Cookie Monsters of the Midway

We knew he could hit it out of the park playing softball.  We knew he could write catchy tunes for the McKenzie Variety Show.  Now he blends his skills to recap an exciting night of center stage softball.  Ladies and Gentlemen, I present you Jeff Danielsen as our guest blogger today! 

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When Lovie Smith came to the Chicago Bears in 2004, the Bears had won only 3 of their previous 22 games against the The Green Bay Packers. In his introductory press conference, Smith emphasized that beating Green Bay was priority number one. While Smith ended up not winning a Super Bowl as Bears head coach, he did change the attitude of the team towards their long time rival, leading the Bears in 8 victories against Green Bay in his 9 seasons as head coach, thus rejuvenating the longest ongoing rivalry in the NFL.

 

The Cougar / Chicken Shack rivalry is now the longest current rivalry at Howard Park, which is close to being the "midway" point of Wilmette. For many years, the Cougars found all kinds of ways to lose to Shack. The team, as it existed, could not get over the hurdle. Enter Jim Preschlack, pink polo shirt and all. After another hard fought loss to the Shack, Presch was informed by a certain Shacker that the Cougars would NEVER beat them. Deep down, the rest of the Cougars knew that was true, despite our best efforts to convince ourselves otherwise. But, Presch would have none of that.  He threw down the challenge right then and there, circling his calendar and making it his life priority to "Beat Shack".

 

From that moment on, the rivalry took on a new turn. A playoff win over Shack a few weeks later followed and a new era had begun. Fast forward to last night. After a tough-to-stomach loss to Gullivers in which we played the first 4 innings with only 8 players, leaving our defense full of holes, it was time to play our fierce rivals. Right away we lowered the Boom on them, Boomgaarden that is. Boom served notice right away the Cougars were here to play, beginning a string of base hits that would lead to three runs.  Only a controversial call at home plate prevented an even bigger rally. The Shack came back with two runs but the Cougar offense could not be stopped. Timely hitting by the entire team, and especially Presch, led to Cougar runs almost every inning. Meanwhile, the defense locked down the Shack offense so tight the rest of the way that grass was growing on the basepaths. Key defensive plays included (with apologies to Boom for the play that wasn't, but should have been):

• Martini striking out their top hitter looking after said hitter had just calmly suggested a post game activity for the umpire to engage in.
• Bobi taking a line shot to the stomach, and hands, for a key out.
• Pastor Ted playing 2nd base like Joe Morgan getting us several rally-killing outs.
• Lipinski, from right field, throwing out Brian Wilson's beard at first base to kill a 7th inning rally.

For postgame, we headed to the south side of town for some great sausages from Grillmaster Dave, with dipping sauces from Saucier Emma, and the MVP of the night, chocolate chip cookies from Pastry Chef Eleanor. The only thing that disappeared faster than that plate of cookies, were the Shackers hopes to beat the Cougars last night. Thank you to the Lipinskis for the incredible food and beverages.  

 

Just like the Monsters of Midway, the Cougars are playing to win! And to eat cookies! Fear the Cougars!

Me want victory!

We demolished the treats and then the meds.