Friend Encounters: Phil Simms and Tammy

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

Today, I feature two champs. Phil Simms was a two-time NFL champ and Tammy Williams was a three-time National Pro Fastpitch champ.

Simms played quarterback from 1979-93 with the New York Giants. He led them to two Super Bowl victories and was named MVP of Super Bowl XXI. He is in the Giants Ring of Honor and the team retired his jersey number 11.

Williams starred at Northwestern before joing the Bandits. She still hold several record at NU. In six seasons with the Bandits, she hit .314 with 28 homeruns,119 RBIs and 145 runs scored. She also played stellar defense. Williams is my all-time favorite Bandit.

She has since relocated to the Indianapolis area where she works in finance. She's making her mark there, just as she did on the field. I follow her online and I see the accolades she receives and all are well-deserved. Any team, business or sports, is lucky to have Williams.

On one of her business trips, Williams met Simms. That's five professional sports titles between them. There is a lot of similarities, too. Each was relatively soft-spoken, but lots of fun when they are off field. Each is underrated for their accomplishments on the field, despite both having their numbers retired.

Tammy and Phil Simms in New York, NY-November 2025.

Friend Encounters: Denis Savard and Tammy Williams

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

Today, I feature two Chicago legends. I have met both, but am lucky enough to be friends with one of them.

NHL Hall of Famer Denis Savard started and finished his career with the Chicago Blackhawks. He should have played his whole career here, but then he wouldn't have won a Stanley Cup. Also, Chris Chelios wouldn't have played here. Those two actually became teammates upon Savard's return to the Hawks.

Northwestern Hall of Famer Tammy Williams was a star softball player. She played her entire pro softball career with the Chicago Bandits. Tammy was a joy on and off the field. I always enjoyed watching her field or bat and any conversation, whether for interviews or fun, was always a good time.

Tammy and Savard appeared at a function in Chicago in June. I bet these two are excellent golfers. Both are just great athletes, but more importantly, they are awesome people.

Tammy Williams and Denis Savard in Chicago, IL-June 2025.

Friend Encounters: Tammy Williams and Chris

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

Today's picture was taken about four feet to my left while at Northwestern's Sharon J. Drysdale Field. I It occurred about ten years after I met both of them at the ballpark in Rosemont.

Chris is a staple at the ballpark. First at Chicago Bandits games, then at Athletes Unlimited, Chris is a man of literally millions of pictures. Game after game, Chris and his camera capture great moments and players on the softball field. Oddly, at the NU game, he was merely a fan. I wonder if he felt strange not shooting hundreds of pictures.

I know Chris took hundreds of pictures of Tammy Williams during her stay with the Bandits. Tammy was the star shortstop. Se is also an NU alum, and one of my favorite players of all time. Watching Tammy on the field was magical. She was excellent on offense, but she really shined on defense. It was simply a pleasure watching her play.

It is also a pleasure knowing Tammy. She is as sweet as she is talented. Currently living in the Indianapolis area, Tammy returns to her NU roots for big games and the fans love her.

It is special people like Tammy and Chris that make the softball experience so special. I am proud to call both my friends.

Chris and Tammy Williams in Evanston, IL-May 2023.

Friend Encounters: Tammy Williams and Don Martukovich

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

Covering softball has brought me so many friends. Today I am featuring two of my favorites.

Don Martukovich is a big fan of softball. He logs in many miles attending games and take literally thousands of pictures. He has been kind enough to allow me to use some of his captures in my various coverage.

Earlier this year, his travels brought him to Columbus, Ohio for a double header between Northwestern and Ohio State. During one of the games, he sent me the picture below. I am sooooo envious.

Tammy Williams is one of my all-time favorite players. A star at Northwestern, she went on to play for my beloved National Pro Fastpitch Chicago Bandits. The shortstop was a huge fan of MLB Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith and even named her dog after him. Tammy was always a fun interview. It wwas always a pleasure watching her on the field or talking with her around the ballpark.

Unfortunately, the NPF folded, so I haven't seen Tammy in Rosemont in a few years. I did see her at a Northwestern game a couple seasons ago. Tammy still looks like she could put on the spikes.

This picture is bittersweet for me. I am happy to see these friendly faces, but sad I wasn't there in person. Next season, I need to mae a road trip to meet up with Don.

Don Martukovich and Tammy Williams in Columbus, OH-April 2022.

Tammy Williams and Missing Chicago Bandits

If I haven't written it enough, I miss softball. One of the players I miss the most is former National Pro Fastpitch Chicago Bandits shortstop Tammy Williams.

A Missouri native, Tammy was a left-handed hitting star shortstop for Northwestern University. A four time All-American, she currently owns the Northwestern Wildcats career records for average, home runs, runs, hits, total bases and slugging. She was selected by the Bandits in the second round of the 2009 NPF draft.

In 2009, with the Bandits, she was named the NPF Rookie of the Year and the Defensive Player of the Year. She played for Team USA in 2010 and returned to the Bandits in 2011. All told, she his .314 in 802 career at bats. She had 28 HRs, 119 RBIs and 145 runs scored. 

When I started covering the Bandits in 2014, Tammy was the first player who caught my eye. Together with 3rd baseman Amber Patton, the Bandits left infield was as strong as could be. Tammy was just a smooth fielder. She was just as much fun off the field. I loved our interviews, the first of which can be found at On the Beat With Tammy Williams.

Last season, the Bandits retired her #2 along with Amber Patton's number #12. It was a fitting honor for both women and I was happy to see them again at the Ballpark in Rosemont.

Tammy retired after the 2015 season. She has since relocated to the Indianapolis area where she has embarked on a business career. I am sure she brings the same energy and focus to her new career as she did to the softball diamond.

I have a bunch of great memories with Tammy. The 2915 championship day at the Bandits office was one of the coolest days ever. Tammy brought her dog Ozzie, named after Ozzie Smith, her idol. Notice, she wore #2, not Ozzie's #1, but she explained that in one of our interviews.

I wish Tammy a lot of success in her future. I thank her for so many awesome memories and for her time, consideration and friendship over the years.

Go to ChicagoBandits.com for more info on the team. Also, check the Chicago Bandits on Facebook for more frequent updates.

Tammy Williams and me in Rosemont, IL-Summer 2014.

Friendly Encounters: Tammy Williams, Amber Patton and Mark Pandocchi

Friendly Encounters is a weekly series featuring my friends who have met celebrities.

I first met Mark Pandocchi at a Chicago Bandits game.  A staunch fan of the team, Mark is an original member of Bandit Nation.  He is also very active promoting the team on Facebook and helping to coordinate tailgate parties at the Ballpark in Rosemont.
Mark is a good guy and exactly the type of fan you'd want.  He continually supports the team and is a friend to all at the Ballpark.  He often shares my interviews and I appreciate that greatly.  It's fans like Mark who have accepted and embraced me into Bandit Nation, who make this such a wonderful experience.
The picture below is from a banquet the Bandits had in 2015.  It was cool to see the ladies in regular wear, as opposed to the uniforms for a change.  It was also good to see Mark spiffing up for the event.
He picked a couple pretty good players to sandwich him in the picture.  Tammy and Amber were two great players who retired after the 2015 season.  Tammy at shortstop and Amber at third base handled the left side of the infield t perfection.  It was always a pleasure watching (and knowing) these two great lady athletes.
It's a bit unusual seeing Mark not wearing Bandits gear, but it's always good to see him.  There are still several games left and I am sure I will see him at the Ballpark again this season.

Tammy Williams, Mark Panocchi and Amber Patton in Chicago, IL-August 2015.

Thank You and Good Luck Tammy Williams!

As the 2016 season opener for the Chicago Bandits draws closer, I am featuring some of the Bandits here.  This is just the beginning of my coverage of the 2016 Bandits.

After a stellar career at Northwestern, Tammy Williams was selected 10th overall in the 2nd round of the 2009 NPF Draft by the Bandits.  She has been a star at shortstop since then, except for her 2010 hiatus from the NPF.

Last season, she hit .258 with 1 home run and 16 rbi's.  For anyone else, that would be an excellent season.  For Tammy, it was a bit of an off year.  In her previous two seasons, she hit .362 and .344 respectively.

As much as she contributed offensively, Tammy's offense can be overshadowed by her great defense.  She gets everything hit near her.  She started all 48 games at shortstop last season and was a defensive machine.

It has been a real joy watching Tammy play.  There were rumors that she might retire after last season.  In my interview with her at On the Beat With Tammy Williams, she even hedged and stated that at most she had one more season.  Unfortunately for us fans, Tammy recently announced her retirement.

Tammy is a future Hall of Famer.  She is also as nice and personable as can be.  It was a pleasure covering her, watching her play and knowing her.  Tammy was an elite player and more importantly, she is an elite person.

Check out ChicagoBandits.com for more news and ticket info.  Also keep checking here for regular coverage of the Bandits!

Tammy Williams, Ozzie and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2015.

Friendly Encounters: Tammy Williams and Sheri Eggert Samson

Friendly Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

Today I am featuring one of my favorite teams, one of my favorite team's fan and one of my favorite players.  That's a lot of goodness in one photo.

I fell in love with the Chicago bandits right from the start of my covering them.  They are a class organization, the players are outstanding athletes and the games are very entertaining.  I love going to the Ballpark and watching the Bandits.

Sheri Eggert Samson also loves the Bandits.  Actually, she has loved them longer and is arguably their biggest fan.  (I don't mind taking a backseat to Sheri on this one).  Sheri is so enthusiastic and passionate about her Bandits.  It is contagious.

She's not just a crazy Bandits fan.  She is a survivor.  She is one tough lady.  She has battled some health issues with dignity, grace and determination.  She is an inspiration to all, including the Bandits.  I know all of the players love her dearly.

In the picture below, she is with star shortstop Tammy Williams.  Tammy si a defensive whiz at short and an excellent hitter, too.  I love watching her play.

There is a lot of speculation about her status for the 2016 season.  It is generally assumed that if she plays, this will be her last season.  We all just hope that she does play.

I have seen Tammy and Sheri together many times.  I hope to see them together many more times this season.  More importantly, I am very happy that we all will see Sheri around the Ballpark.  The world (especially the Ballpark) is a much better place with her.

Sheri Eggert Samson and Tammy Williams in Rosemont, IL-June 2013.

Friendly Encounters: Tammy Williams and Tony Feddeler

Friendly Encounters is a weekly series about friends who have met celebrities.

I met Tony Feddeler while covering the Chicago Bandits.  Tony is a huge fan and attends most (all?) of their home games.  He can usually be spotted sitting in the first row behind home plate.

Upon getting to know Tony, I learned we share an interest in wrestling.  Tony has met some interesting wrestlers and I will feature those right here in the future.  For now, I am still on a Bandits high from their NPF (National Pro Fastpitch) championship and I am featuring Tony with one of the star players on the Bandits and in the NPF.

Tammy Williams is an elite player.  In 48 regular season games, Tammy made one error last season.  That is ridiculous.  Aside from her defensive wizardry, she is also an excellent offensive player.  She has been this type of complete player for her entire seven year career, all of which has been spent with the Bandits.

When I interviewed Tammy late in the season, she was undecided on playing next season.  She did say that if she returned, next season would be her last.  Of course, things can change.

I think Tammy will return for one more season.  I sincerely hope she does.  I know Tony and all of Bandit Nation hopes she comes back.  As sad as it will be, Tammy deserves a farewell tour.

 I sincerely hope we get more chances for current pictures with Tammy.  I'd hate to only see Tammy in "Throwback Thursday" material.

Tammy Williams and Tony Feddeler in Rosemont, IL-June 2013.

On the Beat with Tammy Williams of the Chicago Bandits 2015

Today, the Johngy's Beat and Justin's World of Softball joint coverage of the 2015 Chicago Bandits features shortstop Tammy Williams.  The 6rh year veteran is a double threat as a defensive stalwart and an excellent hitter, too.
Tammy started every game at shortstop during her stellar career at Northwestern.  She holds several Northwestern records and received many awards and honors.  The  Bandits drafted Tammy in the second round in 2009.
In her six seasons with the Bandits, Tammy has been a joy to watch.  She is a star on the field and a fan favorite.  As of this writing, she is hitting .265 with 1 home run, 15 rbi's and 6 stolen bases, while making only one error.
In our interview, we talked to Tammy about her sports idol, her coaching career and her future with the Bandits.  Tammy was uncertain about playing next year, but she did state that if she returned, next season would be her last.
Whenever Tammy does decide to retire, it will be a sad day for the Bandits and the NPF.  It has been my pleasure to watch her up close over the last two seasons.  Tammy and Danielle Zymkowitz (2nd base) are so smooth as a combo.  It is beautiful watching them out there.  At least Bandit Nation has been able to call Tammy one of our own for her entire career.  Still, I vote for one more year!

After you watch the video, head to ChicagoBandits.com for more info and updates.  Then, be sure to check out the Bandits in person, on television or on YouTube.  There are still a few home games left!  Get to a game before the season ends!

On the Beat with Tammy Williams of the Chicago Bandits

The Johngy's Beat-Justin's World joint coverage of the Chicago Bandits resumed with Justin's piece on Tammy Williams.  I talked to Tammy a couple weeks ago and that interview can be found at Tammy Williams interview.
Tammy, the fifth year shortstop is certainly one of the leaders on the team and one of the best players in the league.  She hit .341 with an OBP of just under .400, 9 home runs, 30 rbi's and 27 runs scored.  Overall, it was her best season of her career.
I had the pleasure of witnessing Tammy start a rare triple play a couple weeks ago.  She snared a low liner to her left.  A flip to second and a relay to first put the triple play in the books.  It was the first triple play I ever saw on any level.
The Bandits start the playoffs today and I will be watching and cheering.  I really grew to love this team and the sport.  Stay tuned for continuing coverage soon.

Tammy Williams and me in Rosemont, IL-July 2014.