|
|
 The author admits fault in a lack of updates. Life happens. You know what else happens? The SFRC don’t stop playing. The SFRC don’t stop competing. The quotes don’t stop getting logged. A few highlights over the past few weeks as life has happened….
- Down 1 in the top of the 7th, Lars hit a rope down the left field line (where else?) to score two…SFRC wins by one
- Pauly caught fire and went on a spree of doubles
- Sans watched a game without cold beverages…in the rain
- Kurty stepped in as only a true leader can to help a squad go
- The SFRC has lost two and tied one – PURSUIT OF THIRD PLACE STILL IN PLAY
- 35 closed his eyes on an evening at Alimagnet B and hit 4 HRs in an evening
- The forecast called for 100% chance of precipitation, but we needed sunglasses to start the game
- The beverages have remained cold
- C20 got engaged (I feel bad about this one – this deserved it’s own post)
- New bats arrived to the dugout of the SFRC – leaders
- Matty hit a HR and it wasn’t for an out (he has owned some bad luck)
- The SFRC had a mid-season processed food cool down
- The SFRC beat a team of mostly experienced subs that could not be happy they lost
- The ump at LL F fell victim to the shats and only the blue sauna was around…and occupied
- The SFRC played with nine leaders (unusual)
- Quotes – I cannot stress this enough
- A few leaders have seen Friday before their wives / houses
For those that don’t believe in the “SFRC are meant to play” theory, two pictures of the evening with 100% chance of precipitation:
Weather leaving (facing East) at 7:45pm on the left and weather coming (facing West) on the right at 7:45pm, whilst the SFRC started at 8pm:
It’s difficult to believe we are halfway through the 2016 SFRC Leadership Development Consortium. We have seen some real progress in the Leaders of this ship. At the midyear point, the SFRC are batting a combined 0.555 BA with an 0.814 Slugging percentage. That is 259 combined hits in 467 official At-Bats. Solid. The Leaders have hit 23 balls over the fence (three for outs) in 12 games. More than 26% of Leadership hits go for extra bases. That is due to unrivaled speed and power.
Game 1: Burnsville Braves vs. SFRC
There was no lack of hits on this gorgeous night for two. The Burnsville Braves buckled at the knees a few weeks ago in a 29-6 stomping by the SFRC. They had no plans to go as quietly this time around. The Braves present in their new yellow t-shirts came out swinging, and hitting well too. They plated four in the first, one in the second and then pushed three or four each inning after. The SFRC were in no mood to let their spirits down. 35 was able to close his eyes and hit a 301 foot foul ball and then answered the one strike count with a 301 foot homerun down the left-field line. Pub Krull was also able to launch a ball into the teeth of the wind, taking more steps then we are used to seeing before heading to the dugout with a homerun under his belt (and a ball hit over the fence). We were unable to push any runs across in the second or sixth inning (last due to time), but we were able to push two, five, six and EIGHT in the other four innings. Taking a seven run lead into the bottom of the last inning, the SFRC were able to hold tough. Four runs crossed, but that was not enough as Pete squeezed the last ball of the game in left to seal the win.
There is good news and bad news to Krull hitting a couple of spots down in the order. The bad news is for Krull’s at-bats. The good news is there tends to be more video available. Here we see Pub Krull’s range at second base.
Kenny improved his team leading batting average by going 4-4 with two triples and two singles. Brain sprayed the ball all over the park, also going 4-4. All 11 Leaders reached base AT LEAST twice in the 6pm tilt. That is unofficially only the third time that has happened. Sans pitched a masterpiece of a game allowing the Burnsville Braves to bend, but not break the SFRC.
Final Score: Burnsville Braves 18 – SFRC 21
Game 2: SFRC vs. ShantyTown Thunder Sticks
The ShantyTown Thunder Sticks look like a squad to be reckoned with. They have some nice players that can hit the ball and field well. They tend to suffer, at times, from inconsistency. Both teams pushed two across the dish in the first inning and followed that up with a goose egg in the second. In the third inning C20 started with the SFRC with a single. After two meaningless outs, Kenny and CHill both walked, loading the bases for Pub Krull, aka “the artist.” Why “the artist?” There may not be another player on the planet who can enjoy the site of a ball in the air more than Pub Krull. Love it. Here is what “the artist” did with the bases loaded and two outs (just sat back to take it all in, and watch his bases clearing single).
You don’t see a bases clearing single too often, so when it is there, we all enjoyed watching. Here’s to 3-6, with the first ever recorded bases clearing single. The SFRC went on a run scoring three, four and four in the third, fourth and fifth respectively.
Brain locked down third with a number of nice places and Kurty transitioned well from catcher to third. The outfield made the necessary plays to lock down the win.
Final Score: SFRC 14 – ShantyTown Thunder Sticks 8
At the risk of stirring up the Mosquito Gods, we are half-way through the season and have not had to break out the Deet sweater. Solid.
There were countless options to title the recap from June 2, 2016. In the running:
- “Second walk-off win in two weeks.”
- “10 feet, right Red? Is not always appreciated.”
- “Playing for third place.”
- “Mid-season cookout at south beach.”
- “Mrs. H and Mother Nature’s wishes.”
The fact is, the title of this recap was a direct quote that simply explains why you can never leave softball too early. You just don’t know what you could miss. Frankly, this is a top 10 quote of all time. More impressively, Lars wasn’t involved (in the quote, not the lamb).
Game 1: SFRC vs. Turd Burglers
Runs were abundant by both teams as there was no lack of hitting. The sun was out which made fielding on the right side of the field an adventure. Potter held tough, fighting off the closest star to earth in right field making multiple catches.
The SFRC was down early, 4-2 and 6-3 before pushing eight runs in the top of the 3rd to take an 11-6 lead. Turd Burglers did not give up and answered with five runs in the bottom of the 4th and pushed a few in the bottom of the last inning (6th due to time) to tie the game. Whilst the SFRC bent, they did not break. They easily could have given up and let the game go. Pete was 4-4 and Kenny was 3-3. Matty somehow found bad luck and hit a HR for an out. 35 found lightning in a bottle and capitalized on a long ball. I’m not sure Turd Burglers liked the “10 feet, right Red” comment on the prior pitch, or the lack of hustle by 35 out of the box.
Final Score: Turd Burglers 16 – SFRC 16
Game 2: SFRC vs. Below Zero
Below Zero is unique. They are unique because, individually, they are decent players that can field and hit. Collectively, they drop down a notch or two. Perhaps it is just the pressure of the Burnsville D/E Rec league. As the SFRC switched fields, the sun went directly into the eyes of the Leaders on the left side of the field. The game was back and forth and the SFRC found themselves in the unusual position of trailing by one going into the bottom of the last inning. San, ever the LEADER, barked out “we need two to win.” With inspiration in our ears, 35 found a hole between someone’s legs, and reached on an error. Kenny flew out to deep right-center. CHILL walked to push the tying run to second and winning run on first. Pub Krull approached the dish with confidence in his eyes. He roped a line drive to left-center. The fielder took a step in and then his eyes grew to the size of a Frisbee, whilst 35 could not hear his voice, I could read his mind….”OH CRAP!” The ball flew over his head. Both runners scored and Krull ended up with a game-winning triple. This was the second walk-off win for the SFRC Leaders.
Final Score: SFRC 17 – Below Zero 16
After the game, we nestled into Lac Lavon South Beach for some processed food. Processed food and cold beverages inspired an all time quote. Whilst discussing methods of roasting a swine, we heard, “I have a friend that does it with a lamb.” Names don’t accompany quotes on the quote page, but it is worth mentioning, Lars is still out of town.
It was a PERFECT night for two. No bugs, minimal breeze, 75 degrees, cloudy with no chance of rain and 10 Leaders. The only downside to this evening is that we were light on quotes. Related: Lars was surfing in Hawaii and was not available.
Game 1: The Sons of Pitches vs. SFRC
This game was back and forth with both teams doing what they could to get the upper hand. In the top of the first, the SFRC (namely 35) allowed four runs to score. The first batter of the game hit a line drive that hit 35’s foot (error). The third batter of the game hit a one-hopper off of 35’s wrist (error). Just brutal fielding. The SFRC is a team of Leaders. They were not going to give up that easy, scoring three in the bottom of the first. The Sons of Pitches had some fire and pushed another six in the top of the second inning to take a 10-3 lead. The Leaders of the SFRC kept plugging away, answering with three and then one and then five and then one. In the bottom of the last inning (6th inning due to time) we ran off the field and Sans jumped on the mental game, “We need three to win.” Pub Krull understood what was needed and quickly singled. Matty followed that up with a double that was smoked to deep center. Pauly had (still has) a nice SAC to bring the SFRC within one. Potter singled setting the table for C20. Tie game, bottom of the last inning with two outs and C20 at the dish. BOOM, single. Game winning walk-off hit. Err….wait. We still have time. Pete up to bat with two outs and up one run. BOOM, two run home run. As 35 was walking to the plate in confusion about whether or not the game was over, the ump mumbled, “yeah, we need to call this game…LAST BATTER.” Single. That’s clutch for 35.
WALK OFF WINNING HIT BY C20 (with a follow-up HR by Pete and a clutch single by 35 that meant nothing).
Final Score: The Sons of Pitches 15 – SFRC 18
- Note: The Burnsville Park and Red site shows a 17-17 tie for this game, whilst we know the SFRC won, it may be best to let that stay a tie.
Game 2: SFRC vs. Sick SOP
Coming off an exciting walk off win, plus a 2 run HR plus a single, the SFRC were not about to stop. We had 10 Leaders playing and the game started with the SFRC at the dish. We came out swinging as we are wont to do. The first inning looked like this: C20 = Triple, Pete = Single, 35 = Single, Kenny = Single, CHill = Double, Pub Krull = Double, Matty = Single, Pauly = Walk, Potter = Single, Sans = Rope for an out, C20 (2nd AB of the inning) = Safe on an error, Pete (2nd AB of the inning) = Single, 35 (2nd AB of the inning) = HR, Kenny (2nd AB of the inning) = Single, CHill (2nd AB of the inning) = Well hit ball to left for an out, Pub Krull (2nd AB of the inning) = Single. You get the idea. In total we had 18 Leadership ABs in the top of the 1st inning and tallied 13 runs. The wind was taken out of the Sick SOP sails. We were shutdown quickly in the second and third innings, but the 4th inning had 12 Leaders step to the plate with Sans and Potter batting twice in the inning on our way to six runs. This game was never in question, although Sick SOP did their best with nine players (Matty abused the lack of a second baseman).
Final Score: SFRC 22 – Sick SOP 14
- Note: Again the Burnsville Park and Rec website shows a 20-11 loss for the SFRC. And again, whilst we know the SFRC won, it may be best to let that stay a loss in an effort to get a 3rd Place trophy.
It was Mrs. H. The sun was out, the air was nice. Beautiful night for two. May 19, 2016 is still before Memorial Day. Numbers don’t lie. It was bound to happen. We had to start making our way to 3rd place. The 6pm game was our first step there.
Game 1: Jeeper Low Boys vs. SFRC
The SFRC started the game a bit on their heels and gave up five runs to start the game. We didn’t roll over and quit, rather we answered with two of our own. We continued our hot streak to start the game. Single, double, single, FC, F8, single. The issue was that run were hard to come by throughout this game. The SFRC ultimately lost.
Final Score: Jeeper Low Boys 14 – SFRC 7
Game 2: SFRC vs. Sick SOP
After losing the first, we could not let the team stay down for long. The hits came in bunches. This was especially true in the second inning when Matty led off with a double. After a couple of quick outs Potter started a run that went: Potter = Single, Sans = Single, C20 = Single, Pete = Double, 35 = HR, CHill = Triple, Pub Krull = Single, Matty = Triple. Eventually the run came to an end, but not until the SFRC pushed eight runs to take an 8-5 lead. Sick SOP could only push one in the bottom of the second and the SFRC answered with another five runs. Sick SOP did what they could (hit it to third base and by 35 at least four times), but it was not enough. The SFRC held tough and took the W.
Final Score: SFRC 17 – Sick SOP 12
|
|
The author admits fault in a lack of updates. Life happens. You know what else happens? The SFRC don’t stop playing. The SFRC don’t stop competing. The quotes don’t stop getting logged. A few highlights over the past few weeks as life has happened….
