In memory of Johnny Hodges-Library Bar, Houghton, Michigan
This year's tournament field is the strongest ever in WFDF GUTS history. A new format has opened up the WFDF GUTS championships and you will see the top GUTS teams in the world.
TEAMS TO WATCH FOR
Team Republic of China (ROC)
Defending World GUTS champions are the favorite at this year‚s Worlds. Their powerful 360 degree back hand throws and team defense make then a tough team to beat. Watch for captain Kuo-Wei Chiang, Lin-Tung Hung, veteran Paul Liu, and Edward Chen to try and lead ROC to its third straight world's GUTS championships.
#4 Yuan-Ping Liu #9 Lin-Tung Hung #10 Shih-Ming Chen
#17 Juo-Wei Chiang #21 Hseng-Tse Chang #23 Uu-Chuan Yang
#27 Ying-Chou Chen #32 Kuo-Hua Kao #33 Wei-Jen Chang
#47 Yu-Wei Liu #97 Pei-Kun Tsai
Cupola Bandits (USA)
One of the best GUTS teams in history. They have built this year's team around top players. 6 of their players have been tournament MVP's at one time. Watch for the brother combination of John "Hair" Begoske and Billy "the Train" Begoske. They have more career GUTS victories then any other players.
John Begoske Bill Begoske Roger Hill
Dave Young Ron Blau Rick LaRue
Dave Myers
Team Japan (Japan)
2 teams are coming this year from Japan. They have the most international competition experience of all the teams, having attended every WFDF Guts tourney. They are smart, fast, and play great defense. Watch for the natural rivalry between Japan and China. Keep an eye on Takayoshi Suda, Katsuhide Tasaki, Takaki Harada, and Tsuyoshi Seki.
TEAM JAPAN #2:
#1 Takaki Harada #2 Takehiro Yoshida #3 Tsuyoshi Seki
#4 Naoki Nishikata #5 Takeshi Osada #6 Shingo Shimizu
#7 Takumi Nunokawa
TEAM JAPAN #1:
#1 Katsuhide Tasaki #2 Takayoshi Suda #3 Takad Hara
#4 Hiroyuki Endo #5 Yuko Matsumoto
#6 Takayoshi Yamada #7 Yasushi Haga #8 Shinji Ito
Queen City Flyers (USA)
Led by past WFDF World GUTS Champions, Captain Buck Buchanan, Lige Johnson, Mark Barry, and Larry "Rally" Letts, this team has been reunited to try and bring back the GUTS title to the US. Throw in former all stars Dan "Red" Beckman and Gary Ciaglaski, and the Flyers should be in the hunt for another championship.
#1 Lige Johnson #2 Mark Barry #3 Larry Letts
#4 Jim Beckman #5 Scott Brooks #6 Gary Ciaglaski
#9 Buck Buchanan
Helter Skelter (USA)
The sleeper team of the tournament. Composed of all former All-Stars this teams brings hard shots and a wild attitude. Led by captain Dave "Nez" Nesbitt, Paul "Fungi" Ganus, Joel "Root" Luebeck, Willie Sirrine, Paul "Corg" Chamberin and the "Juice Man" Mark Grandelis this team is reuniting for its 20th year in Guts to win a world championship, behind the zen of their guru, Dark Strangely.
#4 Dave Nesbitt #31 Paul Ganus #7 Paul Chamberlin
#55 Joel Luebeck #32 Mark Grendelas #13 Will Sirrine
#00 Dark Strangely
Library Bar (USA)
This team from the Houghton/Hancock, Michigan area has been the hottest team in the 1990's with it's most recent victory, 2 weeks ago at the IFT. Nobody plays harder GUTS then the Copper Country boys. Led by Guido Townsend, and Ron Arvo, this team is on a mission.
#3 Frank Townsend #5 Brian Townsend #11 Ron Arvo
#13 Bill Gagnon #69 Scott Stewart Greg Houle
Duane Nettle
Bud Lite (USA)
During the late 1980‚s Bud Lite proved they were one of young teams on the rise in the sport of GUTS. This team is now in peak form and has been working hard to hone their GUTS skills. Experienced GUTS observers say this team is ready to make a run at the championship. Watch for exciting players Brian Beckman, Dan Gannon, Jim Rector, and the hard throwing Willie DePetro.
#9 Dan Gannon #12 Jim Rector #7 Brian Beckman
#10 Willy DePetro #11 Al Beckman #80 Tod Caudell
#1 Joe Pappin #4 Mike Fisher #2 Mark DePetro
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SPIRIT OF THE GAME-GUTS STYLE
"Spirit of the Game" originated with GUTS. Since 1958 tournaments have been played without referees and on the honor and spirit of the players. The "Spirit of the Game" was and is the most exalted of all the GUTS traditions. And if two teams could not decide a call, there was a re-throw. With the result of the re-throw generating the adage, "Frisbee never Lies."
During the early growth of disc sports, the most honorable and spirited players were the ones who were most respected. Early players like Goldy Norton, the Healy Brothers, and Sky King Richardson played the game with truth, honor and spirit. They were great examples. Then as the game of GUTS grew, with teams practicing year round and more and more prize money being offered, the "Spirit of the Game" started to be challenged.
The option of using observers was given to teams. Observers were other GUTS players who were selected to observe a match and were only called in when both teams could not reach a decision. This prevents long arguments which disrupts the momentum of the match, but leaves the game in the hands of the players. Despite the option to use observers, most GUTS matches are still played without them. They are usually only used when rivals play each other. Most matches are still played under the "Spirit of the Game." Where each team makes its own call and if it can‚t be settled, there is a re-throw.
The "Spirit of the Game" of GUTS is different then Ultimate. They both have the same characteristics of honor and "call what you see," but differ in the way they are applied. Because of the high intensity and psych needed to catch a disc going 80 mph, GUTS players have to be fired up and try to intimidate their opponent. But it is not personal. It's all part of the game of GUTS. So the antics you see after a player making a clean catch or throwing an 80 mph rocket, is all just a piece of the excitement of the game. GUTS players are warriors on the field and best friends off . So do not be dismayed when you see what appears to be a breach of the "Spirit of the Game," it's only GUTS players showing their side of the "Spirit of the Game." Remember the "FRISBEE NEVER LIES."
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GUTS TERMS
ACE: A legal throw which is untouched by the defensive team. The defensive player that it was closest to, has to return the throw.
BACKHAND: The classic frisbee throw. The fingers are curled around the rim with the thumb on top.
BAIL OR BAILING: Leaving the line to get out of the way of a fast shot. Also known as "lashing"
BOBBLE: A catcher‚s attempt to gain control of a deflected throw. Watch for the pass of a bobble to a powerful throwing teammate.
CROSSOVER: On a throw going to the left, the right hand is "crossed over" instead of using the left hand or vice versa.
DUMP: A badly thrown (high, short or wide) shot, which results in a point for the catching team.
FOOT FAULT: The thrower touches or crosses the line while still in contact with the disc. Penalty: Throwing team loses possession of the disc.
15 MOLD: The mold number of the official GUTS frisbee.
FLIPPER: When thrown the frisbee is upside down, but "flips" before it crosses the defensive line. Also known as a turnover.
14 METERS: The distance the teams stand apart from each other. 45 feet.
GUTS: The oldest frisbee game. Started in 1958.
GUTS PLAYER ASSOCIATION (GPA): Formed in 1978, the GPA sets GUTS rules and standards, produces GUTS frisbees, and publishes a newsletter.
HAT SHOT: An old GUTS tradition, if you knock a player's hat off clean, you get to keep the hat.
HIGH: A throw which crosses the defensive line above the optimum effort of a player.
IFT: The International Frisbee Tournament is the oldest tournament and is still played. It recently celebrated its 41st birthday.
INTERNATIONAL FRISBEE HALL OF FAME: Located in Lake Linden, Michigan
JULIUS T. NACHAZEL CUP: The IFT victory cup, and the oldest trophy in disc sports. All GUTS players want to drink a victory drink from the Cup.
LIP SHOT: No definition needed.
LOW SHOT: A throw which did not travel the required 14 meters. ie. A "worm burner."
OBSERVERS: "Passive" officials uses in determining conflicting or close calls. Will only make the call when asked by one or both captains.
OPTIMUM EFFORT: Is the extension of the hands and arms by the catching team as the frisbee crosses the line. A defensive player does not have to leave the ground or move his feet to reach the throw. If a player jumps, moves, or is not in position, and the throw is by the player, it is a good throw.
PAPER PLATE GUTS: Began by Spec and Buck, it is a game to celebrate the end of a tournament. Remember, no practicing.
SCRAMBLE: Movement of the players to a deflected frisbee.
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SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!
All the GUTS players and GUTS community would like to thank the following sponsors who helped make the 1998 WFDF World GUTS Championship a reality.
WFDF GPA TEAM USA GUTS
Wham-O Discraft Innova Champion Disc
Lipon Printing Holiday Station Stores National Sports Center
Todd, Holly, Floyd and all of the great staff and NSC crew
THANKS FOR THEIR SUPPORT!
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THE RULES OF GUTS
The rules of GUTS are very simple. Two, five person teams, line up 45 feet (14 m.) apart, facing each other. The game is played to 21 points. The object of the game is to try and throw the disc through the opposing team without them making a clean catch. If the throw is successful, the offensive team receives one point. A successful throw must be within reach of any one player on the defensive team. If a throw is wide, short or high, the defensive team receives one point. The defensive team must attempt to make a clean catch. A clean catch is one that is 1.) Not trapped against the body 2.) Not touched with two hands or two parts of the body. 3.) You may tip or deflect the disc to a teammate. A clean catch results in no point for the throwing team.
If a point is scored, the 1st player who touches the disc must return the throw. If there is a catch, the player who made the catch returns the throw. If there is a bad throw, the offensive team may choose any player to return the throw. If there is an ace(no player touches the disc), the throwing team may select a player whom they want to return the throw. If a throw is vertical (over 90 degrees), it is a bad throw and the defensive team receives a point. A foot fault (stepping on the line) violation results in loss of throw for the offensive team. If there is a dispute over a throw, the two teams will try and decide the call. If a call cannot be made, there will be a re-throw. If disputes continue, the captains may select two observers to officiate the game.
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TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1998
9:00-10:30 am Registration/ID Photos/Players' Packet
10:30-11:00 am Meeting for All Guts Players
11:00-11:30 am Team Captains' Meeting
COMPETITION (ROUND ROBIN FORMAT)
1st Round: 12:00 noon
2nd Round: 2:00 pm
3rd Round: 4:00 pm
Extra Round: 6:00 pm (if necessary)
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 1998
COMPETITION (ROUND ROBIN FORMAT)
4th Round: 10:00 am
5th Round: 12:00 noon
6th Round: 2:00 pm
Extra Round: 4:00 pm (if necessary)
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 1998
COMPETITION (ROUND ROBIN FORMAT)
7th Round: 10:00 am
SEMI-FINALS BEGIN (DOUBLE ELIMINATION)
Semi-Finals: 12:00-6:00 pm
FINALS BEGIN: (2 OUT OF 3 GAMES)
FINALS: 6:00 pm
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HISTORY
The granddaddy of all the disc sports, GUTS started in 1958 at the 1st Frisbee tournament ever, the IFT (International Frisbee Tournament). Originating in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, very little is known on how this game got started. The 5 Healy brothers, at a 4th of July picnic, introduced GUTS at the 1st IFT. But it is not clear who invented the game. One thing we are sure of, is that it's name comes from the intestinal fortitude you need to play the game.
During the 1950's & 1960's the Healy Brothers dominated the sport until 1968 when a California team won the IFT. That started a boom in the sport. In the 1970's, 3-time IFT champions Highland Avenue Aces, were the 1st team ever to practice for a tournament. And from there the sport of GUTS took off. With 64 teams and 10,000 screaming fans the IFT became the most attended Frisbee tournament of its time. In 1969, the IFT was highlighted by the attendance of Julius T. Nachazel, a professor at Michigan Technological University. The coveted Nachazel Trophy has always been presented to the winner of the IFT and been a symbol of GUTS supremacy.
In the 1970's and 1980's GUTS continued to flourish. Teams like the Library Bar, Motor City, Paul's Bar, Air Aces, Cupola Bandits, and the Queen City Flyers dominated the GUTS scene.
Then in the 1980's GUTS was introduced at the WFDF Championships and the game went international. The USA captured the inagural tourney, with Sweden dominating the rest of the 80's. In the 1990's the current WFDF GUTS Champions are from Republic of China-Taiwan. And other countries such as Japan, Germany, and England field strong GUTS teams.
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PAST WFDF GUTS CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
YEAR LOCATION CHAMPION
1984 Luzern, Switzerland USA (Windy City)
1986 Colchester, England Sweden
1988 Leuven, Belgium Sweden
1990 Oslo, Norway USA
1992 Utsunimoya, Japan USA
1994 Colchester, England Republic of China
1996 Gothernberg, Sweden Republic of China
1998 Blaine, Minn USA Republic of China
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