SFRC

If there is one certainty in life, it is that the Schlitz Gusto Guys bring their talents to South Beach, Lac Lavon.  This is never more true than “Processed Food Night.”  We had a record crowd for the annual event with somewhere between 40-50 people attending the event (and games).  It was plenty hot out on July 21st.  The ump was afraid storms were going to disrupt us.  Clearly that ump has not been a umping the Skyline Fighting Red C’s and Schlitz Gusto Guy for the past 20 years.  It doesn’t rain on the Gusto Guys.  Numbers don’t lie.

Game #1 vs. H-Bombs

This was the first meeting between the Schlitz Gusto Guys and H-Bombs sporting their new jerseys.  It’s worth mentioning, the H-Bombs new uniforms are the second best uniforms in the Burnsville D/E Recreational league.  Also worth mentioning, they are a very distant second to our very own Schlitz Gusto Guy threads.

The Schlitz Gusto Guys got after it early, scoring six in the first and 10 in the second.  In fact, every one of the Schlitz Gusto Guys scored at least one run in this game.  We fielded well as a squad and managed not to give up too many extra bases.

Solid games at the plate for CW (3×4), Brain (4×4), Kurty (4×4), CP (3×4), Pauly (3×4 with a HR), Steve/Ryan combo (4×4) and Sans (3×4).

Final Score: Schlitz Gusto Guys 22 – H-Bombs 10

Last out: CW

Game #2 vs. Televent DTN

We scored two runs early and then took a couple of innings off.  Televent DTN kept it close throughout the game.  In the end the Schlitz Gusto Guys would not disappoint their fans at a sold out Lac Lavon Field E escaping with a 10-6 win.  There are not too many teams in the Burnsville Wednesday night D/E Recreational league that can hold their focus in front of a sold out field.  The Schlitz Gusto Guys, however, are one of those teams.  Kurty continued his perfect night at the plate going 2×2 with a walk (and finishing just a couple of at-bats shy of qualifying for the batting title).  The original Schltiz Gusto Guy (and the 2009 Schlitz Gusto Guy Sportsman of the Year), Brian Niehaus was a perfect 3×3 at the dish.

Final Score: Schlitz Gusto Guys 10 – Televent DTN 6

Last out: CW

Fan of the night: Far too many fans to name individually.  I’d highly recommend checking out the BBQ page and looking at all of the pictures of “Processed Food Night 2010” at South Beach, Lac Lavon.  Thanks to everyone who attended and a special shout out to Kurty for grilling and to Schlitz for the beverages and signage.  It was definitely a successful night.  At least judging by the time we finally departed “South Beach.”

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Wednesday July 7^th brought a series of weather changes.  In the early hours, the sun was out and it was plenty warm for the Schlitz Gusto Guy breakfast batting practice.  By late afternoon the clouds had rolled in over the south metro.  By 5pm there was a monsoon dumping rain over Burnsville.

However, as only the Schlitz Gusto Guy Gods would have it, by 5:45pm (15 minutes before first pitch), the rain lightened up and by 5:50pm the rain had completely stopped.  We had a full night of perfectly balmy, plenty warm, humid weather.  As it turns out, a perfect night for two!  And a perfect night to give the lineup that includes Greg, Greg, Greg a try.  Success!

If the FNG ever sends pictures, we’ll add them to this post.

Game #1 vs. Team Ziegler

In an effort to either intimidate us or show us up, Team Ziegler fielded eight players against the Schlitz Gusto Guys.  They were scrappy and well placed, holding us to only a handful of runs in the first few innings.  When a ninth man showed up, it threw off the defense and the Schlitz Gusto Guys had their way with the gaps.  We had decent runs with two outs in a couple of innings and locked down the defense with a few great plays.  Pauly went WAY back to make a catch in deep left field and Matty covered some ground and caught a ball in short left.

Final Score: Schlitz Gusto Guys 17 – Team Ziegler 7

Last out: Lars

Game #2 vs. Moose Knucklers

Moose Knucklers were in first place heading into the 7pm game against the Schlitz Gusto Guys.  They are a team that hits the ball well on most nights.  Unfortunately for Moose Knucklers, Destiny made a trip for this game and Sans was escorting her to the 7^th inning.  The Schlitz Gusto Guys found some timely hits as Silkey and Mac beat the left fielder deep and Lars hit a shot to the gap between left and left-center.  We locked down the defense too as only one error was committed and that was on a lazy infield fly with two leaders calling for the ball.  As it turned out, no damage was done and the shutout continued into the bottom of the seventh inning.  Sans threw the ball well all night.  The first batter in the bottom of the 7^th got out quickly.  And then, with the Moose Knucklers best hitter at the plate and one out and Destiny sitting on the right shoulder of Sans to get a great view of the shutout in progress…..Sans throws a great softball pitch….short and in front of the plate.  Unfortunately, the batter is a very good hitter and extended his arms looking to break up the shutout.  The ball carried and carried and carried and….homerun for the Moos Knucklers.  The next two outs were uneventful and the Schlitz Gusto Guys won.  Unfortunately, we lost the shutout in the bottom of the 7^th.

Final Score: Schlitz Gusto Guys 8 – Moose Knucklers 1

Last out: Matty

Fan of the night: Destiny (at least for 19 outs before she left early on a HR)

OOPS: As the Schlitz Gusto Guys scouted the other teams after their games were done, the right fielder on an opposing team “caught” 10+ guys staring.  There was a rumor that one Schlitz Gusto Guy was even trying to put some of the film into the permanent archives.  This has been unproven to this point.

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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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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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