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| Bruised and Battered |  | Catcher Mike Applegate was blind-sided by an opposing baserunner who, as the runner was trying to score, plowed a shoulder into the Coach's kisser. Nose bloodied, face swollen, and acting just a little too goofy, Mike was happy to pose while he sat out the rest of the game. |
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The guys sometimes stayed at the Northstar Resort when the team made its annual trip to Lake Tahoe, where not only was there a golf course but a local restaurant that advertised a Friday night All-You-Can-Eat prime rib dinner. That was good enough for the guys known as the "Buffet Boys", who nearly closed the place down by the time they were done. King of the Buffet Boys proved to be Jeff "Skippy" Avila, who preferred his beef with plenty of gristle and fat. Al Brown stuck the name "Gristly Adams" on Jeff for the weekend. |
AWA Career
Home Run Leaders | |
| Greg Brown | -- | 142 |
| Brian Christie | -- | 56 |
| Steve Barrett | -- | 51 |
| Tom Sukup | -- | 31 |
| Joe Sammut | -- | 23 |
| Tony Franklin | -- | 18 |
| Mike Applegate | -- | 11 |
| Bruce Christie | -- | 10 |
| John Koeplin | -- | 8 |
| Al Brown | -- | 7 |
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| Tim Cone was the only AWA player to be ejected from a game for using profanity, and it happened twice in the same 1997 season. Tim couldn't figure out why he was singled out, claiming others on the team were more f@#%ing colorful than he was. |
After winning the Badsticks Tournament in 1977 and finishing second in 1978, AWA was advised that the team would not be invited back in the future because we were too good. Who, us? |
| Scary Weather Rain
It had started raining as AWA took the field for the 1994 season opener, and it seemed to come down harder as the game progressed. The umpires refused to stop the game, however, and as the game moved into the seventh inning, the conditions were monsoon-like, The dugout, which was cut below the level of the field, started flooding and the guys had to get themselves and their gear to higher ground. Greg Brown came up with two outs and the rain pouring harder than ever. He took two strikes, and before he even swung and missed for strike three, the rest of the guys were sprinting for the dry confines of the clubhouse.Wind
Columbus Park in 1985. This San Jose field had the added dynamic of being located just under the flight path of the nearby airport, and the drone of overhead aircraft was constant. But on this night extremely high winds were wreaking havoc on softballs and aircraft alike, and as the guys were battling to snare fly balls and popups, aircraft were wobbling in at all sorts of angles. The team was particularly spooked by one small plane that barely cleared the trees as it spit and sputtered in the gale, before finally clearing the very nervous players on the field. That game couldn't end fast enough. Fog
In 1987 the team tried Fall League play for the first and only time. And the weather couldn't have been more miserable than it was in late 1987, with cold, wind, rain, and on one particularly bizarre night, fog disturbing play. Not a total fog, mind you, but one that hugged the ground for about five feet and then was clear above that. So fly balls were no problem. But those grounders and line drives to the outfield played havoc with everyone. One opposing hitter roped a low line drive to right center field. AWA outfielder Jim Bowler raced in, not really seeing the ball until it took a big bounce and caught him flush in the forehead. Jim went down, and with the ball, disappeared into the fog. Heat
Los Gatos, August, 1987. A heat wave had settled in the valley on the same weekend AWA was playing a tournament. As temperatures hung well above the 100 degree mark, AWA worked its way throuth the long route of the losers' bracket. By the team's seventh game of the weekend, late Sunday afternoon, the heat was stifling. Fans had to make constant water runs for the guys and the infield dirt got so hot that the fielders retreated back to the grass for relief between hitters. AWA's last game was a doozy, and with the score tied 4-4 after seven innings, the game droned on into the eighth, ninth and tenth innings. Players on both sides were completely gassed, but the game finally ended in the eleventh, with AWA losing 5-4. Cold drink, anyone? Lightning
It was late summer of 1999, and the most impressive lightning storm in anyone's memory raged all around Twin Creeks. In an environment that had tall metal light standards and metal bats, the field did not seem to be the safest place to be right then. But the teams played on, expecting that the field would have to cleared at any moment. With the sky filled with lights, AWA illuminated the scoreboard with a 16-run fifth inning that ended in a wild 32-18 victory. |
| End of a Career |  | Dave Jackson's 22-year AWA softball career ended in 1997 when he was diagnosed with with a cancerous growth on his lung. The cure was nearly as deadly as the illness, and the bald head and measured walk was testament to the difficulty of his recovery. Eventually Dave was declared to be cancer free, but with his strength sapped and his stamina drained, "Pooper Scooper" Jackson's playing days were over. In this photo, Dave showed up at Twin Creeks to root the guys on during the 2000 season. |
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| In the early days of AWA softball all the bats were kept in a single burlap bat bag, which was hauled out to each game by the Coach. But all that changed in 1981 when the bag was stolen between games of the team's tournament visit to Reno. Every single bat the team owned was gone. Left without sticks for the next game, the guys had to borrow a couple from AWA's next opponent -- obviously not their best -- and AWA was promptly routed 12-1. |
AWA Career
Managerial Records | | Neil Christie (69-39-2) 4 titles | | Mike Applegate (307-324-2) 6 titles | | Earl Yagi (3-6) 0 titles |
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| In AWA's record 26-run inning against EA Sports in 2000, the team sent 32 hitters to the plate, collected 23 hits, 2 walks, and were safe on four EA Sports errors. All three outs were made by Greg Brown, although in fairness we should explain that he made the last out deliberately to stop the carnage. Okay, but that doesn't excuse the first two. |
 | The highlight of each AWA off-season was the annual Christmas Dinner and Party, which was routinely held in January or February. Amidst the usual revelry, one could expect highlight videos, drag revues, dumped ice buckets, Brownie Awards, rooster costumes, bread fights, or Nick Danger, Private Eye. |
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| It was the last game of the 1988 league season, and AWA had to play the BoSox without either Earl Yagi or Joe Sammut available to pitch. The start went to Mike Applegate, who was still pretty green as a hurler. Mike gave up seven runs in the first inning and then got lit up for nine more in the second. Brian Christie, out in left field, complained all the while that he could certainly do better than 16 runs in two innings, so Brian was given the ball for the third frame. The BoSox scored seven times. Humbled, Brian went back out to left and the ball was turned over to Al Brown for the fourth. With the umpire literally calling just about anything a strike, Al held the BoSox to a six-spot. That left the fifth inning up to Steve Sammut, who put a stop to the insanity by giving up only two runs. That ended it for AWA. Five innings, four pitchers, and a 31-5 defeat. |
All-Time Leaders
Career Hits | |
| Greg Brown | -- | 936 |
| Tom Sukup | -- | 923 |
| Gary Matsushita | -- | 891 |
| Mike Applegate | -- | 860 |
| Brian Christie | -- | 851 |
| Joe Sammut | -- | 795 |
| Dave Jackson | -- | 629 |
| Steve Barrett | -- | 572 |
| Neil Christie | -- | 561 |
| Al Brown | -- | 520 |
| Bruce Christie | -- | 508 |
| John Koeplin | -- | 334 |
| Steve Sammut | -- | 273 |
| Earl Yagi | -- | 253 |
| Mark Christie | -- | 201 |
| Jody Fuller | -- | 162 |
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 | | Tom Sukup | | At the end of the 1999 season Tom Sukup collected 15 hits in a row, sprinkled in with six walks, that gave him 21 consecutive at bats in which he reached base safely. Tom grounded out in the first inning on September 1st, and then didn't make an out until lining out to short in the sixth inning on October 16th. |
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| We lied back on the first page. Ken Morse is not the only pitcher to be pulled while pitching a no-hitter. In a 1988 tournament game Earl Yagi had pitched three no-hit innings against a team called No Pitch. AWA was safely in front 8-0 at the time, but Earl, who had pulled up lame his last time up, took himself out after the third inning. Steve Wilson took over in the fourth, retiring all three hitters he faced. So when AWA scored six times in the bottom of the fourth for a 14-0 lead, it seemed that Steve would only have to get through the fifth to record AWA's only no-hit pitched game. It wasn't to be. A leadoff single broke up the no-no, and after a couple of more hits, the shutout was lost. Steve eventually got the third out to complete three-hit 14-1 victory. |
Opponents
Best Rivalry -- Second Wind
From 1993 to 2000, AWA and Second Wind squared off as friendly rivals 15 times, with AWA winning six and losing nine. Much like AWA, Second Wind had a core group of players who had been together many years. The games were usually close and always spirited. Good guys.Best Rivalries -- Honorable Mention
Mohawk Packing, E&H Auto Wreckers, Shady Oak Bombers, Drones, Marianis, The Flyin' Squirrels. Most Hated -- Big Sticks
There was no team AWA enjoyed beating more than Big Sticks, whose whining manager/pitcher always had some issue to complain about. From 1993 to 1999 AWA and Big Sticks split the 10 games played between them. In 1999 AWA trailed 10-1 early in the game to these guys. While they were building their lead, the Big Stick manager was heard telling the umpire, "We deserve a game like this." Three innings later AWA lit him up for 18 runs in one inning enroute to a 24-18 win that we certainly deserved. Most Hated Teams -- Honorable Mention
Fiesta Lanes, Straw Hat Pizza, Gil &Paul Carpet Cleaners, Stokes Construction, Holsum, Just Say No, Wabash Boys. Most Success Against -- Baggese Brothers Shell and P&J Air Conditioning
From 1975 to 1978 AWA owned both these clubs, going a perfect 4-0 against P&J and 4-0-1 against Baggese Brothers. Least Success Against -- The Unknowns
AWA played the Unknowns seven times between 1983 and 1998, and never beat them once. Who are those guys? Miscellany
AWA owned an 11-10 edge over Pizza Parlor teams, played to a 2-6 record against those tough Construction teams, and was a perfect 4-0 against teams with "Bad" in their name. The club went 18-14 against teams named after animals, including a win over Animal House. Liquor Stores and Bars are usually difficult opponents, but AWA posted a 19-18 record against alcohol-sponsored teams. Against clubs named after major league teams, AWA went a respectable 5-5. The guys went 5-2 against Law Enforcement, 1-0 against Fire Departments, and 1-1 against the Military. AWA beat The Team and Those Guys, but lost to The Fellas. We lost to Anonymous and got beat by Nobody. But we never played Anybody. |
 | | Mike Applegate played in 228 consecutive games from April 1975 until May 1984. |
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| In 1998 Greg Brown led the team with only six home runs for the year. No one else on the team hit even one that year. |
| Home Run Facts Tony Franklin hit the first home run in franchise history in 1975. Nick Suarez hit the last one in 2000. Greg Brown had the most round trippers (142), as well as the most grand slams (10). Greg and Brian Christie were the only AWA players to hit three home runs in one game. Greg did it twice.Mark Christie's only AWA home run was a grand slam. Gary Matsushita may have hit the shortest home run in team history when his popup into short left field along the line dropped untouched as the left fielder, shortstop, and third baseman all converged and then tumbled over each other. With the fielders all sprawled on the ground, Gary circled the bases for a home run. The team twice hit three consecutive homers. The first time, in 1977, Steve Barrett, Tom Sukup, and Mike Applegate ripped consecutive round trippers. That feat was repeated in 1982 when Dave Jackson, Greg Brown, and Joe Sammut went back-to-back-to-back. |
AWA's Top Ten
Career Batting Average
(100 at bats minimum) | | Fred Forster | -- | .672 | | Brian Christie | -- | .573 | | Bruce Christie | -- | .564 | | Steve Wilson | -- | .555 | | Greg Brown | -- | .530 | | Maytheni Allen | -- | .530 | | Jody Fuller | -- | .528 | | Randy Carter | -- | .527 | | Tim Cone | -- | .512 | | Al Brown | -- | .506 |
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| Fred Forster |
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AWA pulled off four triple plays in its history -- in 1976, 1977, 1985, and 1992. The '85 troika is the most memorable as it occurred in the championship game of that season. The '75 and '76 triple plays came during regular season play, while the one in 1992 was pulled off in a tournament at Lake Tahoe. Gary Matsushita was involved in all four triple plays. AWA never hit into a triple play. |
| Career Pitching Victories | | Earl Yagi | -- | 152 |
| Joe Sammut | -- | 131 |
| Steve Wilson | -- | 41 |
| Mike Applegate | -- | 35 |
| Jeff Applegate | -- | 6 |
| Ken Morse | -- | 3 |
| Neil Christie | -- | 1 |
| Robert Morrison | -- | 1 |
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 | Into Thin Air
Steve Wilson helps get the field ready prior to a tournament game at Preston Field at North Lake Tahoe. Located a mile above sea level, the fields around Lake Tahoe were the sites of many tape measure home runs hit by opponents. |
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How do you get up for an early Saturday morning game at Tahoe? Greg Brown and Al Brown know -- just stay up all night Friday night. And that's exactly what the pair did prior to AWA's 1991 8:00 AM tournament opener at South Shore. Greg was so bleary-eyed that he could barely see, and Al announced his arrival by throwing up in the parking lot.
AWA lost the game 15-0. |
| "This is a Joke!" It wasn't the worst game the team ever played. The archives are full of blowouts with AWA on the short end of the score. But the 1975 season opener, the first official game AWA ever played, has its own special place in AWA lore for its sheer example of ineptness. The game of softball was still relatively new to everyone, and no one had much experience to fall upon when the guys took the field against Alaskan Club. Of course, it didn't help that shortstop Gary Matsushita was out of town, or that three of the team's better players (pitcher Earl Yagi, second baseman Tony Franklin, and third baseman Mike Applegate) would all be late getting to the game from their respective jobs. A patchwork lineup took the field for this one, and it didn't take long for the shenanigans to begin.After AWA had scored a run in the top of the first, pitcher Ken Morse had two out and two on when the next batter rifled a hit into right center. Right fielder Sherman Applegate ranged to his right and just before he could make the pick-up, inadvertently punted the ball -- not just a meager "boot", but a full-fledged good-hang-time punt -- into the nether regions of the outfield. All three runners scored. In the top of the second Doug Hawkins led off with a swinging strike three. Three batters later, his brother Dennis Hawkins also swung and missed for strike three. In the bottom of the second, Ken retired the first two hitters he faced, but a grounder to second that would have ended a three-up three-down inning was booted by Phill Blake. A grounder to short was fumbled by Tom Sukup. A grounder to third went through Doug's legs. Ken walked three straight hitters, which was followed up by another error by Doug at third. A double cleared the bases. The next man up singled to center, which was misplayed by Pat Koeplin for a three-base error. Nine runs had scored in the inning -- on only two hits! Mike finally arrived at the park, and as he pulled into the parking lot, Earl came running out to meet him, laughing hysterically all the way. "So what's happening?" Mike asked. "Are we winning?" Earl was laughing so hard he could barely get the words out. "This is a joke!"
The game wasn't so bad in the end, although AWA lost 19-9. In the final tally the team committed 12 errors on defense, three by outfielder-turned-shortstop Tom. Many believe that total could have been higher. The team also struck out an embarrassing total of five times, three times by Dennis Hawkins. The team errors and strikeouts, along with Dennis' forgettable day at the plate, were records that stood for the entire 26-year history AWA without ever being broken -- or even approached.
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