The Budweiser Beernuts were known throughout the Northwest suburbs during the 1970s and 1980s for doing one thing well – Winning. The team was founded in 1977 by Colleen “Mac” McIntyre-Kelly (P), Laura Pettenuzzo (SS), and Martha Montoya (Tomek). The team was solid but lacking that specific something which separated the good from the best. Not satisfied with being an above-average team, the core members actively sought out Craig and Dane Smith to coach their team and bring them to the next level. The acquisitions of Kelly Fritz, Kerry Fritz, Jeanette Smith, Debbie Boe, Donna Lawlor, C.J. Teter, Tria Burgy, Corey Gleason, Carol Warner, Wendy Weiser, and Karen Berweger solidified the team. With this winning structure in place, the team had the honor of securing Budweiser’s first-ever sponsorship of a women’s softball team and consequently changed their name to the Budweiser Beernuts. The rest is softball history.
As the architects of the Beernuts style of play, the coaches expected every member of the team to demonstrate a commitment to the game, to execute the nuances of the game that made teams special, and to represent themselves and Budweiser with sportsmanship and class. The Beernuts practiced three nights a week, focusing on defensive fundamentals, situational hitting, and the most often overlooked aspect of the game – base running. Daring leadoffs were expected, hitting behind a runner was demanded, and going from first to third on an infield out became routine. Pickoffs of base runners also became routine. The fruits of these efforts were ultimately reflected in their overall record of 134-14 over the succeeding seven years in league, playoff, and tournament play. The Budweiser Beernuts were undefeated in the Arlington Heights and River Trails leagues each year of play, and they dominated the highly competitive Mt. Prospect “A” league, going undefeated for several seasons. Seeking the superior level of competition the Mt. Prospect league represented, new quality teams would join each year. Teams combined in an attempt to beat the Beernuts. Despite this yearly influx of talent, the Budweiser Beernuts nevertheless won the Mt. Prospect league numerous years in a row and won the Mt. Prospect tournaments in 1980, 1982, 1983, and 1985. The Beernuts’ reign of excellence continued through the 1980s, earning them the reputation of being among the very best 16-inch women’s softball teams in the Chicagoland area. While the Budweiser Beernuts were known for their aggressive style of play and their remarkable record, perhaps their most significant success was their mark on women’s 16-inch softball in the Northwest suburbs and the impact they had in making the Mt. Prospect “A” league one of the most competitive leagues in the Chicagoland area. The Budweiser Beernuts were true ambassadors for women’s 16-inch softball.