Futbol with the Unions: Noodles takes to the pitch
February 8, 2012 —
(St. Louis, MO) - If Jim 'Noodles' Stockglausner had to choose between vintage base ball and soccer, he wouldn't be able to choose one or the other. After all, he grew up playing both in suburban St. Louis, idolizing Jim Edmonds on the baseball field, and English Premier League goalkeepers Paul Robinson and Shea Given on the soccer pitch. Edmonds for the way he reads the ball off the bat and tracks it down despite how shallow he plays. Robinson and Given for the way they read the field and their quickness around the box. Fortunately for the ex-Lindbergh High School two-sport standout, he is able to utilize all of these skills to help him excel in the vintage base ball game.
"We love him," Union Kyle 'Gorilla' Meyer said. "We love him for his passion for the game, and the fact that he always gives over 100% of his body no matter where the game stands....also, it doesn't hurt that a handful of us are also big soccer fans, so 'futbol' talk is never uncommon at Union games."
With a smile that rarely leaves his face, Noodles never lets his competitive side get the best of him when the going gets tough and the tough gets going. The sparkplugs' gentlemanly sportsmanship manner is always in effect on the field no matter the situation.
Despite the Unions' busy yearly schedule, Noodles always finds time to man the nets on the soccer pitch, usually two games a week to basically match the Unions' calendar. How does manager Matt 'Scoops' Lurk feel about this? "I would like to see him cut down his soccer schedule during the base ball season, but on the other hand, it does help his motor skills with all the sports he plays," said Scoops.
Given his combination of speed, great hands, and the fact that he will give up his body at any time, Noodles is always a favorite with the vintage cranks for his dazzling plays in the outfield, particular on the left side. How does Noodles feel about the fans? "I just hope that more people who watch us playing vintage base ball for the first time will want to come out and play this game that we love so much."
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