Thursday, July 5, 2007

A Pair of Disappearing Women

These classic videos really need no introduction.


Monday, July 2, 2007

Ping-Ping-Ping! Pow! Splash!


http://view.break.com/323833 - Watch more free videos
Golf club, check. Golf balls, check. Dock on the lake with multiple poles, check. Friends watching nearby and filming, check. A recipe for injury-related hilarity.

There was just no way this was going to work out well. Wait for it...wait for it...

Maybe that's why it's called Ping.

Introducing Cooper, The Kinda Amazing Frisbee Dog


We've already received enough criticism about no new updates over the weekend. Well, pthhbbtt, it was 80 and sunny all weekend. Though occasionally lazy, we're all about enjoying the outdoors when the Minnesota weather allows. Enjoying such things as throwing frisbees with our dog, Cooper. Mr. Heavyfoot is proud to introduce Cooper, The Kinda Amazing Frisbee Dog.


More videos of Cooper, The Kinda Amazing Frisbee Dog, here.

Thursday, June 28, 2007

These Cheese Doodles are Delicious!


It's NBA Draft night and we couldn't be less excited. We'd be exceptionally more excited if the guys in the above video were back again this year to heckle Stephen A. Smith.

"I am Stephen A. Smith and these cheese doodles are delicious."

"Quite frankly, I think if you gave me some more cheese doodles, I might have another one."

"I don't know what I'm going to say, but it's going to be so much more important than this."

"Stephen, Stephen, Stephen, Stephen, Stephen, Stephen, Stephen, Stephen, SUCKS!"

"Everything I say is important. I'm Stephen A. Smith."

In other NBA Draft-related news:


Fourth Annual KC's Draft Party Set For Jamestown Villas on Thursday

The Royal Order of KC's Draft Party has announced the Fourth Annual KC's Draft Party on Thursday, June 28, at the Jamestown Villas Townhouse Complex in Eden Prairie, Minn. Festivities will begin at 6 p.m. at 18117 Settlers Way. Scheduled to appear are draft experts 'The Veteran', 'The Professor', 'Corner Man', and 'Steve Stellar'.

"We're excited about the lineup we've put together for the 2007 Party," KC's Draft Party Sergeant at Arms Shane Sandersfeld said. "We know our audience is familiar with many of these experts from 'Pick 'Em Corner' during the college football season and we expect them to bring the same amount of consistent mediocrity to the Draft Party."

All those attending the draft will be contacted to contribute sustenance or libations to the Party. KC's famous burgers will be served as well as K-Hill's scrumptous dessert bars. Please contact the Royal Order for Draft Party favorites and to RSVP.

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Boom Nets First Win; Kukowski, Kurtt, Owens III Maimed


Boom Goes the Dynamite got off the proverbial schneid last night at the U of M West Bank Softball Fields, edging wonderfully-named Cobra Kai Dojo 9-8 to post its first win of the CSC Summer Season. Along the way, shortstop Kevin Kurtt (Edina, Minn.) took a ball to the face, outfielders Tory Kukowski (Lewiston, Minn.) and Peyton Owens III (Richmond, Va.) collided in center field, delicate outfielder/third baseman Jeff Keiser (Avon Ct.) skinned his knee and bald outfielder Kevin Noth (Norwalk, Wis.) had his ego bruised after his team-leading third strikeout of the season, resulting in the most injury-filled contest since the 2003 campaign.

Boom (1-2) led for the majority of the evening, pulling away in the fifth and sixth innings, and used staunch defense from all over the field to snap a team-record three-game losing streak. The game was overshadowed, however, by the abundance of boo-boos, beginning with Noth's ego bruise in the second inning.

"Noth is going to have to hop on that bike of his and ride to the batting cages," aging slugger Steve Geller (Port Jefferson, N.Y.) said. "He struck out looking, for crying out loud. Looking! In slow-pitch softball! You're damn right I told Tory to aim for Noth when he actually got on the basepaths later in the game. Tory's liner just missed Noth, but mission accomplished. Noth learned his lesson."

Noth has now notched four strikeouts since the end of the 2006 season, most notably his K-by-whiff in the 2006 Summer Season Championship Game vs. then-archrival Yep [archive photo above right]. Keiser, Boom's general manager, is now actively shopping the strikeout-prone, balding, craigslist cleats-wearing new father [photo of Keiser working the phones at left].

The injuries continued in the fourth inning when Kukowski and Owens III collided in center field attempting to catch a long fly ball. Reports varied, but it appeared that Owens III yelled out, "I got this bitch!" as the ball came off the bat. Apparently, Kukowski didn't hear Owens III, resulting in the soon-to-be-former intern and the U of M Director of Life Skills smacking into each other just as the ball hit Kukowski's glove.

First responders to the scene reported tending to a dazed Kukowski, not surprising considering Owens III's considerable bulk. Owens III, meanwhile, was as upset as he was after receiving poor customer service at the Dinkytown Subway last year.

"You don't come up into my right center field thinkin' you're going to catch my fly balls," Owens III said. "This is Peyton N. Owens III's right center field. Not Peyton N. Owens, Jr. Not Peyton N. Owens, Sr. I'm the Third, bitch. Ya heard?"

"I don't care what Peyton says. This was my last game in a Boom uniform and I wasn't going to let some run-of-the-mill 10-day acquistion steal my thunder," a noticeably concussed Kukowski said after the game from The Corner Bar [photo at right]. "That was my ball. I guess I'm just used to having little miss lackadaisacal Meghan Potter in right center. She evidently hates to run, so she lets me go after everything.

"Peyton was a different story, but I wasn't going to back down just because he out-weighs me by 35 pounds. Yeah, I took a beat-down out there and I'm risking him busting up my cubicle like he did that Subway, but I don't give a damn. I'm out of this bitch in a week."

Two innings later, it was Boom's overconfident, well-fielding, poor-hitting shortstop, Kurtt, that felt the wrath of the softball. With runners on first and third with one out, a Cobra Kai Dojo player hit a grounder up the middle. Kurtt tracked to the ball to his left and put his glove down before the ball took a laws-of-physics-defying bounce straight up into the expecting father's cheekbone. Katie Fornasiere (Maple Grove, Minn.), the part-time infielder, full-time daughter of famous Minnesota assistant head coach Rob Fornasiere, picked up the ball for Kurtt as Cobra Kai Dojo players rounded the bases in utter disregard for the injured shortstop.

"This is the second time this summer my exceptionally attractive face has been hit with a softball," Kurtt said while icing his cheekbone with a bag of frozen corn. "First it was my wife (Casey) throwing a ball at me while I was looking away just because I said she was going to look like Kirby Puckett in a few months. And then this [photo of Kurtt assessing the damage at left]. What did I do to deserve this?"

"I'll tell you what he did to deserve a softball to the face," a still surprisingly calm and cool-headed Lisa Hardy (Hopkins, Minn.) said. "It's karma. How many blog entries has he written that offer the least bit of criticism of him or his play on the softball field? Not a one. It's finally caught up to him. Kurtt, meet ball. Ball, meet Kurtt's face. Karma can be a bastard sometimes."

The final injury of the night came when Keiser went down to a knee to field a ground ball at third base. The razor-sharp infield dirt sliced open the general manager's knee, resulting in a predictably bad throw to Hardy at first base.

"It wasn't the least bit surprising that Keiser whined like a bitch when he saw blood on his knee," Geller said. "It was the usual 'This is worst cut EVER' stuff that we all just ignore now. But I'll give Keiser credit. At least he made an effort to make a play at third base. We yanked (starting third baseman Alicia) Jerome after she did three impressions of a bullfighter by letting grounders get by her. On her last ground ball, I swear I heard her yell 'Olé!' We knew then we had to make the switch to Keiser. What I can't understand, though, is how Keiser can somehow make a nice play on a hard-hit grounder at third, but miss routine grounder after routine grounder in left field. Bizarre."

In other injury-related news, Geller and third base coach SS (Williamsburg, Iowa) were treated for heat exhaustion and dehydration after the game. Both Geller and Sandersf*** [photo of a heat exhausted Sandersf*** at right] opted to wear pants on the hottest day of the year. To complement his Delaware Basketball shirt, Geller went with black pants on a sunny day. Sandersf***, meanwhile, chose to wear dress pants, further distancing himself from his hey-day as one of CSC's most revered softball players.

After a one-week layoff for the All-Star break, Boom will continue its 2007 CSC Summer Season with a contest against Sugar (3-0) on Tuesday, July 10 at 7:20 p.m., at Diamond #1.

In completely unrelated news, incoming Director of Athletic Communications Garry Bowman (Ann Arbor, Mich.) has announced the retention of Peyton N. Owens III as "Director of Life Skills for Steve Geller and Shane Sandersf***." Owens III will be expected to make doctor and dentist appointments, recruit, retain and reward nutritionists, personal trainers, housekeepers and driving instructors, find girlfriends, and basically serve as life coach for life skills-deficient Geller and Sandersf....

Notes
• Boom has out-scored its opponents 141-106 in 12 games in the 2007 season.
• Student worker Kristine Yorde (Plymouth, Minn.) was Boom's latest 10-day acquisition. Yorde struck out swinging in her first at-bat, but went on to knock in two runs later in the contest. Yorde and Owens III are now eligible for the Burrito Loco Best 10-Day Acqusition Award.
• Game umpire Brandon [last name redacted] all but doomed his chances at landing the Athletic Communications Assistant Creative Director position after making a sarcastic comment about Boom's first win following the game.
• Steve Geller added to his CSC all-sports record for nicknames last night when third base coach Shane Sandersf*** called the aging hurler "DJ Underground." Geller now owns 23 monikers, ahead of Sandersf***'s 14 and Kukowski's nine.
• Male Player of the Game: Tory Kukowski (Best performance of the season in his swan song game)
• Female Player of the Game: Katie Fornasiere (Look what I found! Twice!
• Goat of the Game: Alicia Jerome (Olé! Olé! Olé!)
• Fans in attendance: Michelle Train, Emily Wickstrom
• Fan standings: Emily Wickstrom (3 appearances), Michelle Train (2 apps.), Katie Fornasiere (1 app.)
• Mascots in attendance: Koda
• Mascot standings: Koda (2 appearances)

Today's Musical Guest: Joseph the French Beat Boxer


Before we bring you the latest update on the goings-on of Boom Goes the Dynamite softball (they finally won!), we thought we'd introduce you to Joseph, a beat boxer from the French version of American Idol - Nouvelle Star.

Not much to say about Joseph other than we tried to duplicate just a small portion of his routine and ended up drooling all over our shirt.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Brian Bellows, Superstar


We're on a bit of a run with hockey videos, so we thought we'd bring back the legendary film of Minnesota North Star Bryan Bellows getting mercilessly heckled by Pittsburgh Penguins Kevin Stevens and Brian Trottier during the 1991 Stanley Cup Finals. The video is about a year old and is definitely not safe for your sterile work environments, but is oddly addicting. We can't stop watching this and we don't know why.

The ratings for the NHL would be drastically better if this bench cam (with audio!) was a part of every NHL telecast. We've spent plenty of time on hockey benches during NCAA games and can assure you that what you see and hear in this video is by no means rare.

We're assuming that earlier in the game, Bellows may have faked an injury in an effort to draw a penalty or something. Evidently, Stevens and Trottier didn't take too kindly to Bellows' acting, resulting in the following, ahem, conversation.

Stevens: Get off the f***ing ice, you f****t!
Stevens: Bellows, you must be really hurt. Get off the ice. Get off the ice, you p***y.
Trottier: You're the best.
Bellows: Hey, you suck...
Trottier: You're the f***ing best.
Stevens: Lay on the ice like a little...
Trottier: You're the f***ing best, Bellows.
Stevens: You lay on the ice like a...
Trottier: You're a f***ing superstar.
Stevens: You lay on the...
Trottier: You're the f***ing best, Bellows.
Stevens: You lay on the ice like a little...You lay on the ice like a fraud, Bellows. P***y!
Trottier: You f***ing woman.
Unknown: ...you f***ing puke...
Stevens: Get up, you f****t.
Trottier: You f***ing got balls, you f***ing tit f***er! (laughter)

"They've turned off the lights. BUT THAT DOESN'T SOLVE ANYTHING!"


The above video is of the infamous Piestany Punch-Up. What is the Piestany Punch-Up, you ask? Well, it's a bench-clearing brawl between Canada (in white) and Russia (in red) at the 1987 World Junior Championships. Not surprisingly, it was the most violent melee in the history of international hockey.

The Soviets, out of medal contention, had nothing to lose. Team Canada was applying pressure, trying to increase a 4-2 lead and go for the gold medal. Then it happened. Canadian and Soviet players, fed up with the stickwork and running at each other, dropped their gloves and engaged in a 20 minute brawl that cleared the benches. With the fight out of control, the officials left the ice and the arena lights were shut off. The game was never resumed. Both teams were disqualified, and their records were erased.

Our personal favorite moments from the Canadian announcers call of the brawl:
• "They've turned off the lights! BUT THAT DOESN'T SOLVE ANYTHING! THAT DOESN'T SOLVE ANYTHING!"
• "I don't know how they are going to continue this game because in international hockey rules, this is NOT PERMITTED!"
• "I don't want to sound like a Homer..."

Monday, June 25, 2007

And Boom Goes the Hockey Player


It's Monday and we're starving for content, so here's a compilation video of some nice hockey hits from the 2006-07 NHL season. We're not embarrassed to call ourselves hockey fans at Mr. Heavyfoot. We'd be bigger fans if Gary Bettman would figure out that Versus is the network for the Tour de France, the America's Cup, various fishing rodeo shows, and the Great American Barbecue Cook-off, not the best professional hockey league in the world. We'd also be bigger fans if Versus was included on our Dish Network package.

Friday, June 22, 2007

Today's Musical Guest: Paul Potts


In an effort to prove that Mr. Heavyfoot isn't all about Boom Goes the Dynamite, Athletic Communications, Baby Kurtt or videos of children getting hurt/swearing/getting really hurt, we give you the above video from the reality television show Britain's Got Talent. Now we're not necessarily big fans of reality TV, but we know a good little heartwarming story when we see one, even if it does involve a chubby guy with really bad teeth (par for the course in England) singing opera.

Here's the background on the video from buddytv.com: "This was Paul Potts initial audition, but he actually went on to the finals and won the entire competition earlier this week. The voting wasn't even close; Paul won in a landslide....Adding to the legend, Paul Potts is an admittedly nervous man, lacks self-confidence, and was unsure if he would even show up for the auditions on that fateful day. He was over 30,000 pounds in debt prior to appearing on the show and didn't know if he'd ever sing opera again. Paul's luck has turned, however, and likely for good. The grand prize for winning Britain's Got Talent is 100,000 pounds, and not only does Paul receive the massive payday, but Simon Cowell immediately signed Potts to a recording contract on Simon's very own label."

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Allegations of Game Fixing Surface as Boom's Losing Streak Reaches Three

Note: This post is here just so you, the Mr. Heavyfoot community, does not have to see Tory Kukowski's GQ-like photo when you open this page

Amidst its worst losing streak since the franchise was named Gas on the Fire, two-time CSC Champion Boom Goes the Dynamite is embroiled in a game fixing scandal after losing 5-3 to the Voodoo Posse in questionable fashion this Tuesday at the West Bank Softball Complex.

Part-time Boom outfielder, full-time tanner Meghan Potter (Hibbing, Minn.), two-time defending Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl Playoff MVP Kevin Noth (Norwalk, Wis.) and Jeannie/Cowboy Bob Superfan Award hopeful Emily Wickstrom (Winona, Minn.) have been linked to a high-stakes gambling ring that has allegedly pre-ordained the results in Boom's last three games - all losses. Allegations of bribes paid to CSC officials, intentionally throwing games with poor on-field performances and events reminiscent of the Tonya Harding-Nancy Kerrigan saga have reportedly led to Boom being out-scored 32-19 in its last three games with Potter, Noth and Wickstrom pocketing upwards of $22 million in gambling receipts.

As part of his guilty plea to criminal charges of conspiracy and promoting gambling, former NHL star Rick Tocchet implicated Potter as one of his co-conspirators in his multi-million dollar sports bookmaking enterprise. Tocchet also named Janet Jones (Wayne Gretzky's wife) and the CSC Super Ump as part of his plea agreement.

"Ms. Potter played a huge role in arranging for Boom to lose its last three games," Tocchet said outside the Burlington County courthouse in Mount Holly, N.J. "She was instrumental in our plan to bribe that umpire who takes himself and slow-pitch softball way too seriously. The best part about it was Boom's team management, especially team president Jeff Keiser, thought all along that Super Ump was just incompetent. You think an umpire that wears ASA-approved umpire shirts, shorts and shoes in that joke of a league is going to make a mistake in a situation like that? (link) No way. The bribe worked perfectly. It was Ms. Potter's stroke of genius."

"Ms. Potter was also a major player in tanking games with her subpar performance on the field," Tochett added. "I mean, an All-Iron Range performer and 2003 Academic All-NCC honoree does not suddenly forget how to hit or catch. But you saw her in the last two games. She was making a mockery of Boom and its winning legacy. I'm shocked the authorities didn't figure this out sooner."

Reports have surfaced that Potter became involved in the gambling ring somewhat surreptitiously during her search for love among the nation's many arrogant hockey players.

"I had nothing to do with these gambling allegations," Potter said from happy hour at Billy's in St. Paul. "I'll admit that I came to know Mr. Tocchet through mutual friends in the hockey community, but when I learned that Mr. Tocchet was not only married, but really not all that arrogant, I cut all ties with him."

According to Tocchet, Noth was approached to help Tocchet and Potter throw Boom contests by pretending to revert to his pre-2007 play on the field. Prior to joining forces with the conspirators, Noth was one of Boom's top offensive performers this past spring, batting .780 in the playoff run before suddenly losing his ability to hit the ball out of the infield as Boom entered the summer session.

"I know Noth has a history of hitting under the Mendoza Line in the regular season before reinventing himself in the postseason, but there's no way he can be our best player one night and follow that up by hitting what looked like swinging bunts the next night," purple t-shirt wearer Steve Geller (Port Jefferson, N.Y.) said. "It's disappointing if these allegations are true. I never would have thought Noth would be involved in fixing games. Our team cancer, Kyle Coughlin, sure. But not Noth."

The final piece of the Tocchet gambling ring centers around a sordid tale involving Wickstrom and her pursuit of individual glory as one of Boom's top fans. According to Tocchet, Wickstrom became a scheming, hard-edged, jealous rival to Superfan Award winner Michelle Train (Taunton, Minn.) upon learning that Train had received 10 votes in the fan category to Wickstrom's one. Wickstrom allegedly employed some nefarious techniques to supplant Train as Boom's top supporter.

"Ms. Wickstrom was really angry that she got as many votes as Kevin Kurtt's dad (Jim Kurtt) in the Superfan voting," Tocchet said. "She told me that she was going to try to bump off Ms. Train by hiring well-known henchman Jeff Gillooly. When Gillooly swung and missed Ms. Train's knee, Ms. Wickstrom turned to me in an effort to get back at the voters on the Boom roster who voted for Traen.

"Seeing an opportunity to assure another Boom loss, I arranged for 10-day acquisition Aaron DeBerg to encounter some bad luck on the way to this Tuesday's game. With DeBerg in the hospital, Boom managed to scratch out only three runs. Pay day for me."

As a result of Tocchet's revelation of the involvement of Potter, Noth and Wickstrom in the gambling ring, New Jersey Attorney General Stuart Rabner and Criminal Justice Director Gregory A. Paw announced that they will be opening an investigation into all Boom Goes the Dynamite game results from April 2006 to June 2007. Rabner did not rule out the possibility that Boom's back-to-back CSC Championships could be wiped from the record books if evidence is found of wrongdoing as it relates to the Tocchet gambling enterprise.

Notes from Tuesday's game
• Boom has out-scored its opponents 132-98 in 11 games in the 2007 season.
• Fans in attendance: Katie Fornasiere, Michelle Train, Emily Wickstrom
• Fan standings: Emily Wickstrom (2 appearances), Katie Fornasiere (1 app.), Michelle Train (1 app.)
• Mascots in attendance: None
• Mascot standings: Koda (1 appearance)

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Introducing the Newest Member of the Heavyfoot Community


Mr. Heavyfoot is happy to announce that Kevin Kurtt (Edina, Minn.) and knocked-up wife Casey Kurtt (Lakelands, Minn.) have reached the halfway point of their pregnancy as evidenced by the above and below images from a fetal ultrasound taken today in Waconia, Minn.

"The results are in from our ultrasound and we're excited to announce that it is, in fact, a baby," Casey said while heaving frisbees at their hyperactive dog, Cooper. "Kevin is convinced that he saw the little stinker's package to confirm what he wants to confirm that the baby is a boy. I'm not so sure though. Every time I pop in a Spice Girls CD at home, the baby kicks like crazy. That has to mean it's a girl...or a really feminine boy."

According to the Imaging Services staff at Ridgeview Medical Center, the baby is approximately 12 ounces in weight and is 20 weeks and 3 days developed, one day more than the original due date of Nov. 4. The baby's heart rate was clocked at about 146 bpm, while its muscular calves and big nose looked like Kevin's, its cute eyes and overbite looked like Casey's, and its activity level reminded some of Cooper.

Mr. Heavyfoot and the Kurtt family invite the Heavyfoot community to vote on what sex they think Baby Kurtt will be, keeping in mind that Kevin has already announced that the Kurtts will only be having boys.



Will Little Heavyfoot be a boy or a girl?
Boy
Girl
I don't know
  
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Monday, June 18, 2007

Beer, Ping Pong and a Lot of Videotape


This video has been around the interweb for some time now, but well, we're hurting for content these days. Anyway, watch as pro skateboarder Billy Marks bounces ping pong balls into cups. Sounds riveting, we know, but imagine the dedication to come up with the various bouncy ideas, film them again and again until the ball finds the cup and then edit the hours and hours of footage you have. Just the sort of job for a pro skateboarder...or a college student.

Sunday, June 17, 2007

To All Those Great Dads Out There


As an expecting father and the son of an awesome dad, we give you this tear-jerking (seriously, grab a Kleenex) music video of Dick & Rick Hoyt. Courtesy of SI's Rick Reilly: "Eighty-five times he's pushed his disabled son, Rick, 26.2 miles in marathons. Eight times he's not only pushed him 26.2 miles in a wheelchair but also towed him 2.4 miles in a dinghy while swimming and pedaled him 112 miles in a seat on the handlebars - all in the same day."

Happy Father's Day, Dad. You may not have pushed me in a wheelchair 85 times for 26.2 miles, but you've taught me what it means to be a truly great dad.

And now back to your regularly scheduled Mr. Heavyfoot content. This video has nothing to do with fathers, unless it was dad who taught this cute little girl those cute little phrases.

Thursday, June 14, 2007

2007 Boom Goes the Dynamite Team Awards – Spring Season


Shane Sanderfeld Memorial MVP: Kevin Kurtt (runner-up: Kevin Noth)
- Comments on KK: "at least one of us is a consistently good player," "but not quite as good as Cleveland Steamers shortstop"
- Also receiving votes: Lisa Hardy (2), Alicia Jerome, Jeff Keiser, Andrea Smith

Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl Playoff MVP: Kevin Noth (runner-up: Lisa Hardy)
- Comment on Noth: "lifetime playoff batting average of .780 and regular season average of .190"
- Also receiving votes: Jeff Keiser, Casey Kurtt, Kevin Kurtt, N/A

Duffy’s Pizza Unsung Hero Award: Casey Kurtt (runner-up: Andrea Smith)
- Comments on CK: "you can't replace effort," "played consistently pretty much every week and protected the future of the Kurtt family with the exception of one play"
- Also receiving votes: Kyle Coughlin, Kevin Kurtt, Kevin Noth, Matt Schroeder, Anne Strong, Emily Wood

Victory Sports Silver Stick Award: Kevin Kurtt (runner-up: Steve Geller)
- Comment on KK: "the most consistent hitter on a team of inconsistent hitting guys"
- Also receiving votes: Kevin Noth (2), Kyle Coughlin, Emily Hennen, Jeff Keiser, Tory Kukowski, Meghan Potter, Andrea Smith

Lady Byng Sportsmanship Award: Kevin Noth and Meghan Potter (runners-up: Lisa Hardy, Tory Kukowski, none)
- Comment on Noth: "showed the patience and understanding of a former substitute teacher"
- Also receiving votes: Andrea Smith, Emily Wood

Kyle Coughlin Interim Director Leadership Award: Jeff Keiser (runner-up: Lisa Hardy)
- Comment on Keiser: "not quite 23-0 like Steve Geller was last year, but we have made the semis or further for three straight years now"
- Also receiving votes: Kyle Coughlin, Koda, Casey Kurtt, Andrea Smith

Emily Wood Team Spirit Award: Emily Wood (runner-up: Jeff Keiser)
- Comments on Wood: "she deserves a piece of the award named after herself," "why would anyone else get it?"
- Also receiving votes: Tory Kukowski (2), Kyle Coughlin, Michelle Train, Emily Wickstrom

Fox 9 News Courage and Love of the Game Award: Lisa Hardy and Casey Kurtt (runners-up: Steve Geller and Andrea Smith)
- Comment on Casey: "who else would sacrifice the health of an unborn child?"
- Also receiving votes: Kyle Coughlin, Kevin Kurtt, Matt Schroeder, Emily Wood

Potbelly Sandwich Works Most Improved Player: Kevin Noth (runner-up: Tory Kukowski)
- Comments on Noth: "simply a breakout season," "actually showed up in the regular season and continued to be clutch in the playoffs"
- Also receiving votes: ???

Courtney Walerius Grit/Determination Award: Casey Kurtt (runner-up: Steve Geller)
- Comment on Casey: "when I think 'grit,' I think dirt and no one got down and dirty more than this girl"
- Also receiving votes: Alicia Jerome, Emily Wood

Library Bar & Grill Rookie of the Year: Meghan Potter (runner-up: Crissy Potter)
- Comments on Pottsie: "is anybody else even eligible?" "by default,"weak crop, a lot of talent but a disappointing ending to the first season; she did win Summit League Academic All-Conference honors though"
- Also receiving votes: Matt Schroeder, N/A

Jeannie/Cowboy Bob Superfan Award: Michelle Train (runner-up: Cameron Noth)
- Comments on Train: "at every game despite a down year," "attended the Fog Bowl, enough said," "nearly received a ticket for not having Copper on a leash; that is dedication," "no contest; she almost got arrested for the Kurtt family; that's dedication!"
- Also receiving votes: Pam Hardy, Jim Kurtt, Emily Wickstrom

Goldy’s Gang Mascot of the Year: Maggie (runner-up: Cooper)
- Comments on Maggie: "who else would get it?" "docile; just what you'd want in a Boom mascot," come on, give it to her; she may not have many years left, dontcha know?"
- Also receiving votes: Koda (2), Emily Wickstrom

Burrito Loco Best 10-Day Acquisition Award: Emily Wood (runner-up: Matt Schroeder)
- Comments on Wood: "can we please sign her to a multi-year deal?" "wood for 10 days? seek immediate medical attention"
- Also receiving votes: Katie Fornasiere, Emily Hennen, Andrea Smith, Huh???

Nick Joos/M. Lochrem Biggest Disappointment “Award”: Jeff Keiser (runner-up: Tory Kukowski)
- Comments on Keiser: "too serious!" "for not tagging with one out!"
- Also receiving votes: Kyle Coughlin, Steve Geller, Beth & Jim Kurtt, Kevin Kurtt, Laura Kurtt, Anne Strong, Team, Super-Ump, N/A

Cy Young, brought to you by Icy Hot: Kyle Coughlin & Steve Geller (runners-up: Jeff Keiser and Huh???)
- Comments on KC: "Geller is no longer effectively wild, he is just wild," "only because Geller walked so many people'
- Comments on Geller: "for somehow finishing with a winning record despite giving up a league record for walks," "thanks to a big push from the sponsor of this award who also signed Geller to an endorsement deal for his bum shoulder," "I like to say he's wild in the zone"

Gold Glove, presented by Isotoner: Kevin Kurtt, Andrea Smith and Lisa Hardy
- Also receiving votes: Kyle Coughlin (2), Kevin Noth (2), Steve Geller, Tory Kukowski, Casey Kurtt, Crissy Potter, Emily Wood

Gregg Shimanski Executive of the Year: Jeff Keiser
- Comments on Keiser: "he at least looked into a league with outfield grass and fences," "I don't think any GM has been forced to pick up so many 10-day acquistions," "he is not as good of a slumlord as Shimanski, but he is learning"
- Also receiving votes: Steve Geller, Lisa Hardy, Michelle Train, No one ("had to win the championship")

Marvin Geller Lifetime Achivement Award: Casey Kurtt (runner-up: Shane Sandersfeld)
- Comment on Casey: "quite a way to end a career; please accept these lovely parting gifts"
- Also receiving votes: Kyle Coughlin, Lisa Hardy, Beth Kurtt, Jim Kurtt, Kevin Kurtt, Crissy Potter

Bobby Z’S Kodak Moments of the Year:
The Fog Bowl win over ERAC
KK’s 485-foot home run vs. ERAC
Geller’s t-shirts
Boom’s seventh inning in semifinals vs. Cleveland Steamers
Keiser’s meltdown in the playoff controversy vs. Cleveland Steamers
Noth falling down while running to first
Kevin Noth
Katie Fornasiere

The Steak Knife Bloopers of the Year:
Cooper and Train nearly getting arrested/Train getting asked if she had any warrants
Noth holding KK at 3rd base in playoffs in semifinals vs. Cleveland Steamers
Casey’s barrel roll, almost injuring unborn child
Keiser (and Geller) not knowing how many outs and getting picked off in quarterfinals vs. Yellow Snow
Alicia’s 2nd base play in quarters vs. Yellow Snow
Keiser running over Yellow Snow’s catcher in the quarterfinals
Noth buying $5 cleats off of craigslist
Geller walking nine vs. Foul Balls
Noth whiffing with wife and child in attendance vs. Yellow Snow in week two
Coughlin running the bases
Tory at the plate
Potter and Geller hitting into double plays in the same game vs. Outlawz
Potter getting thrown out (or tagged out) truing to reach second while walking…twice vs. Outlawz
Noth falling down while running to first
Noth falling on his ass after making a catch in the outfield
Kevin Noth

2007 Boom Goes the Dynamite First Session Players and Goats of the Game
4/16 Big Swingin - W, 19-6 (Male: Kyle Coughlin, Female: Meghan Potter, Goat: Jeff Keiser)
4/23 Yellow Snow - L, 5-13 (Male: Tory Kukowski, Female: Meghan Potter, Goat: The Team)
4/29 Lucky Strikes - W, 17-2 (Male: Jeff Keiser, Female: Andrea Smith, Goat: Kevin Noth)
5/7 ERAC - W, 22-10 (Male: Kevin Noth, Female: Alicia Jerome, Goat: Tory Kukowski)
5/14 Cleveland Steamers - L, 4-9 (Male: Kevin Kurtt, Female: Alicia Jerome, Goat: Meghan Potter)
5/21 Outlawz - W, 12-2 (Male: Kevin Kurtt, Female: Casey Kurtt, Goat: Meghan Potter)
6/4 Foul Balls - W, 24-11 (Male: Kevin Noth, Female: Emily Hennen, Goat: Steve Geller)
6/11 Yellow Snow - W, 13-11 (Male: Kyle Coughlin, Female: Casey Kurtt, Goat: Alicia Jerome)
6/11 Cleveland Steamers - L, 10-11 (Male: Kevin Noth, Female: Lisa Hardy, Goat: Super-Ump)

Most Awards Won
Casey Kurtt 4
Jeff Keiser 3
Kevin Kurtt 3
Kevin Noth 3

Most Times Runner-Up
Steve Geller 4
Lisa Hardy 4
Tory Kukowski 3

No Votes Received
Kate Baker, Mary Baker, Lisa Carlson, Lori Noth

RIP: Mr. Wizard


Another small piece of Mr. Heavyfoot's childhood has gone quietly into the night. Following such beloved legends as Mr. Hooper, Mr. Rogers and Captain Kangaroo, Mr. Wizard (aka Don Herbert) passed away Tuesday at the age of 89. A native of Waconia, Minn., Mr. Wizard was easily one of our favorite shows, right along with "You Can't Do That on Television," "3-2-1 Contact," "The Electric Company" and of course "Captain Kangaroo" and "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood."

Here's the obit from the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Rest in peace, Mr. Wizard. Bill Nye, the so-called Science Guy, can't hold a candle to you.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

This Girl Owns and Manages a Sports Franchise


Laura Kurtt (Edina, Minn.), younger sister of Boom Goes the Dynamite shortstop Kevin Kurtt (Edina, Minn.), is set to become the next in a long line of atrocious owners and general managers of sports franchises tonight when her expansion kickball team, The Kit Shickers, hits the field for its inaugural game. The Kit Shickers, a squad comprised of a bunch of people who don't know each other, faces Stop Drop and Roll tonight at 6:50 p.m., at Bassett's Creek Park Diamond #3.

"I'm excited to see my team in action," Kurtt said from her non-air conditioned Minneapolis apartment. "I've shelled out some big money to sign a bunch of former placekickers and punters to lucrative multi-year contracts. I expect immediate results for my investment. Otherwise, I may have to make some cuts and call my parents up from the retirement ranks. Believe me, I don't want to do that."

The kickball world is still buzzing from the surprising signings of Rick Gmitro and Julie Iskierka - two mediocre kickballers with a reputation for being team cancers on their former squads, The Recess Rejects and Ballsagna, respectively.

"Listen, I know I'm taking a risk by bringing on Gmitro and Iskierka," Kurtt said. "We're already looking for an out clause in Gmitro's contract due to some rumors of him being involved in a high-stakes gambling ring. Our lawyers are exploring our options. As far as Iskierka is concerned, we know of her history as an HGH (human-growth hormone) user. She's assured me that she's clean."

Players from up and down the Shickers roster are thrilled at the prospect of playing for an expansion franchise.

"I was a stud on the Concord Elementary School kickball fields," Jim Kohler said. "I'll admit my skills have waned since the third grade, but I can still kick me a mean ball."

"I haven't done anything remotely athletic since about 1999," Trent Ostman said. "So when Ms. Kurtt approached me with a one-year, $500,000 contract, I didn't hesitate. You think another team is going to offer me that sort of money? Ha!"

"I'm just excited to get out there and work on my tan," Lisa Carlson said.

Despite the general enthusiasm for creation of The Kit Shickers, some players have expressed disappointment in Kurtt's general lack of knowledge of kickball, in addition to her fiscal management skills.

"I've been playing this sport since I knew how to walk," Carol March said. "The roster that Kurtt has surrounded me with is a slap in the face to the years and years of dedication I have shown to kickball. I'm just glad I'm eligible for restricted free agency this fall. You're damn right I'll be keeping my options open."

"I'm not sure Kurtt knows what a kickball is and what it takes to win in this sport," Matt Hanson said. "I mean, she touted the acquisition of her five-months pregnant sister-in-law (Casey Kurtt) as a landmark deal in CSC Kickball League history. I don't think Laura has a clue what she's doing."

Kurtt remained blissfully unaware of growing criticism for her roster decisions.

"How stoked must my players be to call themselves a Kit Shicker? We're about to make history. When that first ball is kicked, people will remember our names. Now, can someone explain kickball rules to me? Is it like soccer?"

Steroids-a-Plenty Lineup Dooms Boom in Session II Opener


Two-time CSC Champion Boom Goes the Dynamite opened Session II of the 2007 season last night with its worst loss since playing under the team name I'm With Stupid, falling 16-6 to Chicks with RAC's, a squad comprised of serial anabolic abusers, some guy's mom and Enterprise Rent-A-Car employees. Chicks belted several home runs, including two over the left field fence, to hand Boom its first two-game losing streak since 2005.

"I don't want to talk about it," pretty much everyone on the team said, resulting in this short press release.

Notes
• Boom has out-scored its opponents 129-93 in 10 games in the 2007 season.
• Fans in attendance: Emily Wickstrom
• Fan standings: Emily Wickstrom (1 appearance)
• Mascots in attendance: Koda
• Mascot standings: Koda (1 appearance)

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Ump Who Takes Himself Way Too Seriously Costs Boom a Title Shot


Boom Goes the Dynamite's quest for a third consecutive Cities Sports Connection Championship fell short Monday night when the lone CSC umpire who actually thinks his job is a big deal blew a call in an eventual 11-10 Boom loss to the Cleveland Steamers. Earlier in the night, Boom (6-3) edged hated archrival Yellow Snow, 13-11, to avenge an early-season loss and shut up Snow's annoying, is-he-wearing-a-toupee? third baseman.

Boom downed Yellow Snow despite some fielding, baserunning and coaching gaffes by veterans Alicia Jerome (Kirkland, Wash.), Jeff Keiser (Avon, Ct.) and Steve Geller (Port Jefferson, N.Y.). Jerome allowed a Snow rally to continue in the third inning when she displayed her typical lackadaisacal play by dropping a throw at second base from shortstop Kevin Kurtt (Edina, Minn.). Jerome failed to redeem herself at the plate on Monday, going oh-fer the entire night.

"Her laissez-faire attitude out there is getting tiring," replacement outfielder Matt Schroeder (Fond du Lac, Wis.) said. "It seems all she cares about is beating her dog and taking pictures of the Kurtt family. That pale girl needs to start taking this game as seriously as Keiser or that ump."

With Boom threatening to put the game on ice in the bottom of the fifth inning, Keiser and Geller displayed jaw-dropping absent-mindedness reminiscent of part-time outfielder, full-time caravaner Meghan Potter (Hibbing, Minn.). With one out and the score tied at eight, Keiser stood at third base with part-time powerhitter Kyle Coughlin (Golden Valley, Minn.) at the plate and Geller as third base coach. As Coughlin lifted a fly ball to right center field, Keiser headed for home with Geller failing to call him back to tag up. Predictably, Snow doubled-up Keiser at third, ending the rally and the inning.

"Oops," Keiser said. "If (Kevin) Noth was the third base coach, there's no question I would have known what to do."

Despite Jerome, Geller and Keiser's attempt to sabotage the quarterfinal contest, Boom held together, eventually shutting down the vaunted Yellow Snow offense. With the win, Boom ended Snow's season and thoroughly enjoyed the looks on Snow players in the handshake line.

"Remember the fourth inning when Keiser barrelled into their catcher?" a surprisingly argument-free Lisa Hardy (Hopkins, Minn.) said. "That play was by design. We do not play to be merciful here. Mercy is for the weak. A catcher confronts you, she is the enemy. An enemy deserves no mercy."

The win over Yellow Snow set up a semifinal contest against the only other team to defeat Boom in 2007 - the undefeated and poorly-named Cleveland Steamers. A defensive struggle between two evenly-matched teams, the Steamers broke the game open in the bottom of the fifth inning with eight runs to take a 9-1 lead into the sixth. The rally hinged largely on errors by wily journeymen outfielders Coughlin and Noth.

"Coughlin let one get under his glove and Noth parked under a ball as it sailed over his head. That just can't happen," error-free outfielder Emily Wood (Wausau, Wis.). "I'll give credit to Noth, though. He owned up to his mistake. Coughlin, on the other hand, had more excuses than there are hot chicks on this team. He blamed the sun, the grass, the non-existent fog, the wind off the lake, his father, a missed chiropractic appointment, Mr. Wistrcill, immigrants, NAFTA and Keiser. You don't see me using excuses for never getting on base, do you? Well, do you?!?"

The top of the sixth inning saw Kurtt open with a stand-up triple that should have been a stand-up home run if third base coach Noth knew the difference between the stop and go signs. Nevertheless, in what would turn out to be her final at-bat of her distinguished career, with-child catcher Casey Kurtt (Lakeland, Minn.) knocked in her husband with a single through the middle to make the score 9-2. From there, the knocked-up Kurtt was stranded on base as the Steamer shortstop with calves bigger than third baseman Andrea Smith's torso did his best human vacuum impression to end the inning.

The Steamers, the lone Cleveland team capable of winning a playoff game, added a run in the bottom of the sixth to own a 10-2 lead and set the stage for a legendary rally, a controversial call, a death threat and still no argument from Hardy.

With their gloves tucked away and thoughts turning to the 24-hour offseason, Boom put together a rally for the ages by playing loose for the first time in the contest. Using multiple extra-base hits and superb baserunning, Boom came all the way back to knot the game at 10-10 before that sonofabitch umpire decided to take the game's result into his own hands despite being in terrible position to make a call in a crucial situation that Tim Tschida would have struggled to make even though it was obvious the guy never caught the ball and the Steamers acted like he never caught the ball.

With one out and Hardy on second, Keiser hit a shallow fly ball to right centerfield where a Steamer dove, appeared to trap the ball, rolled and picked the ball up off the grass before coming to his feet. CSC ultra-serious umpire [name redacted] hesitated before astonishing Boom and its legions of fans by ruling the ball caught for the second out. Unethically and against all moral codes, the Steamers threw to second base to double-up Hardy who had run to third when she witnessed the trap and the loose ball. Cue Keiser.

"You've got to be f***ing kidding me, you f***ing c*******ing a*****!!!" Keiser was quoted as saying. "What the f*** are you f***ing looking at?!? F***! I know where you f***ing live, you fat f***!"

Keiser was later fined $50,000 by CSC for his comments. He is appealing.

Boom played the bottom half of the seventh inning in protest, but it was to no avail as the Steamers knocked in the winning run with a sacrifice fly to right field. The Steamers would go on to lose 16-15 to ERAC in the championship game.

On Tuesday morning, CSC announced the indefinite suspension of umpire [name withheld for fear that Keiser might hunt him down] for "failing to live up to the expectations CSC has set for our lone umpire who dresses in blue with umpire shorts and shoes and who seems to care about his job for this low-level, over-priced league."

Boom Goes the Dynamite opens Session II on Tuesday, June 12, with a contest against Chicks with RAC's at 8:20 p.m., at Diamond #1 of the University of Minnesota West Bank Softball Complex.

Notes
• Boom out-scored its opponents 123-77 in nine games in the first session season.
• Fans in attendance: Pam Hardy, Amber Hegland, Megan Higginbotham, Beth Kurtt, Jim Kurtt, Laura Kurtt, Michelle Train
• Fan standings: Michelle Train (7 appearances), Pam Hardy (4 apps.), Laura Kurtt (4 apps.), Emily Wickstrom (4 apps.), Beth Kurtt (3 apps.), Jim Kurtt (3 apps.), Shane Sandersfeld (2 apps.), Lori Noth (1 app.), Cameron Noth (1 app.), Lisa Carlson (1 app.), Tory's girlfriend Kate (1 app.), Tory's girlfriend Kate's sister Mary (1 app.), Amber Hegland (1 app.), Megan Higginbotham (1 app.)
• Mascots in attendance: Koda, Maggie
• Mascot standings: Cooper (5 appearances), Maggie (3 apps.), Koda (3 apps.)

An Homage to Brian Collins


A vast majority of Mr. Heavyfoot readers visit this site for updates on everyone's favorite slow-pitch softball team - Boom Goes the Dynamite, the two-time CSC Champion. Although one might be led to believe that the team is named after the powerhitting evident throughout the lineup, Boom actually is an homage to one of the greatest YouTube videos of all time.

With Boom's second session of the 2007 softball season set to begin tonight, we thought we'd reintroduce you to Brian Collins of the Ball State University student TV station. Our personal favorites of the video: "Oh no," "I'm so sorry" and "...passes it to the man...."

Take it away, Brian.