SXSWORLD

3 4 S X S W O R L D / M A R C H M U S I C 2 0 1 4 ome could argue that SXSW owes its existence to softball. SXSW Managing Director Roland Swenson explained this in his tale of the meetings with Austin Chronicle heads Nick Barbaro and Louis Black prior to SXSW's founding: "During one session, in a moment of inspiration, I said, 'We can just invite some bands and music people from the area — Dallas, New Orleans, Houston … Have a day or so of sessions and showcases, and then conclude with a big Sunday barbecue and softball game.' Nick looked up with a smile on his face, interested for the first time in days in the discussions. Louis cursed me, knowing that I had found his Achilles' heel. ere was no way Nick was going to turn down a good excuse for barbecue and softball." Since then Barbaro has been a key cog in SXSW's closing Sunday softball tournament and barbecue, as well as its unofficial historian. So after 25 tourna- ments (and two rainouts), Nick unveils his Softball Legends Hall of Fame: "Here are just a few of the many legendary contributions. Each story has been told enough times that it can now be considered to be absolutely true. C.B. "Stubbs" Stubblefield (barbecue legend and Stubbs BBQ namesake): e man had a heart as big as his huge frame, and he sure could cook some mean 'cue. But sometimes he was a little sketchy on the details. Hired to cater the very first event, he showed up without serving utensils, leaving diners to scoop food from his flatbed trailer with bare hands and beer cups. At least one registrant was benched with severe food poisoning, but a BBQ tradition was born. Louis Jay Meyers (SXSW co-founder): Speaking of details, we arrived at the field that first year with neither bases nor the field rental agreement, leading to a confrontation with neighborhood players who didn't want to forfeit their regular Sunday pick-up game, and Louis' classic line, delivered at top volume: "Of course we don't have the paperwork; we're musicians!" Louis still captains the Agents/ Managers team, currently mired in a 21-year losing streak. Steven Easley (e Curse of the Mongrels): With plummeting temperatures, no umpires, and an interminable dispute over a potentially game-ending appeal play, the 1988 Ice Year tournament ended hours late in freezing darkness. Easley's Mixed Media had won 1987's inaugural title and were looking to repeat when their winning run in the bottom of the ninth was controversially disal- lowed. ey lost in the next inning and have never won a title since. Easley remains at the helm and vows to break that streak this year. Hanson: When this unknown novelty act applied for a showcase in 1994, we didn't see much future for a bubblegum boy band. Undeterred, the three young brothers showed up anyway and wandered around the softball complex singing a capella for anyone who cared to listen. ey found the right person, and the rest is history. MMMBop. e Mighty Reindeer: 1997 saw perhaps the most entertaining game in SXSW history, as Musicians ousted the Mighty Reindeer, a government-sponsored team from Finland, whose boundless enthusiasm was offset by a profound lack of understanding of the game. When they scored their only two runs in the bottom of the last inning (widely considered an act of international charity), the crowd went wild. Mike Mordecai (Austin jazz musician and Elephant Room honcho): e Cy Young of SXSW softball has been in the pitcher's circle for two decades, helping the Clubs/ Talent Buyers team to a record 10 Championships. Cap'n Fleabag: e swashbuckling leader of the Jolly Garogers (Austin's pirate-centric garage band) captained the Musicians team in full pirate regalia. He runs surprisingly well in boots but dropping the sword was probably a good call. Sonny Schneidau (then Tipitina's; later House of Blues New Orleans): A power-hitting shortstop on the great early Clubs teams, Sonny skipped SXSW one year amid rumors that he was leaving Tipitina's, and the waiver wire went wild with speculation over where he might land next: Maybe Print? Might he have a Record label? Could Musicians match other teams' bankroll. Sonny hasn't played in many years, but he's still remembered for launching the free-agency era. Luke Zimmerman (Ruby's BBQ): Stubbs eventually gave way to the Salt Lick before the menu was finally handed to in-town fave, Ruby's BBQ. Ruby's owner and diehard Twins fan Zimmerman passed on earlier this year, but life partner Pat Mares continues to work magic with natural meats and fierce sauce. Doug Sahm (Announcer for Life): e Texas music legend and encyclopedic baseball fan brought his gravel-voiced wit to the announcer's mic for too short a time (and really, who else could weave references to Larry Doby and Mojo Nixon into the same at-bat?). After losing two announcers in rapid succession (Country Dick Montana, d.1995; Sahm, d.1999), SX wisely dropped the "Announcer for Life" title. Current mic jocks Joe Nick Patoski and Kevin Connor are still standing, and SXSW Interactive capo Hugh Forrest quietly brings stats and biographical tidbits." n The 27th annual South By Southwest Closing Barbecue and Softball Tournament runs from 12:30–5:30pm on Sunday, March 16. Visit the Player Registration Table on the 4th floor of the Austin Convention Center, from 1–5pm today (Thursday, March 13) or tomorrow (Friday, March 14) to sign up to play. SXSW Softball's Heroes: When the Legends Become Facts by Nick Barbaro S Softball fans in 2012 J E F F C O H E N Nick Barbaro A M Y E . P R I C E / G E T T Y I M A G E S

• Cover