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.

Swag Week: Kelly Kretschman Autographed Softball

Swag Week features interesting collectibles I have gotten through my coverage of various teams and people.

Kelly Kretschman is a softball legend. A four-time All-American at Alabama, she is a two-time medal-winning Olympian. She played 15 years of National Pro Fastpitch, most notably with the USSSA Pride. She was on seven NPF Champion teams and was a three-time NPF Player of the Year.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Kretschman on the field after a victory against the Chicago Bandits during the 2019 Cowles Cup Championship series. Kretschman's Pride won the series. The previous night at the NPF Awards ceremony, Kretschman announced her retirement. I talked about that with her in the interview. I ended by thanking her for the years of fun watching her play. I was gld to have the opportunity to interview her, but also to express my gratitude. That interview can be found at On the Beat With Kelly Kretschman.

I would never ask for an autograph while on press duty, but the next night I was just a fan. I asked Kretschman to sign a ball for me and she graciously did it laughing that I didn't ask the previous night.

Kretschman was a true pro. She is missed on the field. I wonder what she would have done in Athletes Unlimited Softball.

Goodbye, Good Luck and Thank You to Kelly Kretschman

Kelly Kretschman was a 4x All-American at Alabama and she won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2004 Athens Olympics and a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Kelly continued to rack up honors, awards and championships in pro softball, with the Akron Racers, Connecticut Brakettes, Washington Glory and USSSA Pride.

Last season, the Pride defeated the Chicago Bandits in the NPF championship. I interviewed Kelly after Game One. That interview can be found at On the Beat With Kelly Kretschman.

This interview was very important to me. I don't interview many players other than Bandits, but Kelly has been on my "want" list for a while.

At the Awards Banquet prior to the championship series, Kelly won the first ever Legacy Award and also announced her retirement. That made it even more important that I landed an interview with her.

Kelly gave her thoughts on the first win in the series, as well as winning the Legacy Award and announcing her retirement. She also mentioned playing in Japan. As far as I know, that was her first public comment on her future. Potential scoop aside, I was simply happy to add Kelly to my interview list.

Right from the first time I saw her play years ago, I knew Kelly was special. She maintained an elite level of play even as she entered her late 30's. Kelly was a real professional. She played the game with passion and dedication. She always had time for the fans, too, even at opposing ballparks.

I had talked to Kelly informally many times. I always felt like I was standing with one of the greatest, but also one of the nicest. I always hated to see Kelly and her teams succeed against the Bandits, but I respected her effort and accomplishments. I also enjoyed watching her play because of how good she was.

After the interview and the next night again I thanked Kelly for the interview and for years of enjoyment. Players like Kelly deserve to be recognized from everyone.

I am sure she will succeed wherever life takes her. I wish her success, happiness and all things good. I thank her for all she did for the sport and for me. I'll miss her on the field.

Check ProFastpitch.com for more info on all of the NPF players and teams. Also, checkl ChicagoBandits.com for info on the team I cover.

Kelly Kretschman and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2019.

Applause to Kelly Kretschman of the USSSA Pride

Kelly Kretschman starred on the softball field at the University of Alabama. She left Alabama as the career leader in average, RBIs, home runs, triples, doubles, hits, walks, runs, stolen bases, slugging and on-base percentages. She still holds the record in several of those categories, as well as remaining in the Top Ten of several categories in SEC history.

She joined the National Pro Fastpitch Akron Racers in 2005 and has been lighting up the NPF ever since. She played with the Connecticut Brakettes in 2006 and the Washington Glory in 2006, before joining the USSSA Pride in 2009 and remaining with them through the present.

Kelly is a 3x NPF Player of the Year and a 5x NPF champ (all with the Pride). Entering the 2018 season, Kelly was 38 years old and coming off another great season, during which she had an unbelievable .500 batting average. This season was a bit of a disappointment statistically for Kelly, but the Pride took the title and Kelly was a huge part of the success of the team.

Over the years, I have had the pleasure to watch the elite athletes of the NPF. I have written about the legendary pitchers like Cat Osterman and Monica Abbott, but Kelly is among those greats. She is a Hall of Fame type player.

I have spoken to Kelly many times and she is a quality person, as well. I see her sign hundreds of autographs and take hundreds of pictures after every game. She always has time for everyone, even this old reporter.

Kelly probably will not win any individual awards this season, but I am sure she is satisfied with that sparkly Cowles Cup championship trophy and rightly so.

It has been my pleasure watching and knowing her over the last 5 seasons. I hope to see her in action again next season.

Thank you to the Chicago Bandits for their hospitality all season. Thanks to Kelly and the Pride for their time and consideration. Check out ChicagoBandits.com for more info and updates on the Bandits and the league.

Kelly Kretschman and me in Rosemont, IL-July 2018.