Revel in the Rivalry

In the heart of our quaint village on the hallowed grounds of Howard Park, a fierce 16-inch softball rivalry was born.

On June 3, 2008, the startup Cougars battled the experienced Chicken Shack for the first time.  Over the next 15 years, this rivalry gave rise to a treasure trove of memories.

To fully appreciate the tale of the Cougars and Shack, you must understand our origin folklore.  

Soon after our family moved to Wilmette in the summer of 2006, I heard loud cheers and the thud of the ball hitting the bat across the street at Howard Park.   When I laid eyes on the 16-inch softball action, I immediately knew I wanted to play.  The league suggested I hang out at the park and talk with neighbors to express interest in joining a team.  So I did.  Nobody signed me up.  In 2008, when I was sulking about another softball season on the sidelines, Julie encouraged me to start my own team. 

All of that is true.

But just like every single blog, there is always some embellishment.  

Over the next few years, we took several beatings from our neighborhood rival. As a result, the Cougars origin story began to shift for motivational purposes.  By about our fourth season, the storyline evolved: it was solely and specifically the Shackers that rejected me. 

All of that is true-ish with emphasis on the “ish.”

That myth was the fuel that kept our engine running all these years.

The annual clashes between the Cougars and Chicken Shack became a tradition marked on our calendars. There was an intensity to each game that transformed a cheerful playground into a spirited battleground.  

On game nights when we faced each other on the dirt, the park radiated with electric energy, intensified by the unwavering enthusiasm from both of our fervent fan bases.

While there were other outstanding teams over the years, Chicken Shack stood as the towering giant at the park because they were our peers, our neighbors, and our friends. The Cougars were always the relentless underdogs and we continually strived to prove our mettle.

For five demanding regular seasons, Shack's dominance loomed large. Over that span, the Cougars repeatedly had dirt kicked in our faces: we were winless at 0-7 and outscored by a tally of 90-49.  However, Shack's unyielding streak only drove our determination. When we finally embraced victory over Shack in the 2012 playoffs, it became a triumph etched in Cougar history. 

It was a pivotal moment that underscored Shack's role as our formidable opponent.  They weren't just adversaries; they were our catalyst for growth.  Shack pushed us to ascend to new heights and transformed a simple softball game into an epic narrative of rivalry and unity.

While the memories transcend statistics, let’s look at some of the stats.

Our rivalry spanned 28 games over 15 years.  Shack came out ahead with 20 wins to the 8 Cougar victories.

Over the same timespan, the Cougars faced Chicken Shack 5 times in the playoffs. The Cougars eliminated the Shack in 3 of those matchups.

Ultimately, it wasn't just about the wins and losses.  It was about the journey, the memories, and the bonds forged on the diamond.

I will forever be grateful for all the Shackers and especially their leader, Jim O’Brien.  While we fought against each other for a few hours each year, OB and I had many other shared experiences when we were on the same side.

We would meet at home plate before each game...

...and embrace after each game.

We shared the challenge of navigating team leadership, which extends beyond the physicality of the game.  We would discuss the intricacies of strategy, interpersonal dynamics, and the challenge of setting a winning lineup each week.  We each strived for victory while grappling with the shared complexities of captaining a team.

Let’s remember that when we walk across the dirt, grass, and cobblestone street to our postgame celebrations on Spencer Avenue, it is OB that designed and built that backyard beauty.  O’Brien went yard, and we are the weekly winners.

After each of our matchups, no matter which side of the win-loss column, it would take a couple weeks for the dust to settle and for our emotions to flow through us. Then OB and I would see each other at the field to recap and catch up. 

Our last game against Shack was June 14, 2022.  Two weeks later Jim and I saw each other during warmups on the lower fields, and we recapped and caught up.  We had different opponents that night, so we discussed the scouting reports.  As our chat ended, we embraced for our usual hug and said some of the same things we always said:  we were grateful for each other, for the game, and to be healthy enough to play this gladiator sport of ours.  As our games began on the upper fields, it was less than an hour later that we were each knocked out of our respective games. OB, on Field 2, sustained a concussion on a play at the plate, while I, on Field 1, ruptured a hamstring making a play at shortstop.  Our careers as we once knew them essentially ended on that night.  Old age, bodily injury, and lengthy recovery times contributed to this.  Our bodies made the decisions for us because our minds would not.  (And we wrongly ignored the longstanding advice of Lisa and Julie to play with a little less enthusiasm and to stop throwing our bodies around the field.)

At the end of 2022, team Chicken Shack officially hung up their spikes, marking the end of our rivalry. 

It was a collaborative journey, a shared pursuit of excellence, where Chicken Shack and the Cougars, in our tireless quest for greatness, wove an enduring legacy.

As the inevitable march of time propels us forward, nostalgia becomes our cherished companion.

Carry this blog in your pocket and you can always experience these glory days.

Long live Chicken Shack.  Long live the Cougars.  Long live Chicagoland’s glorious sport of 16-inch softball.

________________

Cougars vs Chicken Shack History

Game 1

Tuesday June 3, 2008 

Howard Park Hitmen 12   

Cougars 2

Cougars Hitmen Highlights

https://bit.ly/CougarShack1_060308

Cougars lose our inaugural game vs Shack.  Shack pulls the Wheel Play on us with Li’l Rads and Bobi on the bases.  JOx ran over the catcher and Hogs and Trouter collided with Trouter almost breaking his finger.  Fort with our only two RBIs on a double that scored Trouter and Martini.  Bobi wrote the email recap because Rads was not at the game and it was the pre-blog era.  Ever since that historic night, the Cougars have run the Wheel Play every season against new opponents.

 

Game 2

Tuesday July 14, 2009

Howard Park Hitmen 14

Cougars 4

Friendship Frenzy

https://bit.ly/CougarShack2_071409

Cougars go down 14-4.  The blog was one big diversion from the slaughter loss.  No highlights.  Lots of neighborhood discussion about all the Hitmen/Cougars ties off the field.  Big dual impromptu postgame at the original Fort on Highland.

 

Game 3

Tuesday July 20, 2010

Chicken Shack 17

Cougars 13

Hoosier Daddy

https://bit.ly/CougarShack3_072010

High scoring affair and the Cougars jumped out to a lead but could not close it out.  Last game we played Hitmen before they rebranded to Chicken Shack.  Stabber, Bobi, JOx, Philthy, and Diamond Dave were key to the game.  Rads out again and Diddy wrote the blog.  Philthy hosting the postgame and Cougars joined with Hitmen and Tappers.

 

Game 4

Tuesday May 10, 2011

Chicken Shack 10

Cougars 8

Why Did the Cougars Cross the Road

https://bit.ly/CougarShack4_051011

Name change for Shack as the league is split into an A and B division.  Cougars and Shack in B division.  Lost our closest game only two run differential.  It was our third game of the season and Boom was 9-9 over that span.  Lots of fans and another impromptu dual postgame at Diamond Dave’s front porch.  

 

Game 5

Tuesday July 12, 2011

Chicken Shack 13

Cougars 3

CTRL + Z

https://bit.ly/CougarShack5_071211

Five inning slaughter.  Must have been a tough game because the blog is short on details.  Lots of postgame pics from the Fortier backyard, which really tell the true story.  Take a peek because those youngsters are adults now.  Chickens can’t fly but time sure does.

 

Game 6

Tuesday April 24, 2012

Chicken Shack 13

Cougars 11

Blues Brothers

https://bit.ly/CougarShack6_042412

Extra inning loss to Shack.  In the extra frame, Shack dropped four runs on us in the top of the eighth to take a 13-9 lead.  The Cougars followed with a  rally in the bottom of the eighth led by a Stabber two-run homer for a 13-11 score.  Stabber, Fort, and JD with top-notch defense.  The shorter the blog, the harder I took the loss.  

 

Game 7

Tuesday July 10, 2012

Chicken Shack 11

Cougars 8

Achy Breaky

https://bit.ly/CougarShack7_071012

Cougars lose for the 7th straight time.  No game details and a short blog.  Must have been a tough loss.  Flandog hosted a dual postgame with the Shackers.  

 

Game 8

Tuesday August 7, 2012

Cougars 6

Chicken Shack 1

Time Well Spent

https://bit.ly/CougarShack8_080712

A huge night - we finally beat Shack - in the playoffs no less!  The whole team played well under the playoff pressure.  Lots of detail and excitement.  Also, it was the end of year blog because we lost to Timeless in the next game.

 

Game 9

Tuesday May 28, 2013

Chicken Shack 13

Cougars 1

Not A Pretty Picture

https://bit.ly/CougarShack9_052813

Cougars lost 13-1.  Even after a tough game and a long postgame, I would get up in the morning and run.  It was a good way to help work out my frustration and recalibrate my mind.  

 

Game 10

Tuesday July 23, 2013

Chicken Shack 5

Cougars 0

Shacker Hacker

https://bit.ly/CougarShack10_072313

We lost 5-0 but this blog remains one of my favorites because I wrote it from the Shack perspective.  I remember making Charley take my picture in front of Shack in the early morning before I dropped him off at summer camp.  Lots of game and postgame pics by Philthy from the Fort.

 

Game 11

Tuesday July 8, 2014

Chicken Shack 10

Cougars 3

Good Luck, Goodbye

https://bit.ly/CougarShack11_070814

Lost 10-3.  Luckily it was a doubleheader and we beat the next opponent.  

 

Game 12

Tuesday July 15, 2014

Cougars 10

Chicken Shack 3

Cookie Monsters of the Midway

https://bit.ly/CougarShack12_071514

After losing the first game of a DH to another foe, Cougars beat Shack in nightcap 10-3.  Presch big in the game.  JD wrote the blog.

 

Game 13

Tuesday May 18, 2015

Chicken Shack 13

Cougars 3

All Poetry.  No Motion.

https://bit.ly/CougarShack13_051815

Cougars lose 13-3.  You know it was a tough loss when I start writing poems.  The highlight is a blog picture with a bunch of our kids, including three tikes who are the youngest three Cougars today.

 

Game 14

Tuesday July 14, 2015

Cougars 8

Chicken Shack 4

The Cougars Circus is on the Air

https://bit.ly/CougarShack14_071415

Doubleheader and the Cougars lose the first game to Valley Lodge and then came back to beat Shack in the nightcap.  All the Cougars played well to win in an action packed game.  OB with a headfirst slide to second base and Flandog’s shin that landed him in the hospital.  Lots of detail in the blog.  This game marked the first ever live stream and video.  

 

Game 15

Tuesday July 28, 2015

Cougars 8

Chicken Shack 7

Truly A Masterpiece

https://bit.ly/CougarShack15_072815

Cougars win back to back Shack games and another playoff victory!  One of the most exciting and pressure packed games ever in our history.  Diamond Dave was the hero of the night.  Technical difficulties so no video but a very detailed blog and lots of awesome pics.  One of my favorite games and blogs of all-time.  This is a game I will always cherish.

 

Game 16

Tuesday June 28, 2016

Cougars 10

Chicken Shack 7

Smashing Bollocks

https://bit.ly/CougarShack16_062816

Three in a row over Shack!  The Cougars were brilliant in victory and there were several close calls that went for the Cougars.  Tons of pictures and the video as well.

 

Game 17

Tuesday July 19, 2016

Chicken Shack 13

Cougars 2

#NeverShack

https://bit.ly/CougarShack17_071916

Cougars go down hard 13-2 with Shack scoring 12 in the first three innings.  

 

Game 18

Tuesday August 16, 2016

Chicken Shack 10

Cougars 4

A Cut Above the Rest

https://bit.ly/CougarShack18_081616

Season ending blog as we lost to Shack 10-4 in the second round of the playoffs.

 

Game 19

Tuesday August 1, 2017

Chicken Shack 11

Cougars 1

Get ‘Em By The Tale

https://bit.ly/CougarShack19_080117

Cougars down hard 11-1.  Tough loss and what I call a diversionary blog.

 

Game 20

Tuesday August 8, 2017

Chicken Shack 12

Cougars 1

Playoff Picture

https://bit.ly/CougarShack20_080817

Slaughtered by Shack the following week in the last regular season game.

 

Game 21

Tuesday August 15, 2017

Chicken Shack 11

Cougars 6

Decade of Friendship

https://bit.ly/CougarShack21_081517

Played Shack for the third week in a row and lost to them in the second round of the playoffs.  Season ending blog celebrating our 10th year.

 

Game 22

Tuesday May 29, 2018

Chicken Shack 9

Cougars 8

Running Around in Circles

https://bit.ly/CougarShack22_052918

Shack wins a close one 9-8.  We won the opening game of the season against Miller Time and then lost our next five games.

 

Game 23

Tuesday April 23, 2019

Chicken Shack 12

Cougars 8

Writing Wrongs

https://bit.ly/CougarShack23_042319

Doubleheader to open the season.  Lost to Tito’s and then lost to Shack 12-8. Tough games but lots of winning pictures. 

 

Game 24

Tuesday June 4, 2019

Chicken Shack 11

Cougars 1

Fighting Words

https://bit.ly/CougarShack24_060419

Cougars slaughtered by Shack 11-1.  It was a doubleheader and we beat Tito’s in extra innings with a game ending double play by CRads and JD.

 

Game 25

Tuesday April 27, 2021

Cougars 14

Chicken Shack 13

The Surivalry

https://bit.ly/CougarShack25_042721

Cougars with the come from behind victory in a highly spirited game.  The Cougars had only one other inning come-from-behind victory in our history.  It was six years prior...against Shack.   This one was a walk off winner for the Cougars. CRads with a homer to tie it up in the sixth inning.  Shack took a two-run lead in the top of the seventh.  In the bottom of the frame, JD and Crawdaddy had triples and Ev and Kev were crucial to knocking them in for the winner.

 

Game 26

Tuesday June 29, 2021

Chicken Shack 7

Cougars 6

Nemesis Excellence

https://bit.ly/CougarShack26_062921

Shack walked us off 7-6.  Tough loss with some lessons learned.

 

Game 27

Tuesday July 27, 2021

Cougars 7

Chicken Shack 6

Going the Distance

https://bit.ly/CougarShack27_072721

This was an exciting victory over Shack in the first round of the playoffs.  One of the most intense games we ever played against Shack or in my life!  CRads with the game tying homer in the bottom of the sixth inning.  Ev, Fort, and JD combined to score the go-ahead run.  Cougars with lockdown defense to close it out.

 

Game 28

Tuesday June 14, 2022

Cougars 7

Chicken Shack 2

A Night for the Ages

https://bit.ly/CougarShack28_061422

Cougars win 7-2 in our last game ever vs Shack.  All the Cougars were big in the victory.  Lots of excitement and a very memorable postgame at the Fort.