NPF Akron Racers

Crystl Bustos Named Akron Racers Second Impact Honoree

Published on March 10, 2016 under National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Akron Racers News Release


Former Akron Racers Designated Player/Third Baseman Crystl Bustos
Former Akron Racers Designated Player/Third Baseman Crystl Bustos
(Akron Racers)

AKRON, OH - Former designated player/third baseman Crystl Bustos is the second player selected as an IMPACT honoree as the Racers identify the 30 most impactful players in Akron history. Bustos' without question is the greatest power hitter in franchise history, if not the history of the game.

"Crystl brought an engaging smile that masked her grit and fierce competitive nature," noted Racers GM, Joey Arrietta. "She packed the knockout punch that defied the heavily dominated circle of pitchers who tried stopping her dominance at the plate. The numbers don't lie, it just did not happen."

Toggling between stints with Team USA and the Racers, Bustos played five seasons in Akron joining the organization in their first season in 1999 through her final year of play in 2010. The name Bustos can be found all over the Racers' all-time record book, her .377 average, 133 RBI, 44 home runs, six triples, .760 slugging percentage and .482 on base percentage are all-time Racers' records. Bustos also is top five in hits (2nd, 162), runs (3rd, 120), walks (4th, 87) and doubles (5th, 21) for Akron.

Her accomplishments made her one of only three players to have her number, #6, retired by the Racers, joining pitchers Amy Kyler (#24) and recent fellow IMPACT honoree, Carla Brookbank-Schaal (#4).

As a member of the first ever Racers team and the 2005 NPF Championship team, Bustos' impact has also been felt in some of the franchise's most historic moments. In 1999, Bustos led the inaugural Racers' team with seven home runs, a .357 batting average, .714 slugging percentage and a .439 on-base percentage throughout the regular season and helped lead the team to a sweep of the Virginia Roadsters in the WPSL Championship Semifinals 2-0. The Racers earned a berth in 1999 WPSL Championship Series falling short of their first ever title to the Tampa Bay Firestix.

After winning gold medals at the Olympics with Team USA in 2000 and 2004, Bustos returned to the Racers in 2005 and led the NPF in home runs (19) and RBI (57) en route to being named the NPF Offensive Player of the Year. Bustos helped guide Akron to their first Cowles Cup Championship that season with playoff wins over the Texas Thunder and the Chicago Bandits in the championship game.

In addition to being named the NPF Offensive Player of the Year in 2005, Bustos was the Offensive Player of the Year again in 2009, as well as the NPF Player of the Year in the same season. Bustos is the only player to date in NPF history who was named the Offensive Player of the Year twice. Additionally, Bustos was named to the 2005 NPF East All-Star team and the 2009 All-NPF Team.

Bustos split her time in 2006 between Akron and Team USA, batting .457 with six home runs, 14 runs scored and 17 RBI in 35 at-bats. After two years away, the slugger returned in 2009 to lead the Racers in batting (.382), hits (39), home runs (10) and RBI (27). Bustos' final season in Akron came in 2010, where she once again led the Racers in hitting with a .316 average.

Bustos joins Carla Brookbank-Schaal as the first two of the class of 30 set to be revealed every Tuesday and Thursday as a part of the RUWatching? campaign designed to celebrate the Racers 15th Season of Play. Each player will be honored as a part of the weekend celebration, July 15-17, when the Dallas Charge visit Firestone Stadium. Each IMPACT honoree will receive a commemorative jersey with their name and number worn during their days with the Racers. The Racers look forward to the return of many of the 152 players to date that once called Akron their summer home.

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Former Akron Racers Designated Player/Third Baseman Crystl Bustos
Former Akron Racers Designated Player/Third Baseman Crystl Bustos
   



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