Reason. Season. Lifetime.

On Championship Night, the delicate sky mixed with the fervent sun to illuminate the magnificent canvas of Howard Park.  The perfect blend of blue and yellow for the illustrious green team as the sun set on our year.

For years, those diamonds have been a refuge of competition and celebration for the Cougars.

We will always remember the early days when we simply gathered to make some friends, play some ball and drink some beers.   We all came together, individually and collectively, for a reason.

Whatever that reason was for you, together we have turned the reasons into 14 sensational seasons.

Our 14^th season ended in the semi-finals on Championship Night.  The Cougars didn’t win the game but we did win our season.

How’s that?  Well, together we won 10 games, the most wins in our history, which led to our first-ever winning record.  We blasted a season record number of homers. We played three historic games against our biggest rival, winning two, including a wild playoff come from behind victory that advanced us to Championship Night.  The Cougars were the only team in the league to beat the ultimate champions. 

While those are superb stats, that’s never how the Cougars gauge success.

Our success is measured by companionship and camaraderie at the pregames, games, postgames and all the in-between moments together.

And by together, that means Cougar Nation. That includes active players, social members, kids, wives, parents, friends, families.

By that measure, the Cougar Nation has been unrivaled and undefeated for the last 14 years. 

Here’s a fun fact.  Did you know that we have Cougars on the field covering six decades?  Go ahead, think about it.  We have Cougars in their teens, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s all playing together on a team like little kids in the dirt.  How many teams in any sport can boast such a fact?

Our team is starting to look a little different.  Not because of the newer, younger, stronger, handsomer players.  The veteran Cougars are looking a little different.  Grayer and slower yet smarter and savvier.

With age comes wisdom.

With this wisdom, we know we are blessed and grateful for the ability to play ball with our buds and create memories for a lifetime.

“People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime,” reads a famous quote.

The Cougars check all three.

We started for a reason, played many seasons and the friendships and memories we create will be with us for a lifetime. 

Go Cougars!

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GAME VIDEO

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In the semi-finals, the Cougars lost to Miller Time and RBT lost to Tappers.   Miller Time won the title over Tappers.  Cougars final record was 10-5.

Going The Distance

“All I wanna do is go the distance.” – Rocky Balboa

 

On Tuesday night, Howard Park transformed from a tranquil sanctuary to a riotous madhouse as the Cougars went toe-to-toe with Chicken Shack in the first round of the playoffs. 

The Green Team entered the arena, stepped through the chain-link ropes, and entered the diamond ring.  We knew this would be a knock-down, drag-out fight.

In the two matches this year, each team has scored a victory with late inning heroics.  This was the third bout…and this was the playoffs.

For years, we have been punched in the mouth by the Shackers, but we land our best blows in the postseason.

Ring that bell …

 

1st Inning

Shack started fast with a single on the first pitch of the game followed by another single up the middle for runners on first and second base.  A quick out and then the next batter lobbed a hit to left field to load ‘em up.   The next batter smashed an almost uncatchable line shot to shortstop.  With the runners off on the hit, Fort calmly grasped it from the air and fired it to Ev for the double play.  Forts held down the fort.  No runs.

It always starts with a Boom, and he banged a ball that the second baseman could not handle. Then SRads walked.  With runners on first and second, CRads laced a single to the right side scoring Boom and moving SRads to third base with CRads taking second base on the throw.  Ev crushed a line drive to center field to drive in two more runs.

Cougars 3   Shack 0

2nd Inning

After stringing together a few hits and scoring one, Shack loaded up the bases.  With no outs and the bases loaded, Martini and Li’l Rads almost picked the runner off at first base.   On the next pitch, the batter hit one of those hard to handle infield spinners, but Joker did it again.  He grasped the spinning sphere and raced to tag the advancing runner, saving a run.   Unbelievable!

The next batter grounded into a force out.  We had two outs, and we were playing four outfielders.   The next batter stepped to the plate and hit a fly ball to left center… directly to Boom.  Ev, playing right center, showed our opponent that any fly ball would never land and touch the grass.  With staggering speed and Cougar courage, Ev tracked down the ball for the final out of the inning.  Here, watch the highlight with a special close up camera angle of Luis Fort and Eloy Boom.  What a play!  Keep it up!

 

In the bottom of the inning, JD led off with a walk and Joker had a liner single putting men on second and third after a throwing error.  Bobi was up next and he punched a hard grounder thru the hole and while the shortstop made an all-star play for the out at first, JD sprinted home for the RBI.

Cougars 4   Shack 2

3rd Inning

Shack led off with a fly out, and then the next three batters all smacked hits to score one.  With two runners on base and one out, the Shackers youngest and handsomest player crushed a clutch three-run homer to give the Shack the lead.

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Let’s take a little break in the action to give some props to Andy.  He is a superstar on and off the field.   Our family and the Pekar family have been fortunate to watch our boys grow up together.  Charley and Andy have been classmates, competitors, teammates, and friends. 

We always love Andy, but 2-3 hours each year we do try to clobber his team.

Now back to the action.

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To recap, Shack scored four and took a two run lead.

In the bottom of the third inning, Charley lined a single, but we stranded him.

Cougars 4   Shack 6

 

4th Inning

We shut ‘em down 1-2-3.

In our half of the round, Fort singled and JD doubled but Shack made perfect play at the plate to shut us down.  No runs.

Cougars still losing 6-4.

 

No matter how hard the Cougars get hit, we will never throw in the towel.  We are always determined, resilient, and tenacious.  No matter our record, we are always the underdog.  We take the hits, keep coming back, and then make the hits.  

How hard can you get punched and still come back?

5th Inning

We shut ‘em down 1-2-3, again.

In our at-bats, Boom bashed a liner to left center. Then Kev thumped a double down the left field line to score Boom and pull us within one.  Here we go…

Cougars 5   Shack 6

6th Inning 

A defensive lockdown.  Our defense was spectacular all night.  In the outfield, Kev, Boom, Ev, and Jimmy were flawless.  Here is just one example of a game saving play by Kev.

No runs for the Red Team in the top of the inning.  

We went into the bottom of the sixth down by a run.  CRads at the plate, and he was not pulling punches.  The first pitch was a beauty of a strike to make the count 1-2.   The next pitch was lofted to the sky and when it dropped in the zone, Charley hit it to the left field fence and flew around the bases for a game-tying home run.

Ev immediately followed by demolishing a single .  Fort moved him over to put the go ahead run on second base.   JD then crushed the Clincher for a double, and Evan sprinted to score the go-ahead run.

Cougars 7  Shack 6

 

7th Inning

Shack singled to lead it off, and then we got three quick outs to take the match. 

 
Cougars win 7-6!

We caught the chicken!

The Cougars have made it to the Championship Round.  Two more bouts and we are …  

 

Go Cougars!

 

Strong Bonds

Last week we learned “How To Be A Hero” and the Cougars were heroic in Tuesday’s game!

This week the Cougars beat The UBAA 10-5 on Tuesday night.  Everybody contributed with newfound strength and resolve. 

The Cougars showed a unique James Bond-like stack of skills.  

 

PITCHING

Martini is a master.  Look at this pitching perfection.   Martini lofts a high strike, fakes a pickoff to move runner back to first, and then another savvy strike for the foul out strikeout.  

 

 

 

DEFENSE   

Defense always wins.

Here is Fort with Over The Shoulder Ball Catching 101.  Just unreal!

 

 

Pretty sweet, right?

Well, how about this unique and incredible (and enthusiastic!) double play by Li’l Rads and Joker.

 

Badass, right?  

Pete didn’t stop there.  Look at this hustle!

 

 

OFFENSE

We crushed Clinchers all night and this triple by JD was a highlight.  Look at that baserunning!

 

 

BASERUNNING

CRads came to the plate with Kev on third and SRads on second.  CRads absolutely smashes a ball that the third baseman can’t handle.  Kev scores easily and SRads takes third.   Charley, always a tactician, took a giant turn around first base to goad the fielder.  As soon as the fielder ran towards CRads, SRads ran home to score and CRads slid safely into second base and successfully generating the extra run.

 

 

You want more crushed Clinhers and brilliant baserunning?  Here you go. 

You have to see this one.   It’s is a beauty.   Kev at the plate and Boom on first.   Kev takes the first pitch and Boom takes a huge secondary lead and bounces around to provoke a throw from the catcher.  As soon as the ball is thrown to pick him off, Boom easily moves to two.  Kev obliterates the ball to the shortstop’s ankles and hustles safely to first while Boom raced around to score.

 

 

Let’s look at the end of that video again.  Boom is so suave and debonair.  Look at that perfect pop-up slide!   Dashing while dashing.

 

 

Boom.   Chad Boom.   

 

The Cougars have strong bonds and we are strong Bonds…and we always have a Martini at our side.

Be James Bond.  

Highly intelligent. Exceedingly cunning. Sound mind.  Strong spirit.    

Bond is also extremely vengeful...just like the Cougars.

Our playoff run starts Tuesday.

Go Cougars!

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GAME VIDEO

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How to Become a Hero

You don’t start as a hero.  You become a hero.  

In his 1949 book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Joseph Campbell defines the Hero’s Journey.

“A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man.”

 

The Hero’s Journey is a three-act story:

Act One

The Departure Act:  The Hero accepts a Call to Adventure and leaves the known world.   

Act Two

The Initiation Act:  The Hero ventures into unknown territory and faces considerable conflict, adversity, and loss.  The Hero then transforms into a true champion.

Act Three

The Return Act: The atoned and transformed Hero returns home in triumph.  The Hero has found the elixir of life.

The Cougars just completed Act Two.

Last night we were disastrously defeated on the field.

The good news?  Heroes always suffer one gigantic disastrous defeat.  

Suffering is redemptive.

You know what happens next?

Heroes undergo a metamorphosis and emerge with newfound strength and resolve to achieve their goal.

Atonement is next week.  Do you really think our opponent has any prospect of success?

Once we atone with a resounding victory, the playoffs are the Journey Home.

Act Three is the best part of our story.

Go Cougars!

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GAME VIDEO

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Miller Time 9  Cougars 6

Real Highlight Reel

It was a picturesque night under the lights at beautiful Howard Park as the Cougars put on a show and left Pitches reeling.

There were so many highlights as the Cougars triumphed 16-6 in a five-inning slaughter.  Everyone contributed the big victory.

Here, see for yourself.

Need more highlights?  Here, watch for yourself. 

CRads had eight RBIs.   Yep, eight ribbies with a homer, triple, double and a sac fly.  Joker gathered the Cougars after the game to point out that our game shortened slaughter stopped Charley a single short of the cycle.  Here is CRads touching them all.

 

 

Here is Ev skillfully finessing and crushing the Clincher for a four-bagger.  

 

Oh yeah, Ev also played a perfect CF.  Here he is unleashing a laser throw home to Joker to stop the advancing runner.  Joker then started the rundown and fired it to Charley to chase down the runner.

Joker is funny but he is no joke.  A couple weeks ago while hanging at the pregame, we had a discussion on how to handle opponent leadoffs.   If the runner has a big lead, we need to run straight at him because he isn’t allowed to advance unless we throw the ball.  Like our favorite, The Wheel Play, you gotta know the rules.  Pete perfectly executed the play.

 

Here is a motion picture you don’t want to miss.  The Cougars are the reel deal!

 

  

Nemesis Excellence

Everyone needs a good nemesis.   

A nemesis will drive you to be your best.  You think about your nemesis while getting ready in the morning and going to bed at night, and that’s after thinking about them all day. About how to overcome them, beat them, crush them.    You wouldn’t be who you are today without a good nemesis.    

A good nemesis makes you see red.   A good nemesis will motivate you to buy green solo cups and outlaw the red ones.   You eat a good nemesis for dinner.   

Last Tuesday at Howard Park, under a captivating canopy of clouds, rival nemeses Cougars and Chicken Shack had another raucous night at the ballpark with pumped up players and fired up fans.    

 

 

 

The Cougars are never ones to count chickens, but we started hot and had more runs than the Shackers most of the game.  We took an early lead and seemed to be running away with it.   On offense, CRads crushed a three-run homer.  On defense, we had two sweet double plays with one started by the two Forts and another Rads brother-to-brother DP.  

 

It’s always a game of chicken with the Shackers and they never give up.

Chicken Shack was within one run in the bottom of the last inning.  The Shackers plated two for the Cougar-like 7-6 walk-off winner to split the season series.     

You measure yourself against your nemesis.  This year Cougars and Shack have split the season series, each winning in the last inning and each scoring 20 runs against each other.  Looking at the standings, the Shackers improved to 6-4 and are in fifth place while the Cougars remain on top by a game, holding down fourth place with a 7-3 record.  

The loss was tough, for sure, but having a nemesis is important for self-improvement.  Healthy competition with your nemesis will expose your weak spots and challenge your strengths.  

You push yourself and try new things because of your nemesis.  You might climb a mountain with your nemesis.   You might create a combined CougarShack fall ball team with your nemesis.  You might ask your nemesis to design and build beautiful backyard for postgame parties because nobody is better at going yard.

You need a nemesis to create lifelong memories on and off the field so we can reminisce with our nemesis.

Go Cougars!

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GAME VIDEO

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Good Things Come On Tues

Tuesdays at Howard Park have been special for the Cougars over the last 14 years.  

Tuesdays were also special for me as a kid because, like the Cougars, Tuesday nights had the best lineup. 

Here’s the 1978-1979 Tuesday Night All-Star Team:

Chachi - CF.  Chachi leading off because he had wheels and was a Battle of the Network Stars champ.

Fonzie - SS.  The coolest!  If he can jump a shark with a leather jacket, he can play shortstop.

Jonathan Hart - 1B.  Mr. H.  A self-made millionaire and quite a guy.

Richie - 3B.  No way we would let him shoot the game winning free throw but would have him at the hot corner.

Potsie - LF.  He can play as long as he doesn't invite Ralph Malph.

Lenny - RF.  He drives a beer truck - how can you go wrong?

Sqiggy - 2B.  Very annoying teammate but also works on the beer truck.

Carmine - P.  A dancer and fancy footwork on the mound.

Jack Tripper - EH.  Those klutzy moves were not fake so no fielding for him.

Monroe - C.  It would be Too Close for Comfort for him to play anywhere else.

Mork - SC.  Orkans age backwards and we need more youth.

Mr. Furley - Manager.  Always making faces at the umps.

Mr. and Mrs. Roper - Fans.  When not yelling at Stanley Mrs. Roper would be our loudest fan.

Pinky and Leather Tuscadero - Fans (Cougars need Cougars)

Tuesday has always been a night for the stars at hallowed Howard Park.  Let’s recap the last two weeks.  

 

Cougars vs ONG | 06.15.21

First Inning

Boom hit a too hard to handle single to 3B.  Kev went the same way with a liner to left for a double scoring Boom.  Rads singled to RF scoring Kev.  Martini had an infield hard single for first and second.  Joker doubled to left scoring Rads and Martini.  Jimmy singled in his dad on a triple that was almost a homer!

ONG two hits no runs.

Cougars 5  ONG 0

 

Second Inning

Pastor Ted doubled down the left field line.  A lefty Crawdaddy rocketed a shot for first and third.  Kev with a sac fly scoring Ted.  Charley flattened the ball for runners on first and second.  SRads singled to the right side to score Kev and moved CRads to 3B.  Two more runs

One for ONG.

Cougars 7  ONG 1

 

Third Inning

Joker doubled and Pastor singled for a lone tally.

ONG zip.

Cougars 8  ONG 1

 

Fourth Inning

Boom singled to right field.  Kev hit it to the right side moving Boom to third.  CRads singled to right to score Boom.  SRads single down 3B line but stranded.

ONG with one hit no runs.

Cougars 9  ONG 1

 

Fifth Inning

Cougars go down 1-2-3.  Pete had a single and was out at second trying to stretch it into a double.

ONG went the same way with 1-2-3 inning.

Cougars 9  ONG 1

 

Sixth Inning

Crawdaddy with another lefty liner to right.  Boom singled between SS and 3B for runners at first and third.  Charley tripled and for two ribbies and had the same fate as Jimmy and Pete going for the extra base.  Huge defensive props to ONG for making three incredible flawless plays in the game. 

Press play for a montage of aggressive fun outs.

 

ONG had a double and the runner eventually scored.

Cougars 11  ONG 2

 

Seventh Inning

JD and Joker singled but left on base.

ONG had a small rally and scored two.

Cougars win 11-4

 

Cougars vs Ready By Tuesday | 06.22.21

First Inning

RBT with two baserunners and one run.

Boom singled to center.  Kev popped one to right center for first and third.  CRads had a sac fly to score Boom and move Kev to second.  Rads punched one thru the middle to score Kev.  Fort, trying to catch up with Ev, hit a four-bagger to right for two RBIs.  Martini singled between SS and 3B and then stole second when the catcher tried to pick him off.  With Martini in scoring position JD laced a liner for an RBI.

Press play for Fort's four-bagger!

Cougars 5  RBT 1

 

Second Inning

RBT with one hit no runs.

Li’l Rads nailed an infield single.  Pastor Ted with a hit just over the infield Diamond Dave style.  Boom with a spectacular sliding single to load ‘em up.  Kev had an impressive twofer with an infield fly and a sac fly on the same play when Li’l Rads scored.  

Press play for Boom's spectacular safe slide!

 

Cougars 6  RBT 1

 

Third Inning

RBT one hit no runs.

Martini hit a beauty shot like Fort to right side with spin for a triple but we couldn’t plate him.  No runs.

Cougars 6  RBT 1

 

Fourth Inning

Two hits no runs for RBT.

Joker started with a shot to left and Jimmy had an infield hit for two Lipseys on the bases.  Pastor Ted, now paying royalties to the King, had another Diamond Dave special to score Joker. 

Cougars 7  RBT 1

 

Fifth inning

One hit no runs.

CRads shot up the middle but stranded.

Cougars 7  RBT 1

 

Sixth Inning

Ready by Tuesday realized what day it was and scored four runs.

Cougars down in order.

Cougars 7  RBT 5

 

Seventh Inning

One single for RBT and the Cougars closed it down.

Cougars win 7-5.

 

The Cougars have now played every team in the league and have a 7-2 record.  We are the only team to beat first place Miller Time and our only losses are against our second place cohorts, Tappers and Storm. 

 The all-star Cougars are as cool as The Fonz...at least we think so!

Go Cougars!

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GAME VIDEOS

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Green Light Go

Do you remember your Driver’s Ed class?  It was the IPDE Process, parallel parking, and 10 and 2. 

Times change.

Now it is the SIPDE Process, self-parking cars, and 9 and 3.

The first two changes, well, ok, I get it.  But, c’mon, 10 and 2 is alliterative, memorable and the winning score for the Cougars on Tuesday night.

With the Cougars prowling the top of the standings, it prompted this new road sign at warning Howard Park.

The Cougars raced to Howard Park on Tuesday to drive in runs and leave Tito’s in the rearview mirror.  

As the great Tommy Lasorda said, “Baseball is like driving, it’s the one who gets home safely that counts.”

Let’s put it in reverse and recap the victory.

First Inning

Charley drove the ball to left field and ran for a double like the accelerator was stuck but was stranded on the dirt.

Tito’s showed up with road rage and hit the first pitch for a homer.  Only one run allowed because Kev made a great sliding hand-over-hand catch in left field.

Cougars 0  Tito’s 1

Second Inning

Ev smashed a double up the middle, moved to third on a Fort fly, and was driven home by a single non-alcoholic Martini.

Tito’s scores zero because we have comprehensive insurance on the left side of the field.  CRads grabbed two lasered line shots at third base and Fort smoothly stopped a hard grounder in the hole and fired it to Li’l Rads for the third out.

Cougars 1  Tito’s 1

Third Inning

Freeway closed as the Cougars go down 1-2-3.

Tito’s was held to one hit because Martini survived a demolition derby on the mound and deftly fielded a couple high octane hits at his shins and chest.

Cougars 1  Tito’s 1

Fourth Inning

Boom lined a shot behind second base and in front of the centerfielder.   Typically, this would be a single and Boom would immediately get the red light to stop.  Instead, Boom went with the rolling left turn and skidded safely into second base.  Here, press play for the highlight:

 

Boom’s aggressive left turn reminded me of this video of Miranda from a couple years ago.  Miranda was given the red light to stop but, like Boom, went with the rolling turn.  Boom was safe.  Miranda was out.  She received a red light ticket in the mail.  Our deal was that I would pay the fine but also got full video rights of her aggressive right turn.  I knew it would come in handy someday.  Press play for the lowlight:

 

The Cougars are certainly turning a corner this season but be careful!  Not only is there video enforcement at Dempster and McCormick (as Miranda learned) but also at Howard Park.

With the green light still on, Kev took the wheel and singled down the left field line to plate Boom.  CRads hit the gas for a shot up the middle for first and second.  Rads cleared the intersection with a single for two ribbies.  Ev singled and was left on base.

Tito’s started with a couple hits.  Then with one out and runners on first and second, the batter hit a hard grounder to CRads at 3B who swiftly tagged third and fired to JD to complete the double play.  No defensive blind spots for our team.

Cougars 4  Tito’s 1

Fifth Inning

Martini led off with a liner to center.  JD singled to score Martini.  Joker into a fielder’s choice.  Jimmy lined a liner for two Lipseys on base.  Li’l Rads singled up the middle to score the Joker while Jimmy was left on base.  Cougars on cruise control and it started to look like a tailgate party with all the cheering pedestrians in the stands.

Tito’s had some engine failure.  No runs.

Cougars 7  Tito’s 1

Sixth Inning

Cougars came out fuel injected and running on all cylinders.  CRads and SRads back-to-back singles for first and third.  Ev singled to right scoring CRads.   Fort followed with another single to right to load ‘em up.  Martini had a sac fly to score SRads.   The Cougars circled the bases like we were stuck in a roundabout.

Tito’s running out of gas.

Cougars 9  Tito’s 1

Seventh Inning

The horsepower continued with singles by Jimmy and Li’l Rads for first and third.  Crawdaddy had a sac fly to score Jimmy.  During the game Pastor Ted made so many tallies in the scorebook, it was like he was playing the license plate game on a road trip

Tito’s tried to get jumpstarted, scored one but their charge ended.

Cougars 10  Tito’s  2   

The Cougars may get old but winning never does.  We play like a 15-year old kid who used to sneak out his parents’ Corvette for a wild joy ride (we’ll save that story for another victory).

Go Cougars!