Kelli Maroney at Flashback Weekend 2011

Flashback Weekend returns to Rosemont from Friday, August 3 through Sunday, August 5. Leading up to it, I am sharing some of my favorite times at Flashback Weekend.

One of my favorite interviews of all time was with Kelli Maroney at Flashback Weekend in 2011. I had been a fan of Kelli since she first appeared on tv's Ryan's Hope in 1979. Kelli also appeared in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Night of the Comet, Not of This Earth and many of my other favorite movies.

I had a celebrity crush on Kelli from the start. Ironically, she also played the role of Tina Lord on One Life To Live. That was a role originated by Andrea Evans, another longtime favorite.

It's always risky when meeting and especially interviewing a favorite. There is always a chance that it can go bad and damage your image of that person. Fortunately, with Kelli, all could not have gone better.

Kelli was a real sweetheart. Despite having a long line of fans all weekend, Kelli gave me a few minutes of her time and I got my interview. (I also have to thank Contributor Extraordinaire Matt Parker for his patience and logistical expertise in facilitating this interview).

Still acting and still a sweetheart, Kelli had a role in Hell's Kitty, released earlier this year. She also has 3 other projects set for release soon.

Go to FlashbackWeekend.com and the Flashback Weekend Facebook page for more info and updates. You probably won't see Kelli there (but you never know), but you will see me there "On the Beat" all weekend!

Kelli Maroney and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2011.

Friendly Encounters: William Forsythe and Tony Feddeler at Flashback Weekend 2013

Friendly Encounters is a regular series in which I feature my friends who have met celebrities. With Flashback Weekend happening next weekend, this is a special Flashback Weekend Friendly Encounters.

My bud Tony Feddeler has been a regular at Flashback Weekend for several years. It's always good seeing Tony, whether at Flashback, the Chicago Bandits or anywhere else. He's a great guy and a lot of fun.

At Flashback Weekend several years ago, he met actor William Forsythe. Now that's a pair of legends.

Forsythe has had many television roles, but he really made his name in movies, with over 100 on his resume which stretches back 40 years. Raising Arizona and The Devil's Rejects are two of my favorite of his movies. 

I had the pleasure of interviewing Forsythe a few years back. That interview can be found at On the Beat with William Forsythe. That was a real pleasure and he was super-nice.

Flashback Weekend runs from Friday, August 3 through Sunday, August 5 in Rosemont. As usual, it will be full of celebrity guests, events and all sorts of fun. Go to FlashbackWeekend.com and the Flashback Weekend Facebook page for more information and updates.

Forsythe will not be there, but plenty of other great celebrities will be. I'll be there, too. I hope to see Tony and several other friends there and we'll create more memories.

Tony Feddeler and William Forsythe in Rosemont, IL-August 2013.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #384 Darrell Green & Bruce Boudreau

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebs wearing sports jerseys. Today, we continue our alphabetical romp through Major League Baseball.

Born in Houston, TX, Darrell GReen went on to have a Hall of Fame career as a cornerback with the Washington Redskins. During his 20 year career, he was on 2 Super Bowl championship teams, was a 7 time Pro Bowler and won numerous other awards. He was also inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Green stayed faithful to his DC fan base on his Celebrity Jersey Card.

Canadian-native Bruce Boudreau had a 20 year hockey playing career, although most of it was done in the minor leagues. Boudreau has gone onto become a successful coach, although his teams seem to struggle in the playoffs. Currently, his Minnesota Wild are in third place. Boudreau is wearing #19 on his Celebrity Jersey Card. He wore that number as a rookie with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Cards That Never Were: Johngy 2018 Topps

Recently I wrote about taking batting practice with the Chicago Bandits. It was a lot of fun, but the fun didn't end there.

A couple days ago, I checked Facebook and was pleasantly surprised to see myself on a 2018 Topps baseball card, thanks to Lynn Phelps from the Custom Baseball Cards group on Facebook.

Lynn is an administrator and huge contributor to the group. His recreations and new creations are incredible. He has helped me several times on my Celebrity Jersey Cards project.

For baseball card enthusiasts like me, it always drove me crazy when a player didn't appear in a specific baseball card set. Lynn rights that wrong by creating a virtual card for that player in that set. I also disliked the infamous "airbrushed" cards for players who were traded leaving Topps without an updated photo. Lynn also fixes that situation, often using pictures that I had never even seen.

In short, he is a maestro of the card creation and he is very generous in helping others with their requests. Going way above and beyond though, Lynn made this Topps card for me as a total surprise. I really appreciate his effort and I thank him big time.

You can check out all of Lynn's creations, as well as creations from many others, including a few by me, at Custom Baseball Cards on Facebook. It's a fantastic group full of fun pictures and great memories of cards throughout the years.

Neve Campbell at Flashback Weekend 2016

Flashback Weekend is taking over Rosemont from Friday, August 3 through Sunday, August 5. Because of this, I am featuring some of my greatest memories from my many years of attending Flashback Weekend.

Neve Campbell rose to fame on tv's Party of Five. She also starred in the Scream film series. Most recently, she was a regular on tv's House of Cards.

I had been a fan of hers for a long time and then I read that one of her first acting jobs was in a commercial for Coke! I think I fell in love with her then.

Cuzz and I had the opportunity to meet Campbell at Flashback Weekend a couple years ago. She was so incredibly sweet. Despite having a long line, she made sure to make a connection with every fan. She also stepped away from her table to take pictures. She wanted the pictures to be better for the fans. That little gesture earned her so much praise all weekend. It might not seem like a big deal, but with several hundred fans there to see her, her time is limited, yet she did what she could to improve the experience for all.

Flashback Weekend always has great stories like this. I always look forward to covering this great event.

Go to FlashbackWeekend.com for info, including scheduling and ticket prices. You can also follow Flashback Weekend on Facebook for more updates.

Neve Campbell and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2016.

Mia at Flashback Weekend 2017

Flashback Weekend is happening in Rosemont from Friday, August 3 through Sunday, August 5. In honor of that, I am featuring some of my greatest memories from my many years of attending this convention.

Flashback Weekend is organized and run by Mike and Mia. Running a convention is a thankl;ess job, but I am here to thank them and to shine a little spotlight on them.

Having been involved in putting together events like this, I know firsthand about all of the challenges involved. You deal with celebrities (or their agents), vendors, attendees, building management and more. The logistic issues alone are mind-numbing.

Flashback Weekend debuted in 2002 and is Chicago's longest-running horror con. It is billed as a horror con by day and horror film festival by night. I simply call it a weekend of fun. I have met so many fantastic celebrities and made many friends at Flashback Weekend.

Mike and Mia work incredibly hard to make the weekend run smoothly. They are wonderful people and I am proud to be friends with them. We don't get much of a chance to catch up during the weekend, because they are so busy, of course, but it is always good to see them. Even if we weren't friends though, I would still attend Flashback Weekend.

Go to FlashbackWeekend.com for info, including scheduling and ticket prices. You can also follow Flashback Weekend on Facebook for more updates.

Mia and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2017.

Now Batting...Johngy?

Several years ago, I had the opportunity to play for a men's team in a charity softball game against the Chicago Bandits. It was a huge thrill to bat against pitcher Kirsten Verdun,even though she struck me out on 4 pitches. I knew I didn't really stand a chance against an elite pitcher who was trying to get me out.

Since then, when I watch the Bandits take batting practice, I always wondered what I could do in that situation. The pitcher isn't trying to get you out. In fact, the pitcher is serving pitches you should be able to hit. I have always wanted to take batting practice with the team and last weekend, I got that chance.

After the Bandits were done taking their turns at bat, I got the signal to step up to the plate. I was a bit nervous, but I also took my own advice and soaked in the experience, enjoying the fact that I was batting on the same field as legends have played.

I looked out from the batter's box and saw catcher Kristyn Sandberg ready to pitch. Her first pitch came in too low and I let it go. I swung mightily at the second pitch and saw it fly by me. I took a deep breath and steadied myself. I had to at least make contact.

As I saw Kristyn release the third pitch, I started my stride. As the pitch neared me, I connected thinking I was a bit early. in fact, I was a tad late, but still hit a hard shot towards right field. That was really all I needed, but I certainly wasn't going to stop until they made me.

Kristyn threw about 12 pitches and I connected on about 9 of them. I hit a couple right back at the screen (protecting her as she pitched). Those were really my best hits. I dribbled a couple more to right, but I also hit some hard ones to right.

I didn't come close to any home runs, but the setup was not conducive to that either. Kristyn was pitching from behind a screen in front of the usual mound. Most of the pitches came in a bit low. Kristyn threw at about 2/3 speed, maybe 40 miles per hour, which seems slow, but from that distance at that angle, it gets there quickly, especially with the reflexes of my 53 year old body.

Despite not hitting the long ball, I loved every minute of this experience. I didn't do as well as I really would have wanted, but I also did much better than I feared I would. I got to bat on the same field where I watched the Bandits have 2 championship seasons. I stepped into the same batter's box as NPF stars have batted and faced pitches as if thrown by NPF star pitchers. This is one I will always remember fondly.

I want to thank Director of Promotions and Operations Jourdan Skihra and the Bandits organization for making this happen. I thank Kristyn for serving pitches to the weakest batter she will ever face.

The Bandits are headed for the NPF championship series, which will be played in Rosemont starting on Thursday, August 16. I will not be playing in that series, but I will be there "On the Beat" and cheering. Check back here for recurring coverage. Also, check ChicagoBandits.com for all of the details and scheduling.

Catching Up With the Chicago Bliss

The Chicago Bliss have clinched a playoff spot by way of their 49-34 victory over the Atlanta Steam last Saturday. The Bliss are 3-0 with one game remaining in the regular season.

I have been in and out with the Bliss, but I always support the team. I'd like to do more coverage, but the poers that be in the LFL don't seem to want my contributions. Still, I keep up with the team and I wish them well.

As I have written many times, the women of the Bliss (and all of the LFL) are passionate, hard-working, excellent athletes. The league gets a bad rap sometimes for the uniforms (and it is their own fault, but their own decision, too), but do not underestimate the level of play. This is real football. These women play just as hard as anyone I have ever seen.

It's no surprise that the Bliss are 3-0 this season. The coaching staff, led by Keith Hac, is the best prepared and knowledgeable staff in the l:FL. I have been around the team for many years at games, in practices and even in lockerrooms and I see how the coaches handle every part of the game from the first tryout to the final buzzer of the championship game.

The Bliss have one more game. On Saturday, August 11, the Bliss will host the Omaha Heart at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates. A win by the Bliss will put them at 4-0 in a tie with the Nashville Knights, who they will face in the Eastern Conference Championship game on Saturday, August 25 at Toyota Park in Bridgeview.

Check out LFLUS.com for more info and updates on the Bliss and the LFL. The Eastern and Western Conference Championship games will be played on the same day and tickets are on sale now. You get both games for one low price. That's a lot of great football action for a great price. You might even see me there.

Dave Mills, Ryan Andrews, Chris Van Stone and me in Northbrook, IL-December 2017.

Friendly Encounters: Michelle Gascoigne and Sheri Samson

Friendly Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

Sheri Samson is one of the biggest fans of the Chicago Bandits and has been for years. For Sheri, there are only two seasons in the year: Bandits season and the offseason. If the Bandits are home, she will be found behind home plate. If they are away, she can be found watching them on NPF-TV. If they aren't playing, she is probably bored (unless she is watching videos of old Bandits games).

She is a cancer survivor and a total sweetheart. Her and her husband Richard welcomed me into Bandits Nation and are always there with a friendly smile and good softball talk. I always look forward to seeing them.

Former pitcher Michelle Gascoigne is currently the pitching coach for the Northwestern Wildcats. She is also an occasional guest back at her old stomping grounds in Rosemont. Michelle was on the first Bandits team I covered and I still see her at the Wildcats games. It's always good seeing Michelle.

The picture of Sheri and Michelle represent a lot of Bandits history. Fans like Sheri make the game fun and make Bandit Nation the best fan group in all of sports. Players like Michelle are why we love the team. She was tough, gritty, successful and very fan-friendly.

I have totally enjoyed the wonderful 5 seasons I have spent around the Bandits. Michelle and Sheri have been responsible for many fun moments and I am proud to call them friends.

Michelle Gascoigne and Sheri Samson in Rosemont, IL-June 2018.

On the Beat With the Chicago Bandits (Interviews Part 6)

The Chicago Bandits are firmly in second place with a record of 28-7. They trail the first place USSSA Pride by 5.5 games, but they do have 3 more games at home against the Pride. First place is not out of the question, but either way, it will be these two teams when the NPF championship series starts in mid August.

I was back "On the Beat" Friday and I interviewed shortstop Abby Ramirez, pitcher Ally Carda, infielder DJ Sanders and pitcher Shelby Turnier. Again it was a nice mix including a rookie (DJ), second year Bandit (Abby), a second year NPF, a first year Bandit (Ally) and a veteran (and 2016 NPF championship series hero Shelby).

Each athlete brings something interesting and different to the interviews. These world class athletes have played all over the world with different dreams, goals and futures and all landed here in Chicago for the 2018 season.

Once again I thank Director of Media Relations Jason Lowenthal for facilitating these interviews. I thank the Bandits organization for the opportunity and access. I thank the elite athletes for their time and consideration. I thank Bandit Nation for the continued support. I thank Mark Pandocchi for his fine video work always.

There are still 3 more home games (August 10-12) for the Bandits. The NPF championship series starts Thursday, August 16 and is a best of 5 on successive days as needed.

Go to ChicagoBandits.com for more info, updates and scheduling. You can also check the Bandits Facebook page for timely updates and fun stuff. Of course, I'll have continual coverage here as always!

Celebrity Jersey Cards #383 Judd Apatow & John Leguizamo

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebs wearing sports jerseys. Today, we continue our alphabetical romp through Major League Baseball.

Originally from New York, Judd Apatow started his show business career as a stand-up comedian. He has since become a producer, director, writer and more. Some of his projects include The 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up. Most recently, he acted in The Disaster Artist in 2017. He gets extra points for his Celebrity Jersey Card featuring Hall of Famer Mike Piazza. Apatow is wearing #16, worn most famously by Doc Gooden and Lee Mazzilli.

Born in Columbia, John Leguizamo also started as a stand-up comic, before moving into directing, producing, acting and writing. While Leguizamo has had roles in many notable films, he also starred as Captain Vegetable, who encourages Elmo to eat his vegetables. Leguizamo's Celebrity Jersey Card comes from his ceremonial pitch. He wore #18, most notably worn by Darryl Strawberry.

Ninette and Sacred Heart Memories

I remember the first time I saw Ninette. I was in the 6th grade at Sacred Heart School and she was introduced to our class as the newest student, having been at Marsh Public School until then.

Ninette was as cute as could be. I might have had a bit of a crush on her (okay, no might...I did). Somehow, we had neighboring desks several times over the next 3 school years. I swear I did not arrange that, but I did enjoy it. We had a lot of fun for those years.

I occasionally also saw Ninette when I was by my grandmother's house. Her grandmother lived in the same area.

After our class graduated from Sacred Heart, we went to different high schools. I rarely saw her anymore after that and probably saw her for the last time in 1981.

Thanks to the wonders of Facebook, I have gotten back in touch with many of my old Sacred Heart school mates. Ninette was one of the last ones I found.

She was living in northwest Indiana, about 90 minutes from me. I knew I wouldn't be in that area often, but since it is on the way back from Days of the Dead in Indianapolis, I figured that would be a great time to see her. It would also be her birthday.

As soon as I walked into the restaurant, we fell into a huge, warm hug. It had been around 37 years since I last saw her. On one hand, it felt like a day and on the other it felt like a lifetime (or maybe half of a lifetime).

How do words properly summarize that feeling? They don't. Fortunately, a picture does. The picture below says it all.

Ninette Giacomelli and me in Crown Point, IN-June 2018.

Rich Nye, Signature Strength and Champions

Rich Nye pitched with the Chicago Cubs from 1966-1969.  He split the 1970 season between the Montreal Expos and the St. Louis Cardinals.  He finished with a record of 26-31 with an ERA of 3.71.  He has since been a very successful veterinarian in the Chicago area.

I met Nye many years ago at AU Sports Memorabilia Store, but I saw him recently at the Signature Strength book launch party for Champions.  Nye's former teammate Fergie Jenkins was profiled in the book co-written by George Castle and John Schenk.

It was great to see Nye come out to support his friend and the cause.  Nye and Jenkins were teammates over 45 years ago, yet they remained close over the years.  Going together through the grind of several seasons will form bonds like that.

Signature Strength also causes that type of reaction.  Many people came out just to support the athletes, signature Strength and the book.  I saw the family and friends of so many o those involved.  It was exciting and heartwarming.

Signature Strength is headed by John who has his own fascinating story and could have very well been one of the profiles in Champions.  John is a champion in every sense of the word.

Champions is just the latest of the projects Signature Strength has undertaken.  Their motto says it all, "Through sports-themed literature and more, our Mission is to help young people identify and maximize their unique strengths so they can achieve true success in their lives."  It's about overcoming obstacles and and using lessons learned to achieve greatness.

Check out SignatureStrength.org for more info on this wonderful company.  You can also purchase Champions and other books there.

Rich Nye and me in Chicago, IL-March 2018.

The "Or Else" Podcast: Episode 24: Deliverance

The latest episode of The "Or Else" podcast is now on Soundcloud. In Episode 24: Deliverance, Tommy Else and I continue retelling Tommy's story in Resistance Pro Wrestling.

At this point in the story, the reality show has been picked up by AMC and things are exciting. There was an awesome buzz within the company and a growing level of interest outside of the company.

I always loved when my friends attended RPro shows. I liked that I could bring fans to RPro and I liked that I could provide an entertaining evening for my friends, whether they were wrestling fans or not.

My longtime bud Jason Fleigel is a longtime wrestling fan. Watching a show with Jason was always extra fun, because he really got into the shows. I also liked being responsible for Jason meeting several big name wrestlers, like Justin Credible.

At this point in the story, RPro is about at the climax of its' existence. If there was a narrator to this, he would say that RPro was riding high, but there were storm clouds brewing which would tear it all apart.

There are lots of fun stories coming up on The "Or Else" podcast. Then there will be some controversial stories and just plain sad stories. The "Or Else" podcast is on episode 24, but there is plenty more to come.

Check out Episode 24: Deliverance on Soundcloud. You can also listen to all of The "Or Else" podcast episodes on the main page of The "Or Else" Network on Soundcloud. While you're there, you should give a listen to Losing Friends, Tommy's other podcast. Tommy and Jesus Bryce discuss a variety of topics of interest to all.

Jason Fleigel, Justin Credible and me in Willowbrook, IL-May 2018.

Johngy's Beat Shirts: Lucy Mendez

Lucy Mendez was one of my favorite performers at Resistance Pro Wrestling. She was as tough as could be in the ring and as sweet as could be outside of the ring.

Lucy asked for a Johngy's Beat shirt and I gave her one of course. She posted a pic on social media, which was cool enough, but she surprised me by actually wearing it at an RPro event, held at St. Francis de Sales near my childhood home ironically. The shirt never looked better!

Lucy hasn't wrestling much in the Chicago area in the last few years, but she is still active elsewhere. When she isn't wrestling, I know she is cheering for her beloved St. Louis Cardinals. She is a huge and knowledgeable fan. I always enjoyed talking a litle baseball with her on and off camera.

Thank you to Lucy for this picture and for her support. I hope to see her in action around here again sometime.

Lucy Mendez and me in Chicago, IL-March 2014.

Friendly Encounters: Southpaw and Jimmy Blaze

Friendly Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

I met Psychotic Jimmy Blaze several years back at a POWW event. Jim wrestled there and also ran the show.

Jim always welcomed us at his shows and we did some interviews of him and his talented wrestler roster. He's a hard-working promoter and wrestler and he's a good guy.

POWW usually rotates their shows at a handful of northwest suburban venues. Every summer POWW runs events on the southside of Chicago. That is where Jim met Southpaw, the beloved mascot of the Chicago White Sox.

Jim is a Sox fan and was happy to meet Southpaw. I don't know how big of a wrestling fan Southpaw is, but he seemed happy to meet Jim or maybe he was afraid of being clotheslined by him. Either way, it made for a good picture.

For more info on POWW, including matches and locations for their next events, check out the POWW Facebook page. A night at POWW is always a night of fun.

Jim Blaze and Southpaw in Chicago, IL-July 2018.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #382 John Clayton & Bill Nye

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing sports jerseys. Today, we continue making our fun alphabetical trek through all Major League Baseball teams.

Born in Braddock, PA, John Clayton has had a Hall of Fame career in sports writing, reporting and broadcasting. Clayton earned "The Professor" moniker during his many years with ESPN. He earned his Celebrity Jersey Card from a first pitch in 2013. I do not know the player who appears with him, but I'll give Johngy Points to anyone who recognizes him.

 "The Science Guy" Bill Nye was born in Washington, D.C. and was an egineer with Boeing before starting his show business career. In 1993, he created the Bill Nye the Science Guy pilot for the PBS station in Seattle. I believe Nye is the first person to appear on a Celebrity Jersey Card with a bow tie, but that's his trademark. Mariners coach Roger Hansen joined Nye on the card.

Les Grobstein With and Without The Chicago Rush

Back a few years ago, I covered the Chicago Rush in the Arena Football League.  Unfortunately, the Rush had all sorts of management and ownership issues, which led to them folding.

One of the highlights was working with broadcasting legend Les Grobstein.  While, we did not work "together," I usually sat next to him in the Press area.  It was cool to be that close and hear him do what he does best.

The man is unreal.  His knowledge and memory are out of this world.  I really sat in awe of him many times.  I was lucky just to be around him as we both worked.

After the Rush, I have been "On the Beat" a few more times with Grobstein.  We were both at the Chicago Legends Basketball Tournament last year, as well as a few other events.  Every time, I always think how col it is to be working the same event as him.

The Grobber is a legend.  His Hall of Fame career speaks for itself and he is still all over the sports scene.

My time covering the Rush was short-lived, but a lot of fun.  If nothing else, I will always cherish working alongside Grobstein!

Les Grobstein and me in Rosemont, IL-March 2013.

Haley Reinhart at Lincoln Hall 2017

Haley Reinhart was born in the Chicago suburb of Wheeling. She rose to fame on tv's American Idol. Although she did not win the season (she finished third), she has gone on to a successful singing career.

I did not see Haley on AI, as I do not watch the show. I originally saw her accidentally when I came across her version of "Creep" on YouTube. I was blown away by her vocals. I started searching and downloading as much of her music as I could find.

There are very few musicians from the last 20 years who I really like. I know I'm old. Haley is one of my favorites though.

I had the pleasure of seeing her perform twice live at Lincoln Hall. I go to very few concerts, because I generally do not like concerts, but I totally loved Haley's shows. It was also cool to see so many of her family members and friends in the audience.

Haley gained a bit more exposure from the Wrigley Gum commercial, featuring her performance of "Can't Help Falling In Love." That video went crazy on YouTube.

As if I wasn't a big enough fan, Haley came out with "What's That Sound," a collection of her versions of classic songs from the 1960's and three original tunes. Haley's voice was perfect for songs like "Baby It's You," "White Rabbit," "Oh! Darling" and the rest. I absolutely love that album.

I also had the pleasure of meeting Haley prior to both shows. She was so sweet. The second time, she actually remembered us from the first show, which was a year earlier. We talked for a bit about her Chicago area roots and her musical family. It was about as cool as it could be within the time constraints.

For more info on Haley and her music, check out HaleyReinhart.com. Hopefully, she will be adding a show in Chicago again and I will be there if that happens!

Haley Reinhart and me in Chicago, IL-November 2017.

Angel Bunner and the Beijing Shougang Eagles

Pitcher Angel Bunner was selected by the Carolina Diamonds in the 2012 National Pro Fastpitch draft. She was the first player from Auburn ever drafted by an NPF team.

The Diamonds folded after the 2012 season and Angel joined the New York/New Jersey Comets. After one season with the Comets, she joined the Pennsylvania Rebellion. Angel played with the Rebellion until she was traded to the Bandits midway through the 2016 season.

That's when things really became fun. After helping the team into the playoffs, Angel was the winning pitcher in Game Three of the NPF Championship series, pitching six innings in helping the Bandits win the Cowles Cup!

Unfortunately, the 2016 offseason was a tumultuous one for the Bandits. A change in ownership and management led to a big roster turnover. Angel eventually signed with the USSSA Pride for the 2017 season. This season, she was on the move again, landing with the Beijing Shougang Eagles.

The Eagles are mostly comprised of members of the China National Team, in hopes of gaining professional experience in preparation for the return of softball for the 2020 Olympics.

Angel is a great pitcher and is very friendly. I was happy to see her at the Parkway Bank Sports Complex this week as the Bandits hosted the Eagles. Many of the fans and her former teammates chatted with her and got pictures, too. Of course, I could not be left out of that. I made sure to talk to her and get my picture.

Angel will always hold a special place in the hearts of Bandits fans. She wasn't here that long, but her performance in Game Three will always be remembered as a great moment in team history.

For more info on the Bandits, go to ChicagoBandits.com. You can also go to ProFastpitch.com for info on the entire league, including Angel!

Angel Bunner and me in Rosemont, July 2018.

On the Beat With the Chicago Bandits 2018 (Interviews Part 5)

Today we are back with more Chicago Bandits interviews, as we continue to work our way through the roster. You can also check the Johngy's Beat Chicago Bandits YouTube playlist for all of our interviews over the last 5 seasons.

This time, we feature Aleshia Ocasio, Nadia Taylor and Gwen Svekis. All three are newcomers to the Bandits. Nadia is a 5 year veteran of the NPF, while Aleshia and Gwen are rookies.

We also interviewed Director of Operations and Promotions Jourdan Skirha. A graduate of Drexel and a former softball player (ask her about his biog pinch hit grand slam), Jourdan has been with the team for several years. Bandit Nation requested this interview and we are happy to have Jourdan/ She works very hard to make games extra fun for fans.

Thank you to Bandits Director of Media Relations Jason Lowenthal for facilitating these interviews. Thanks to the elite athletes of the Bandits for their time and consideration. Thanks to Mark Pandocchi for his video help. Thanks to Kenzie Parker for contributing questions. Thanks to Bandit Nation for the continued support.

There are still several home games left this season. The NPF championship series will be held in Rosemont, too. Check ChicagoBandits.com for all of the info, including the game times. Also, check back here for recurring coverage of the Bandits!

On the Beat With the Chicago Bandits 2018 (Interviews Part 4)

Last week, we spent a lot of time at the Parkway Bank Sports Complex soaking in some great softball action with the Chicago Bandits. Unfortunately, the Bandits had a bit of a rough week, but they did end the week with a win over Beijing and remain in 2nd place with a record of 20-7. They are now in the middle of a 6 game home series against the Beijing Eagles.
Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to interview several of the Bandits. On Saturday, we ran On the Beat With the Chicago Bandits (Interviews Part 3). Sammy Marshall, Emily Crane and Rachele Fico were our interview subjects.
Today, we are back with Emily Carosone, Sashel Palacios and Stacy May-Johnson. As usual, we cover a variety of topics on and off the field.
Thank you to Bandits Director of Media Relations Jason Lowenthal for facilitating these interviews. Thanks to the elite athletes of the Bandits for their time and consideration. Thanks to Mark Pandocchi for his video help. Thanks to Kenzie Parker for contributing questions. Thanks to Bandit Nation for the continued support.
There are still several home games left this season, followed by the National Pro Fastpitch championship series which will be held at the Parkway Bank Sports Complex. Check ChicagoBandits.com for all of the info, including the game times. Also, check back here for recurring coverage of the Bandits!

Friendly Encounters: Brenna Moss and Jonathan Cimaglio

Friendly Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

Since Jonathan Cimaglio moved away from the Bandits, they had to go to him! That's right. The Bandits traveled to Minnesota just for Cimags! Very impressive.
Bandits fan and big-time grapher Cimags moved to Minnesota last year. I hated to see him leave. He's a good guy and fun at the games.
Earlier this season, the Bandits played a few games in Mankato, MN. Cimags made the short trek to catch most of the games. Of course he did! The Bandits couldn't be that close without Cimags going there. I did mention that he is a super fan!
I follow his graphing on social media and the Cimags YouTube channel.  He's having a good year getting autographs from athletes and other notables. I couldn't even guess how many autographs he has.
His picture mate below is also having a good year.
It was a successful series in Mankato for the Bandits. Mankato native pitcher Coley Ries got to pitch in front of her home crowd.
Cimags will return to Chicago later this season and he will be attending a Bandits game. It'll be good to see him and to see him in action getting more graphs and pictures. Of course, I'll be there, too, getting some of my own.

Brenna Moss and Jonathan Cimaglio in Mankato, IL-June 2018.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #381 The Nasty Boys

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebs wearing sports jerseys. Today, we continue our alphabetical romp through Major League Baseball.

To baseball fans, the Nasty Boys were a group of relievers with the Cincinnati Reds in the late 1980's. To wrestling fans, the Nasty Boys are Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags.
Knobbs was born in Allentown, PA and Sags was born in Tampa, FL, but the Nasty Boys were born in Nastyville. Wrestling's Nasty Boys debuted in the mid-1980's and won titles everywhere, while taking their opponents to such places as "Pity City" and the "Pit Stop." They are pretty much retired now, but make occasional appearances (usually non-wrestling) on the indy scene and at comic cons.
Their Celebrity Jersey Cards come from a wrestling-themed night the Marlins held. Knobbs gets extra points for having a title belt on his Celebrity Jersey Card, although I am not sure which belt it is. Sags gets extra points for including a Fox broadcaster on his card, but I am not sure who that is, although giving a live mic to Sags might have been a mistake..

On the Beat With the Chicago Bandits 2018 (Interviews Part 3)

I was back "On the Beat" with the Chicago Bandits for "Stars and Stripes" weekend. As you can see, the Bandits wore special jerseys, which were auctioned to raise money for Salute Inc., anon-profit organization that provides fiancial support for our military men and women. I interviewed Sammy Marshall, Emily Crane and Rachele Fico.

The Bandits are 19-6 in 2nd place, trailing the Pride at 24-1 in 1st place. As expected, the NPF season is shaping up to be a 2 team race. There are a lot of games to be played, but things look good for the Bandits to be playing for the championship on their home field in Rosemont.

The interviews were a mixed bag of fun. This was our 5th interview with veteran Sammy, but we still have plenty of good topics to discuss and superfan (and future Bandit) Kenzie Parker contributed a couple questions as usual.

This was our 2nd interview with Emily. We talked a little softball (University of Missouri and NPF) and a little bit of graphic design.

We got our first interview with NPF veteran Rachele Fico. We talked about her outstanding high school career (26 perfect games), coaching and more.

I hope you enjoy these interviews, learn a bit more about the elite athletes and are entertained. I thank Media Relations Director Jason Lowenthal for facilitating these interviews. I thank Sammy, Emily and Rachele for their time and consideration. I thank Bandit Nation for their continued support. I thank Mark Pandocchi for his video work and Kenzie Parker for her contributions.

Jourdan and the Chicago Bandits

Born and raised in a Chicago suburb, Jourdan Skirha played softball all through high school. She continued her softball career at Drexel, where she also earned a degree in Sport Management.

As an intern for the Chicago Bandits, Jourdan managed and operated game day experiences. She would have to handle groups or games doing stuff between the innings and after the games. She was one busy lady.

Last offseason, the Bandits announced that Jourdan accepted a position as Director of Game Day Operations and Promotions. Bandit Nation was very proud and happy for Jourdan. She worked very hard in her previous roles and was always helpful to everyone. Best fo all, she did it with a smile all of the time.

She was an excellent and natural choice to continue and grow in that role. It's an exciting opportunity for her, too. In short, it is a great fit. Bandit Nation should enjoy Jourdan while she is here, because she is destined for big things in her future.

She is a great example of the quality people I have met through the Bandits. Getting to know the players, staffers and fans has been a wonderful experience.

I really appreciate all that Jourdan has done for me with team pictures and dealing with us in ther bullpen area. I wish her luck in her new role and in her future.

Jourdan Skirha and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2017.

Cards Redone: Topps 1951 Baseball

Cards Redone is a new (potentially) recurring series in which I redo some Topps card designs.  My rules are simple.  I won't make change just to make change.  I must stick with the basic elements (no total redo's) and feel of the original.  I will not be redoing any of the backs.  In short, the backs should only have biographical stats and playing stats.  Eliminate any silly cartoons, unrelated trivia or career highlights.

Topps started producing baseball cards in 1951.  The cards were printed as part of a game.  That explains the "foul ball" on Yogi Berra's card and other baseball plays on other cards.  The card featured a black and white head shot in the middle, with a very short bio in the lower left corner and a depiction of a player in the upper right corner.

I give Topps credit for making these baseball cards.  Over the years, Topps became synonymous with baseball cards.  Therefore, I will not criticize this set, but I will redesign it.

Since my set will not be part of any game, I eliminate the "foul ball" or whatever in the corners.  I'll leave the red baseball though for balance.

I moved the player's name to the upper left quad and the team name to the lower right portion, again for balance.  I thought about adding his position, but figured the upper right picture would do that.

I will also eliminate the biographical stuff on the front.  If it must appear on a card, it should be on the back.  In my first transition design, I replaced that with an illustration of a player batting.  The other illustration would show the defensive position of the player.

I wasn't quite satisfied though.  I decided to replace the illustrations with actual images of the player.  The upper right still gets the defensive shot and the lower left gets a batting shot.

My finished project might be the only baseball card (Topps or otherwise) to have 3 different pictures of the same player.  It still retains the simple look of the original 1951 design.

On the Beat With Photographer Dina Kwit of the Chicago Bandits

Last weekend, along with interviews of three Chicago Bandits, which ran yesterday, I interviewed longtime Bandits photographer Dina Kwit. While she is usually busy, lately she has been extra busy putting together Through My Lens: A Photo Collection of Women's Pro Softball, her upcoming book.

Dina joined the Bandits in 2008 and has been capturing the beautiful, historic, exciting and fun times on and off the field ever since. She has seen it all over the years. World class athletes. Championships. Fan interaction. Dina has brought all of that to sports fans through her brilliant photography.

Lately, Dina has been pouring through her thousands of pictures to find the right ones to put in her book. Those pictures, combined with interviews, will make the first such book focusing on the NPF. Through My Lens: A Photo Collection of Women's Pro Softball promises a behind-the-scenes look that only Dina could get.

I started my coverage of the Bandits 5 seasons ago. I was looking for a one time coverage of something different and I fell in love with the sport, the team and the experience.

During those seasons, I saw how hard Dina worked and how keen her eye is. Not only did she get the best shots, she was always thinking of new angles or new concepts. I enjoyed watching  her work and I definitely loved her pictures.

When I heard she was putting together the book, I immediately wanted to share the news. This is awesome for fans of the Bandits, NPF, softball, women's sports and more. You don't even have to be a fan to enjoy the beauty of her pictures.

If you are a fan though, you'll see all of your favorites in the book. There will be a lot of history and memories packed into the 200 pages. I'm sure Jennie Finch, Cat Osterman and Monica Abbott will be represented, as will hundreds of other players. You might even see me in the background somewhere (but don't let that scare you away).

To help in making this book a reality, there is a Kickstarter page. Through that page, you can donate to the cause and get various rewards based on your level of pledge. The goal is $5,000 and about 40% has been raised with 31 days to go. I am sure the goal will eventually be met, but I want to see it reached much sooner than the deadline.

The players, the teams, the fans and the sport deserve this book. Women's pro softball is such an underappreciated sport. The elite women athletes have worked hard to build and grow the sport. Dina has also worked hard for the sport. Now all of that work will be documented in this wonderful book.

To get a little glimpse of what to expect, you can follow Dina Kwit on Instagram and Dina Kwit on Facebook. She has been sharing a lot of her pictures through her #The100DayProject. It has been awesome seeing those pictures and it has really gotten me even more excited about the book.

Check out the Kickstarter page for Through My Lens - A Photo Collection of Women's Pro Softball for all of the info and to support the cause. Like I said in the interview, this book will happen, but let's get it secured quickly!

Thank you to the Bandits for their hospitality. Thanks to Dina for her time and consideration.

On the Beat With the Chicago Bandits 2018 (Interviews Part 2)

The Chicago Bandits hit a bit of a bump in the form of the USSSA Pride. The Bandits have lost 5 of the 6 games with the Pride this season. The Pride is now in 1st place at 18-1, while the Bandits at 19-5 are in 2nd place.

The losses to the Pride hurt a bit, but as expected, this NPF season is shaping up to be a 2 team race. In 3rd place are the Beijing Eagles at 11-16, followed by the Cleveland Comets at 7-18 and the Aussie Spirit at 9-24.
I wrote a more detailed piece on the Patch.com at On the Beat With the Chicago Bandits. (Yes, it is a very creative title.)

Thanks to the hospitality of the Bandits and the assistance from Media Relations Director Jason Lowenthal, I was able to interview 3 Bandits last weekend. Rookie shortstop Delaney Spaulding, rookie outfielder Jessie Scroggins and 1st baseman Megan Blank gave me their thoughts on a variety of topics. Ace fan Kenzie Parker also supplied a couple questions for Megan.

It's always fun for me to learn more about the great athletes of the Bandits. Whether I ask about game specific things, overall experiences, silly topics or anything else, the women always provide thoughtful answers. I enjoy getting some fun info from the women and I hope Bandit Nation enjoys it, too.

For more info on the Bandits, check out ChicagoBandits.com. You can also return here for recurring coverage all season. Lastly, you can see all of my interviews with the Bandits from 2013 to present on my Johngy's Beat Chicago Bandits YouTube playlist.

Friendly Encounters: PJ Soles and Cuzz Gekas

Friendly Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

I love this picture because it features one of my best friends with one of my all time favorite actresses who has become a friend. This is all because of Days of the Dead.

PJ is a regular celebrity guest at DotD and the continual lines to meet her speak of her wide spread and lasting popularity. Of course, her fan-friendliness plays into that as well. PJ is awesome with the fans.

One of the cool things about PJ's career is her roles in classic movies. Carrie, Stripes, Halloween, Private Benjamin, Breaking Away and Rock 'n' Roll High School are just a few of her popular movies. Of course, the full list is very long and stretches back to 1973. One other underrated movie is The Boy in the Plastic Bubble, starring John Travolta.

I have been a fan of PJ's a long time. Meeting her the first time was awesome, but it became even better every time after that. We have talked a lot and I even got to interview her once, which can be found at On the Beat With PJ Soles.

I am fortunate to have had Cuzz Gekas join me for every Days of the Dead Indy event. Over the years, he has joined me in the PJ visits and discussions. Cuzz is a huge help, but more importantly, I have a lot of fun with him.

Sometimes, when Cuzz and I are talking to PJ, I just get that out-of-body surreal feeling. Back when I first saw PJ with the Ramones, I had no clue that I would ever be talking to her with one of my friends. It is alway a weird, but great feeling.

Days of the Dead has provided so many great moments like these. I have become friends with many of the celebrities, workers and fans. I have had great times with Cuzz and others who have joined me.

The next DotD is in Chicago from November 16-18. I'll be there as usual. I',m already looking forward to reconnecting with everyone. Hopefully, Cuzz will join me there.

For all of the info, check out DaysoftheDead.com. Also look here for regular updates.

PJ Soles and Cuzz Gekas in Indianapolis, IN-June 2018.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #380 WWE Divas

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing jerseys. In honor of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, I am featuring WWE Divas in a special Celebrity Jersey Cards.

Danielle Louise Moinet played for the Chicago Bliss in the Lingerie Football League prior to joining the WWE as Summer Rae. While she never won a WWE title, she was a popular diva for her run. Since departing the WWE in 2017, she has occasionally popped up on the independent scene.

born in Florida, Catherine Joy Perry joined the WWE as Lana, billed from Russia. She manages Rusev, who recently became her reallife husband.

Layla El Young was a Miami Heat cheerleader prior to joining the WWE. She won the Women's championship and the Divas championship during her 10 year run. She retired in 2015, but has made occasional appearances since then.

A native of Spain, Lilian Garcia spent 17 years as a ring announcer for the WWE. She has also had a successful music career, recording in both English and Spanish.

Nattie Neidhart is part of the legendary Hart family. She has won both the WWE Women's title and the Divas title once.She is arguably the best actual female wrestler on the WWE roster.

The daughter of wrestler Saraya Knight, Paige wrestled for 13 years and was a 2 time WWE Divas champ, before neck injuries forced her to retire. She remains in a non-wrestling role on WWE television.

Milena Leticia Roucka rose to fame in the WWE as Rosa Mendes, although she never won a title. She wrestled for about 11 years, before retiring to have a baby. She has since returned to wrestling on the indy scene.