Thank You, Good-bye and Good Luck, Sam Fischer!

Sadly, Sam Fischer retired from playing softball. Fortunately, she is not done being around the game though.

To get a little background on Sam, go to Talking Travel and Softball with Sam Fischer. We cover everything from her start in softball to her collegiate career to her pro career and even her number.

In her time with Athletes Unlimted, Sam quickly became one of my favorite players. She was a defensive wiz at third base and a long ball threat at the plate. Above all, nobody (and I mean nobody) had more fun on the field. Also, nobody made it more fun for the fans. Sam was simply a pleasure on and off the field.

While I will certainly miss #52 on the field, Sam will remain with AU on one of their boards. I am sure she will be around and I look forward to seeing her next season.

For now though, I thank Sam for great memories and lots of pictures. I wish her a lot of luck and I hope to see her at the ballpark for many more years.

Go to AUProSports.com for more info on all of their sport leagues. Also, check back here for my recurring coverage.

Sam Fischer and me in Rsemont, IL-August 2023.

On the Beat With Sam Fischer

As the college softball season nears its playoffs, the Athletes Unlimited (AU) softball players are gearing up for AUX starting in early June. Heading into the AUX season, I had the privilege of interviewing Sam Fischer, who is always ready for softball playing and discussion. Find it at On the Beat With Sam Fischer.

A star at Loyola Marymount, among her many accomplishments, Fischer was a four-year letter winner, who became the first All-America selection in program history. At the end of her career there, she was the Lions’ all-time leader in HRs (65), RBIs (172), total bases (495), batting average (.387), slugging percentage (.786), on-base percentage (.494), runs scored (194), doubles (52) and walks (127). Fittingly, she was inducted into Loyola Marymount Sports Hall of Fame in 2019 and had her No. 52 jersey retired. Since college, Sam played for Team USA, in the NPF (National Pro Fastpitch) and the Japanese Professional League. 

In 2020, Sam joined more than 50 other elite women softball players for the inaugural season of AU softball, a new, unique league. Based on team and individual points, with weekly redrafts, culminating in an individual champion, AU put a new spin on softball. Although AU incorporates fantasty league-type elements, it retains the basics of the sport I love.

Last season, Sam finished in seventh place among the 56+ players. Aside from being one of the best, Sam is one of the most fun players. 

When I reached out to Sam for an interview, she was very gracious in granting me time, despite her normally busy schedule. When something came up, she even asked for the interview to be done earlier in the day, to have more time to chat. How awesome is that?!  I mentioned I would be asking about her travels and she was completely into that, too. 

Of course, the interview starts with softball talk. Sam discussed when she knew she was good at softball, playing in AU, her role on the AU Executive Committee, helping to make the sport bigger for future players and more. Then talk turned to travel. Through Team USA and her pro career, Sam has traveled to Japan, The Netherlands and more. She gives fun info on preparing and packing, as well as revealing her favorite places.

AUX starts Friday, June 9 in Rosemont, Illinois. Sam will be there, playing third for either the Gold, Orange, Purple or Blue. No matter the color, Sam will bring her usual elite play and fun personality to the field. I will be “On the Beat” all season, providing recaps for The Every Day Fan.

Thank you to Sam for her time and consideration. Also, on behalf of softball fans everywhere, but especially in the Chicago area, thanks to Sam and all the AU players for brightening our summer. Check AUProSports.com for more info on Sam and the league.

On the Beat With Athletes Unlimited Softball Week Four

Week Four of Athletes Unlimited Softball produced some interesting results. There's a new overall leader and reigning champ Cat Osterman has dropped out of the top ten in the standings. Mid-season arrival Kayla Wedl had her first pro hit. Anissa Urtez won a game MVP on Hispanic Heritgae Day.

Amanda Chidester led Team Gold to a perfect 3-0 record. Aleshia Ocasio's Team Purple went 2-1 and Sahvanna Jaquish's Team Orange went 1-2. Surprisingly, Cat Osterman's Team Blue went 0-3.

Despite her team going 3-0, Chiddy actually dropped one spot in the standings and now trails new leader Aleshia Ocasio by 52 points. Newcomer to the top four is Carrie Eberle with 1,378 points. Rounding out the top four spots is Sahvanna Jaquish, who dropped two spots, with 1,336. Osterman dropped to 12th place with 1,186. While it is possible to jump a lot of places (see Eberle's jump of 16 places), I don't see Osterman rebounding that much. I think it's Ocasio's time to win it all. 

On her way to her big vault in the standings, Eberle picked up two MVP awards. Alyssa Denham and Anissa Urtez finished in the top three for two of the games. 

Game 19-Alyssa Denham, Tori Vidales, Nadia Taylor

Game 20-Anissa Urtez, Sam Fischer, Sara Groenewegen

Game 21-Gwen Svekis, Odicci Alexander, Kelsey Stewart

Game 22-Carrie Eberle, Anissa Urtez, Morgan Zerkle

Game 23-Amanda Sanchez, Lilly Piper, Alesia Ocasio

Game 24-Carrie Eberle, Ali Aguilar, Alyssa Denham

The AU Week Five Draft is tonight at 5 PM CST. The teams return to the softball field Saturday as Eberle's Team Blue faces Chidester's Team Orange at noon CST. The nightcap sees Ocasio's Team Gold battling Jaquish's Team Purple at 3 pm CST. The season ends on Monday with the final game at 9 pm CST featuring Team Orange and Team Gold.

The postgame press session for Saturday featured Tori Vidales, Alyssa Denham, Nadia Taylor, Anissa Urtez, Sara Groenewegen and Sam Fischer. That interview session can be found at On the Beat With Athletes Unlimited Softball 09/18/2021.

Go to AUProSports.com for more info on all of AU leagues. Check back here for my continuing coverage of all AU Sports.

On the Beat With Athletes Unlimited 08/31/20

Athletes Unlimited finished their first round of play on Monday with a shutout and a nail-biter. It was an exciting and fun weekend for the players and the fans alike. 

Week 1 final game results are:

Game 1 - Team Warren (Orange) beat Team Fagan (Purple) 11-3

Game 2 - Team Wagner (Gold) beat Team Pendley (Blue) 18-4

Game 3 - Team Warren (Orange) beat Team Pendley (Blue) 10-2

Game 4 - Team Wagner (Gold) beat Team Fagan (Purple) 6-2

Game 5 - Team Fagan (Purple) beat Team Pendley (Blue) 7-6

Game 6 - Team Wagner (Gold) beat Team Warren (Orange) 5-0

Team Wagner (Gold) 3-0

Team Warren (Orange) 2-1

Team Fagan (Purple) 1-2

Team Pendley (Blue) 0-3

The final leader board is

1 Osterman-604

2-Show-524

3-Hayward-490

4-Ocasio-464

5-Leach-440

6-Piancastelli-440

7-Reed-440

8-Warren-440

9-Mauga-430

10-Ramirez-410

10T-Sveiks-410:

As the top four positions on the leader board show, next week's captains are Cat Osterman, Samantha Show, Victoria Hayward, and Aleshia Ocasio. Drafting will take place Tuesday.

The first weekend of games proved several points. With two pitchers and two offensive players in the top four spots, the scoring system is solid and represents both aspects of the game.

Additionally, 18 of the top 20 player scores came from the undefeated Gold team and the Yellow team who was 2-1. The Purple team at 1-2 took two slots and the Blue team, without a win, was shut out of the top 20 spots. That proves the scoring does balance team performance with individual performance.

I admit I was a bit skeptical about how the scoring system would balance all things, but I knew the league had run the numbers and various scenarios and I gave them the benefit of any doubt. The first round of games wiped out all doubt and proved the viability of the system.

Last weekend also proved that the fans are watching and loving it. Social media was on fire all weekend on the Athletes Unlimited pages and various softball and player pages. The overwhelming response is positive. At first, the lack of softball this summer might have been a contributing factor to the interest level, but in the end, the players, games and concept are the main draw.

Finally, Round One showed how much the players love the game. Every player had smiles all weekend. Even in the toughest of moments, maybe even especially in those moments, players couldn't and wouldn't hide their enthusiasm.

The press sessions were equally as interesting. Players took turns patiently explaining the scoring system. I think we all get it now fortunately as we head into week 2. Players stressed how team performance is not undervalued in the system and the results prove that. Players also explained how the scoring system mirrors the existing softball mindset of win the inning, win the game, keep it going. The difference is now points are officially awarded for achievements.

Once most of the scoring questions passed, thoughts turned to the next draft, the fan appreciation, the love of the game and other regular softball questions. As I have previously stressed, it is a new concept, but it doesn't affect the beauty of the game. In the end, this is softball at the highest level played by the most elite players in the world.

Go to AUProSports.com for more info and updates. Also, check here, GlobalTravelerUSA.com, Patch.com, GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com and here, of course, for recurring coverage of Athletes Unlimited.