Cougars: Softball Olympiad

Growing up, a tradition at McKinley School in South Holland was the 6th grade Olympics. It was similar to the Field Days experience many of our kids had at McKenzie School.

In fact, Diddy, Bobi, and Li’l Rads all attended McKinley and also have fond memories of the 6th grade Olympics. (Julie was a proud Texan for most of her youth and didn't start McK until 8th grade, so she missed out on the Olympics.)

The Olympics included contests such as the 50-yard dash, long jump, frisbee toss, and tug of war. Each classroom decorated shirts and came up with a team name. In my class, taught by Mr. Kavalunas, we called ourselves the Olympians and created red, white, and blue tie dyed shirts displaying the Olympic rings.

Ahh, to be young and innocent once again.

Mr. Kavalunas taught us that the Olympic rings represented the continents of Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Australia (aka Oceania). Also, he taught us that the colors of the five interlocking rings were significant because at least one of these colors appears on the flag of every nation. The five rings also reflect the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect.

My school year was 1980-1981 when I participated in our Olympics. Our version of the Olympics took on such special meaning and is still vivid to me over 40 years later because the Winter Olympics had just been held in Lake Placid. The United States won the hockey gold medal, and our country boycotted the Summer Olympics. Both were big deals.

My favorite memory I have was our version of the shotput, the long toss contest. Of course, honoring Chicago’s glorious sport, we used a 16-inch softball. I didn’t win because I was a small guy, but I gave it my all.

It was that same school year that I had my first experience playing organized 16-inch softball. I was the captain of our homeroom team and led us to an undefeated record up until we lost the championship to Mr. Zim's team, who had far superior players. My 6th grade team reminds me of the Cougars because we aren't composed of only superstars, but rather talented guys with lots of heart and grit.

Captain Cougar crushing the Clincher during our outdoor education at Camp Timberlee.

Howard Park was our Olympia for back-to-back games on Tuesday and Wednesday (yes, Wednesday!).

On Tuesday night, we beat Boogie Knights, avenging our earlier loss to them. The Cougars played stellar defense and had many scoring highlights.

1st Inning: Kev walloped an infield single. Charley clobbered a liner to right field. Andy punched a single through the right side to tally two. Goose pummeled the ball through the left side for a single. Martini drew a walk to load the bases. Bobi belted an infield single to tally another two. Jimmy drilled a big ball to center field for a sacrifice fly ribbie.

2nd Inning: Crawdaddy blasted a single to left and Kev crushed a triple to left center to plate a run.

3rd Inning: Andy launched a bomb to center for a homer. Eddy nailed a single to right. Bobi labeled an infield single. Jimmy mashed the ball up the middle for a run.

4th inning: Crawdaddy cracked a single down the third base line. Joker whacked a liner to left. Kev drove a single to center to load 'em up. Charley tattooed the ball to the right side for a RBI.

5th inning: Goose tore the cover off the ball for a single. Bobi rocketed a triple over the center fielder’s head for a tally.

Cougars win 10-4!

Because we were rained out for three consecutive weeks, we had a makeup game and played in our first ever Wednesday game. We were short on numbers so Charley took the mound and we had some help on tap from the Brennan Boys, Tim and Liam.

Unlike a typical Tuesday, the atmosphere at the park was a little sluggish and the only big slugging we had was in the third inning when Andy hammered a bases-loaded single to center to score Liam, Boom, and Charley.

There was one heroic defensive play on the dirt by Charley and Liam. Charley threw a lofty pitch to the batter who laced a liner that ricocheted off Charley’s hands into the air towards our very own Hermes at third base. Like a Greek god, Liam lept and went airborne to grasp the ball to secure the out. What a play!

Leapin' Liam!

One interesting note is that when I coached Liam and Charley in baseball during their 6th grade year, they played those same positions!

Cougars win 3-1!

With the back to back wins, the Cougars secured third place in the regular season standings as we start the playoffs.

Next Tuesday, we begin our Olympic journey in the playoffs. At the end, only one team will stand atop the podium — let’s bring home the gold!

Go Cougars!

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Here are a couple of fun postscripts:

In 1988, Julie was voted Prom Queen of Thornwood High School in South Holland. Her counterpart Prom King was T.C. Dantzler. T.C. was a top wrestler for our Thunderbirds and at age 37, he qualified for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, becoming the second-oldest U.S. wrestler to ever compete at the Olympics.

Love the 80s!!!

For the last three baseball seasons, I have worked with the Leo Catholic High School baseball team. It’s an unofficial role and I am the team photographer as well as a motivator for the boys and consigliere to the coaching staff. While the school is located on the South Side of Chicago, on 79th Street a few blocks west of the Dan Ryan Expressway, many of the boys and their families happen to reside in our hometown of South Holland and also attended McKinley School. In fact, one of the moms is on the school board. It is a great coincidence and fun to be with them and share similar experiences even though there are a few decades between us.