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Glorious stars, stripes, and sunset over majestic Howard Park |
Well, the time has come to bid adieu to another thrilling season and wish a heartfelt goodbye to those warm summer Tuesday nights at picturesque Howard Park.
Sixteen
seasons — the numbers don't just represent time; they embody a treasure trove
of memories. The Cougars have now become the seasoned veterans of the league,
having just wrapped up our 16th summer in our exhilarating sport of 16-inch
softball.
Tuesday
evenings are a refuge from our struggles, where we are on a pursuit of
happiness and by the end of the long night we are always winners.
As
summer begrudgingly gives way to fall, Tuesday nights will be tough without the
thud of the bat crushing with the Clincher, the hearty cheers, the disappointed
groans, and most importantly the unbreakable camaraderie that underpins our
Tuesday togetherness.
It was
an electrifying season of victories and losses, along with some teeth-gritting
and laughter-inducing moments. Our regular season record of 7-4 proudly
continues our streak of three consecutive winning seasons. Yes, we lost the
last game of the season in the playoffs, but let's put things in perspective.
In the world of end-of-season bracket tournaments, only one team emerges with a
victory in their final game. And if I
may paraphrase a famous adage, "It's not whether you win or lose, it's how
you play the postgame."
Our
legendary postgames are a hallmark of the Cougars. More than mere rituals,
they're full-fledged fiestas that bring together families and friends at our
homes. For us, home isn't just a physical space; it's a sense of belonging and
unity that our backyard celebrations embody.
On or
off the field, the objective is to make it home safely.
Throughout
our lives, a simple loving wish is said to us by our loved ones: "Be
safe,” or “Make it home safely." This expression captures their concern
for our well-being and their desire to see us unharmed. It highlights the
importance of protecting ourselves from the uncertainties of the world. Making
it home safely symbolizes a victorious return from the challenges and gambles
encountered during our pursuits (much like our daring baserunning exploits to
make it home).
Win or
lose on the diamond, we always come home to the embrace of the postgame.
The
postgame provides a salve after a loss and merriment after a win. Sometimes you want the postgame to extend
through Wednesday. It’s been my
experience that if I consume too much postgame on Tuesday, the postgame often
extends its presence well into Wednesday.
The
bonds between teammates, between families, that's the real magic. We've built
bridges that span beyond the confines of the white lines, creating friendships
that are more solid than a laser to left or a rocket to right.
Cougar
Tuesdays embody a Rockwellian depiction of America. The Cougars aren't merely a
softball team. Cougar Nation is a circle of friends and a collection of stories
tied together by our love for the game and the fellowships it fosters.
As
this season's chapter draws to a close, we give a robust farewell, knowing that
next spring will usher in a new chapter in the grand tale of the Cougars.
With the
Cougars, you're always safe at home.
Go
Cougars!
Love
you all!
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Game Summary
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After beating them twice this season, ONG got the last LOL and had Cougars saying OMG in the playoff loss.
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League Summary
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Great season team! And thanks Scott for the blog, next best thing to being there.
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