Back "On the Beat" With the Chicago Bandits

The Chicago Bandits are back and I could not be happier. Tomorrow night at the Ballpark in Rosemont, the Bandits begin their defense of their back-to-back National Pro Fastpitch titles.

Last season, as the reigning champs, the Bandits scuffled a bit, finishing in 3rd place with a record of 26-27. They beat 2nd place Scrapyard Dawgs in 2 of the 3 games to advance to the Cowles Cup championship series against the USSSA Pride. The special significance in that series was the 2-1 deciding game, in which Shelby Turnier outdueled former Bandits star pitcher Monica Abbott.

In the championship series, the Pride took Game One, but the Bandits came back, behind the pitching of Michelle Gascoigne, to take Game Two. The Bandits took the finale 2-1. Catcher Taylor Edwards and outfielder Brittany Cervantes hit solo home runs and pitcher Angel Bunner scattered eight hits in a gritty performance.

Usually consecutive championships signal the start of a dynasty. Unfortunately, the offseason brought a lot of changes to the Bandits. The first surprise was city of Rosemont taking over the ownership from Bill Sokolis. I don’t know the full story behind that transaction, but I appreciate Bill for all he did over the years and for the hospitality and friendship he showed me. He was a class act and beloved by the entire Bandit Nation.

Despite the departure of Bill, there is excitement over the new direction provided by Rosemont. Lots of questions still remain, but positive signs are present and all are optimistic about the future of the Bandits.

Unfortunately, popular Manager Michael Steuerwald left for the GM position with the Dawgs. Top Assistant Coach Roman Foore also left to accept an assistant position with the Texas Charge. The Bandits have since named Sharonda McDonald as their new Manager.

Also in the offseason, several Bandits were traded or retired. Slugging catcher Taylor Edwards and veteran Brittany Cervantes were traded to the Dawgs for Taylore Fuller and Emily Crane. Late season acquisition and spark Amanda Kamekona was traded to the Texas Charge for draft picks. Championship winning pitcher Bunner was traded to the Pride for cash. Pitcher Tatum Edwards, pitcher Michelle Gascoigne, pitcher Sara Moulton, shortstop Jill Barrett and outfielder Kellsi Kloss retired. Infielder Allie Bauch, catcher Kelsey Dotson, pitcher Andrea Filler, outfielder Alaynie Page and pitcher Morgan Foley became free agents.

Those moves translate to more than half of last season’s championship team being gone. That is a lot of turnover, especially for a championship team.

The Bandits did sign several free agents, including Abby Ramirez, Stacy McManus, Taylah Tsitsikronis and Chelsea Forkin. Former Bandits star Stacy May-Johnson also announced her return, signing with the team.

Fortunately, several familiar and popular faces will be returning. Emily Allard is coming back from a season ended early by an injury. Rejoining her and the Bandits also are Sammy Marshall, Lacey Waldrop, Emily Carosone, Natalie Hernandez, Megan Blank, Brenna Moss, Kristen Brown and the aforementioned Turnier. It'll be good having these Chicago veterans back fighting for another championship.

Along with all of the upheaval with the Chicago organization, the NPF experienced some changes. The Pennsylvania Rebellion folded, leaving five teams in the NPF.

Late in the offseason, the nPF announced a new team would be added. A team from China would enter the NPF and divide all of its’ games between the current five NPF teams. Schedules had to be quickly redone, but the extra team is certainly exciting news.

I have been a fan of the Bandits since my first game several seasons ago. I went to a game to experience something different and I ended up loving everything about the Bandits.

The Ballpark at Rosemont is a beautiful facility. Holding 2,000 fans, it is the first such park built in the United States for women’s pro softball.

The fans are another positive. I can’t start naming all who are part of Bandit Nation, but they are an active bunch at games, events and on social media. They have embraced this new follower and I appreciate all of them.

Over the years, I have interviewed every Bandit every season. Those interviews can be found on the Johngy’s Beat Chicago Bandits YouTube playlist. I have met so many great young women athletes. I have made so many friends.

Those connections do not just end with the Bandits. As I branched out to Northwestern softball, I reconnected with Assistant Coaches Gascoigne and Tammy Williams. I also ran into Kirsten Verdun (Assistant at Wisconsin) and Danielle Zymkowitz (Assistant at Wisconsin). It’s wonderful seeing them again and even better to see them succeeding beyond their playing careers.

The Bandits are are a great organization. The NPF is full of fantastic, quality women athletes. I am going to be back “On the Beat” with the Bandits again this season and I plan on bringing the Bandits to Patch readers. I hope you enjoy the ride as much as I do.