Ottawa Jewish Men’s
Softball League

At one of the most dramatic stages of the Maccabiah Games men’s softball championship game last month, an unprovoked, light-hearted moment innocently unfolded on the Kibbutz Gezer diamond in Jerusalem.

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For many of the spectators, seeing a cat run onto the diamond as Canada tried to rally from a two-run deficit in extra innings was funny. For four members of the Osterer family on the Canadian team, though, it also carried a significantly different meaning that was heartwarming, motivating and puzzling at the same time.

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On the final day of the 20th Maccabiah Games, the third largest multi-sport games in the world and considered the Jewish Olympics, Canada and the United States were deadlocked 2-2 after the regulation seven innings. Under international softball rules, each extra inning must start with a runner on second base.

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The U.S. took advantage of that running-scoring incentive by counting two runs in the top of the eighth for a 4-2 lead. In the bottom of the eighth, Canada started Paul Foucaul, Jr. on second base.

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Ottawa’s Daniel Osterer then fell behind on the count with no balls and two strikes. Another strike by hard-throwing U.S. pitcher Jason Gluckman would leave Canada two outs from a second consecutive silver medal.

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At the most unpredictable moment, however, the game came to sudden halt, almost as if time froze in the 30C-plus heat and humidity of Jerusalem.

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As Osterer was awaiting Gluckman’s next pitch, the cat ran onto the field. For two to three minutes, the cat did its thing on the softball diamond before leaving.

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This was a slice of comedic relief, but also a chance for Canadian team members to catch their collective breath.

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The four members of the Osterer family — brothers Daniel and Robbie, cousins Stephen and Jacob — viewed the cat from a different perspective. They deduced that it could have been sent by their uncle. Howie Osterer, who died Nov. 11, 2014, of a heart attack at home plate on that same diamond while umpiring an Israel Association of Baseball junior-level game.

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The Osterers figured Howie wanted to have some fun, maybe distract the U.S. players, maybe bring the Canadians good fortune. If that was indeed the case, what happened next certainly supported that theory.

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“Howie was a mischievous guy,” Daniel said in an interview. “He liked to have fun and keep everyone loose. It was something he’d enjoy.”

Whether Howie was behind the cat’s unscheduled appearance will never be known, but “whatever it was, it was a welcome break,” according to Daniel.

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Back in the batter’s box, Daniel came back from down 0-2 to earn a walk, giving Canada runners on first and second with none out out. After team captain Rob Bohbot singled sharply up the middle, the bases were loaded.

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Les Bernstein’s third hit of the game, a single, scored Foucaul to reduce Canada’s deficit to 4-3, and the bases remained full. Ottawa’s Jacob Osterer, an elite level baseball and hockey player, came to the plate for the opportunity of a lifetime.

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“When he puts his “A” swing on a pitch, good things happen,” Daniel said.

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Jacob wasted no time, drilling Gluckman’s next pitch for a two-run single. Daniel scored the tying run and Bohbot slide across home plate to set off a gold-medal celebration.

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Somewhere, Howie Osterer, who was an Ontario Football Conference junior all-star defensive lineman for the Ottawa Sooners in 1976, must have been smiling.

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As Dan and Bohbot crossed home plate, the celebratory moment for the Osterers and family members in the crowd was also a reminder of the tragic moment on the Gezer Field almost 32 months ago.

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While Howie Osterer, then 59, umpired a night baseball game, he suddenly called time before going down to one knee and then collapsing. Two doctors in the stands performed CPR, but he died about an hour later in hospital.

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Born and raised in Ottawa, the divorced father of five children moved to Israel in 2008. In Judaism, it’s called Aliyah or returning to the Holy Land. He was seeking a fresh start and his connection with and immersion into Israel baseball gave him a new purpose in life.

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He became the regional director for the Israel Association of Baseball, developed and promoted the sport at all youth levels, proud of seeing the players’ enthusiasm. He brought a new energy to baseball in Israel, and it energized him.

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The Osterer name certainly was well recognized during the 20th Maccabiah Games. Daniel was warmly greeted by Howie’s umpiring partner and an official of the Israel Association of Baseball.

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“They said how much the kids loved him (Howie),” Daniel said.

 

And Israel baseball certainly loved Howie, retiring his umpire number (55), creating a scholarship in his name to assist young players and naming a batting cage after the former Maccabiah Games ump.

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Before the start of Team Canada’s round-robin game against Cuba, a short remembrance service was held to honour Howie. Both teams lined up along the base paths. Kind and solemn words were spoken.

 

Then there was a moment of silence.