The Pro Jordyn Rudd

A few weeks ago, Tony and I went to Peoria for a Women's Professional Fastpitch (WPF) game between the USSSA Pride and the Oklahoma City Smoke. One of the main reasons and a highlight was seeing Jordyn Rudd.

Jordyn was a catcher for Northwestern. A Gold Glove winner, she was drafted by the WPF and Athletes Unlimited. She chose the WPF and joined the Pride.

I have the pleasure of watching Jordyn for her entire career with the Wildcats. I interviewed her earlier this year. That interview is at On the Beat With Jordyn Rudd.

Jordyn is a very talented player and a leader on and off the field. She was excellent from the start and developed into one of the best I have seen.

I messaged Jordyn telling her I would be at the game. She hit a home run in the game, as the Pride went on to win in extra innings. After the game, we hung by the dugout hoping to catch up with her. She was one of the first out and we talked for a few minutes.

It was great seeing this young athlete now a pro. She seems to be soaking it all in, as well she should. She worked hard for everything she has and has earned a sport on the Pride. I hope she has a long career and I hope to see her again.

I only wish the WPF had a team in Chicago. In its second season, the WPF has teams in Oklahoma City, Texas, Alabama and Florida (the Pride). Both seasons, they played a series in Peoria. Hopefully, next year they will do so again and I will be there again!

For more info on the WPF, go to WProFastpitch.com. Also, follow my recurring coverage here, on GlobalTravelerUSA.com and TheEveryDayFan.com.

Jordyn Rudd and me in Peoria, IL-July 2023.

Kelly Kretschman, the GOAT!

 A product of the University of Georgia, Kelly Kretschman is one of the greatest softball players of all time. I would ran her at the top of that list actually.

I had the pleasure of watching Kelly play many times in Rosemont against the Chicago Bandits. She also gave me one of my best media moments. At one of the National Pro Fastpitch banquets, Kelly mentioned she was retiring. It was sort of lost in the evening, but I interviewed her the next day at the ballpark and she confirmed it. I got a bit of a scoop. I don't know if other outlets heard it already, but I got a bit of exposure from "breaking" the story. That interview is at On the Beat With Kelly Kretschman.

Recently I saw Kelly again, when Tony and I drove to Peoria to see the USSSA Pride play. Kelly was a coach. I was determined to meet her after the game. When I saw her emerge from the dugout, I yelled her name and she heard me and smiled, although she seemed a bit surprised.

Tony and I both praised her for a great career. She looked genuinely touched. That's Kelly, ever-humble, despite her greatness.

It's unfortunate that softball (like all women's sports) is so undercovered. Players like Kelly deserve more exposure. Fans also are missing out on great players and people. Kelly is one of the best all around.

Kelly Kretschman and me in Peoria, IL-July 2023.

On the Beat With Ciara Bryan

Yesterday was National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD). I celebrated the day by interviewing pro softball player Ciara Bryan. That interview is at On the Beat With Ciara Bryan.

Ciara started playing as a toddler and quickly became a budding star. At Newton High School in Covington, Georgia, Ciara was named 2015 Region Player of the Year. She went on to star at the University of Georgia, where she earned more awards and accolades.

Ciara's professional career started with Athletes Unlimited Softball. From there she moved on to the new Women's Professional Fastpitch league.

On June 14, 2022, Ciara played in the first ever WPF game, leading her Smash It Sports Vipers over USSSA Pride 9-5. Ciara was 2-3 with 2 Hrs, 6 RBIs and 2 runs scored. Ciara stayed hot all season, having a (AVG/OBP/SLG/OPS) slashline of .316/.350/.526/.876, with 3 HRs, 9 RBIs and 13 runs scored. Her stats were near the top on her team in most categories, including her perfect fielding percentage.

I started the interview by wishing her a happy NGWSD, asking what it meant to her to be celebrated today. She also discussed being a part of the progression of women's sports and a role model for younger and future players.

Ciara talked about AU's unique scoring system and the effect it has on the game. She shared interesting insight into that topic.

When the WPF announced an expansion team in Texas (owned by former Major League Baseball player Brandon Phillips), it fit perfectly into her relocation plans. As she posted on social media, she manifested her her team change to happen. This season, Ciara will play for the Texas team (team name to be announced soon).

Last season, I trekked from Chicago to downstate Peoria to watch a WPF series. When I mentioned that to Ciara, she stated schedules would be coming out late February, but there should be games all over again, as the league tries to gain fans and exposure. That certainly made my day. If the WPF plays anywhere near me, I will be there. Hopefully, I'll get to see Ciara in action.

Ciara finished with revealing what she does to get away from everything. Her dogs play a big part in her life, as witness by the cameo appearances during the interview.

The WPF season starts in June and runs through August. I will update all when the schedule is released and I will cover the season here on The Every Day Fan.

On the Beat With Kate Short

I recently interviewed Alissa Dalton of the Women's Pro Fastpitch league. Today, I feature my recent interview with Kate Short, a teammate of Alissa's in the WPF. That interview is at On the Beat With Kate Short.

A native of Virginia, Short started playing softball at a young age. As a youngster, she attended a National Pro Fastpitch game between the Chicago Bandits and the Washington Glory. She might have thought playing pro softball was a dream, but seeing the NPF game showed it could be a reality. Years later, it would become her reality.

While still in her early teens, many colleges recruited Short, but she ultimately chose James Madison University in her home state.

While with the Dukes, Short racked up many records and had many career highlights. Her biggest moment probably came during JMU's run in the 2021 Women's College World Series. On the biggest stage, Short connected on a game-winning home run in the opening game against top-seed Oklahoma. This is the stuff of dreams.

Short talked about all of this and her path to the Smash It Sports Vipers of WPF. Talking openly, Short discussed feeling a bit of fear in playing pro ball. I loved hearing that and I am sure young players will take a lesson from that.

Those youngsters are a big part of the reason Short is playing pro softball. Perhaps a much as she wanted to play, she also wanted to grow the game and encourage young players, like her sister, an infielder at Penn State University. Short's passion for the game is palpable.

In addition to playing, Short has coached youth teams for a couple years. She also started a real estate career.

We talked about the future of WPF. A new team in Oklahoma City has been announced for next season, joining the Vipers and the USSSA Pride. Short shares my hope another team will be added.

As I told Dalton, my pal and I thoroughly enjoyed a WPF series between the Vipers and Pride in Peoria, Illinois. While we would love a team or even games in Chicago, we will go to more WPF games next season, wherever they play.

I thank Short for her time and consideration. Check back here and TheEveryDayFan.com for more coverage of women's pro softball. Go to wprofastpitch.com for more info on the league and the players.

On the Beat With Alissa Dalton

Women's Professional Fastpitch recently ended its debut season. I interviewed Alissa Dalton, who played for the Smash It Sports Vipers. That interview is at On the Beat With Alissa Dalton.

Growing up in Texas, Dalton caught the attention of college recruiters early in her high school years. Recruiters came so early, they surprised Dalton, who relates that story. Eventually, she settled on the University of Oklahoma. After one season at Oklahoma, Dalton transferred to Louisiana.

While in college, Dalton earned many awards and accolades. She was the Sun Belt Conference Newcomer of the Year in 2018 and the Sun Belt Conference Player of he Year in 2019, among many other honors. A great hitter and defender, Dalton was also very durable, starting almost every game during her college years.

Dalton talked about having family and friends in the stands and what she hears on the field. Of course, I also had to ask about a defensive gem versus a game winning home run.

When the WPF came calling, Dalton answered and joined the Vipers. Dalton hit .322, good for fifth in the league. She was in the top ten of most offensive categories, often in the top five.

The first season of the WPF was classified as an exhibition, with the Vipers playing the USSSA Pride for most of their games. Each team also played a few other games with teams not in the WPF. The Vipers finished 17-13, while the Pride went 19-10.

The WPF already announced the Oklahoma City Spark will join the league for next season. While nothing has been stated, I am sure everyone hopes for at least one more team to be added for next season. A fourth team would enable better scheduling.

I attended a three game series between the Vipers and Pride in Peoria, Illinois, a few hours south of my Chicago area home. If the WPF doesn't come to me, I will go to the WPF. My friend and I were a bit surprised by the SRO crowd at the games. With neither team being local, we didn't know what to expect, but the thousands of fans rooted for softball, much like I did. We were treated to three fantastic games.

Dalton talked about her first season and the league in general. She states the Peoria experience was typical of all stops on the WPF schedule. A teacher by trade, Dalton staed she plans on returning next season. I put in my plea for a Chicago area team or at least a series around here, but I also promised to go to the closest series wherever it is.

The WPF is softball at its finest. The women are elite athletes, dedicated to playing, coaching and growing their sport.

I thank Dalton for her time and consideration. I look forward to an update interview next season, hopefully in person at a game. Check back here and TheEveryDayFan.com for more women's pro softball coverage.

On the Beat With Abbey Cheek

Over several seasons covering the National Pro Fastpitch Chicago Bandits, I conducted more than 150 player interviews, but I missed Abbey Cheek. On Monday, I finally had the opportunity to add Abbey to my list. That interview is at On the Beat With Abbey Cheek.

A native of South Carolina, Abbey was highly recruited out of high school. She went on to have a stellar career at the University of Kentucky. Abbey racked up a lot of records and accolades at Kentucky, including being named the SEC Player of the Year. A powerful hitter, who holds career records at Kentucky for home runs, RBIs, runs, slugging percentage and total bases, Abbey also was named to the SEC All-Defensive team during her final season.

She was drafted by the Bandits and was named NPF Rookie of the Year. Unfortunately, the NPF folded after Abbey's first season. Since then, Abbey played one season in Japan.

Abbey talked about her start in softball and her career. She indulged me by answering whether when playing for the Bandits, she ever tried to hit the expressway in batting practice, Despite Parkway Bank Sports Complex positioned with a Chicago expressway well beyond the outfield fence, the possibility of a home run reaching it is a continual topic of discussion among fans.

Last season, Abbey joined the softball coaching staff at Limestone University in Gaffney, South Carolina. She talked about the challenges and rewards of coaching young players at the NCAA Division II school.

Abbey also played the 2022 season with the USSSA Pride of the new Women's Pro Fastpitch league. Although the season was an exhibition, there are plans for expansion and a full regular season in 2023. Abbey talked about the debut season and the WPF future, as well as her own future.

The WPF is a pro league using standard scoring, as opposed to Athletes Unlimited Softball, which utilizes a fantasy scoring system to produce one individual champ. I attended a few WPF games and was impressed with every aspect from the play to the organization. Hopefully, the WPF continues to grow. There is plenty of room for both AU and WPF softball.

I thank Abbey for her time and consideration. Check back here and TheEveryDayFan.com for updates on the WPF as announcements are made.