Tip The Scale

Mr. Moline in 1983

In 8th grade I was first introduced to Algebra.  Mr. Moline would stand in front of the class using his marker on the overhead projector to show us how to solve algebraic equations.

Here is Mr. Moline at the overhead projector.  He was famous at McKinley Junior High for forgetting to cap his marker before he put it back in his shirt pocket and it always left a large ink spot. 

Whoa – hold up a second!  In Algebra, math suddenly went from numbers to letters.  Mr. Moline explained that the letters were unknown quantities.  He sure got that right – it was certainly unknown and confusing to me!

Always questioning the rules, I wondered what was the mathematical rationale to add or subtract from both sides?  Doesn't that change the entire meaning of the equation? How can you just start tinkering with it?  

Rather than explaining the mystery of algebraic equilibrium, Mr. Moline just performed more and more equations.  He would explain it slower and louder, sort of like how I talk to someone who does not speak English.  Trust me, it doesn’t work.  

It wasn’t any better in high school.  Again, it was more and more examples of X and Y when I needed examples of X and WHY!  

Here is the proof.  We have not pulled this out in quite some time.  You can see for yourself.  

Yep, 1.949 GPA.  My parents and teachers wanted to know WHY too! 

Freshman year Algebra was filled with negative letters as I earned a D and an F in each semester.

It was in summer school that I finally “succeeded” with a D.  I figured out how to solve the easy equations; however, I never learned the reasoning behind the solutions.  

Later in high school, my skills in math class improved.  Sure, the transcript shows a failing F for first semester of junior year Algebra II, but I was successful at passing in that class.  Passing notes to Julie every day in class, that is.  Mark my efforts as an A+ in that class!  

About a decade ago, I wanted to learn the why behind Algebra.   So I went to my new teacher, Sal Kahn of Kahn Academy.  Like Mr. Moline, Sal used the overhead projector of the current era to teach Algebra. 

Using a crucial visual example, Sal compared the equation to a scale and said that both sides needed to maintain an equal weight. Adding or subtracting the same value from each side kept the scale perfectly balanced, ensuring that the equation remained true. 

The idea of maintaining balance resonated, as I envisioned the equations as scales, constantly seeking desired equilibrium, an important mathematical foundation.  My confusion transformed into understanding and the bright lights of success shined in my head.  

On Tuesday night under the bright lights of defeat, our record found equilibrium at 3 wins and 3 losses.    

On the field and in the class, you have to show your work.  There are two sides of the equation and we tried to cancel the Tappers out. 

 

 

It was a tough defensive battle with stellar pitching on both sides of the equation.  A huge highlight of the night was that Jason Bobis came from Down Under to help us get over the top.   He was playing with us for the first time in five years and was quite the addition to our side.  Jason bashed a 2-2 performance at the plate and was the key pivot man with a stellar catch and throw on a timely double play. 

Jason was perfect at the plate!

Here are all the Cougar highlights.  

 

By the end of the season, our record will not be in equilibrium. The Cougars are seeking an imbalanced record on the winning side of the scale.  

Just like I solved my problems in summer school, the Cougars are going to use the rest of the summer to school the league.  

Our formula for success will tip the scale in our favor.    

Go Cougars!

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Game Video

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Standings

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Schedule

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THIS IS A TEST. THIS IS ONLY A TEST.

“This is a test. This station is conducting a test of the Emergency Broadcast System. This is only a test."

 

Remember that graphic? 

How about the video?

 

The Emergency Broadcast System played a vital role in providing emergency information to the public in the United States. The EBS also allowed for localized and state-level alerts like severe weather warnings.

Tuesday night the Cougars had a strong Storm on our radar and lost 10-7 in a competitive atmosphere. 

The two-time champions have been a tornado since they joined the league, but we were not about to hide under our desks.  We were not threatened by their reign.

The Cougars weathered the Storm.  The Storm opened the floodgates in only two innings when they scored 9 of their 10 runs.  They dried up in the other 5 innings.  Over that span, our opponent only sprinkled 5 baserunners and 1 run.

The extended forecast looks good.  The real test will be in the playoffs when it is high pressure.

Let’s recap metaphorically and meteorologically.  

• Kev was unreal catching comets in left field and cracking the Clincher in the batter’s box.   
• CRads fielded a hailstorm at the hot corner and ran the bases like a bolt of lightning.
• Goose flew in and literally made the game ahead of the Storm.  Slammin’ Sam had two hits and scored a run.  His strong swings and throws create giant gusts of wind.
• Eddy was a whirlwind in his 3-for-3 Cougar sub debut, and his lefty bat created mighty turbulence.
• In his Cougar sub debut, Andy hit the ball to the stratosphere with a single, double, and a homer.  He made a sweet over-the-shoulder catch at SS too.  Here's the hurricane homer!

• Martini’s high pitches were like raindrops from the sky with Doppler radar accuracy.
• JD was a force of nature playing a versatile SC and scorching the sphere at the dish.
• Joker continued to get soaked in the fountain of youth with a 3-for-3 performance.
• Big Ball Jimmy deftly wielded his bat like an umbrella in a hurricane with an RBI single and a run scored.
• Li’l Rads was a stormcatcher for sure.  He chased down everything gusting in his direction.
• Crawdaddy thundered two hits and created a sandstorm with terrific defense.
• Cougar Nation was loud and proud. They love the Cougars and Like The Weather and acted like 10,000 Maniacs!

As the evening sun set, our team breezed to the postgame to celebrate under the stars. 

After the Emergency Broadcast System test, the following message would be on the screen:  "If this had been an actual emergency, you would have been instructed to tune in to one of the broadcast stations in your area." 

The regular season is just a test…a warmup.  When the playoffs arrive, our opponents will experience a real emergency!

Sirens will be screaming when we are champions!  No raining on our parade! 

Let’s finish the blog with a big giant ray of sunshine-

Recently, Teddy has decided to retire as a full-time mechanic and ascend to full-time pastor.  Pastor Ted has been turning a wrench so long that his first job was fixing Noah’s Ark.  Okay, okay, not that long but it’s been 48 years strong.  Now, Teddy is gonna trade fixing engines to fixing spirits. 

He’s pretty giddy about this next big step and how it will help him grow as a pastor and a person.

Over the years, I have thought about Teddy’s two professions and their striking similarities…so I wrote a little poem.

 

Pastor Ted, the mechanic with tools in his hand,

Solved mysteries of engines, a master of the land.

He'd tinker and he'd toil, bringing vehicles to life,

Restoring their engines, freeing them from strife.

 

But when the sun finally set, a transformation took place,

Teddy became a pastor, a beacon of solace and grace.

His heart opened wide, his words like soothing balm,

He'd listen to their stories, bringing peace, healing, calm.

 

Like a mechanic, with the engines he'd mend,

Pastor Ted saw souls in need, their brokenness to tend.

Like a skilled craftsman, he'd diagnose their pain,

Addressing the root cause, helping spirits regain.

 

Learning was his passion, forever he'd strive,

To expand his knowledge, to help others thrive.

He'd delve into manuals, grasping every new cue,

Both under the hood and in scripture, his wisdom grew.

 

In the tale of our man Teddy, we find inspiration grand,

To embrace our passions, united hand in hand.

For within each of us lies a universe to explore,

And by intertwining our talents, we can open so much more.

 

Give Teddy some love when you see him! 

Congrats and Go Cougars!

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POSTGAME PICS

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...and a couple of very sweet shots from last week...

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GAME VIDEO

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The Key To Success

 

Fall @ Field 2

Life is full of unexpected twists and turns, and sometimes, we find ourselves caught up in misadventures that leave us scratching our heads in disbelief.

Today, I have a diversionary tale, or better yet, a cautionary tale to share about the keys to success.

It was a warm Thursday evening during spring of 1986.  I was a high school junior full of youthful mischief. Already grounded by my parents for a prior transgression, I was itching to get out.  Enter my buddy, who had managed to acquire a stolen hotel key, a relic from an era when keys, not keycards, guarded hotel doors.  

We concocted a plan to throw a little party in an upscale Sheraton hotel in Homewood, a nearby town, which happened to be located just a stone's throw from one of my parents' gas stations.

Now, I may have been grounded, but I wasn't about to let that stop me. So, after dinner, I told my parents that I was going to take out the garbage and then be in my room.  My parents were happy with that because after a long day of work, they just wanted peace and quiet.  In fact, they would take the phone off the hook in the evenings so that they would not be bothered by any phone calls.

Under the guise of taking out the trash, I was picked up by my buddy, who cruised up with a case of beer in his sleek black Chrysler LeBaron convertible, blasting The Outfield's "Play Deep" cassette tape – the soundtrack of our teenage rebellion.

As we ventured to the hotel we decided to leave the beer in the car and check the room first.  We took the elevator to the room and the pilfered key opened the door without a hitch.   Filled with enthusiasm, we closed the door and hustled back downstairs to grab the beer. 

But here's where things took an unexpected turn. As we returned to our room, we found the door wide open, as if someone had been playing games with us. Suddenly, a security guard burst out of the room, hollering like a madman, and our only option was to sprint down the emergency exit stairs, leaving our beloved beers behind.

Finding ourselves in a nearby field, we strategized our escape route back to the car.  Our rustling around in the field brush caught the attention of the shotgun-wielding property owner.  He certainly caught our attention, too!  Luckily, the owner knew me from my parents' gas station and decided not to take matters into his own hands.   As we walked out of the field and onto the street, I explained our predicament, assuring him that we only wanted to retrieve our nearby car.   

Just as we thought things couldn't get any crazier, a police car arrived on the scene.  Definitely not the getaway vehicle we wanted.  Instead, it brought our demise as we were unceremoniously hauled off and put behind bars.

When the Homewood police called my parents all they heard was a constant busy signal because, remember, it was off the hook. 

The Homewood police enlisted the aid of the South Holland police, who drove to our house and rang our doorbell interrupting my parents’ peaceful evening.  Imagine their surprise when the police officer arrived at our doorstep, delivering the news that their darling deviant son was arrested and in the slammer!

My mom and dad told the police that couldn’t be true because I was under house arrest in my bedroom.  The police agreed that I was under lock and key … but in a different type of cell.

Imagine my parents’ mixture of disbelief and fury that their son took out the trash and somehow ended up in jail. Their night did not go as planned! 

Now imagine the Cougars’ mixture of disbelief and fury on Tuesday as we went from the top of the standings to suffering our first taste of defeat at the hands of The UBAA.  Our night did not go as planned!

In a one-sided clash, The UBAA emerged triumphant, dealing the Cougars a decisive 9-3 loss.

The UBAA's defense was flawless with no errors in sight! They turned double plays, caught lightning-fast liners, and even the misdirected balls somehow ended up as outs. And on offense? Well, they sprayed hits all over the field and ran the bases with finesse.  

Meanwhile, the Cougars stumbled by issuing walks, making errors, and desperately needing more hits and runs to match our opponent's skills.

While the loss was a disappointment, a silver lining emerged as the Cougars were lifted by a loyal and enthusiastic crowd of fans.

After the game, Diamond Dave and Barb bailed us out by hosting a memorable postgame party, filled with Diamond's homemade wine, delectable dishes, a crackling firepit, and competitive cornhole contests. The lively celebration softened the blow of defeat.  The postgame party served as a reminder that the key to bouncing back from setbacks is embracing the support of friends and finding joy in the moments that truly matter.

Even when plans are foiled, the Cougars always find the key to success! 

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GAME VIDEO

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Coming soon - in the meantime here are a few pics from game and postgame.