On the Beat With Athletes Unlimited Week 5 - 09/26-28/20

As the Athletes Unlimited season came to an end on Monday, once again Cat Osterman was in the spotlight. Osterman's Team Yellow went 3-0, while she finished with 2,480 points to capture the Athletes Unlimited championship.

Osterman's teams went 12-3 for the season. She had 95 strikeouts with a 1.53 ERA and pitched six complete games and two shutouts. 

For her efforts, Osterman received a gold medal after the final game. She also became the first entry into the Book of Unlimited, a 500-page book which will record every AU champion.

September 26

Team Warren (Orange) beat Team Ocasio (Purple) 7-4

Team Osterman (Yellow) beat Team Piancastelli (Blue) 9-5

September 27

Team Warren (Orange) beat Team Piancastelli (Blue) 15-9

Team Osterman (Yellow) beat Team Ocasio (Purple) 15-2

September 28

Team Piancastelli (Blue) beat Team Ocasio (Purple) 9-8

Team Osterman (Yellow) beat Team Warren (Orange) 18-3

Standings

Team Osterman (Yellow) 3-0

Team Warren (Orange) 2-1

Team Piancastelli (Blue) 1-2

Team Ocasio (Purple) 0-3

Final Leader Board

1-Osterman-2,408

2-Jessica Warren-2,020

3-Victoria Hayward-1,860

4-Erika Piancastelli-1,840

Outfielder Haylie McCleney Named GEICO Defensive Player of the Year

The final week of games saw a season high 104 runs scored. That brings the season total to 362 or 12.06 runs per game. These numbers make Osterman's 1.53 ERA even more impressive.

In the post-game media sessions, I asked the players for their biggest takeaways on the season. Erika Piancastelli, Amanda Chidester, Jordan Roberts, Tori Vidales,Anissa Urtez, Katiyana Mauga, Taylor Edwards, Morgan Zerkle, Cat Osterman, Jessie Warren gave insightful answers, but as each gave her thoughts, a definite pattern formed. 

With the whole league living in “the Shield,” a term coined by Osterman (naturally), the players lived as a group for more than five weeks. Basically every experience was shared by all. Bonds were built. Friendships were forged. Memories were made.

This was an experience unlike any other. Six weeks or so ago, 56 elite athletes arrived in Rosemont excited and ready to start playing softball again. As the first players in the inaugural season of Athletes Unlimited, these pioneers were under the microscope.

As previously mentioned, AU utilizes a unique concept. It is run by the players for the players. It features a fantasy-like scoring system, which has teams redrafted every week.

While these athletes were happy to be playing again, it came with unusual pressure. The first class of athletes would set the tone for the league going forward. AU came with much hype and hope and the players needed to prove the concept, which they ultimately did in spectacular fashion.

Through it all, I never saw any signs of pressure from the players. In fact, I saw quite the opposite. The players looked happier than I have ever seen athletes.

From a fan's perspective, I admit I was a bit unsure about the scoring system and changing teams. After watching a few games, I started to get the concept and more importantly, I actually started to like it.

My only lingering questions about the scoring center on playing time. What is the incentive for non-starters? Those players will always be on the lower end of the leader boards. Maybe that is just part of the experience though. Sort of like rookies in sports, maybe they need to work their way into the lineups.

Another thing to note is the value of a two-way player. Players like Aleshia Ocasio, who pitched and played the field, could rack up big points. Ocasio missed a week of play due to a family emergency, yet still finished in 11th place with 1,584 points.

Lastly, winning innings and games was of major importance. Infielder Abby Ramirez finished in 20th place with 1,380 points, despite a .125 batting average. Obviously, Ramirez benefited from being on winners, but those winners benefited from Ramirez's presence on the team.

I am still not entirely sold on the changing teams though, but that's probably more a product of my age. I do see the fun and excitement of the weekly drafts and the strategy that goes into each. I don't know if that has staying power or how it would work with an expanded league.

My questions are minor points in my overall review of the debut season of AU. This was a major success. I saw the reaction on social media. I saw and heard all of the players unanimously praise the league.

While I was disappointed that the pandemic prevented fans and media from being in attendance, the games became must-see television for me. The post-game media sessions were Zoom meetings, but we had plenty of time to talk to each player and the players made them interesting and enjoyable. I didn't imagine enjoying the Zoom interviews as much as I did.

I really have nothing but praise for the entire Athletes Unlimited season. Like most people, I came into the league with high hopes and a few questions. My hopes were exceeded and my questions were answered. Athletes Unlimited softball has a bright future and I look forward to other AU Sports debuting.

For more info on the AU Softball league and their future plans, go to AUProSports.com. The fun has just begun!

Thank you to all involved with Athletes Unlimited for the access and hospitality all season. It has been a great experience.

Amanda Chidester Settles the Great Ceremonial Pitch Debate

The Athletes Unlimited Softball season came to an end yesterday. I will be recapping it all tomorrow, but for today, I am featuring a very important interview. As exciting and fun as the whole season was, perhaps the highlight for me came in Sunday's post-game press session.

Last season, I had the pleasure of throwing out a ceremonial first pitch for the National Pro Fastpitch Chicago Bandits. Despite being perfect in practice (of course), my actual pitch sailed a tad higher than I intended. In case you missed it, I am including the video of that pitch.

 

Despite the catcher Amanda Chidester very clearly catching the pitch without leaving her catching position, some naysayers insisted the pitch was not a strike, even calling it bad (thanks Jim Strong). Even Bandit Nation gave me a backhand compliment by stating it was better than Crystal's pitch (which actually went backwards).

I admit, on video, the pitch looks a bit off (although it is no Baba Booey), but it's a different view on the playing field. Insist as I might, everyone still felt the pitch missed the strike zone (to say the least).

On Sunday, when Amanda was in the press session, I knew it was my chance to settle the debate. At first, Amanda did not recall the pitch, but that's understandable considering she has caught hundreds of ceremonial pitches. It soon came back to her and she emphatically stated it was a strike. Who would know better than the catcher?!

I hope this finally settles the debate. People can question me as much as they want, but nobody should question Amanda. A star at the University of Michigan, Amanda's credentials include a lot of awards and accolades, most recently being named the 2019 NPF Player of the Year!

Thank you to Athletes Unlimited for the opportunity all season long. Thanks especially to Amanda for being a great catcher and a even better sport. Go to AUProSports.com for more info on the softball league and their other ventures. Also check ChicagoBandits.com for info on Amanda and the Bandits.

Friendly Encounters: Jerry Mathers, Tony Dow and Tommy Else

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

I love this picture. It's a real family meeting a television family. It even looks like a real family portrait.

My buddy Tommy Else and his mom went to the Hollywood Celebrities Show and met Tony Dow and Jerry Mathers, who played Wally and Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver on television's Leave It to Beaver.

I can't believe I have known Tommy for so many years. It seems like yesterday I was emailing him about his audition for Resistance Pro Wrestling. He won that audition and I interviewed him at his first RPro show, which can be found at On the Beat With Eric St. Vaughn.

Over the next 8+ years we have had a lot of great times in and out of RPro. Aside from wrestling, we have gotten together for music, kickball, podcasts. 

I'm not Tommy's only podcast adventure. He has a whole network, called (what else?) "The Or Else Network" available on SoundCloud. Other podcasts include, "Jesse Unplugged," with Jesse Anderson, "Checking In," Tommy checking on his friends during quarantine and "Losing Friends," which explores many (sometimes controversial) topics. I hope you check out his work and I am not saying that because I am a proud part of the Or Else Network.

in Rosemont, IL-March 2018.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #500 Rich Pyle & Rick Dale

This is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing jerseys. Once again, we are working our way alphabetically through all of the Major League Baseball teams.

Detroit native Rich Pyle rose to fame on television's Hardcore Pawn. He left the reality show in 2013, but has remained active on tv, radio, at conventions and on the music scene. Pyle is an accomplished drummer. The Detroit Tigers invited hometown boy Pyle to throw out a ceremonial pitch. Were they trying to "drum" up interest (sorry)? Was he just a "pawn" for them (even sorrier)? Either way, Pyle earned his Celebrity Jersey Card that day.

Rick Dale was the star of American Restoration, a another reality television show featuring Rick's Restorations, Dale's Las Vegas business. Ironically, Dale had previously appeared as an expert on Pawn Stars. Dale has been restoring things since his childhood and Rick's Restorations is still thriving. Dale earned his Celebrity Jersey Card when he threw out a ceremonial pitch for the Tigers, losing his sleeves in the porcess (in a nod to former player Ted Kluszewski?).

On the Beat With John Bullard of Chicagoland Championship Wrestling

Yesterday, I featured wrestler Tully Bertorelli, who will be part of the inaugural Chicagoland Championship Wrestling event on October 3 in Michigan City, IN. Today, I present my second interview with John Bullard, the owner-promoter of CCW.

Television host, wrestling promoter and man of many more hats John started promoting CCW many months ago on social media. The pandemic forced a delay, but John used the extra time to make the debut bigger and better.

I had the pleasure of interviewing John a few months ago. That intro interview can be found at On the Beat With John Bullard on YouTube. A lot has happened in the 5 months since, including the rescheduling of CCW's debut. That brings us to last Thursday, when I revisited John for an update on CCW's debut event.

The night's wrestling card has shaped up nicely, despite the unfortunate injury to Vic Capri. John stated that Capri will still be at the show to meet fans and to watch the action. John also announced the new main event as Marshe Rocket vs. Garrisaon Creed vs. Chris Logan in a three-way for the CCW Heavyweight Championship. Any two of these athletes battling would be a main event. Having all three compete raises the level even higher.

John was kind enough to answer questions sent to me from the first interview. In this interview, John discussed the future tag team situation, a possible Women's title, the health precautions and safety measures at the event and more.

We also talked about the pairing of Steve Ahrendt and Joey Roth on commentary. That duo has the potential to be gold on the broadcast. I won't hear them live, since I'll be at the show, but I will definitely rewatch it on video and on the DVD when that is released. John gave info on both of those viewing options, too.

Lastly, I asked John about the rumblings from the famous Chicago Connection. For 20 years, the Chicago Connection has been the dominant force on the local wrestling scene and leader PL Myers seems to have plans for CCW. John was just as mystified by the recent actions of the Chicago Connection, but he assured me that he and his security staff are ready for anything.

The more we talked, the more excited I got for this event. I have seen a lot of wrestling companies come and go over the years. Some are still standing, while others were “one and done.” Chicagoland Championship Wrestling has been built on a solid foundation and will have staying power. John has big plans and a grand vision, but he is building things the right way. He has already secured broadcasting on Amazon Prime and is working on other possibilities. He has brought in a nice mix of wrestling talent. No matter who walks away with the Heavyweight Championship, that title will be around the waist of a deserving champ.

I always must state I am not employed by Chicagoland Championship Wrestling. As a pop culture reporter, I am always looking for fun new events. While wrestling isn't new, the CCW version is going to put a new spin on it and that is why I approached John about covering it. John graciously granted me press credentials and I will be at the inaugural show doing interviews and other fun stuff to be reported here.

Chicagoland Championship Wrestling debuts Saturday, October 3 at the American Legion #451 in Michigan City, Indiana. The doors open at 6 pm CST and bell time is 7 pm CST. This promises to be a debut like no other. This promises to be a night like no other!

Go to ChicagolandChampionshipWrestling.com for more info. Also, check the Chicagoland Championship Wrestling Facebook for more frequent updates.

On the Beat With Tully Bertorelli

Last week, I had the pleasure of finally interviewing Tully Bertorelli. Technically, I interviewed Tully two weeks ago, but somehow it failed to record on my end. Fortunately, Tully was kind enough to do another interview and I greatly appreciate his patience.

Tully is a man of many hats. He's a wrestler. a musician, a comedian, a stunt actor and probably many other things. More importantly, he is a good dude and I m happy to call him my friend.

I have known Tully for a while. Our paths have crossed at comic cons and wrestling shows, but timing always prevented an interview at any of those events. One good thing that has come from the self-quarantine has been the increase in doing interviews, even if they are Skype and not in person.

Tully has a lot of projects on his plate. His next event will be appearing at Chicagoland Championship Wrestling's debut event October 3 in Michigan City, IN. I will be there "On the Beat" covering the event and hoping interviewing Tully again in person.

Tully had some very interesting thoughts on Chicagoland Championship Wrestling. Surprisingly, yet fittingly, he is not going after the Heavyweight title (at least not now). Mr. Made for TV has his sights set on the Television title, which will debut at a future CCW show. I'll let him explain his reasoning, but it all makes perfect sense.

In addition to talk about CCW, Tully discussed his introduction into wrestling, his wrestling favorites, his versatility and much more. Obviously, Tully is a multi-faceted as he is multi-talents. It was a very interesting interview for me and I am sure you'll enjoy it as well.

Check out Tully on Instagram and his music at Billy Club Master Chef on Band Camp. Also, go to ChicagolandChampionshiipWrestling.com for info on that exciting new wrestling organization.

On the Beat With Athletes Unlimited Week 4 - 09/19-21/20

Last weekend, Athletes Unlimited softball started with some surprises, but ended with something familiar. Once again, Cat Osterman was at the center of the focus.

Just when it looked like Osterman was unbeatable, almost untouchable, the unthinkable happened. For the first time all season, Osterman's team lost a game and Osterman actually lost a pitching decision. You can't keep Osterman down though. She finished the weekend with a masterpiece last night.

Monday nights are magical for Osterman. In four Monday night starts, Osterman is a stunning 4-0, allowing just two runs.

Week Four Final Results:

September 19

Team Warren (Purple) beat Team Reed (Orange) 2-1

Team Hayward (Blue) beat Team Osterman (Yellow) 4-1

September 20

Team Hayward (Blue) beat Team Reed (Orange) 8-3

Team Warren (Purple) beat Team Osterman (Yellow) 11-0

September 21

Team Warren (Purple) beat Team Hayward (Blue) 7-5

Team Osterman (Yellow) beat  Team Reed (Orange) 2-0

Standings

Team Warren (Purple) 3-0

Team Hayward (Blue) 2-1

Team Osterman (Yellow) 1-2

Team Reed (Orange) 0-3

Week 5 Team Captains

Osterman (Team Yellow), Jessie Warren (Team Orange), Piancastelli (Blue) and Ocasios (Team Purple)

The weekend saw pitching be the focus. A few pitchers took no-hitters late into games. The offenses scored a total of 44 runs, down 35 runs from last week and also a season low.

Aleshia Ocasio returned from a leave of absence and promptly threw a complete game three-hitter on Saturday. Ocasio was in the zone all weekend on the mound and at the plate. In doing so, she jumped back into the top four spots on the leader board.

Season Leader Board

1 - Osterman 1990 points

2 - Warren 1580 points

3 - Piancastelli 1510 points

4 - Ocasio 1508 points

Other highlights included Sahvanna Jaquish belting two homers on Saturday and Sunday. Also, Jaquish and Haylie McCleney went deep back-to-back on each day. In a humorous moment, Samantha Show put one over the left field wall right into the hands of AU CEO Jon Patricof, while he was being interviewed on air by Eric Collins and Danielle Lawrie. Of course, ending the week with a 2-1 pitching clinic was the capper.

The weekend media sessions featured Ocasio, Erika Piancastelli, Jessie Warren, Haylie Wagner, Jaquish, McCleney, Samantha Show, Kelly Barnhill, Morgan Howe, Jessica Burroughs, Shelby Pendley, Osterman, Gwen Svekis and Hannah Flippen. Maybe because of familiarity, the sessions seemed a bit looser and more casual than usual. The sessions are always fun, but this week seemed to have a bit more humor.

AU writer Bruce Miles handled the game situation questions as usual. Check AUProSports.com for his game coverage.

I asked the players about a wide range of topics. With only one week of play left, several players gave their thoughts on the experience and leaving “the Shield,” as Osterman has dubbed the Rosemont facility. Clearly, the players are already emotional about the impending end of this season. While they all have played for many years, the experience of staying with each other like this was like no other.

Piancastelli and Svekis talked about being behind the plate, working with pitchers who were dominating and handling a potential no-hitter. Part is fun, part is pressure, but mostly it is simply handling a pitcher like always, with very little thought of the ongoing no-hitter.

One very interesting moment was when I asked about the next season for AU. Ocasio answered “I don't know,” but the AU Media Rep's answer was more telling. I tried for the scoop, and while I did not get one directly, the answers indicate plans might be in place, but not released to the public yet. 

I understand their thought process. AU will want to make a big announcement about next season. A scoop here would have been great for m, but not as big for AU. I will stay on it and I expect an announcement, perhaps even shortly after this season, capitalizing on the momentum built.

In a bit of a shocker, Cat Osterman (Team Yellow) made fellow lefty pitcher her number one pick in the Athletes Unlimited Week 5 draft. For the first time this season, Osterman did not make catcher Gwen Svekis her top pick, but she did take Svekis later in the draft.

In Monday's post-game press session, Osterman said she was “keeping my cards close to my chest this week.” Had she already planned on taking Wagner? Was this a late curveball? Was she just tired of battling against Wagner every week? We will ask her about that in the weekend's press sessions.

One thing is certain. Osterman wants to end the season in a strong way. A 1-2 punch of Osterman and Wagner gives Team Yellow a lethal combination. Already holding the top spot on the leader board by a large margin, Osterman looks to lock up the season championship.

With the second pick, Jessie Warren (Team Orange) took pitcher Danielle O'Toole. The lefty pitcher is the only player to be selected in the first round every week.

The rest of the first round saw Erika Piancastelli (Team Blue) pick the red hot catcher Sahvanna Jaquish and Aleshia Ocasio (Team Purple) select pitcher Jessica Burroughs. Piancastelli probably will use the versatile Jaquish at a position other than catcher, since she already has a solid one in herself.

Familiarity was the key for Ocasio in this draft. Ocasio, who had a brilliant return from a short leave of absence, selected seven players she had previously taken. Currently sitting in fourth place in the overall standings, Ocasio is looking to move up, although Osterman will be tough to catch.

In one of the strange twists caused by the unique draft system, all four of this week's captains played together on the same team in Week One. Teammates the first week, now they will battle each other to end the season.

The Athletes Unlimited Softball League has come a long way in a mere few weeks. It all comes to a big climax this weekend. Athletes Unlimited ace writer Bruce Miles vowed we (the media) “will finish strong” and we will have to do just that to match the players who will certainly finish with a memorable weekend of games.

Week 5 of Athletes Unlimited begins on Saturday, September 26 at noon CST as Team Warren faces Team Ocasio. Check AUProSports.com for more info. Also, check here, GlobalTravelerUSA.com, Patch.com and GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com for my coverage.

On the Beat With the Los Angeles Sparks 09/17/20

This is a few days late, but the WNBA and Athletes Unlimited is giving me lots of content all at once. In a couple weeks, when both seasons end, I'll be wishing for stuff to cover.

The Los Angeles Sparks finished the WNBA regular season with a record of 15-7 good for 3rd place in the Western Conference. The Sparks were also the three seed in the playoffs due to the WNBA ranking by overall record regardless of the conference.

After a first game bye, the Sparks faced the Connecticut Sun in a single elimination game in the second round of the playoffs. The Sun had beaten the Chicago Sky 94-81 to advance. The Sun was the seventh seed based on their 10-12 record, although they had finished in second place of the Eastern Conference.

Last Thursday, the Sun defeated the Sparks 73-59. It wasn't a shocking outcome, but it was a bit of an upset by the Sun.

After the game, Coach Derek Fisher talked about the game, the season and the team. Obviously disappointed in the loss and exit from the playoffs, Fisher remained positive and praised his team for all that was accomplished this season.

In the playoff loss, Candace Parker played 40 minutes, scoring 22 points, grabbing 14 rebounds, dishing five assists and and blocking two shots. That's a very impressive stat line, even for one of the greats of the game.

The first pick in the 2008 WNBA draft, Parker has played her entire 13 year career with the Sparks. She's a two-time MVP and a five-time All-Star. She has been an All-WNBA 1st or 2nd team selection eight times.

Like Coach Fisher, Parker was disappointed, but remained positive about the season. Parker got a bit reflective, discussing moments from her career. She addressed the issue of possibly leaving the Sparks, but did not commit either way. From her tone and her history, this reporter thinks Parker is staying in Los Angeles for te duration of her career.

The Sparks ended their season with a disappointing loss, but like all other teams in the WNBA, nothing will diminish all that was accomplished during this season. The Sparks should be right in the thick of it again next season, especially if Parker is still part of the core. 

For more info on the league, check WNBA.com. Also, check here, GlobalWoemensSportsRadio.com and GlobalTraveler.com for my coverage of the WNBA.

On the Beat With the Connecticut Sun 09/16/20

I am a little behind with this Connecticut Sun media session, but it is still relevant. Prior to their victory over the Los Angeles Sparks last Thursday, Coach Curt Miller and players Natisha Hiedeman, Briann January and Jasmine Thomas took questions from the press.

The Sun finished the season 10-12 good for second place behind the Chicago Sky in the Eastern Conference and also for the 7th seed in the overall playoff seeding. Last Tuesday, the Sun beat the Sky 94-81, thanks in large part to outscoring the Sky by 16 in the third quarter. The team seems to be embracing the underdog role and having fun.

Coach Miller talked about the practices leading to the game. He joked about his role as a "passing" using his "passing skills," which was funny especially considering the three players after him are guards. I think it show that the Sun is loose and having fun.

Thomas talked about the mood of the team. She went on to say nothing has really changed in practices. The whole season was preparation for this.

Hiedeman talked about the good vibe of the team, being happy with her productivity in her short time on the court and her music. Of course, I had to ask her about her music. While nothing new is out right now, "Rocket," her last song, was released about a month ago and is available on all platforms.

When January joined the session, I switched gars and asked about Zoom media session with reporters from all over, as opposed to the usual sessions with the local crew. I've wondered about this all season and this seemed like the perfect time to ask, considering it was a very loose session.

It's interesting that this media time was very loose. The Sun had beaten the Sky and were about to face the Sparks. The team was not showing any signs of pressure and that starts with the coach.

Fun seemed to be the theme this day, even for reporters. It wasn't recorded, but prior to the team joining the sessions, Sun Public Relations Specialist Annette Hogan joked about having the most fun media sessions and the reporters completely agreed. That was followed by one reporter playing fun music including the Sesame Street theme. It was an interesting experience, which probably doesn't translate greatly here, but it was one of those moments which will stand out. We were like old friends hanging out on a porch.

The Sun went on to beat the Sparks 73-59 to advance to the next round of the playoffs. On Sunday, The Sun beat the Las Vegas Aces 87-62 in Game One of the series.

Go to WNBA.com for more info. Also, check here, GlobalTravelerUSA.com and GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com for my recurring coverage.

Friendly Encounters: The Honky Tonk Man and Joey Roth

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

Despite his pro wrestling career and my coverage of wrestling, I have yet to see him in action. I have met him several times at various comic cons and wrestling events.
I knew of his affinity for Roddy Piper and the Ramones, his interest in comic cons, his IPW Chicagoland Wrestling championship, his partnership with Roxi Heart and other assorted tidbits, but I didn't have a lot of details until I interviewed him. I learned a lot about Joey in our interview at On the Beat With Joey Roth.
One of the best times I had at Wizard World was meeting Joey and us interacting with a couple wrestling legends. We met Lisa Marie Varon and The Honky Tonk Man. Everyone loves LMV, especially in Chicago, but Joey was a bit more excited to meet HTM.
It's completely understandable. HTM was a great character in the WWF back in the day. He was the longest holder of the Intercontinental title. Joey is the longest holder of the ICP Chicagoland title.While not quite as prestigious as the IC title, Joey's reign has become legendary.
It was cool seeing them interact. I think HTM originally thought Joey was a cosplayer, a regular sight at comic cons. He soon learned that Joey and the title are legit.
As wrestling shows start happening again, I plan on finally seeing Joey i action. I am quite sure I will not be disappointed, but knowing Joey, I will also probably be surprised. Much like Piper, when you know the answers, Joey changes the questions. I am looking forward to this.
Check out Joey Roth on Facebook for more info and fun. Also, go to WizardWorld.com for all info and scheduling for all of their events.

The Honky Tonk Man and Joey Roth in Rosemont, IL-August 2019.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #499 Sarah Chalke & Laura Marano

This is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing jerseys. Once again, we are working our way alphabetically through all of the Major League Baseball teams.

Canadian actress Sarah Chalke rose to fame as the second actress playing "Becky" on television's Roseanne. She was replaced by Lecy Goranson (the original Becky), but later replaced her again. She later co-starred on tv's Scrubs. Chalke earned her Celebrity Jersey Card by playing in the Big Slick Celebrity Softball Game in Kansas City. Unfortunately, she was tagged out by Kevin Rahm in the photo. I don't know why she was airborne, but it made for a cool card.

Los Angeles native Laura Marano started acting when she was five and later starred as Ally Dawson on the Disney Channel series Austin & Ally. The young actress has also added movies and singing to her resume. Like fellow actress Sarah Chalke, Marano played in the Big Slick Celebrity Softball Game and earned a Celebrity Jersey Card.

On the Beat With the New York Liberty

The New York Liberty played the Atlanta Dream on September 3 in the Liberty’s Fourth Annual Unity Day Game. The Liberty lost 62-56 in a tough defensive battle, but the importance of this game cannot be measured in the won/loss column.

The Unity Day Game was rescheduled from the original date of August 27 due to the walkout for justice that day. Like several other pro teams, the Liberty opted not to play that day to keep their voices strong in their effort to bring social change.

The Liberty and the rest of the WNBA continue to push for equality and social progress, The Unity Day Game is another way they choose to use their platform to raise awareness and bring change.

In the morning media session, players Layshia Clarendon and JKia Nurse expressed their thoughts on the game, team and issue.

After a successful career at the University of California, Clarendon was selected by the Indiana Fever in the 1st round (9th overall) of the 2013 WNBA draft. The guard played three seasons with Indiana, before moving on to the Dream. Midway through the 2018 season, she joined the Connecticut Sun, for whom she played through last season. She joined the Liberty this season. In her career, over eight seasons, she has played 217 games, averaging 7.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 3 assists and .6 steals per game. She has a history of being a vocal advocate for social issues.

Nurse starred at Connecticut and was selected by the New York Liberty in the 1st round (10th overall) of the 2018 WNBA draft. In her three seasons, she has played 87 games, averaging 11.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2 assists and .7 steals per game.

Both women spoke passionately about the Unity Day Game. It would have been nice if this game was played on a bigger stage in front of thousands of fans in attendance and many more watching on television, but the significance is still the same. The players continue their goal of making statements and leading the charge.

Go to WNBA.com for more info on the league. Also, check here, GlobalTravelerUSA.com and GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com for my recurring coverage.

On the Beat With Skye Blue of Girl Fight Wrestling

I was “On the Beat” with pro wrestler Skye Blue as my coverage of Girl Fight Wrestling continues. Already a fan of her work, the soft-spoken Blue impressed me with her composure and attitude.
Twenty year old Blue has been involved in wrestling for about four years (although her mom might say she started before she was born). Her actual journey began in her junior year of high school.
Blue has wrestled a lot of matches since her debut. She's wrestled women and men and has won some titles along the way. She has accomplished much at such a young age and experience level. You can see a lot of her matches on YouTube.
At Epic Wrestling Entertainment presents Girl Fight Wrestling Jawbreaker at Park Memorial UMC in Jeffersonville, Indiana on September 26, 2020, Blue will face Billie Starkz. When asked about the bout, Blue expressed her excitement about facing Starkz. She had high praise for Starkz, deftly avoiding a lot of the usual trash talk, even when I encouraged a bit of it. Blue's respect for Starkz and love of the sport supersedes any ego.
Echoing the sentiments of the truly great performers, Blue's stated goal for Jawbreaker is to “have the Match of the Night and to steal the show.” She's do what she has to do, because that's the sport, but her goal isn't to destroy Starkz. Her goal is to have a great match with Starkz.
Twenty year old wrestlers don't usually think like that. Twenty year old wrestlers don't often speak of the youth and skill level of an opponent either. Blue isn;t a typical twenty year old wrestler.
Throughout the interview, I saw this young wrestler, who spoke like a veteran. More accurately, she spoke like an old school veteran. Blue has such a love for what she does. Her main goal isn't to make it “big time,” although obviously that would be great, but to make a living wrestling. This harkens back to the days of territories, road trips and wrestling for the love of the sport.
Before Blue battles Starkz at Girl Fight Wrestling's Jawbreaker, she will have another exciting match on September 19. At Chicago Style Wrestling's "Alive & Kickin',” Blue will face Kylie Rae. This is another dream match for Blue and for wrestling fans. It's also one more stepping stone in building Blue's already impressive resume.
At Girl Fight Wrestling's Jawbreaker, the main event will be Mickie Knuckles versus Su Yung.
Other matches include Salena Dean facing Charlie Kruel, Seishin versus Hawlee Cromwell, Megan DiFrancisco battling Camron Bra'Nae, Nikki Victory taking on Big Mama, Bailey McRoberts dueling Lillie Lockhart, and of course, Blue and Starkz bout, which just might steal the show. That's a lot of great action, but that's the goal of Girl Fight Wrestling.
I sincerely hope Blue never loses that refreshing mindset. She has the skills and attitude to not only make a living at wrestling, but to succeed on a high level. “I hope you never lose your sense of wonder” is a line from an old song. I hope Blue never loses her sense of wonder.
Continue to check back here for recurring coverage of Girl Fight Wrestling. Also, check out Girl Fight Wrestling on Facebook for updates and other info.

On the Beat With the Chicago Sky 09/15/20

The Chicago Sky's season ended with a 94-81 loss to the Connecticut Sun in their one game playoff. The Sky will now leave “the Wubble,” while the Sun will advance to the next single elimination game on Thursday.
It was a disappointing, but not entirely shocking loss for the Sky. As losers of six of their last regular season games, the Sky had been struggling to find success of late.
After a strong start to their season, the Sky was 11-4 in first place in the Eastern Conference and viewed as a real threat to win the WNBA championship. Unfortunately, that would be the high point. They finished their schedule with only one more win (against the 8-14 Dallas Wings), while losing the other six games by an average of 7 points.
The departure of Diamond DeShields (personal reasons) and Azura Stevens (injury) hurt the team, but nobody used that as an excuse. The Sky acquired Stephanie Mavunga and signed Alexis Prince for additional bench depth, but it just wasn't enough.
In the post game presser, Courtney Vandersloot, Kahleah Copper, Allie Quigley and Gabby Williams were understandably upset, but they remained positive about what was accomplished this season.
The Sky fared well on the WNBA season average leader board ranks, including Points (3), Field Goal Percentage (1), Three Point Percentage (5), Assists (2), Blocks (3), Defensive Rebounds (5) and Plus/Minus (5). On the other hand, there were some lower end ranks, including, Offensive Rebounds (10), Total Rebounds (9), Steals (8) and Free Throw Percentage (7).
Individually Courtney Vandersloot led the league in assists and was 9th in plus/minus. Cheyenne Parker was 7th in offensive rebounds. That was about it for top ten individual rankings.
In the end, the Sky and every other WNBA team should be proud of this season. They stood tall during a health pandemic and social unrest. They stayed true to their goal of using their platform for social change. A full league photo was a first as far as I have ever seen in the world of sports. That photo speaks volumes, representing the unity of the players and the league. The Sky gave fans a season of fun.
I would like to publicly thank Director of Public Relations and Communications Kelly Kane and intern Jake Meister for facilitating our coverage, including giving us access to the team all season. I also appreciate Coach James Wade and all the players for their time, consideration and fun.
Go to WNBA.com for info on the league, including the rest of the playoffs. Check back here for recurring coverage of the WNBA.

On the Beat With Athletes Unlimited Week 3 - 09/12-14/20

Another week is in the books for Athletes Unlimited. Like the previous weeks, Week Three provided a little bit of everything.
The final two games saw a pitchers' duel and a blowout. One Pendley sister (Nicole) robbed the other Pendley sister (Shelby) of a hit, but Shelby rebounded with a big home run. Speaking of home runs, there were many hit this weekend, including two off the bat of Stephanie Mauga in one game.
Some things remained the same however. Cat Osterman came out on top with three team victories and two pitching wins, including a brilliant 2-1 win over Team Piancastelli and Haylie Wagner, who also pitched a masterpiece.

Week Three final results are:

September 12
Team Piancastelli (Orange) beat Team Sanders (Purple) 7-4
Team Osterman (Yellow) beat Team Reed (Blue) 6-4

September 13
Team Piancastelli (Orange) beat Team Reed (Blue) 8-7
Team Osterman (Yellow) beat Team Sanders (Purple) 12-9

September 14
Team Reed (Blue) beat Team Sanders (Purple) 18-1
Team Osterman (Yellow) beat Team Piancastelli (Orange) 2-1

Standings
Team Osterman (Yellow) 3-0
Team Piancastelli (Orange) 2-1
Team Reed (Blue) 1-2
Team Sanders (Purple) 0-3

Week 4 Captains
Osterman, Reed, Victoria Hayward and Jessie Warren

Scoring was up this week. With a bit of help from the 18 run explosion yesterday, 79 runs were scored in total. That is up big time from Week Two's 61 runs. Again, the sample size is still too small to draw real conclusions, but it's interesting to note the scoring differences.
Osterman has a big lead in overall points and looks to be at the top when the season ends. While these athletes are all competitive, Osterman now has a bigger target on her back. Who, if anyone, will be the first to beat her or her team?
In other Athletes Unlimited news, pitcher Aleshia Ocasio will rejoin the league and is eligible for the Week 4 draft. Also, former Cal State Fullerton pitcher Trisha Parks has been added to the roster pool. Parks joined AU when Ocasio left for a family emergency. After passing the AU health protocol, both players will practice and remain with the league for the remainder of the season.
In media sessions with the players, AU writer Bruce Miles covered the game situation topics for articles on AUProSports.com. I ventured into other topics, including the players' causes, the playing conditions after the rain, the upcoming draft and more general interest topics.
One especially interesting part was Aubrey Leach discussing her grandmother Wilma Ann Williams-Leach, who played professional baseball for the Rockford Peaches in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. The elder Leach played in 1953, but died in 1993, before Aubrey was born. Still, she remains a source of pride for Aubrey.
Also especially fun was Megan Wiggins, who is obviously enjoying the league immensely. Wiggins joked about the wet conditions, speed on the bases and hitting home runs, She also gave a big shout out to playing in Rosemont.
Games resume on Saturday, September 19 at noon CST as Team Warren will face Team Reed. All Week Four games will be televised on an ESPN station or the CBS Sports Network, but check your local listings.

Go to AUProSports.com for more info on the league and the players. Also check the Athletes Unlimited Facebook page for more frequent updates.

On the Beat With the Chicago Sky 09/14/20

The Chicago Sky finished the WNBA regular season with a 95-88 win over the Dallas Wings. The Sky finished in first place In the Eastern Conference.

The Sky had lost four consecutive games and six of their last seven. During that skid, guard Diamond DeShields (personal reasons) and forward Azura Stevens (knee injury) left the team. The Sky also acquired forward Stephanie Mavunga from the Indiana Fever for center Jantel Lavender.

Despite their Eastern Conference first place finish, the Sky is seeded sixth for the WNBA playoffs, as conference standings do not figure into the equation. At 12-10, the Sky are ranked ahead of the Connecticut Sun (10-12) and the Washington Mystics (9-13). This sets up the first round single-elimination games tonight featuring the Sky facing the Sun and the Mystics battling the Phoenix Mercury (13-9).

In the media session on Monday, Coach James Wade, forward Cheyenne Parker and guars Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley were upbeat and stressed the team simply had to play to their capabilities. While that is expected talk for a playoff team, it isn't merely lip service. Prior to their late season slide, the Sky was riding high at 11-4. They were battling for the top spot in the WNBA and were considered to be a real threat to the championship.

The Sky outscored the Sun 1,908 to 1,768. The Sky shot better from the field (49.1%-42.7%) and from 3 point territory (35.1%-31.2%). The Sun had an edge in steals (12.9-10.3) and rebounds (49.4-46.3), while the Sky led in assists (29.6-25.2). Overall. The Sky head into the game as 3.5 point favorites. I am predicting a Sky win 82-79.

Go to WNBA.com for more info on the league and the playoffs. Check back here, GlobalTravelerUSA.com and GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com for more coverage.

Friend Encounters: Dolly Parton and Evil Zebra

Friend Encounters is a weekly seeries featuring friends who have met celebrities.

It's been a while since we visited the Evil Zebra, everyone's (nobody's) favorite retired referee on the east coast. EZ would say he is the celebrity, but for the purpose of today, I say he takes second place to Dolly Parton.
The pair met on the set of The Mike Douglas Show. I still do not know how EZ got on the show. One day, I will pin him down and get the full story. Until then, I just get to enjoy his "Blast from the Past" posts on social media.
I keep telling EZ he should write a book or at least put his stories online somewhere. The guy has dozens (hundreds) of stories. His connection to the late actress Dana Plato is enough to merit publishing.
I'll continue prodding EZ for more stories and details, but I must be careful. He can be a bit surly. He is against pineapple on pizza and Chicago pizza in general. I try to explain that all Chicago pizza is not deep dish. We have some awesome thin crust and I actually prefer the thin crust better. He does embrace his place in The Jay Leno Club, although he often uses it for comedic fodder.
It's always fun seeing EZ encounters. I will continue featuring EZ and hoping to get more stories.

Evil Zebra and Dolly Parton in California-1980.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #498 Chubb Bradley & Martin Truex Jr.

This is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing jerseys. Once again, we are working our way alphabetically through all of the Major League Baseball teams.

After a successful college career at North Carolina State University, defensive end Chubb Bradley was selected by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft. Switched to outside linebacker, Bradley had an excellent rookie season. Unfortunately, a partially torn ACL, ended his 2019 season after four games. Bradley is recovered and looking forward to a great 2020 season. Bradley was greeted with thunderous applause when he threw out a pitch for the Colorado Rockies and ultimately landed on a Celebrity Jersey Card.

New Jersey native Martin Truex Jr. is a stock car racer. He is the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion and a two-time NASCAR Xfinity Series champion. Truex earned his Celebrity Jersey Card when he threw a ceremonial pitch for the Rockies. He wore #78 for his then #78 car. No Rockies player ever has worn #78. Actually, no MLB player has worn it either.

Cards That Never Were: Johngy Topps Athletes Unlimited 2020

Cards That Never Were is a recurring series in which I create virtual trading cards for players missed in various sets. It is a concept I have borrowed from far too many to list, but I appreciate all o their efforts.

Athletes Unlimited and the Topps Company are making history and softball cards. Topps is creating an online exclusive trading card set for the league. The 60 card set will feature all 56 players and four "About the League" cards. There will also be a special "Championship Set" in October, which will feature the Athletes Unlimited Softball League Champion, Defensive Player of the Season and other award and highlight cards.
There are 56 players in the league and each one will have a card. Who does that leave for a missing card creation? You have to see where this is going.
While I usually do my own PhotoShop work, newer cards give me fits and I occasionally lean on my friend Lynn from the Custom Baseball Cards Facebook group. Lynn is probably the best and most prolific creator in the group. He is my "go-to" guy on projects beyond my skill level.
Such was the case with this "necessary" Card That Never Was.

On the Beat With Big Mama of Girl Fight Wrestling

My coverage of Girl Fight Wrestling continues with an interview with Big Mama. I was “On the Beat” and I got a little background on and insight into her.
Big Mama started her wrestling journey in 2006 at BoneKrushers National Pro Wrestling Training Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. Under the tutelage of wrestling veteran and former WWF referee Roger Ruffen and guest trainers TNA's Abyss and New Japan's Karl Anderson, Big Mama honed her skills in preparation for her debut. Two years later on April 5, 2008, Big Mama stepped into the ring for her first pro bout.
That is the basic biographical background of Big Mama's road to the ring, but the full story is a bit more colorful as she tells it in our interview. Long road trips from school, keeping her mom in the dark, turning 18 and more are part of the back story. Also, find out the role (or “blame” as we joked) her grandfather has in her story. Big Mama talks about all of that, her favorite wrestlers, her thoughts on Girl Fight Wrestling and Nikki Victory, her sometimes tag team partner, but opponent at Jawbreaker.
The “teacher versus student” is a wrestling staple and it will come alive again on Saturday, September 26 as Epic Wrestling Entertainment presents Girl Fight Wrestling Jawbreaker at the Park Memorial UMC in Jeffersonville, Indiana. The Big Mama-Nikki Victory story has a twist from the classic tale however.
While Big Mama definitely plans on winning and handing down a beating along the way, she is quick to state it doesn't change the tag team partnership with Victory. It's all part of wrestling as Big Mama sees it and she is right. She has fought with and against Victory before and the Big Victory tag team remains intact.
Because of their history and tag teaming, they know each other well. Will they capitalize on each other's weaknesses or will there be any mercy from one partner to another? Being familiar with Girl Fight Wrestling, I can tell you this can go many ways. One thing is certain though. It will be a great match.
In preparing for my interview with Big Mama, I watched some of her matches on YouTube. I saw shades of the legendary Earthquake in her, a comparison she does not dismiss and in fact, embraces. Much like 'Quake had a size advantage in many of his matches, so does Big Mama and also like him, she knows how to effectively use her size. Equipped with a solid move set and a mind for the sport, Big Mama is a force in the ring.
The Main Event for Jawbreaker is Mickie Knuckles versus Su Yung. Another match pits the purple haired maniac Charlie Kruel against “Small and Mean” Salena Dean, my two most recent interview subjects. In addition to Big Mama versus Victory, there are also a few other great matches. As Mad Man Pondo promised in our first interview about Girl Fight Wrestling, it is a show all about women, showcasing the best and toughest women.
As I continue to interview the fine women athletes about Girl Fight Wrestling, it becomes increasingly more apparent how passionate they are about it. It's also apparent it will be a great night. The more passionate these wrestlers are, the better the action will be.
Go to Girl Fight Wrestling on Facebook for more info and updates. Also, check out Fans of Big Mama on Facebook for news, updates and other fun stuff.

On the Beat With Athletes Unlimited Week 2 - 09/05-07/20

Athletes Unlimited Softball wrapped up another exciting weekend of softball action at the Ballpark in Rosemont, Illinois. The six games had a little bit of everything.
Cat Osterman's teams remained perfect, adding three more wins to the three wins from the first week of play. Osterman pitched two gems, including a 2-1 nail-biter to end the week.
Team Ocasio had a solid week, but just couldn't beat Osterman. Despite losing two of three, Team Hayward had the biggest offensive explosion, scoring 13 runs in their second game. Team Show went 0-3, but lost two tight games.

Week 2 final results are
September 5
Team Ocasio (Purple) beat Team Show (Orange) 6-4
Team Team Osterman (Gold) beat Team Hayward (Blue) 5-2
September 6
Team Hayward (Blue) beat Team Show (Orange) 13-5
Team Osterman (Gold) beat Team Ocasio (Purple) 5-4
September 7
Team Ocasio (Purple) beat Team Hayward (Blue) 9-5
Team Osterman (Gold) beat Team Show (Orange) 2-1

Standings
Team Osterman (Gold) 3-0
Team Ocasio (Purple) 2-1
Team Hayward (Blue) 1-2
Team Show (Orange( 0-3

Week 3 Captains
Cat Osterman, Aleshia Ocasio, Janie Reed and DJ Sanders

Overall, scores were down from last week. It's too small of a sample size to call any trend. Last week, there was more offense, with teams scoring a total of 74 runs, while this week, 61 runs were scored.
Going into Week Three, one question is a main topic of discussion. Will Osterman ever lose? She's running away with overall points. She'll be captain again. As a captain, it is important to have a dominating pitcher and Osterman immediately starts off with the best, herself.
In the media session, I asked Osterman about the pressures and duties of being the captain. Would she like to just be a player for once? Of course, knowing her, I could have guessed tht answer. Sh loves it. She even stated she is having as much fun as ever. Competitors l;ike Osterman are never “just players” regardless of captian tiles.
One aspect of Athletes Unlimited that doesn't get enough exposure features the athletes playing for various causes they chose. Part of the financial aspect of the game involves players earning bonuses which go to these chosen causes. In the media sessions, I asked the athletes to discuss their chosen causes.
As seemingly everything else with Athletes Unlimited, this is a unique situation. I know of no other professional sports league where the players earn money for their charities. Many athletes have charitable causes, but there is no other league that does it like Athletes Unlimited. The next time someone mentions the greed of athletes, feel free to mention Athletes Unlimited.
We see the athletes' passion on the field every game, but this was an opportunity to see their passion for a given cause. As you will hear, some athletes are playing for local organizations, which others are playing for world-wide organizations.
In media sessions all weekend, I asked players about their chosen causes. Hannah Flippen, Nerissa Myers, Morgan Howe, Erika Piancastelli, Jessica Warren, Nadia Taylor, Janie Reed, DJ Sanders and Cat Osterman discussed their chosen causes. As I wrote, the causes are varied, but the emotions in these athletes. In a league for and by the athletes, this is something they decided to do to give back. It's a part of the league that deserves more exposure.
The Week Three draft is being held tonight. Check Global Women's Sports Radio for the results and our continuing coverage of Athletes Unlimited. For more info on the players and the league, go to http://www.AUProSports.com.

On the Beat With Salena Dean of Girl Fight Wrestling

Continuing our coverage of Girl Fight Wrestling, I was “On the Beat” with “Small and Mean” Salena Dean. At Jawbreaker, Dean will battle the purple haired maniac Charlie Kruel, who I interviewed about a week ago.
Dean began her journey into the world of professional wrestling being trained by Roger Ruffen at the famous BoneKrushers Wrestling School in Ohio. While her grandfather was her biggest influence in life, Batista and Lita were her wrestling influences. A fan of wrestling her whole life, she entered that world in May 2018 and has been kicking butts ever since.
Confident and a bit cocky, Dean is an interesting study in character. She is completely self-assured, feeling she can beat anyone in the ring, including men. Yet, she also takes it very seriously, working out twice daily, while constantly trying to improve her skills in and out of the ring. Dean is definitely not a cookie-cutter heel.
She describes her ring style as submissions and ground work. Her signature move is the Fisherman's Suplex. She views her (rare) losses as learning experiences. These are the marks of a clean, technical wrestler, but when she talks about breaking jaws and drawing blood, you see the “mean” part of Dean.
As I am writing this and recalling our interview, I can see the well-rounded Dean eventually abandoning the dark side and turning into a “fan favorite.” The best faces come from the best heels. I see Dean making that transition to the delight of her fans.
Before that may happen, Dean will show her aggressiveness to Kruel at Girl Fight. Without taking Kruel lightly, Dean is very vocal in the interview and all over social media about hurting Kruel. She plans to turn Kruel's purple mane into a red mess.
In our interview, Dean talked about her start in pro wrestling, her upcoming bout with Kruel, what Girl Fight Wrestling means to her and much more. I completely appreciate Dean's time and consideration in our interview, but don't let her calm demeanor fool you. On September 26 at Girl Fight Wrestling, she will be anything but calm as she tears into Kruel.
Epic Wrestling Entertainment presents Girl Fight Wrestling Jawbreaker on September 26 at the Park Memorial UMC in Jeffersonville, Indiana. The Main Event is Mickie Knuckles versus Su Yung. That promises to be a great match, but Dean and Kruel are also determined to have a “Match of the Night” showing. I cannot predict a winner yet, except for the fans, who will be the real winners all night long.
Check back here and GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com for recurring coverage of Girl Fight Wrestling. Also, check the Girl Fight Wrestling Facebook page for more frequent updates.

On the Beat With Charlie Kruel of Girl Fight Wrestling

She's the purple haired maniac. She's the beautiful nightmare. She's Charlie Kruel and she recently joined me “On the Beat” for Global Women's Sports Radio.
Not a lot is known about the background of Kruel. On her social media page, she bills herself as “the cutest purple haired, energetic, ditzy, horror loving maniac in professional wrestling.” In watching her matches on YouTube and talking to her in our interview, I can confirm that is is all of those things.
In our interview, I learned that Masuku is her best friend. Not much is known about Masuku either, not even its' gender, if it has a gender. Obviously, Masuku is very important to Kruel. To some it may be just a mask, but to Kruel, it is much more. In the future, I hope to learn more about Masuku, if Kruel allows me.
It is said that she “escaped from Death Row,” but I did not broach this subject. Some things are better left for future interviews, especially when talking to a purple haired maniac.
With only three years of training and two years of in-ring experience, Kruel is young and early in her career, but her skill level, both in character and ability, is that of a more seasoned veteran. It's another example of the many dimensions of Kruel.
She can go from being the cute wrestler who wants to play patty-cake to the screaming maniac who wants to kick your butt, even if she bleeds doing it. It's a fascinating juxtaposition and one which is ever-evolving. It's what makes fans love her, no matter if she is heel or face.
I did ask Kruel about Charlie Kruel: Escape From VHS Hell, a book written by the talented John Cosper of EatSleepWrestle.com. This is the origin story of Charlie Kruel. It's an interesting tale for fans of Kruel, wrestling, horror films and anyone else who likes a unique story filled with colorful characters, the most colorful of whom is this purple haired maniac.
Kruel is one of the many talented women wrestlers who will be doing battle as Epic Wrestling Entertainment presents Girl Fight Wrestling Jawbreaker on September 26, 2020. Held at Park Memorial UMC in Jeffersonville, IN, Jawbreaker promises to be a fantastic night of women's wrestling.
Kruel will face “Small and Mean” Salena Dean. This is the first meeting for the two at Girl Fight Wrestling. Dean was trained by Abyss, Chris Harris and Roger Ruffen.  At 5'9” and 180 pounds, with 12 years in the ring, Dean tops Kruel in size and experience. That doesn't always matter in wrestling and it definitely doesn't matter to Kruel. She's ready for the fight.
The main event features Mickie Knuckles facing Su Yung. From seeing Knuckles up close during her time with Resistance Pro Wrestling, I know she is as tough as they come in the ring. Yung is a former Impact Knockouts champ, who will bring the fight to Knuckles. This bout alone is worth the price of admission.
Listening to Kruel talk about Girl Fight Wrestling, you can tell what it means to her. Without disparaging other women's companies, Kruel speaks of the uniqueness of Girl Fight Wrestling, her respect for the company and for Mad Man Pondo.
Don't let this side of Kruel fool you though. At Girl Fight Wrestling's Jawbreaker, Kruel will be looking for destruction.
Check GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com for more coverage of Girl Fight Wrestling. Also, check Girl Fight Wrestling on Facebook to get more frequent updates.

Friend Encounters: Jimmy Hart and Charlie Kruel

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

While helping spread the word about Girl Fight Wrestling, I had the pleasure of interviewing wrestler Charlie Kruel. I had heard of Charlie prior to the interview and liked what I saw from her, but I didn't know a lot. Actually, as only a three year or so veteran of the ring, there isn't a ton to learn yet, but there will be.

The purple haired maniac is talented in the ring, on the mic and with fans. Along with her best friend (or best mask) Masuku, Charlie is winning over fans big time. Whether wrestling as a fan favorite or a heel, Charlie is getting thunderous cheers.

As I learned in our interview, Charlie's wrestling heroes are AJ Lee, Jeff Hardy and Jon Moxley, but in 2016, she was very happy to meet the legendary wrestling manager Jimmy "The Mouth of the South" Hart. Charlie met Hart at Indy Pop Con and was "beyond happy" because he was so nice. I have not met Charlie in person, although many of my friends have (like Troy Babbs!), but I am sure her legion of fans feel the same way about meeting her.

Charlie is definitely on my radar for upcoming wrestling shows. I hope a Chicago area promoter brings in Charlie. I'll be there and hope to get an update interview if it happens.

Check out our interview at On the Beat With Charlie Kruel. You can also learn more about Charlie at On the Beat With Charlie Kruel on Global Women's Sports Radio.

Also, go to Girl Fight Wrestling on Facebook to get more info and updates on this fun night.

Jimmy Hart and Charlie Kruel in Indianapolis, IN-June 2016.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #497 Robert Herjavec & Susumu Tonegawa

This is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing jerseys. Once again, we are working our way alphabetically through all of the Major League Baseball teams.

Croatia born Robert Herjavec made a fortune in internet security software. In the 1980s, he worked as a third assistant director on a few film projects. He stepped back in the world of entertainment as one of the sharks on television's Shark Tank. Herjavec threw out a pitch for the Boston Red Sox and landed on a Celebrity Jersey Card.

 Japan born Susumu Tonegawa is a successful scientist. He was the sole recipient of the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1987, for his discovery of the genetic mechanism that produces antibody diversity. A Boston resident and big fan of the Boston Red Sox, Tonegawa happily threw out a ceremonial pitch in 2004, the team's championship season, to earn a Celebrity Jersey Card.

Cards That Never Were: Kim McQuilken Topps 1975-'78

Cards That Never Were is a recurring series in which I create virtual trading cards for players missed in various sets. It is a concept I have borrowed from far too many to list, but I appreciate all of their efforts. Other creations of mine and many others can be found in the Custom Baseball Cards Facebook group (which is not just baseball cards, despite the name).

After playing collegiately at Lehigh, quarterback Kim McQuilken was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the 3rd round of the 1974 NFL draft. Over the next four seasons, he started seven games, throwing for four touchdowns, but also 28 interceptions. He finished his career playing three games for Washington Redskins in 1978, completing one out of four pass attempts with one interception.

Topps did not deem his card-worthy in any of his seasons, which is understandable, considering his playing time. Also, the Falcons shuffled a lot of QBs during his time, including Pat Sullivan, Bob Lee, Bob Berry, June Jones and Scott Hunter. That never prevents me from filling the gaps.

I was able to find enough good pictures to create cards for McQuilken from 1975-'78. Unfortunately, I could not find any decent picture of him during is time with the Redskins, which makes his '79 card a white whale.

On the Beat With the Chicago Sky 09/02/20

Tuesday's Chicago Sky media session featured Sky veteran Stefanie Dolson and newcomer Stephany Mavunga. Although they spell their names differently, reporters joked it was a “Stephany 2fer.” The players rolled with it, with veteran Stef asking for a nickname for the newcomer and Stephany commenting she was just happy to be with the Sky and would accept a new name to eliminate any “Stephany” confusion.
Center Dolson starred at the University of Connecticut before being selected by he Washington Mystics in the 1st round (6th overall) of the 2014 WNBA draft. After three seasons with the Mystics, Dolson was traded to the Sky in the big Elena Delle Donne trade. For her career, she has played 207 games, averaging 9.7 points, 5,1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 blocks and .5 steals per game. She is also a two-time All Star.
I asked Dolson about the Big East Women's Basketball tournament moving from Chicago's Wintrust Arena to the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut. Dolson fondly recalled her time at UConn and is happy to see the tourney come to Connecticut. She finished hoping for the sports situation to improve by then.
A native of Harare, Zimbabwe, power forward Stephanie Mavunga starred at North Carolina and Ohio State before the Indiana Fever selected her in the second round (14th overall) of the 2018 WNBA draft. The Sky recently acquired Mavunga in exchange for traded Jantel Lavender and two 2021 draft picks  In her third season, Mavunga has played 55 games, averaging 2.6 points and 2.4 rebounds per game, while mixing in some assists, steals and blocks.
Fresh to the Sky environs in “the Wubble,” Mavunga is recovering from a broken nose which requires her to wear a face mask. She talked about the mask and even gave us the first look at the actual mask she'll be wearing.
Unfortunately, the Sky followed that session later in the day with a 86-83 loss to the Minnesota Lynx. The Sky now stand at 11-7, still good for 1st place in the Eastern Conference. With four games left, they have a three game lead over the Connecticut Sun. The Sky play the Mystics, who at 4-12, should provide a breather for the Sky, but could also be primed to upset the front-running Sky.
While the Sky have clinched a playoff spot, they are currently in the 5th spot of the eight team field. The loss to the Lynx put them 1.5 games behind the Lynx for the 4th spot. Obviously, the Sky would like to reach the top four, but it will be a tough climb with only a handful of games left for all.
Go to WNBA.com for more info on the league. Also, check here for recurring coverage.

On the Beat With Athletes Unlimited 08/31/20

Athletes Unlimited finished their first round of play on Monday with a shutout and a nail-biter. It was an exciting and fun weekend for the players and the fans alike. 

Week 1 final game results are:

Game 1 - Team Warren (Orange) beat Team Fagan (Purple) 11-3

Game 2 - Team Wagner (Gold) beat Team Pendley (Blue) 18-4

Game 3 - Team Warren (Orange) beat Team Pendley (Blue) 10-2

Game 4 - Team Wagner (Gold) beat Team Fagan (Purple) 6-2

Game 5 - Team Fagan (Purple) beat Team Pendley (Blue) 7-6

Game 6 - Team Wagner (Gold) beat Team Warren (Orange) 5-0

Team Wagner (Gold) 3-0

Team Warren (Orange) 2-1

Team Fagan (Purple) 1-2

Team Pendley (Blue) 0-3

The final leader board is

1 Osterman-604

2-Show-524

3-Hayward-490

4-Ocasio-464

5-Leach-440

6-Piancastelli-440

7-Reed-440

8-Warren-440

9-Mauga-430

10-Ramirez-410

10T-Sveiks-410:

As the top four positions on the leader board show, next week's captains are Cat Osterman, Samantha Show, Victoria Hayward, and Aleshia Ocasio. Drafting will take place Tuesday.

The first weekend of games proved several points. With two pitchers and two offensive players in the top four spots, the scoring system is solid and represents both aspects of the game.

Additionally, 18 of the top 20 player scores came from the undefeated Gold team and the Yellow team who was 2-1. The Purple team at 1-2 took two slots and the Blue team, without a win, was shut out of the top 20 spots. That proves the scoring does balance team performance with individual performance.

I admit I was a bit skeptical about how the scoring system would balance all things, but I knew the league had run the numbers and various scenarios and I gave them the benefit of any doubt. The first round of games wiped out all doubt and proved the viability of the system.

Last weekend also proved that the fans are watching and loving it. Social media was on fire all weekend on the Athletes Unlimited pages and various softball and player pages. The overwhelming response is positive. At first, the lack of softball this summer might have been a contributing factor to the interest level, but in the end, the players, games and concept are the main draw.

Finally, Round One showed how much the players love the game. Every player had smiles all weekend. Even in the toughest of moments, maybe even especially in those moments, players couldn't and wouldn't hide their enthusiasm.

The press sessions were equally as interesting. Players took turns patiently explaining the scoring system. I think we all get it now fortunately as we head into week 2. Players stressed how team performance is not undervalued in the system and the results prove that. Players also explained how the scoring system mirrors the existing softball mindset of win the inning, win the game, keep it going. The difference is now points are officially awarded for achievements.

Once most of the scoring questions passed, thoughts turned to the next draft, the fan appreciation, the love of the game and other regular softball questions. As I have previously stressed, it is a new concept, but it doesn't affect the beauty of the game. In the end, this is softball at the highest level played by the most elite players in the world.

Go to AUProSports.com for more info and updates. Also, check here, GlobalTravelerUSA.com, Patch.com, GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com and here, of course, for recurring coverage of Athletes Unlimited.

Happy Birthday Matt

Today I am celebrating my nephew Matt Parker's birthday. While I usually exchange barbs with him, today I will be nice.

We'be had so many great times together. We've been on Major League Baseball fields, interviewed great (and not-so-great players), hung out with celebrities at comic cons, got ourselves on camera at wrestling shows and other fun stuff.

While we don't see each other as much now, I couldn't be happier and prouder of Matt. The picture below says it all. Matt has his own happy little family. It warms my heart and blows my mind seeing this.

Matt and Erin are going to have wonderful times with their daughter Delaney. I'll enjoy watching in person and via texts and social media. They are a beautiful family (and also with their dog Annie).

I hope Matt has a great day today. I wish him a happy birthday and the best of life always.

Matt, Erin and Delaney in South Haven, MI-June 2020.

On the Beat With the Chicago Sky 08/31/20

The Chicago Sky have had an eventful week. They finished August losing two of their last three games, while adding a couple players to replace a couple others.
Guard Diamond DeShields and forward Azura Stevens left the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Sidelined with a knee injury, Stevens is heading to a cartilage specialist and is out for the rest of the season. Also done for the year is DeShields, who left for personal reasons.
In other roster moves, the Sky traded center Jantel Lavender and two 2021 draft picks to Indiana for forward Stephanie Mavunga. The 14th overall pick in the 2018 WNBA draft, was averaging career highs in points, rebounds and minutes per game, before a facial injury sidelined her on August 7. She is cleared to play now, but must wait through her quarantine period before playing for the Sky.
The Sky also signed free agent Alisa Jenkins to a seven day contract. The forward, who played for Indiana earlier in the season, made her first appearance for the Sky yesterday, playing one minute without any stats.
In the off day media session, guard Sydney Colson and forward Cheyenne Parker discussed the recent changes and events, while stressing the team unity and focus. With the loss of DeShields and Stevens, others will have to step up.
I asked Parker if Coach James Wade was working on any new wrinkles to be unveiled in the playoffs. Parker did not reveal any secrets, but stated that Coach wade was creative and would have a great plan. While not spilling any inside info, Parker's slight grin gave away the answer more than her words.
Especially with the recent changes, Coach Wade has been forced to be flexible with his team and the plans. It's a guaranteed Coach Wade will debut a new play or two when the playoffs begin.
Last Thursday's game with the Indiana Fever was played yesterday and won by the Sky to snap their two game skid. The postponement was the result of the players taking a stand for social justice.
On Monday, the Sky beat the Fever handily 100-77. The Sky sits in 1st place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 10-6 with six games remaining. Wednesday night, they face the Minnesota Lynx, who at 10-5 are in 4th place in the Western Conference.
The Sky have a comfortable three game lead in the Eastern Conference. While winning is still the focus over the remaining games, team chemistry is very important, too. A lot has changed in a week, but the Sky are still on top and plan to stay there.
Go to WNBA.com for more info on the league. Check here, GlobalTravelerUSA.com and GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com for recurring coverage.