Cougars: Oh God!

Back in 1977, I remember seeing Oh, God! with my parents at the movie theater. The stars were George Burns as God and John Denver as Jerry Landers. It’s one of my favorite movies.

The estimable Roger Ebert said in his review that it was a treasure of a movie. Oh, God! was lighthearted, satirical, and humorous and - that rarest of qualities - in good taste. Ebert said that the movie makes you feel good in the way some of the Frank Capra comedies did.

As Ebert wrote, “The message from the movie was that what God wants to remind his creatures of is a simple one: That things can turn out all right, although they will not necessarily or automatically do so. That we have everything here on Earth that we need to bring a happy ending to our story. And that we should try being a little nicer to one another.“

That’s certainly correct for the Cougars as we started the season with a three-game winning streak, followed by a four-game losing sequence and finished with a four-game triumphant spree. Sometimes things turn out all right and sometimes not so much…and we are always nicer to our opponents right after the contest is completed.

We played our last regular season game on Tuesday and beat Buy Low 15-5. The match was played on Field 1 where we were treated to a glorious night sky and sunset over one of God’s cathedrals.

Later that night after celebrating the big victory, I started my bedtime routine. First step, turn on Johnny Carson. Every night Johnny, Ed, and Doc rock me to sleep through the wonders of YouTube reruns. This particular episode featured a 96-year-old George Burns bragging that he had just signed a five-year contract with the Riviera in Vegas. His longevity was second to none.

The Cougars’ longevity in Wilmette Men’s 16-inch softball is also second to none. We just completed our 16th regular season, making us the most faithful team in the league currently.

We finished off our last game of the regular season with grace on the field.

First Inning

Buy Low started high and bagged a trio of runs. After praising the 16-inch softball gods, a perfect 6-10-3 double play by Ev, Big Ball Jimmy, and Li’l Rads, as well as a K for the battery of Martini and Pastor Ted, stopped their run.

In our first inning, we never lost the faith! Ev hit the first pitch to the heavens for a dinger. CRads laced a liner double. Goose smashed a single. Fort smacked a double for a tally. Martini had a sweet single to plate another. Big Ball Jimmy had a sac fly to score a run and Boom had a hard to handle grounder.

Cougars 4 Buy Low 3

Second Inning

Martini’s tall pitches flustered the batters, and the Cougars were blessed as our opponent went down 1-2-3.

“Do to others what you would have them do to you.” The Cougars unintentionally followed the Golden Rule and also went down 1-2-3.

Cougars 4 Buy Low 3

Third Inning

Singing the praises of our defense, the Cougars shut down their 1, 2, and 3 hitters, 1-2-3.

The heavens were smiling upon us in the third. CRads eyed a walk and Fort hit a wedge between the outfielders. JD came up and tore the cover off the ball to score two, including Fort scoring all the way from first with a sweet safe slide!

Cougars 6 Buy Low 3

Fourth Inning

Buy Low fought hard to get one more. Big Ball Jimmy and the angel on his shoulder highlighted the inning when he never gave up on a play at 2B and dove to make a beauty tag on the runner for a key out.

The Cougars were singing Hallelujah and started pulling away with three more runs. Boom led off with a screamer down the third base line. Bobi punched the ball up the middle. Joker pummeled the sphere to center to record a run. Ev demolished the Clincher to left center for a sac fly RBI. CRads with a super swing to score again.

Cougars 9 Buy Low 4

Fifth Inning

Two baserunners for our foe but a 1-10-3 miraculous double play from Martini to Big Ball Jimmy to Li’l Rads shut them down and defended our sacred ground.

The Cougars were busy giving thanks for the previous innings and took a little intermission from hitting and scoring. We said “Amen!” and got back to work.

Cougars 9 Buy Low 4

Sixth Inning

A testament to their resilience, Buy Low had a couple of hits but only one run.

Howard Park became Hosanna Park in the bottom of the sixth. Cougars never ever give up and after our fifth inning rest we scored six in the sixth! JD mirrored his first smash. Jimmy bashed a Big Ball for a double and a ribbie. Crawdaddy rocketed a shot to right center and Big Ball Jimmy raced around the bases, slid handsomely into home to beat the throw. Li’l Rads clobbered a hit down the line. Joker spanked a single to left center for a score. Ev walloped the ball down the right field line for a triple and two ribbies. CRads banged the ball to plate a run. We scored so quickly we lost track and so did our friend, umpire Jim. Flandog and Philthy added up the runs and when Philthy yelled out the score of 15-5, Jim overheard our ten-run lead and granted mercy on our opponents. Philthy with the game winner!

Cougars 15 Buy Low 5

You can see all the highlights here:

It was a total team effort. We had a pretty full roster and everyone played an important role. That includes the fans of Cougar Nation, too! We had the largest congregation of the season sitting in the pews to help cheer us to victory! We love our devoted followers!

The playoffs start on Tuesday. We need to add three more games to the winning streak to win it all! We need everyone’s help – on the field, on the bench, and in the stands!

As we look to God (and Oh, God!) for assistance with the playoffs, I’m remembering a movie line that reflects some trite but true wisdom disguised under wisecracks and cigar smoke:

Jerry Landers : But we need help.

God : That's why I gave you each other.

The Cougars and Cougar Nation always have each other!

Go Cougars!

_______________

Game Photos

_______________