Goodbye, Good Luck and Thank You Lacey Waldrop

It is always bittersweet when a favorite player retires. I am very happy for Chicago Bandits pitcher Lacey Waldrop as she continues her coaching career with Duke University, but I am going to miss her around Rosemont.

Born in Virginia, Lacey was a star pitcher at Florida State University. She was selected 3rd overall by the Bandits in the 2015 NPF draft. She was a key part in winning 2015 and '16 NPF championships and she was a popular player in Rosemont and throughout the league.

I have had the pleasure of knowing and covering Lacey during her 4 seasons in Chicago. She was always fun and friendly off the field and a fierce competitor on field. She had deep faith and credited that for her ability to balance softball competition with other parts of life.

Lacey impressed me right from the start. She was always a good interview. I also am proud to own a jersey of hers, which hangs in my place.

Life goes on though and Lacey has been planning for her post-playing career. She has been the assistant softball coach at DUke and I think she is going to eventually make a great head coach.

I want to thank Lacey for her time, consideration and friendship during her time here. She is a class act and a true professional.I wish her well at Duke and beyond and I hope our paths cross again somewhere. I'll be following her career and rooting for #13.

You can check my first interview with her at On the Beat With Lacey Waldrop. The rest of my interviews with Lacey are also there, as well as all of my other interviews. Also, go to ChicagoBandits.com for more info on the team.

Lacey Waldrop and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2018.

Breast Cancer Awareness and the Chicago Bandits

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Obviously, the Chicago Bandits do not play in October, but they still do their part for the cause.

Every season, the wear special pink jerseys for a couple games. Those jerseys are then auctioned with the money going to the cause.

Last season, I won an auction for Lacey Waldrop's jersey. Lacey was kind enough to sign it and pose with me after a later game.

On Facebook, I am in the Custom Baseball Cards group, in which people (sometimes even me) create virtual trading cards. Most of the time, these creations either replace bad looking cards from the past or give cards to players missed in sets. Recently, David Garcia posted his creation dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness. David was kind enough to make a card of Lacey for me. I greatly appreciate is effort.

For more info on Breast Cancer Awareness, check out NationalBreastCancer.org. Also, go to ChicagoBandits.com for all of the info on Chicago's National Pro Fastpitch team. Come out to a game next season, especially for "Pink" night.

Lacey Waldrop and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2017.

On the Beat With the Chicago Bandits 2018

The Chicago Bandits are a perfect 13-0, ending last weekend with a 3 pitcher combined perfect game against the Aussie Spirit. My early season recap is on the Patch at Chicago Bandits Remain Perfect!

During the course fo the weekend, I had the pleasure of interviewing outfielder Brenna Moss, pitcher Lacey Waldrop, newcomer catcher Kristyn Sandberg, pitcher Haylie Wagner and newcomer pitcher Coley Ries. We talked to the women about the great start and various other fun topics.

Most of the interviews featured questions submitted by superfan and future Bandit Kenzie Parker. I love having Kenzie involved. I constantly hear about growing the game and giving back to the future players and fans. Kenzie is both a big fan and (I have no doubt) a future NPF player). Including Kenzie is my small contribution to growing the game and giving to young fans. My real hope is that Kenzie will actually come back to a game and conduct the interviews herself. Kenzie has an pen invitation.

I really appreciate the hospitality of the Chicago Bandits for allowing me access to do what I love. I appreciate the efforts of Director of Media Relations Jason Lowenthal and the time and consideration of all of the players. It is a pleasure and an honor to cover this team.

Check back here all season for coverage of the Bandits. Also, check ChicagoBandits.com for more info and updates on the team.

On the Beat With Lacey Waldrop of the Chicago Bandits 2017

We are very happy to be back "On the Beat" with the back-to-back reigning National Pro Fastpitch champion Chicago Bandits.  Today, our coverage brings us to pitcher Lacey Waldrop.

Wearing #13, Lacey proves that she doesn't believe in bad luck and that talent supersedes such thoughts.  In our interview last year, she talked about her attitude towards the game in terms of being serious, but not overly serious.  It again stems from her abilities and her belief system.  Lacey's maturity is evident on and off the field.
She is off to a solid start this season.  As of this writing, Lacey is 3-2 with an ERA of 1.81.  She also has 20 strikeouts in 31 innings.

This season, we talked to Lacey about winning her second title in the NPF.  We also talked about her debut in the NPF, which was a one-hitter.

I got a little help in the interview from Kenzie Parker, young softball player and superfan of the Bandits.  Kenzie submitted three questions for Lacey to answer.

I liked Kenzie's contribution.  It's good to get the perspective of a young fan.  I think other young fans and players will benefit from her questions.

A big thanks to the Chicago Bandits for their continued hospitality.  I also appreciate Lacey's time and consideration this season and in the past.  She's another great role model and elite athlete of the Bandits and we are happy to have her here!  For more info on Lacey and the Bandits, check out ChicagoBandits.com.

On the Beat With Lacey Waldrop of the Chicago Bandits 2016

The JohngysBeat.com continuing coverage of the Chicago Bandits puts pitcher Lacey Waldrop in the spotlight today.  The second year pitcher is a unique player and person.

Lacey had an outstanding career at Florida State University where she piled up honors.  She was a 4x All-ACC performer, a 2x ACC Pitcher of the Year and a 3x NFCA All-American selection.  She was named the 2014 USA Softball National Player of the Year.  She finished her career holding the FSU career mark for wins (109) while ranking in the top five in appearances (170), strikeouts (917) and saves (7) on the way to becoming the first player in FSU history to be drafted into the NPF.

In her rookie season, she went 3-5 with a 3.42 ERA.  That ERA deserved a better record, but Lacey's value isn't based on W/L record.  She is a talented young pitcher who has a bright future.

The true essence of Lacey goes well beyond the stats though.  She wears #13 to prove to others that it is not unlucky.  She smiles, while not losing one bit of her competitiveness.  She is not your average pitcher.
I talked to Lacey about her frame of mind which lead to her gaining the smile without losing the passion.  We also talked about her appearance on a billboard, which resulted in an even more interesting photo.  Lacey also talked about adjustments from college and her first season.
Lacey is a real pleasure to watch and know.  As I wrote earlier, she is a unique individual, yet she fits in perfectly with the Bandits.
Head over to ChicagoBandits.com to learn more about Lacey and the Bandits.  Also, be sure to return here for our continuing coverage of the 2015 National Pro Fastpitch champs!

On the Beat with Lacey Waldrop and the Chicago Bandits 2015

Today, the Johngy's Beat and Justin's World of Softball joint coverage of the Chicago Bandits features rookie pitcher Lacey Waldrop.  The rookie pitcher out of Florida State is already contributing.

Lacey had a great career with FSU and was drafted by the Bandits.  She is 1-1 with one complete game win.  She has pitched 11.1 innings and has an ERA of 2.47.

Big things are expected of Lacey.  She has shown poise and ability in her brief Bandits career and I look forward to watching as her career progresses.

In our introductory interview with Lacey, we discussed being drafted, the transition from college to professional softball and much more.

After you watch the interview, head over to ChicagoBandits.com for more news and updates.  You should also check out the Bandits live in Rosemont or at least on tv or YouTube.  They are a fun bunch!