Cougars: Tipps and Tricks

We all could use top tips to make things a little better. Life is full of tricks.

Last night the Cougars welcomed our top Tipps to the field, and he was our highlight in a game of defensive tricks. Michael showed his sleight of hand in a game played without gloves.

Our cousin, Michael Tipps, or just Tipps as he's known, is the revered baseball and football coach of the Huntland Hornets in Huntland, TN. He's notched over 200 wins on the diamond. If that number isn't impressive enough, he teaches and crunches numbers as a popular high school math teacher. After logging a big number of miles (600+) driving from Tennessee on Tuesday, Tipps topped off his night as an honorary Cougar.

News of a Tipps debut spread fast, and we had our biggest crowd of the year with family and friends visiting from near and far. Throughout the game, a cheer was on the tip of their tongues!

The first inning was a bit tipsy for the Cougars as we got smashed for five runs by Gulliver’s because we couldn't even touch our nose with our fingertips. The Cougars knocked one back with a single by Boom. Martini and Joker were designated drivers and drove him home. Cougars down 5- 1.

In the second inning, our opponent rallied for two more. Gulliver’s was about to tip the scales when they loaded the bases with one out. Their next batter rocketed the ball to Martini who threw it to Tipps for the force at home plate. Then, without tipping his hand, Michael shrewdly spotted the runner hanging off third base and fired the ball to Pastor Ted for the last out.

The Huntland Hornets should learn from their tiptop head coach who put his skillful knowledge into action:

In the third inning both teams went down 1-2-3. Bad guys up 7-1.

In the fourth inning, Gulliver’s rallied for two tallies. The Cougars matched their two with two of our own. Flandog led us off with a hit followed by ropes by Boom and Fort. Rads belted the ball for two RBIs. Cougars down 9-3.

The fifth inning was quiet as a tiptoe because our challenger went down in order. For the Cougars, despite a pounding Bobi put on the ball, only JD got on base with a lasered double. Still down 9-3.

No runs for the enemy in the sixth but we clawed back with a lone run. Li’l Rads singled and Pastor Ted hit it hard but it caught Li’l Rads at second. Philthy and Lip lashed hits with Pastor Ted moving to third base. Strong Coffey put a big hurt on the ball and got an RBI. Score 9-4.

In the seventh, our foe got us for one run. In our comeback rally, Boom, Fort, Martini, and Joker all squashed hits for three runs, but we ended up three short. A tip of the hat to Gulliver’s with a 10-7 victory.

Here’s a hot tip for all of you. To take the sting out of being bested playing ball, have the Philthys host a ball to celebrate friendship and family. No tricks and all treat.

The Cougars play for free, but we are always happy to accept Tipps and more tips.