last out: Matty

Game #2 vs. Televant

We witnessed a SFRC / Schlitz Gusto Guy first.  Please read the next sentence slowly and make sure you understand the significance…..Sans started Game #2 on May 19, 2010 with a Snapper Mow’em down inning.  Yes, he struck out the side.  He struck out batters 1, 2 and 3. This may not have only been a SFRC / Schlitz Gusto Guy first, this might be a first for the State of Minnesota.

The Gusto Guys jumped to an early lead 14-1 after three innings.  Televant mounted an impressive comeback and plated 10 in the top of the fourth.  Hanging on to a 14-11 lead, the Schlitz Gusto Guys did what they do….hit, hit, hit, hit and score, hit and score, hit and score, hit and score and on and on and on.  We pushed 10 of our own.

Cinco had his first homerun of the year (see quote page for more details).

Final Score: Schlitz Gusto Guys 24 – Televant 11

Si Cinco! from Tom McInerney on Vimeo.

Brain showing off his range here:

Brain’s Range from Tom McInerney on Vimeo.

One of the two double plays turned by the Gusto Guys:

Double Play from Tom McInerney on Vimeo.

Last out: Pub Krull (on a double play no less)

Fan of the night: Mrs. Pauly

Quote of the night: Too many to list, you’ll have to look at the Quotes page.

The Schlitz Gusto Guys stuck around enjoying the Schlitz Tall Boys until 11:15pm….PER THE NORM!

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After the offensive onslaught on Cinco de Mayo the Schlitz Gusto Guys came back down to reality.  We played the top two teams in the elite Burnsville D/E Recreational league on 5/12/10 and we simply could not get it going.  Even a Ferrari needs to stop for gas from time to time.

The forecast called for upper 40’s and rain and thunder storms.  It started raining by about 3pm.  However, there was a never a fear of a rainout because we were playing two at SFRCMP (Skyline Fighting Red C*** Memorial Park).  It simply does not rain on the Gusto Guys at SFRCMP.  Numbers don’t lie.

We did have a few compliments paid on our striking Schlitz uniforms.  We also generously offered a “tall boy” to the opponents of Game #1, you know, to spread the love.  Here’s to Schlitz and here’s to turning it around next week!

Game #1 vs. Team Ziegler

I don’t know much, but I do know we have not lost a softball game in 2010 when Pub Krull starts off the night with a homerun.  Numbers don’t lie.  In Game #1, this trend came to a stop.  The Schlitz Gusto Guys just couldn’t put any hits together.  Luckily, CW legged out a groundball to the shortstop and the rest of the Gusto Guys moved him around the bases to manufacture our only run of the game.  This game simply lacked enthusiasm, hits and “Gusto,” you know, the things that make up the Schlitz Gusto Guys on most nights.  We had 12 leaders and a few of them only had one at-bat in this game.  This game ended in about 25 minutes.  Yuck, yuck and yuck.

Final Score: Schlitz Gusto Guys 1 – Team Ziegler 16 (five innings)

Last out: Brian Niehaus was forced out on a fielder’s choice.  This has been a 15 year rule for the Schlitz Gusto Guys.  Simply put, the last player out owes a 12-pack.

Game #2 vs. Moose Knucklers

We simply started where we left off in Game #1…Getting out, missing balls, etc.  We did manage to put a few runs together and made a game of it.  However, in the end we just didn’t have enough.   I believe Pauly, Niehaus and Brain may have been the only three players with three hits for the evening.  This is in contrast to all of the guys who had four or more hits last week.

Final Score: Schlitz Gusto Guys 8 – Moose Knucklers 14

Last out: Silkey

Fan of the night: Nary a fan on this cool evening.

Quote of the night: “Beat it!  Beat it! Beat it!”……”And get on base too.”

The Schlitz Gusto Guys did stick around and enjoy the refreshing taste of ice cold Schlitz (no cooler necessary on this evening), PER THE NORM!

The good news is that the forecast for 5/19/10 is calling for upper 70’s and sun.  That is usually the recipe for the Schlitz Gusto Guys to get back on track.

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Blurry, but SEXY!

The Gusto Guys lost their Schlitz uniform virginity last night.  Numbers don’t lie.  The Schlitz Gusto Guys have never lost whilst wearing their Schlitz uniforms.  Worth noting, at least 90% of the squad looks sharp, svelte and dare I say, SEXY, in their new uniforms.  She was chilly and breezy for the 8pm and 9pm games on Cinco de Mayo, 2010.  But the Gusto Guys have never let the conditions dictate their play.  They simply persevere.  They fight.  They battle.  And on Cinco de Mayo on Skyline Fighting Red C Memorial Park (SFRCMP), they WIN.

Game #1 vs. Edina Realty BCO

Leading off for the Schlitz Gusto Guys is a badge wearing Schlitz Gusto Guy member (Pub Krull).  Worth noting, Pub Krull was also the Schlitz Gusto Guy of the month for March, 2010.  On the first pitch of the game, on the first swing in a Gusto Guy jersey, BAM, a homerun to centerfield.  This was the second week in a row that Pub Krull started the SGGFRC night off with a homerun.  Numbers don’t lie.  That immediately put the opposition on their heels.  The Schlitz Gusto Guys kept the heat on kept hitting and running and scoring and hitting and running and scoring and hitting and running and scoring.  All 10 leaders hit well and everyone had either two or three hits as the team accumulated 26 total hits, scoring 23 times.  Matty also had a “no-doubter” over the fence in left-center.  Pauly was a solid 3-3 and had a nice sac too.  In the field nice plays were made by Niehaus, CW, Ryan and Brain turning a double play.  Sans recorded another strikeout on the mound.

Final Score: Schlitz Gusto Guys 23 – Edina Realty BCO 6 (five innings)

Last out: There is a 15-run rule after five innings.  In the bottom of the 5^th, the run to go up 15 scored, then the run to go up 16 scored and then the run to go up 17 scored.  The rally stopped when Ryan smoked a line-drive to third for the final out of the inning.  As we were taking the field, the ump let us know the game was over by the 15-run after five mercy rule.  In theory, Ryan should never have batted in the inning, the game was already won.  However, a team-rule is a team-rule and Ryan got the last out of this offensive explosion of a game.

Game #2 vs. Celts Pub

We simply started where we left off in Game #1…Hitting, running, scoring…hitting, running, scoring…again and again and again.  We batted around in the first inning, the second inning and the third inning.  At one point in the first inning the Celts Pub pitcher asked, “Is there a 20 run 1^st inning rule?”  I think he was serious.  Ryan had two triples to revenge his last out of the first game and Pub Krull had another homerun enroute to a 4-4 game.  Niehaus was also 4-4 in Game #2.  Sans was ripping the ball all evening.

Defensively we were solid with only one error on record.  Al made two nice defensive plays on the same ball throwing to first and then jumping off the mound to cover first as the ball went by Pub Krull.  Kurty also made a couple of nice plays in the field.

Final Score: Schlitz Gusto Guys 27 – Celts Pub 4 (five innings)

Last out: C-W

Fan of the night: Braving the cold in a hood, blanket and coffee…BRANDI

Quote of the night: “I screwed myself and I didn’t have to leave my house.”

A few things worth noting:

• The 2009 Schlitz Gusto Guy Sportsman of the Year (Brian Niehaus) started the year on fire going 7-8 with a double on the night.
• As a team wearing their Schlitz jerseys, the Schlitz Gusto Guys are batting .591 and averaging 25 runs/game.
• #35 didn’t have an error in two full games.  That may be the first time in years (of course he was catching too).
• 

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