I spent much of the last two weeks soaking in the last few games of the National Pro Fastpitch season in Rosemont. In addition to enjoying the action from the stands, I also had some fun on the field.
© MARK PANDOCCHI
Prior to one of the games, I joined the Chicago Bandits for a round of batting practice. For a long-time softball player and Bandits fan, this was about as cool as it gets. The players gave me a little cheer as I stepped into the batter’s box with regular catcher Kristyn Sandberg as the pitcher.
Even at half speed (35 mph) from 30 feet, the pitches came in quickly, and I had trouble keeping up. I managed to hit a few nice shots, but my dream of launching one over the fence was not realized. Still, it was a fantastic experience, thanks to Director of Game Day Operations Jourdan Skirha.
JADA RHODES
JENNIE FINCH
A couple games later, multimedal-winning Olympian Jennie Finch held a clinic, and I talked to her about softball returning for the 2020 Olympics and travel. Her legendary career took her all over the world, but she still lists Chicago as a favorite city to visit.
The Bandits finished the season in second place and faced the first-place USSSA Pride in the championship series, played at the Parkway Bank Sports Complex, the Bandits’ home field.
The championship series weekend started with a big tailgate party. I met Rawlings NPF Gold Glove winner Jada Rhodes. She is the third NPF player to win the award, a big step for the league and women’s sports in general.
Unfortunately, the Pride beat the Bandits to become the 2018 NPF champs. The Bandits played well but came up a bit short. It was a tight, exciting series, and both teams should be proud.
BRENNA MOSS
© CHRIS BEJCEK
JESSIE SCROGGINS
© JACK KEENAN
Although the Bandits did not win the NPF championship, they had a very successful season. Several Bandits received individual awards, including NPF Player of the Year Brenna Moss and NPF Rookie of the Year Jessie Scroggins.
I really enjoyed following the Bandits and the NPF over the last few seasons. Despite some growing pains, the NPF continues to put out a fantastic and underappreciated product. The addition of international teams helped bolster the league and attract worldwide fans.
In an era of big salaries and large egos, it is refreshing to see these young, dedicated, passionate athletes who want nothing more than to play the game and grow the sport. Every game, I see young girls waiting to meet the players, hoping that they will one day wear a pro uniform.
© DINA KWIT
© DINA KWIT
I already miss the softball action, and I look forward to next season. I thank GM Toni Calmeyn, Director of Media Relations Jason Lowenthal and the Bandits organization for their hospitality.
— John Wroblewski, online writer
Read This Next
The Shepherd Mayfair Opens in London
Daily
Oct 26, 2026
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Oct 26, 2026The Shepherd Mayfair Opens in London
The Shepherd Mayfair recently opened its doors in Shepherd Market as an 82-room boutique hotel shaped by the history and social character of London’s Mayfair neighborhood. The Shepherd Mayfair is a joint venture between Bain Capital and Orka Investments, spanning 33,600 square feet across six floors, at 2 Stanhope Row. Dining destinations Fayre and The Lounge are open, while Teddy’s, the late-night cocktail bar, will open in November.
Sponsored Content
What Actually Happens If You Get Sick or Hurt on a Cruise?
You’ve booked your cabin, mapped the ports and packed the sunscreen. Hopefully, you also bought some insurance. But have you ever thought about what actually happens if a medical emergency strikes mid-voyage?
October 2026
Oct 26, 2026Convenience, Comfort and Efficiency Drive Private Aviation Options
During “the Golden Age of Air Travel,” in the 1950s and ’60s, getting aboard an airplane was a special occasion, with passengers wearing their best outfits to suit the exclusive setting and lavish dining. This changed during the 1970s and into the 1980s, when commercial air travel became more democratized, thanks in part to the U.S. Airline Deregulation Act of 1978, and luxury was contained within business- and first-class cabins. In the last 30 years, as discount carriers found their audience, more shifts took place in major carriers’ premium cabins and lounges.
Destinations / Europe
Oct 26, 20266 Reasons to Put Bratislava, Slovakia, on Your Travel List
It’s time to start dreaming of your next trip. Here’s some destination inspiration for you. Take a visual journey through Bratislava, Slovakia, with us.
Sponsored Content
Get to Know TAP FORBIZ
Unlock flexible, refined business travel with TAP Air Portugal's program, TAP FORBIZ. Developed for small, medium and large Companies, with options for corporate events, TAP FORBIZ offers exclusive advantages adapted to each type of business. TAP FORBIZ offers solutions suited to each business: travel cost reduction, more flexibility, more benefits and more value. With TAP FORBIZ, businesses can centralize purchases, control the company budget and ensure greater cost predictability with exclusive discounts and benefits tailored to each company's profile. Each trip becomes a strategic decision to travel more and spend less.
Daily
Oct 26, 2026Cruising Alaska This Fall? Here’s What to Pack
Packing for an autumnal Alaskan cruise is an exercise in the unpredictable. The secret, according to experts, is layering. Start with lightweight, moisture-wicking base layers; add insulating fleece or wool mid-layers; and finish with a sturdy waterproof jacket.
Daily
Oct 23, 2026Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin Launches New Culinary Experiences
Elegant, iconic and an undisputed leader in the realm of hotel luxury, Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is ideally located across from Brandenburg Gate, where Pariser Platz meets Unterden Linden Boulevard. Adding to its timeless allure are new culinary and wine offerings, providing guests with an opportunity to go behind the curtain at the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, Lorenz Adlon Esszimmer.
Sponsored Content
Luxury Travel in Chilean Patagonia: Where Refinement Meets the Wild Edge
At the gateway to Chilean Patagonia, Los Lagos opens a landscape in constant motion. Volcanic peaks rise sharply above glacial lakes, mist moves through dense forests, and light shifts across every horizon. Here, luxury travel in Chilean Patagonia unfolds moment by moment, balancing raw energy with seamless comfort.
Daily
Oct 22, 2026London’s Grosvenor House Suites Reveals Reimagined Stay for Guests
London recently welcomed a series of enhancements to Grosvenor House Suites, a Highgate-managed luxury, residential-style property in the heart of Mayfair.
ShareThis