Running Around in Circles

Who knew there were so many parallels between NASCAR and the Cougars?

Unlike many sports such as basketball, baseball, football and hockey, NASCAR kicks off each new season with its biggest event of the year in warm and sunny Daytona Beach.

The first game of a Wilmette softball season has the same energy.  After months of living in a deep freeze, the Cougars warm up for a spring and summer of racing around the bases. 

The Daytona 500, otherwise known as "The Super Bowl of NASCAR," is the first and biggest race on the NASCAR schedule. 

In the Cougars first and biggest game of the season, we played five-time defending champion Miller Time.

Winning the Daytona 500 is important because it will secure a driver a spot in the playoffs.

Winning the opening night of softball season is important because it will secure the Cougars a spot in the playoffs.  (Well, truth be told, a loss will secure us a spot in the playoffs too.)

As a seven-time NASCAR Cup Champion, Dale Earnhardt finally won the Daytona 500 after 20 years of trying.

As a one-time Wilmette Softball Champion, the Cougars finally beat Miller Time after 10 years of trying.

After a NASCAR driver wins the opening race, he will continue the season racing in circles.

After the Cougars big win on opening night, we have continued the season running around in circles...but not scoring enough runs.

Since winning our Daytona 500, we have been:

- Wrecked by the Tappers 12-1

- Wiped-out by Pitches 6-4

- Demolished by Old School 24-5 (I blew a gasket at that game)

- Beat by Chicken Shack in a photo finish 9-8

- Smashed by Clyde May’s 14-9

Like Earnhardt in his glory days, next week we are going to be The Intimidator and pull out of the pits, turn the corner, and race to the checkered flag.

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Game Recap

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Taking a shortcut on the full recap for the last two games...

Cougars vs Chicken Shack

Cougars vs Clyde May's

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Game Video

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Cougars vs Chicken Shack
 - the AV department had the night off

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Game Pictures

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Cougars vs Chicken Shack
 - the AV department had the night off

Cougars vs Clyde May's

Captain Cougar on the DL

Sliding at home plate can be painful

Boom, who is on the DL, took Nick to the ER for a sprained knee.

We're Going Streaking!

Roger Ebert gave the movie Old School one star.  


"I avoid altogether the question of Old School's veracity and move on to its humor, which is easier to master because there is so little of it.  This is not a funny movie."


If the great Ebert had watched the last three Cougar games, I'm sure he would write. 


"I avoid altogether the question of the Cougar blog's veracity and move on to its humor, which is easier to master because there is so little of it.  This is not a funny blog."

Over the last three weeks, the Cougars have been rotten tomatoes in a horror movie trilogy.  We were demolished by the Tappers, smacked by Pitches and pummeled by Old School.  

A three game losing streak.

There were some highlights through the three weeks of thrashing.

·     Pastor Ted, Li'l Rads and Diamond Dave hosted four-star postgame parties.  Three thumbs up!

·    We had some new handsome actors on the stage and Kevin, Nick and Patrick helped the Cougars field a full cast.

·     The audience at the Cougar games continue to support the cast and crew even when it is a bad scene.  (What Ebert said of his Old School screening could be written for the Cougars, "...small groups of audience members laughed loudly at almost everything, and just about everybody else waited politely until it was over and they could leave.")  

With a win, the Cougars are starting a new streak next week and we will be wearing nothing but a smile.

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Game Videos

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Game and Postgame Pics

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