Friday, August 25, 2023

Safe at Home


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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Tappers take the title!  In the semifinal, the Tappers beat ONG in extra innings.  In the championship, Tappers walked-off storm in the bottom of the 7th inning.    









 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, August 3, 2023

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!

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Game Photos

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Game Video

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Standings

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Schedule

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Bracket

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