Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.
The Bandits are back! I continue celebrating the return of pro softball to Chicago.
Jennie Finch is one of the greatest softball players of all time. She starred at the University of Arizona, won the gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics and the silver medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics and pitched for the Chicago Bandits of the National Pro Fastpitch from 2005 to 2010.
Unfortunately, her time with the Bandits ended before I started covering the team. Still, I got to know Jennie from her many visits back. I also had the pleasure of an interview with her on one of those visits. Jennie is like softball royalty every time she is here.
It seems like Jennie might be here more often this summer. The Bandits are back and Jennie is working with the league.
Someone who was here a long time, but is gone now, is super fan Kevin. Despite not returning lately, Kevin is still part of the old guard, a group of loyalists called "old crusties." Kevn moved on to calmer pastures in the Dakotas. He is missed, but we exchange fun messages regularly.
Kevin got a picture with Jennie during one of her visits. I might have taken this photo because I remember us hanging out in the area taking pictures.
If Jennie returns this year, chance are I will get another photo with her. I'll be one of hundreds to do so, but Jennie never complains. She is a real gem.
For more info on AU, go to auprosports.com. For more info on Jennie, go to jenniefinch.com.
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