Shane Sanderfeld Memorial MVP: Jeff Keiser (runners-up: Matt Slieter, Jim Strick)- Comments on Keiser: He broke a franchise record for most home runs hit over the fence in a season and showed up to all but one game. The one game he missed was the worst shellacking of the year, a 13-2 pasting by the Green Giants with five girls and four guys. Was the only regular member of the team to hit even one home run over the fence, which speaks volumes to why WTP might never be able to get over the hump in a fence-league. If you took away Keiser’s bat this team might have been 7-11." "Taking a ball in the face actually improves his game." "Plays anywhere and the only power threat in the lineup."
- Comments on Slieter: "All Slieter did was hit .776 and lead the team in hits, doubles and RBI. He was as steady in the outfield, even with his plodding speed. All around, an MVP season for the journeyman."
- Comments on Strick: "Guy is a warrior." "Was going to vote for Keiser, but without Strick holding things down inside the circle, this team would be even more of a mess."
- Also receiving votes: Steve Geller (Not only is he the mayor of Dinkytown, he is also the heart of our team."), Kevin Kurtt
Duffy’s Pizza Unsung Hero Award: Michelle Train (runners-up: Alyssa Downing, Lisa Hardy)
- Comments on Train: "She played in heels!!!" "Whenever we needed another girl, Train was there to step in. Did she get the accolades for it? No. Not until now."
- Comments on Downing: "Her contributions might not always stand out in the box score, but this team would be greatly diminished without her." "Downing had more triples this year then Steve Geller (2), Ryan Maus (1), Matt Slieter (1), Kevin Noth (1) and Jim Strick (0) combined, batted .587, and tied with Steve Geller and Taylor VanderAarde for second on the home run list with one for Warning Track Power. Aggressive baserunner who either takes the extra base or gets thrown out by a mile trying (something I can appreciate) and probably the most underrated fielder on the team. Played in 15 of 17 games before basketball started and her interest waned at the end of the year."
- Comments on Lisa Hardy: "I'll have what she's having."
- Also receiving votes: Cathy Behr ("Seemingly always the spark for a big inning."), Steve Geller, Jeff Keiser ("This fella has to deal with trying to field a team every week."), Kevin Kurtt ("Quietly went about his business this season. Steady performer even if skills have slightly fallen."), Matt Slieter ("Slieter won the RBI title, almost won the batting title and despite his self-deprecation is clearly the most polished hitter on this team. If you took out the doubleheader and the first Green Giants game, he probably would have had a .900 batting for the season. Unfortunately, we will always remember the line “This is Slow Pitch Softball.”)
Victory Sports Silver Stick Award: Matt Slieter (runner-up: Steve Geller)
- Comments on Slieter: "Most consistent hitter (plus I can’t award a batting title to a guy who misses six games)."
- Comments on Geller: "This award is based on statistics and since I had the highest batting average I win it. Still, can’t shake the feeling that Slieter deserved this more then I did. He was more consistent and had less BS hits then I did and played in 16 of 17 games, compared to my paltry 12. Like I said, if not for the doubleheader and the first Green Giants game he would have batted .900." "He put up video game type numbers." "Discovered open spaces to the right of shortstop."
- Also receiving votes: Cathy Behr ("The only thing keeping Behr from being MVP was her absence from six games."), Lisa Hardy ("Sweet-swinging first baseman avoided a Justin Morneau-like late season meltdown, enjoying a career year."), Kevin Kurtt
Lady Byng Sportsmanship Award: Ryan Maus (runners-up: Kate Anderson, Amanda Hoehn, Casey Kurtt, Michelle Train, N/A)
- Comments on Maus: "Admirable job in new role as kind-hearted team representative. Fostered goodwill with umpires." "Always a great representative of WTP both on and off the field. Did anyone do more from drumming up business for flu shots, to running part of a relay marathon leg and hosting the team barbecue? This is a slam dunk." "He is the face and smile of this franchise." "I expect nothing less from the pride of Northfield." "Award should be re-named in his honor."
- Comments on Kurtt: "I’m not sure she has ever shown an instance of bad sportsmanship in her illustrious softballl career. Perhaps it’s because she doesn’t care if we win or lose."
- Comments on Train: "Tireless managerial efforts and a voice of reason in the midst of a tumultuous season."
- Comments on N/A: "I don’t think this team has any sportsman on it."
Garry Bowman Leadership Award: Jeff Keiser (runners-up: Ryan Maus, Michelle Train, Kevin Kurtt/Jeff Keiser/Ryan Maus)
- Comments on Keiser: "A steady presence on the field; good clubhouse guy." "For his weekly task of having to round up replacements for the team. From Geller’s lame excuses, to everyone losing motivation at the end of the year, Keiser has made it possible for this team to have 10 players and never forfeit, no matter how disinterested his teammates have been."
- Comments on Maus: "Handled the lineup exchange with class every night."
- Comments on Kurtt/Keiser/Maus: "For highest attendance."
Emily Wood Team Spirit Award: Jim Strick (runners-up: Kate Anderson, Kevin Noth)
- Comments on Strick: "Consistently week in and week out brought his lunch pail and pitched his way through one prima donna opponent who wanted to walk first and hit later after another. Pitched all but one game and played inspired defense on the mound, and stepped in to input stat crew for the first game ever at TCF Bank Stadium, an accomplishment he can take with him for the rest of his life." "He takes the mound every week despite having tennis elbow."
- Comments on Anderson: "A great positive addition to a sometimes-fractured clubhouse."
- Comments on Noth: "His one-liners are hilarious." "He may not know the score. He may not know how many outs there are. But Noth is always there to provide a word of encouragement to his teammates."
- Also receiving votes: Kevin Kurtt ("Shows up early and brings his lunch pail and hard hat."), Kieran Kurtt, Ryan Maus, Michelle Train)
Fox 9 News Courage and Love of the Game Award: Steve Geller, Casey Kurtt and Kevin Noth
- Comments on Geller: "Nobody puts forward a greater effort on a daily basis. A team full of Gellers would be undefeated."
- Comments on Kurtt: "Skillfully combining motherhood while continuing a playing career."
- Comment on Noth: "Played much of season with broken finger." "For the chatter he provides no matter what the situation and this year playing with a broken figure. Almost rivaled the toughness Cathy Behr showed in 2008 when her finger was severed from its joint and she still played through it."
- Also receiving votes: Jeff Keiser ("First to arrive (along with KK) at nearly every game. If that doesn’t show “love of the game,” I don’t know what does."), Kevin Kurtt ("Nobody loves the game more than the Kurtt family and Kevin is the patriarch."), Ryan Maus ("Because he is always smiling."), Kim & Mandy Myslajek ("Anyone willing to play with this group needs courage and they’re among the few females we had willing to play twice in one night."), Meghan Potter
Lisa Hardy Most Improved Player Award: Lisa Hardy (by unanimous vote)
- Comments on Hardy: "There’s a reason this award was renamed." "Is there any question?" "Enjoyed one of the finest seasons in recent memory." "A dramatic improvement from the previous two years. A renewed passion for the sport of slow-pitch softball and marathon workout regimen made Hardy clearly the most improved player this year. She even cut down on her arguments with the umpires. At least in the games I was in attendance for." "Not even close."
Emily Wickstrom Grit/Determination Award: Casey Kurtt
- Comments on Kurtt: "Casey should get this award just for blocking home plate on the tag of one of the opposing guys earlier in the year. However, she gets it for putting up with all of the egos on the team, keeping tabs on Kieran, hitting ball hard every time she is up even if it goes foul (ala Geller) half the time and playing with all out hustle. We continue to hope we can keep this gritty veteran who goes all out all the time on our squad before she tires of our over-competitive tendencies and geeky stat conversations." "She plays with no regard for her body. She will dive on a ground ball in any situation and is also willing to block home plate." "Toughest catcher in the SLP league."
- Also receiving votes: Cathy Behr ("Always giving 110%."), Alyssa Downing, Steve Geller ("When I think grit, I think Geller."), Lisa Hardy, Jeff Keiser ("Took a ball to the face and hit two home runs."), Ryan Maus, Meghan Potter ("Not sure why.")
Tory Kukowski Memorial Rookie of the Year: Kate Anderson (runner-up: Taylor VanderAarde)
- Comments on Anderson: "By default. The failed Amanda Hoehn Experiment handed this award to Forbes." "Proved herself a worthwhile (and hopefully long-term!) addition to the team with consistent play." "Solid potential as an everyday player in 2010."
- Comments on VanderAarde: "He hit a home run." "He has not qualified for this year, but he gets it for being the only player other then Jeff Keiser to go yard this year in a game."
- Also receiving votes: Amanda Hoehn, Brian Keiser, N/A ("Not willing to give this award to a 10-day contract player. I feel as if we have a veteran team.")
PPI Sports Most Aggressive Baserunner/Hustler Award: Alyssa Downing (runner-up: Steve Geller)
- Comments on Downing: "Although some of her baserunning decisions may have been misguided, no one can question her aggressiveness and hustle." "This should be named after her." "Her reckless abandon on the basepaths are a perfect match for Steve Geller’s hitch in his shoulder that allows him to only wave in baserunners from third. Probably the only baserunner on the team to run through my stop sign at third base. "
- Comments on Geller: "The definition of the word “hustle.” "He has taken it down a notch but will still take the extra base in ANY situation."
- Also receiving votes: Kevin Kurtt, Ryan Maus ("Sliding into third with a smile, of course."
Kurtt Family Memorial Team Loyalty Award: Laura Kurtt and The Kurtt Family
- Comments on Laura Kurtt: "Keeps showin’ up with a smile on her face. Was going to don someone else’s shoes and socks to play in an emergency. She also attended more games than Silver Stick winner Steve Geller." "Because she attended more games then I did."
- Comments on The Kurtt Family: "Their dedication to this joke of a team is unparalleled. Sure, they’re probably there just to see Kieran, but still, they’re there."
- Also receiving votes: Jeff Keiser ("Has he ever missed a game?"), Casey Kurtt, Kieran Kurtt ("Led the league in overall cuteness in '09."), One of the Kurtts, Alex Van Lepp ("Because he wants to be a part of the team sooooo bad!"), Kim & Mandy Myslajek, N/A ("Nobody loyal enough to make it to every game.")
Jeannie/Cowboy Bob Superfan Award: Leah Foreman-Keiser and Laura Kurtt
- Comments on Foreman-Keiser: "I'm biased." "Because she came to a number of games despite the fact that she hates the sport."
- Comments on Kurtt: "Was willing to play in a pinch; that’s the definition of a true fan!"
- Also receiving votes: Pam Hardy, Beth Kurtt ("Kieran may be the trendy pick here, but no one cares more about this team than Beth."), Kieran Kurtt, Jim Kurtt ("I think I voted for Beth last season."), One of the Kurtts, Kieran Kurtt/Cameron Noth/Emily Slieter ("I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way. You know the rest."), Jeannie/Cowboy Bob
Goldy’s Gang Mascot of the Year: Maggie
- Comments on Maggie: "I was told Maggie was at a game so I will continue my yearly vote for her as Mascot of the Year." "How much time does she have left?"
- Also receiving votes: AVP, Ben Flattum, Kieran Kurtt ("Maggie’s reign as the team’s mascot should come to an end. It’s time for the next generation. Cooper was the heir apparent, but lost her chance after almost getting Train arrested/attacking fellow team mascots. Kieran, it’s your time to shine."), Steve Geller's t-shirts
Burrito Loco Best 10-Day Acquisition Award: Taylor VanderAarde (runner-up: Brian Keiser) - Comments on VanderAarde: "No-brainer."
- Comments on Keiser: "Hadn’t played softball in a long time and performed beautifully for WTP. We expected great things out of VanderAarde and got them, but no one expected the younger Keiser to go 4-for-5 with 4 RBI." "Not only for his performance, but for packing in a month full of activities in one week in Minnesota. I fully believe he will be in the front row at Slieter’s cabin to endorse the state when “Jeff Keiser is a Minnesotan Day” comes along." "Even though two Keisers in the lineup is way too many."
- Also receiving votes: Caramelina Carabajal ("Far outshone boyfriend Ben Flattum on the diamond.")
Nick Joos/M. Lochrem Biggest Disappointment “Award”: Amanda Hoehn (runners-up Steve Geller, Meghan Potter)
- Comments on Hoehn: "A no-brainer here. Honorable mention should go to Keiser for this signing."
- Comments on Geller: "This is my early campaign to get our league moved to Mondays (scratch this if I can find a new job). The fact that I missed five games is pathetic."
- Comments on Potter: "Rumor has it she played in college, but I don’t believe it."
- Also receiving votes: Cooper ("Not one appearance."), Ryan Maus ("- I would vote for myself in this one (deservedly so, I had a terrible year); I don’t know who else would even be 'deserving.'"), WTP ("For not showing up against the Green Giants during the Summer season.")
Kyle Coughlin Memorial Best Excuse for Noth Showing Up Award:
- Cathy Behr for her nationwide traveling
- Amanda Hoehn for thinking the game was at 7
- Michelle Train for attending a meaningless Twins game
- Amanda Hoehn showing up at 7:15 for a 6:15 game.
- Amanda Hoehn, for showing the dedication to actually show up at 7:15 for a 6:15 game, and then going to the bar and enjoying the postgame Major’s spread.
- Jim Strick various celebrity public address appearances.
- Steve Geller attending Volleyball 101.
- Steve Geller’s career.
- Michelle Train: “I have to see the Twins one more time at the Dome.”
- Cathy Behr’s job.
- Meghan Potter: “I’m tired.”
- Meghan Potter: educating the youth of America and teaching them how to play the sport of volleyball.
- Kate Anderson: Botched automobile repair.
- Alyssa Downing: Basketball? In July/August/September? What is this, the WNBA?
- So many but Kate gets my vote. Take your car to Tires Plus on a Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
- I refuse to name a candidate as we try to eliminate all references to Kyle Coughlin’s prior attachment with this franchise.
- Meghan Potter
Meltdown of the Year Award, Presented by Garry Bowman:
- Garry Bowman ("I don’t care that he didn’t play!")
- Jeff Keiser ("Anytime you get a warning from an umpire, you win Meltdown of the Year in my book."
-Meghan Potter (“Lay off me! I’m starving!”)
- Jim Strick’s mound antics throughout the season, highlighted by performance against Bad News Bears.
- Meghan Potter standing up to shortstop after a “rough tag”
- Matt Slieter’s tirade after several groundouts….”It’s slow pitch softball!!”
- Matt Slieter trying to remind himself it’s slowpitch softball and not that hard
- Jim Strick, throwing the ball at the third base up two times in a row hard
- Keiser calling time and throwing the ball
- I did not see it, but I am going to for the eloquently described meltdown of Jim Strick who riffled a ball at the Bad News Bears player after a walking a batter. Classic meltdown.
- WTP against Texa Tonka and Jim Strick firing the ball multiple times at the fence.
- Jeff Keiser mouthing off to the ump after she asks “How are you doing?”
Cy Young, brought to you by Icy Hot: Jim Strick
- Comments on Strick: "By default." "A no-brainer." "Delivered week in and week out on the mound and fielded his position better then any hurler in the league."
- Also receiving votes: Jeff Keiser, Kevin Kurtt, Ryan Maus
Gold Glove, presented by Isotoner: Ryan Maus, Jim Strick, Kevin Kurtt, Matt Slieter, Cathy Behr
- Also receiving votes: Steve Geller, Lisa Hardy, Jeff Keiser, Kevin Noth, Meghan Potter
Gregg Shimanski Executive of the Year: Jeff Keiser
- Comments on Keiser: "He worked tirelessly to put a team together week after week.
- Nobody has a more extensive go-to phone list of people to play slow-pitch softball after regular team members back out then Jeff Keiser. He also made a great move to stave off forfeit by collecting players from another team to play against the Green Giants. All these factors are why we let him by the GM, even though he has never produced a winning season and been unable to match the 25-0 season of 2006." "For his positive online interview in the face of team adversity." "Spent every Tuesday afternoon trying to track down another 10-day acquisition."
- Also receiving votes: Kevin Kurtt, Michelle Train, N/A ("This award is for executives that put together a championship team.")
Marvin Geller Lifetime Achivement Award: Steve Geller and Lisa Hardy
- Comments on Geller: "A cornerstone of the franchise."
- Comments on Hardy: "Veteran’s renewed intensity led to career year." "Not sure if she has received this (if she has scratch this), but she is the one female who has put up with Keiser, Geller and Kurtt the whole time, and also done so with the likes of Sandersfeld, the Fridge, Lundberg and many other throughout the years. She also probably had her best career season in 2009."
- Also receiving votes: Kevin Kurtt, Kevin Noth, Andrea Smith
Bobby Z’S Kodak Moments of the Year:
- Jeff Keiser’s signing of The Myslajek Twins in order for WTP to field a full team vs. the Green Giants.
- Jeff Keiser’s two home runs after getting hit in the jaw.
- Only three females showing up for the Green Giants game leading the GM to sign the Myslajek twins. Then, the makeshift team gave the Giants a tough game.
- Steve Geller winning first career batting title in final game.
- AVP preparing detailed scouting reports of the Green Giants.
- The swift-footed athleticism of Kevin Noth in all areas of the game.
- Casey Kurtt blocking home plate on numerous occasions.
- The Return of Dre.
- Jim Strick, throwing the ball at the third base up two times in a row hard (Who would think Jim would do such a thing?)
- Geller’s inside-the-park home run (which I think happened)
- Casey Kurtt blocking the plate to tag opposing guy out
- Keiser’s home run that bounced off the top of the fence
- Geller’s consistent misjudgment of fly balls to make his catches highlight reel worthy.
- Downing’s home run although I don’t remember the circumstances.
- Several stellar Kurtt grabs at shortstop as usual.
- Ryan Maus’ nice snag at third that was turned into a double play.
- Matt Slieter’s steady outfield play.
- Megan Potter getting mad against a team I forget, smoking a hit to the fence and making a great throw from right field that surprised opposing guy and made him not tag up.
- KK’s online interview between JK and Train
- The Downing-Behr-Casey double play at the plate
- Steve Geller
- Matt Slieter
The Steak Knife Bloopers of the Year:
- Andrea Smith forgetting glove in consecutive games.
- WTP blowing 8-0 lead to Texa Tonka in 9-8 loss.
- Ryan Maus hitting 2 consecutive balls into the dugout.
- Only three females showing up for the Green Giants game leading the GM to sign two random players from Myslajek.
- Jim Kurtt purchasing a convertible without the consent of his wife.
- Alyssa Downing asking me what a “BB” was in the scorebook.
- Controversy on whether Geller had enough at bats to qualify for the batting title.
- Noth going 3-for-15 over the last four games of the year.
- Any of Geller’s catches.
- Flattum striking out.
- Kevin Noth’s many stellar outfield “plays.”
- Geller’s slide into 3rd
- Keiser getting hit in the head by the ball at home
- The entire Myslajek/Bail Bonds doubleheader.
- The several inside the park home runs we allowed which should never happen in a fence league, unless Ichiro is batting.
- Our seven straight ground outs to end the first Green Giants game.
- The yearlong controversy of when AVP would be called in to fill for our team, and it finally coming to fruition so he could show he is just as mediocre as the rest of us (at least on the stat sheet).
- The loss to Texa Tonka.
- KK signaling safe while standing in the base path.
- Noth overrunning second base with a runner on third, being thrown out and paying the price with an arthritic finer for the rest of his days.
- Strick waving Slieter home with the ball already in the infield
- Maus knocking down the water bottle in the dugout on consecutive swings
- Jeff Keiser
- Steve Geller ("I’m sure Geller did something that made me laugh."_
Most Awards Won
Jeff Keiser 3
Jim Strick 3
Steve Geller 2
Lisa Hardy 2
Casey Kurtt 2
Laura Kurtt 2
Ryan Maus 2
Matt Slieter 2
Kate Anderson 1
Cathy Behr 1
Alyssa Downing 1
Leah Foreman-Keiser 1
Amanda Hoehn 1
Kevin Kurtt 1
The Kurtt Family 1
Maggie 1
Kevin Noth 1
Michelle Train 1
Taylor VanderAarde 1
Most Times Runner-Up
Steve Geller 4
Jeff Keiser 4
Kevin Kurtt 4
Ryan Maus 4
Kieran Kurtt 3
Meghan Potter 3
Michelle Train 3
N/A 3
Kate Anderson 2
Alyssa Downing 2
Lisa Hardy 2
Casey Kurtt 2
Kim & Mandy Myslajek 2
Kevin Noth 2
Alex Van Lepp 2
One of the Kurtts 2
Cathy Behr 1
Ben Flattum 1
Pam Hardy 1
Brian Keiser 1
Beth Kurtt 1
Jim Kurtt 1
Matt Slieter 1
Andrea Smith 1
Jim Strick 1
Taylor VanderAarde 1
Amanda Hoehn 1
Jeannie/Cowboy Bob 1
Kevin Kurtt/Jeff Keiser/Ryan Maus 1
Kieran Kurtt/Cameron Noth/Emily Slieter 1
Steve Geller's t-shirts 1
No Votes Received
Katie Fornasiere
Tory Kukowski
Hayley Lang
Mike Miller
Lori Noth
Kelly Slieter
