Friendship Frenzy

Fear not, dear readers. The alliteration in today’s title will not lead to any off-color f-bombs given the result of the game. As always, the Cougar blog is family friendly.

Last night, the Cougars faced off against the Hitmen. The occasion was promoted as a McKenzie bragging rights battle. The Cougars plan was to perform like a band of merry thieves and steal a victory from the dastardly Hitmen.

The Hitmen were geared up for the game and a bit worried about us, which was demonstrated by their early morning batting practice over the weekend. The Cougars spent their weekend time playing mixed doubles at Vattmann while holding the star shortstop for the Hitmen hostage on the tennis courts.

It was a magnificent setting at Howard Park last night. Daniel Fahrenheit would have been delighted.

Our tax dollars garnered us a superbly groomed field, replete with velvety green blades of grass and smooth grains of sand under perfectly positioned chalk lines.

The event that occurred on that patch of earth was not as splendid.

Typically after a rough game, I require only the couple hundred steps from Howard Park to the postgame party in my backyard in order to gain my composure and forget about the game.

Last night my tank was filled to the brim with high octane fuel and, thankfully, Fortier hosted the postgame and the two extra blocks of walking helped.

I used this extra distance to think about why we play sports as adults and why it is so important to us.

We have our kids play sports to learn teamwork and sportsmanship as well as to build strong minds and bodies – and most importantly – to have fun (well, that, and also for them to earn a college scholarship so they can then move to the professional ranks thereby funding our early retirement).

So why do we play as adults? Well, of course, because it is fun. But we play for other reasons too. We play for the adrenaline rush. We play for the competition. We play for the sense of achievement. We play for exercise. We play for the diversion from our jobs. We play for the social venue. We play for the brotherhood and friendship.

I believe that forging friendships is the most essential point in sports, especially for those of us on the downhill side of 40. In fact, it becomes even more vital when the win/loss scale is leaning considerably on the “L” side and not the “W” side.

The depth of Cougar friendships is evidenced by Otsuka and Bobis. They have been friends since the 4th grade. They would do everything together back then. Many years ago they sealed their friendship with a promise that they would always wear matching clothes.

Here they are as youths demonstrating their alliance to each other.

They have kept their pact and are still in harmony after all these years.

Greg and Jeff - what a pair! After more than 25 years of friendship, their synchronization is still intact.

We all know the cavernous depth of Cougar comradeship.

However, the Cougars are not an exclusive group. We have an open relationship rule and we continually practice softball polygamy.

It is for only one hour each year that the Cougars and Hitmen are mortal enemies. We truly enjoy each other's company the other 8,765 hours a year.

Presenting the photographic proof:

We sing together.

We play bags together.




We go the beach together.



We ride the Ferris wheel together.



These photos validate the man-love we have for each other. But there is one cross-border relationship truly illustrates the strength of the Cougar/Hitmen bond.

Trouter of the Cougars and Flynner of the Hitmen have known each other for almost as long as Bobi and Diddy.

Here they are displaying their initial bonding days. Like Jeff and Greg, Glenn and Mike have made a lifetime lookalike pact.


They have become more sophisticated over the years, moving up from wearing sheets and drinking from plastic cups to become distinguished sportcoat wearing drinkers.





The picture above may have been taken last night because Glenn and Mike were nowhere to be found during the game but they dutifully showed up for the postgame.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot, the game. It was raucous affair! The Cougars came out a swingin’. We put two quick ones on the board in the top of the first and had the Hitmen on their heels. The Hitmen came roaring back in the bottom of the inning and took the lead with three runs. In the subsequent innings we squeezed out a couple more runs but in the end the Hitmen scored more than us.

In Vegas, 22 never pays, and in Wilmette, 4 runs will never put you in the money.

It was so great to have loads of fans at the game last night. Through my Romper Room magic mirror in center field, I saw many Lady Cougars and Hitwomen as well as tons of families and friends. The throng of fans made for a spectacular night.

After the busted game, everyone moseyed on over to the Fortier residence. Not surprisingly, Susan and Steve had quite a spread.

We were supplied with a great selection of green bottles filled with malted barley. Spirits were up and spirits were downed.


We were also fed like champions. Steve grilled and served up his now famous kielbasa along with the requisite mustard dip.


The Hitmen celebrated by gnawing on fowl at the Oh coop and then joined the Cougars for a night of Wilmette solidarity.

Like the promise rings that kids exchange, we thought it would be appropriate to seal our Cougar/Hitman accord with a ceremonial injured finger handshake. Pictured here are the hands of Susan Flynn and Dave Melchiorre, both of whom suffering from "old person recreational league park district softball" injuries.

The treaty was potentially violated during the latter half of the party. Unbeknownst to some partygoers, there was some front yard shenanigans. The Fortier house was lovingly and affectionately TP’d. Here are the morning after remnants.

We are still not sure who the culprits are but the Cougars are holding the Hitkids and the Hitmen responsible.

Not to be outdone on the front yard practical jokes, Oxer and I put Flynn’s house up for rent at about 1:30am. This blog's photographer was able to snap a picture of it this morning before someone leased it.

Overall, it was a great night.

Many kids got to stay up way, way way past their bedtime. I told my kids this morning that it is pretty neat that they get to go to bed twice today.

Many parents also missed their bedtime last night and slept right through their wake up call this morning thanks to all of these empty bottles of brew and vino.

Game over. Party over. It's a new day and the countdown is on!

Only 8,745 amiable hours remain before the next Cougar/Hitmen confrontation.