Neighbor News
On the Beat with the Chicago Bandits
I started covering the Bandits at the request of Justin's World of Softball. I quickly fell in love with Bandits softball! You will, too
With Major League Baseball on its All-Star break, now is the perfect time to remind everyone of some great softball being played in Rosemont, courtesy of the Chicago Bandits of National Pro Fastpitch (NPF). Did I mention the Bandits happen to be in 1st place?
As of this writing, the Bandits sit atop the standings with an impressive record of 21-7. Trailing the Bandits are the USSSA Pride at 19-7. The Akron Racers are in third with a 13-14 record. The expansion Dallas Charge are in fourth at 9-16. In last are the PA Rebellion with a surprising record of 5-23.
The Bandits have played the most games, making it a bit difficult to really compare some of the stats, however the Bandits are performing well in percentage stats. Leading the NPF with a .268 batting average, they are 2 points ahead of the Pride. The Racers just edged by them for first in on base percentage. The Bandits are in the middle of the pack with a .356 slugging percentage.
The Bandits are in second in ERA at 2.38, about half a run behind the Pride. They are also in second in opponent batting average with a paltry .215. The Pride again is in first with a sparkling .194.
The Bandits and the Pride appear to be on a collision course to the championship. That should come as no surprise, because since 2008, the teams have made a combined 11 appearances in the championship series. That includes facing each other four times (with the Bandits winning three of those matchups).
Individually, Brittany Cervantes has been an offensive juggernaut. The veteran 1st baseperson leads the Bandits in Batting average (.371), home runs (6), rbi’s (18), walks (18), slugging percentage (.726) and on base percentage (.519). She also has a perfect fielding percentage.
Third base person Amber Patton leads the team in hits (31), runs scored (18) and triples (2). Amber has 5 errors for a solid .940 fielding percentage.
Shortstop Tammy Williams is right among th leaders, too. With a .319 batting average, Tammy joins Brittany and Amber as the usual names in the top three of most offensive categories. Additionally, she has only made one error for a .989 fielding percentage.
The rest of the usual starters are performing well, too. Outfielder Emily Allard (.300), catcher Taylor Edwards (.260) and second baseperson Danielle Zymkowitz (.256) are producing well on offense and defense.
On the mound, there is no surprise that Monica Abbott is leading the way with a record of 6-1 and an ERA of 0.64. Monica also has 6 complete games, 5 shut outs, 80 strike outs (with only 14 walks) and a .129 batting average against. It is a pleasure watching Monica’s pitching artistry.
Michelle Gascoigne is off to a great start at 4-1 with an ERA of 1.94. Kirsten Verdun (3-0, 1.31), Sara Moulton (3-1, 4.93), Tatum Edwards (3-2, 4.63) and rookie Lacey Waldrop (2-2, 2.96) round out the pitching staff. With Monica as the ace and these women contributing, the Bandits have the makings of a super staff.
Manager Mike Steuerwald is doing an excellent job of putting the right people in the right spots. He is giving the rookies valuable playing time, while giving the veterans a little rest. He is making all the right moves this season.
Putting the standings, statistics and schedule aside for a moment, there are so many other great things about a Bandits softball game. There have been come-from-behind victories, walk-off hits, fielding gems and other exciting plays on the field.
There are also plenty of fun moments off the field. At every game, I see the Bandits interacting with their fans. There is a real mutual love and respect between fans and the Bandits.
Family is also important to the players. I see parents, siblings, relatives and other friends sporting the jersey of their player. It really is a cool, heartwarming sight.
I don’t just see these things; I hear them from the players, too. Over the last two seasons, I have interviewed most of the Bandits and a recurring theme is support from family, fans and organization. The Bandits are a tight-knit group. My interviews can be found at the Johngy’s Beat Chicago Bandits playlist on YouTube.
I have attended about half the games and would have attended more if my schedule allowed. I always come home from a Bandits game feeling good. It’s like the feeling I used to get going to major league baseball games. I never thought that feeling could be recaptured, but it is right there at Bandits Ballpark in Rosemont.
There are 20 games left for the Bandits, including eleven home games. As summer heats up and the Bandits heat up, time at the ballpark will just get that much more enjoyable and exciting. If you can’t make it to the Ballpark, check out the games online or on television. There really is something special happening there and I am glad to be witnessing it all firsthand and reporting it right here.
