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| Springtime at Howard Park |
According to the Census Bureau, the number of adults aged 65 and older is expected to surpass the number of children under 18 for the first time in U.S. history.
The median age in the U.S. has been steadily rising—from 30 years in 1980 to 38.9 years in 2022—and is projected to reach nearly 48 by the year 2100.
In our 18th opener on Tuesday, the Cougars gave that statistic a head start. Our median age on the field was about 50, while Boogie Knights, reflecting a pre-2034 America, were closer to half that.
Youth outscored and outlasted experience on Tuesday. Boogie Knights took down the Cougars 8-5 in an extra inning matchup.
Let’s relive this generational battle:
1st Inning
The Knights opened with a lone single, but the old guard stood firm. A classic 6-3 Pekar to a long-stretching Li’l Rads showed our reflexes haven’t retired. Big Ball Jimmy made a seasoned snag in left, and Hanson handled a rocket at 3B like a man who’s seen it all.
Martini cracked a shot to right center, and Pekar knocked one through the middle—but we left them reminiscing on base.
Cougars 0 Boogie Knights 0
2nd Inning
BK notched a double, but defensive muscle memory kicked in—two more outs from the old reliable Pekar-to-Li’l Rads combo, and Martini tracked down a fly.
We responded with the quiet dignity of a team who’s seen the ups and downs of many innings—three up, three down.
Cougars 0 Boogie Knights 0
3rd Inning
The Knights blinked—1-2-3 out with another Pekar to Li’l Rads forceout, a Li’l Rads unassisted out at 1B, and a Martini to Li’l Rads putout. On the last out, one of their Knights threw the bat and took out umpire Jim’s legs.
We followed suit—three up, three down. Scoreless synchronization.
Cougars 0 Boogie Knights 0
4th Inning
The kids got scrappy and scratched across two runs, aided by a couple of Cougar giveaways. On the bright side, our fielding featured a Martini to Li’l Rads groundout, a savvy third base forceout by Pekar after Hanson got toppled by the runner, and another Martini-to-Li’l Rads classic for the final out.
Pekar added a single to our memory book, but that was it.
Cougars 0 Boogie Knights 2
5th Inning
BK led off with a hit, Li’l Rads turned back time with an unassisted out at 1B, a batted ball battered a baserunner for an out, and Spinner made a highlight catch in right.
Our aged bats took a short nap.
Cougars 0 Boogie Knights 2
Note: It was at this point in the game a realization happened—a big giant lightbulb—I knew we were playing a team of young dudes but I truly forgot we are no longer the same age as our foe! My mind is young but my body is old.
6th Inning
The Knights of Boogie started with a single to left. Then Boom had a beautiful long catch in CF for the first out. The next batter spun a spinner towards Spinner in right field and he took a spin all the way around the bases to tally two. With a couple more hits and a gift, BK got one more. Their next batter smashed a ball right back to Martini and he fired it to Joker at the plate to tag the advancing runner. Joker was injured with a swollen hand on the play but he got the out! Li’l Rads got the last out unassisted.
Li’l Rads got on with a single, but was left stranded.
Cougars 0 Boogie Knights 5
7th Inning
We turned back the clock—three quick outs. Hanson to Li’l Rads. Martini to Li’l Rads. And then Pekar made a timeless one-handed snag and zipped it to Li’l Rads for a gem.
Bottom seven. Last bats. Five to tie and six to win. Pekar started the rally with a smash single to right center. Hanson followed with an infield single. Big Ball Jimmy brought the roar with a booming triple to plate two and finally give a full-throated Philthy a chance to cheer. Spinner added another RBI by thumping the ball up the middle. Rads, coming off the bench for an injured Joker, hit a tricky single to 2B. Li’l Rads brought home another with a fielder's choice. Pastor Ted was up next with a man on first. With the left fielder challenging Teddy by playing on the heels of the third baseman, Pastor hit a masterful line shot that grazed the top of the third baseman’s fingers and the ball landed at the toes of the left fielder! First and second two out. Boom brought the thunder up the middle to score a sliding Li’l Rads. Diamond Dave counted and colored five diamonds in the scorebook— all tied up! We could not punch the last run home so we went to extras.
Cougars 5 Boogie Knights 5
8th Inning
Boogie Knights found their groove and beat the ball to record three runs.
Cougars went down in order and that was the ballgame.
Cougars 5 Boogie Knights 8
When the game ended, we gathered at the postgame, swapped old stories, and relived the new ones we’d just written.
The census may show America aging, but at Howard Park the trend bends the other way. With each passing week, as our college players return, the roster grows greener with youth.
The world may be aging—but the Cougars are just coming into season.
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