History
A long, long time ago, a "beer-drinking" team known as the Berserkers entered the SERP [Sandia Employee Recreation Program] sponsored softball league. After many successful(?) seasons, the roster (as well as egos) was growing too big. Something had to be done! Therefore, it was rumored, some of the powers that be, was and is, gathered (over some cold ones) and Tom Pratt proclaimed, "Let's move up a league and get rid of some of the DEADWOOD."
This became the origin of the Deadwoods - starting the Summer of 1987. Coach William "Marv Ellis" Kelly took the players with the greatest potential and started to mold the team we all know today. "Marv Ellis" implemented many innovative techniques now being copied by other teams. "Marv" was so dedicated to the success of the beginning Deadwoods, that he even got praise from his Sandia management. It was rumored that half of his PDS was taken up by his Deadwood management duties.
To help in creating a cohesive structure, "Marv Ellis" began implementing new and improved project management techniques; some took several years to implement. First, he weeded out the whiners. Those that had too many "suggestions" for "Marv Ellis" were "accidentally" not asked back the following year. Secondly, nicknames were adopted. Very few of the nicknames were ever chosen by the players themselves - as is still true today. Thirdly, the name board was created - for two purposes: to easily change positions of the Deadwood players (since most can play all positions equally well), and to ingrain the nicknames of players on the minds of fellow players & fans. (NOTE: A future Deadbeat article will attempt to explain how most of the players received their "nicknames".)
In addition to the innovative project management techniques that "Marv Ellis" started to implement, everyone was concerned with the safety of team. Therefore, several Deadwood-specific rules were implemented to keep injuries to a minimum and morale up. These are known today as "case rules."
To alleviate knee injuries (seen by such a player as Terry "Winky" Bast) the "no-slide" rule was enforced: a case of beer for any slide not considered to be a slip. To help in improving the abilities of players and their thirst, all strike-outs are also deemed to be worthy of a case. The only other "official" case rule is if the player forgets to inform the coach (at least one day before) if he will miss a game.
Another concern for the first five years of the Deadwoods was that of being "bumped" up a league. Though many teams thought we were "A-League" material, we had to fight to remain in the Beer Drinking League.
This task was given to Jim "Mr. October" Zipay. He eagerly volunteered, year after year, to be a league representative - thus assuring us a position for years to come. He has since gone West to help look for new Deadwood recruits.
Our current coach, "Rocky", trained for his position under the master "Marv Ellis". "Marv" was very concerned about handing over such a heavy responsibility to "Rocky". It was only when "Marv" actually felt that "Rocky" was ready to handle the responsibility, that "Marv" left Albuquerque for a better coaching offer on the West Coast.
There are so many stories locked in the annals of Deadwood softball, that a book couldn't even begin to cover it. For now, this short history lesson will have to do.
BeefMaster