The Chicago Bandits are back. After waiting and hoping for several years, Chicago pro softball fans finally have a team again.

When National Pro Fastpitch folded in 202o, the Bandits ceased to exist. When Athletes Unlimited debuted a new softball league based in Chicago late in 2020, it featured four teams with no city affiliations playing in a fantasy sports format. While it was softball, it wasn’t the same.

Last year, AU created Athletes Unlimited Softball League, a four-team league played under traditional rules. It was still based in Chicago, again with no city affiliations. Early this year that all changed when AU announced the Bandits would be Chicago’s team. The other three teams and two new expansion teams were placed in other areas, including Utah, Portland, Carolina, Oklahoma City and Texas.

It was a bit of a rough start for the Bandits, as they lost four straight. Since then, they have won four of the last five games. At 4–5  they are climbing up, with 16 games left.

The Bandits roster includes former elite college players, including several Olympians. One of the Bandits’ pitching stars is Taylor McQuillin, who played for Team Mexico in the 2020 Olympics. Legally blind in her left eye, she is an inspiration to all. Also, I interviewed McQuillin on Talking Travel a couple years ago.

Mary Iakopo and Taylor McQuillin

On offense, Ailana Agbayani is among the leaders. Daughter of former Major League Baseball player Benny, she is fourth on the team in hits, while playing solid defense at second base.

Ailana Agbayani

While we are diehard Bandits fans, we were happy to see Delanie Wisz, a former favorite Bandits player, return with the Oklahoma City Spark. She must have been happy to return, as she hit three home runs and drove in five runs in the three games against the Bandits.

Delanie Wisz

Carolina Blaze coach Brittany Cervantes was a favorite when she played for the first incarnation of the Bandits. Like Wisz, she also played for Team Mexico in the 2020 Olympics. A few of us long time fans caught up with her after a game.

Brittany Cervantes

One other interesting player we met was former University of Tennessee and current Carolina Blaze pitcher Karlyn Pickens. Blaze is the perfect team for Pickens as she has the fastest recorded pitch at 79.4 mph.

Karlyn Pickens

In addition to great moments on the field, there have been several other highlights. The season ticket-holder party held at the ball park was a wonderful evening of chatting with the players and other fans. I also enjoy seeing my Chicago media friends, including veteran writer Bruce Miles and game host Genna Rose, along with AUSL staffers like director of photography Jade Hewitt, who I also interviewed on Talking Travel. The only thing missing is a mascot.

Bruce Miles

Genna Rose

Erin Coffel and Kat Sandercock

The Bandits play at the Ballpark at Rosemont in the Parkway Bank Sports Complex just west of Chicago. Seating 2,000, it is the first stadium built for women’s pro softball in the country. With expressways as the outfield backdrop and planes flying in and out of nearby O’Hare International Airport, it is a unique experience.

— John Wroblewski, online writer