Thirtier, Fortier, Fiftier, Sixtier

Last week a sixtier was the star of the night and this week it was a Fortier.

An injured Fort led the Cougars to a 10-9 win over Old School.  As Bobi said, “only in 16” softball does a possible torn shoulder make you a pitcher.”

Fort took his first ever visit to the hill to pitch the pill, walked only one and came away victorious.  He also went 5-5 at the plate with 4 runs scored and multiple RBIs including a clutch game tying RBI in the last inning.

Steve may have been our leader last night but it was a team effort to seal the deal.  With only nine players we had no short-center and we were playing short-staffed.

Boom was in left field for the night and the pull-hitting opponent kept him busy.  Boom made the catch of the century with two men on base in the fifth inning.  As a towering fly ball sailed down the left field line into foul territory, Boom swiftly raced to the fence and as the ball was about to leave the field of play, he reached out with one bare hand and caught the ball as he crashed into the fence.  The game stopped for a few moments as both teams, the ump and the fans processed what had just occurred.  SC Top 10 for sure!  Oh, by the way, he broke his finger early in the game.  Boom is a tough guy…just sayin’.

Rads went 4-5 and knocked in Fort for what turned out to be the game winning RBI in the top of the seventh.  Captain Cougar also may have broken his pinky finger playing SS on the hardest line shot ever recorded.  Just like our lineup I need to follow Boom ... to the doctor.

JD knocked in at least three RBI while playing a stellar first base.  He also was on the front end of back to back triples in the third inning.

The Jokewriter crushed the ball to finish the doubling of triples.  He added a couple other hits and his fleet feet were also on display in center field.

Bobi almost tripled up our fifth inning triples.  But he ruined the three-peat feat by racing to the fourth dish for his first homer of the year.  Check the records, folks, Bobi may have the team leader for dingers!

Li’l Rads crushed the ball at the plate and handily handled the outfield.  But really nobody cared about Li’l Rads game success and boasting.  We all just cared about his postgame success and hosting.  As the youngest Cougar, Li’l Rads is still a thirtier but when it comes to Buds, nobody is wiser when you are thirstier.   (Although, we should really give credit to Mary for teaching Marc her party hosting skills!).

Maybe we should change Flandog’s name to Flancat because he is going to need all nine lives playing behind the plate.  Tim showed no fear taking a laser throw to smother the runner headed for the dish.  Flan made a calm catch and quick tag as the runner tried taking him out at the plate.  Both teams know that the blue was seeing black when he called the player safe.  Fearless Flannery has a nice ring to it!

Pastor Ted crucified the ball at the plate and ran the bases like he was walking on water.  In the field, his defense can be described by Psalms 89:13, “You have a strong arm; Your hand is mighty, Your right hand is exalted.”

Whether it is thirtier, fortier, fiftier or sixtier, the Cougars are young at heart and always take the Old to School.  

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A Diamond Is A Man’s Best Friend

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but they’re also a man’s best friend, especially if that man happens to be a Cougar.  Last night as we opened our 8^th season, the Cougars renewed their vows on the diamond.  Cougar Nation did not object and braved the harsh conditions sitting on the not-so-precious-metal pews under the spectacular sky.

Our start was brilliant.  In the top of the first, Boom and Fort led off with sweet singles between short and third and Martini trounced a ball to right center driving them home.  We let up one run to Gulliver’s in the bottom of the frame.  Cougars up 2-1. 

In the second inning, Bobi led us off with a dazzling double to left center but we could not drive him home.  Our polished defense held our opponent scoreless.  Cougars still up 2-1.

 

In the top of the third, the Cougars gave Boom and Fort a hand for their feats because they used their hands and feets to crush base hits.  This time, JD was the ribbie machine and knocked them both home.  Our stellar defense kept Gulliver’s off the bases in the bottom of the third.  Cougars now up 4-1.

In the fourth and fifth innings, only Li’l Rads rocked the rock and reached base for the Cougars with a hit that sailed past the infield.  No runs for us.  In the bottom of the inning, it was like we were playing on a cubic zirconia rather than a diamond because we let up five runs. Cougars down 5-4.

In the sixth, Martini hit a gleaming gapper to right center and found himself on second.  Then JD pulverized the precious stone and tallied another RBI.  All tied 5-5.  In the bottom of the inning, our defense lost some luster and Gulliver’s scored two to make the score 7-5.

In the top of the seventh, needing two runs to tie, Li’l Rads and Philthy led us off by driving jewels down the left field line.  With eyes like a lapidary, Diddy took a walk to load the bases.  Flandog knocked the nugget for a single to the gap to score Li’l Rads.  Boom then ripped a hit to second base scoring Diddy.  All tied up 7-7.

Gulliver’s crossed the plate in the bottom of the last inning and scored a lone run for their shiny finish. 

The Cougars were rough on the diamond but we celebrated a pure gem at the postgame.

The Cougars and Chicken Shack joined forces in Freeds’ warm backyard (thanks, Freedmans!!) to celebrate Diamond Dave’s 60^th birthday. 

Cheering and celebrating Dave should really be a daily event for his friends.  C’mon, how many readers out there have heard Dave say, “I can help you with that,” “I have a tool for that,” “I can make that for you,” or “I’ll give you some?”  All hands raised?  That’s what I thought.  To all of us, Dave is helpful, generous, and selfless. 

Who is Dave to you? 

To some, he is a musician with his guitar and song. 

To others, he was the linchpin in the McKenzie Variety show. 

To card sharks, he’s a poker king at the table. 

To his team, he’s an athlete on the field. 

To the hungry and thirsty, he is a chef, sharing his homemade chocolate, coffee, and vino, as well as lethal margaritas. 

And to Barb, he is the badass from the 1970’s who won her heart.

A wise person once said, you only have one birthday - the day of your birth.  A birthday is really your birth anniversary.  According to Hallmark, the traditional and modern gift for a 60^th anniversary is a diamond.  How fitting for our friend, Diamond Dave. 

We all know that Diamond Dave is everybody’s best friend.

The Most Interesting Man in the World