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Steamboat Springs — Crestone Construction sets goals and looks good doing it.
Three years ago, in its first as an adult slow-pitch softball team, it won one game. Last year, Crestone Construction came out victorious twice. This year, they would like to notch at least three wins to continue the trend.
Thursday, Crestone Construction split a doubleheader, moving to 2-6, giving the team reason to believe it can garner a third victory before the season ends in August.
However, the wins mean nothing if the team forgets to have fun.
What makes the coed C-league Crestone Construction team different than the other 45 slow-pitch softball teams in Steamboat is its self-admittance that playing well isn't as important as looking good on the field.
Three years ago, though no one is certain of the exact date, Crestone Construction became the theme team.
Every Thursday, team members come dressed according to a theme decided upon during the previous week's games. Crestone Construction has pulled off pajama night, toga night (a favorite), crazy hat night and dress night (yes, the men, too) to list a few.
On June 26, the team transformed Adams field into Funkytown, turning back the clock for Disco Night, complete with a disco ball in the dugout and a CD mix of the era's most groovin' hits.
"We set goals," team member Bob Reilley said. " A lot of people have caught a lot of balls this year. C league is about playing and having fun. We do that."
Sometimes with mixed results.
Put together by Eric Lyman, the Crestone Construction team is a group of 20 friends that have found satisfaction in Thursday nights spent socializing, heckling and playing softball. Winning is just a bonus.
"I wanted to play and I had friends who wanted to play," Lyman said.
"We just decided to get our friends together because that would be the most fun. Everyone was excited. Most people were like, 'I totally stink.' And that's totally fine."
Members of Crestone Construction admit a few opposing teams or players haven't found its casual approach to the game -- or the rules -- to be that appealing.
"There are some people that take it seriously and are very in tune with all the minor rules and things we don't pay attention to," Lyman said.
"Our philosophy has always been: we'll take the forfeit. Let's play. There are some teams that have the same philosophy we have and it's so much fun. It's people out there hootin' and hollerin'."
The most climactic moment of the evening probably comes before the first game when the Crestone Construction team arrives one or two at a time to catcalls or laughter.
Admittedly, it's hard for anyone to keep score because people are too busy laughing at each other or themselves.
For example, in the second inning of Crestone Construction's game against Alpine Mini Storage/Pines at Orehouse Plaza, which Crestone lost 15-5, Chris Roberts had a difficult time fielding an easy grounder due to his mid-length trench coat, feather boa, hat with full-length peacock feather and hand-made aluminum foil glasses that inhibited his peripheral vision.
"Looking good, for sure, is more important," Roberts said.
Though Crestone Construction's members aren't experts on the adult slow-pitch rules, they do have two of their own:
"No walks and cheap beer. Those are our rules," Audrey Worden said.
Then she turned around and headed back out to right field with her pink sequin cape, pink sequin flared pants, oversized white sunglasses, and, oh yeah, her softball glove.