Estela Pinon and Missing the Chicago Bandits

The pandemic caused the cancellation of the 2020 and 2021 National Pro Fastpitch seasons. Then in August 2021, the NPF announced it was ceasing operations. Athletes Unlimited has helped fill the void, but nothing really matches the fun I had with the Bandits.

Estela Pinon pitched for the University of Arizona Wildcats for two seasons after transferring from Yavapai College. She finished her career with a record of 32-17 for the Wildcats, appearing in 70 games and starting 50 of them. She struck out 241 hitters in 288.1 innings. After Arizona, Estela was the Bandits first round (No. 4 overall) selection in the 2014 NPF Draft. She played one season for the Bandits, before retiring from the NPF. I did get one interview with her, which can be found at On the Beat With Estela Pinon.

Estela seems to have switched her focus from softball to baseball and with good reason. She married pitcher Ken Giles a few years ago. Ken has pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies, Houston Astros and the Toronto Blue Jays. In six seasons, he has a career record of 14-18 with 114 saves and a 2.67 ERA. He is a valuable relief pitcher.

The couple, who have one child, join a short list of two sport marriages.Former Bandits pitcher Jennie Finch is married to former pitcher Casey Daigle. There are probably a few other softball-baseball marriages, too.

Estela Pinon and me in Rosemont, IL-Summer 2014.

Friendly Encounters: Kenny Giles and Estela Pinon

Friendly Encounters is a weekly feature about my friends meeting celebrities.

This is a real heart warming Friendly Encounters entry.  I first met Estela Pinon during her time with the Chicago Bandits.  My interview with her can be found at On the Beat with Estela Pinon of the Chicago Bandits 2014.  The Bandits selected the Arizona pitcher in the 2014 draft.
Pitching is apparently the key for Pinon.  She began dating Kenny Giles, pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies.  Love blossomed between the two.  Giles popped the big question on a ball field (of course) and Pinon accepted.  Don't they look like a happy couple?  The duo recently got married.  (Why wasn't I invited or at least asked to cover it?  LOL)
Giles also recently got traded to the Houston Astros.  This is another positive for Giles, as the Astros should be considerably better than the Phillies in the near future.
Even though I wasn't invited to their wedding, I do want to wish the couple a lifetime of happiness.  Pinon was super nice during her time with the Bandits and we miss her in Chicago!  Houston is getting a great couple!

Estela Pinon and Kenny Giles in Boston, MA-September 2015.