Friend Encounters: Tatum Edwards and Tony Feddeler

 Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

I love the picture featured. It is a rare instance when I actually spotted someone. I am notoriously bad at recognizing people.

Last year during the Athletes Unlimited Softball season, Tatum Edwards was one of the facilitators (more commonly called coaches). My buddy Tony and I were fans of Tatum's from her time with the National Pro Fastpitch Chicago Bandits. Tatum has gone on to a a coaching career at the collegiate level, but she also coached the five week AU season last August.

Tony and I wanted to get a picture with her, but the facilitators rarely come out to the meet-and-greet sessions. On this particular day, Tony and I were re-entering the ballpark for the second game of the day, when I saw Tatum walking across the concourse. Yes, I spotted and recognized Tatum.

I sped up and called out to her. Despite being loaded with gear, Tatum could not have been nicer. Despite us saying she didn't have to put all down for our pic, she wanted to make it a nice one for us and she did. This one is Tony's (obviously), but I also have a very similar one. This is one of our favorite pictures of the season for both of us.

AU just finished the AUX softball season. That's an abbreviated nine day season, as opposed to the regular 15 day season, which will be played in Rosemont in late July through August. I don't know if Tatum will be back, but we both hope so. I certainly will keep my eyes open for her if she is.

For more info on AU, go to AUProSports.com. Check back here, GlobalTravelerUSA.com and TheEveryDayFan.com for my coverage.

Tatum Edwards and Tony Feddeler in Rosemont, IL-August 2022.

On the Beat With Tatum Edwards Concordia Head Softball Coach

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of interviewing Tatum Edwards, new Concordia Head Softball Coach for GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com. I have interviewed Tatum several times as a player and assistant coach, but this was my first time talking to her as a Head Coach.

Tatum was a star player at the University of Nebraska. She was a dual threat on the mound and at the plate. As a pitcher, Tatum was 70-28, with a 2.02 ERA and 551 strikeouts in 623.1 innings. With a bat, she hit .292 with 46 home runs, 158 RBIs and a .556 slugging percentage.

After college, she played professionally with the National Pro Fastpitch Pennsylvania Rebellion and the Chicago Bandits. She was a key player in back-to-back NPF championships for the Bandits. She was also very popular with Bandit Nation, with fans loving her personality and her walking handstands.

Tatum started her coaching career as a graduate assistant at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She then moved on to Purdue as an assistant. That was followed by a three year stint as the top assistant at Omaha-Nebraska. Late last year, she became Concordia University Head Softball Coach.

I first saw Tatum during her time with the Rebellion, but I didn't get to know her or interview her until she (along with twin sister Taylor) joined the Bandits. Tatum and Taylor quickly became two of my favorites.

I followed both of their careers after they left the Bandits. While Tatum went into coaching, Taylor stayed on the playing field and is currently playing in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League. Along the way, I also started following younger sister Tristen, then a player at Nebraska and now one of Tatum's assistants at Concordia.

In our interview, Coach Edwards talked about her transition to coaching, the pressure of taking over a successful program, her thoughts on Athletes Unlimited, playing with twin sister Taylor, coaching with younger sister Tristen and much more. of course, Coach Edwards also gave a scouting report on her team.

I appreciate Coach Edwards taking time from her busy early season schedule to talk. I appreciate all she did during her time with the Bandits and since. I have no doubt she will be a very successful coach.

I will be following the Concordia Bulldogs and plan on talking to Coach Edwards again later in the season. Go Bulldogs!

This interview is at On the Beat With Tatum Edwards Concordia Softball Coach. Go to Concordia Softball for more info on the Bulldogs.

Friendly Encounters: Tatum Edwards and Mark Pandocchi

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

Today, I am once again featuring a Chicago Bandits theme. Today, I have one of my favorite fans and one of my favorite former players.

Mark Pandocchi is one of the founding fathers of Bandit Nation. You can usually catch him in his seat behind home plate. He chats with fans and players in the on deck circle, too. Mark has even joined the Johngy's Beat crew and helped with some video work. He is also one of the organizers and hardest workers who put on the Tail Gate parties.

Tatum Edwards came to the Bandits with her twin Taylor from the Pennsylvania Rebellion. Previously, both starred at the University of Nebraska. Tatum was a fan favorite and often delighted us with her walking handstands before games.

Unfortunately, in the big turnover offseason prior to the 2017 season, Taylor was traded to the Scrapyard Dawgs and Tatum retired. Tatum had already started her coaching career. She recently left her position as pitching coach at Purdue to return as a coach with Nebraska.

Tatum and Mark are another two examples of the quality of people on the field and in the stands for the Bandits. It's a special environment and I am happy to be part of it.

Check ChicagoBandits.com for info on the team. Also, check here for recurring coverage of the Bandits!

Tatum Edwards and Mark Pandocchi in Rosemont, IL-August 2016.

On the Beat With Purdue Assistant Coach Tatum Edwards

Yesterday, I featured Kirsten Verdun and Danielle Zymkowitz. Today, I cross the diamond to feature their former Chicago bandits teammate, who is now an Assistant Coach for Purdue, their weekend opponent.
Tatum and her twin sister Taylor were stars at Nebraska, before joining the pro ranks. They helped the Bandits win titles in 2015 and 2016. Taylor has since moved on to the Scrapyard Dawgs, while Tatum turned to coaching.
Tatum was one of my favorite Bandits. She brought a unique energy on and off the field. She always had time for the fans and for an interview or chat with me.
Sometimes when you get to know these athletes, you see them as regular people and forget about how athletic they are. Then I'd see Tatum do a walking handstand for a good distance and I realize just how elite they are.
We had the honor of talking to Tatum prior to Sunday's game. We talked about coaching, recognizing pro potential, her younger sister and more. Tatum was always a fun interview.
I appreciate Tatum for her time and friendship always. I'll continue following her as her coaching career progresses.
I thank Purdue Assistant Athletics Communications Director Carl Danoff for facilitating this interview prior to the game. He went out of his way to get this done and I appreciate his efforts. I
You can check GlobalTravelerUSA.com for more coverage of the weekend. Check back here for recurring Big Ten softball coverage.

Good Bye, Good Luck and Thank You Tatum Edwards

Tatum Edwards had an outstanding career at Nebraska.  Her awards and accomplishments could fill this page.  On the mound, she was 70-28 and she hit .297 over her four years.

Her National Pro Fastpitch career started with the Pennsylvania Rebellion.  After one season, she was traded with sister Taylor to the Bandits.  During her two seasons with the Bandits, she was used as a pitcher, outfielder and designated hitter.  She was a favorite of the fans, including me.  Her walking handstands always got the crowd cheering, but so did her overall enthusiasm.

Tatum was a pleasure to watch, but even more to know.  I had the honor of interviewing her a couple times.  She was always fun, ready and insightful.

After Taylor was traded to the Scrapyard Dawgs, Tatum announced her retirement from the NPF.  Seeing Tatum on another team would have been hard, but not seeing her in action at all will be sad.  It's a loss for the league and the fans.

I am sure Tatum will succeed wherever her life takes her.  She's dedicated, smart, funny and great with people.  I wish her a lot of luck.  I hope to see her sometime at the ballpark.  I thank her for her time, consideration and for contributing to two NPF championships with the Bandits.  Tatum Edwards, you will be missed!

Tatum Edwards and me in Rosemont, IL-June 2016.

On the Beat With Tatum Edwards of the Chicago Bandits 2016

Our recurring coverage of the Chicago Bandits continues today with our interview with pitcher Tatum Edwards.  Actually, I probably should add "slugger" to her title, because she is seeing action at bat and in right field, too, this season.

Tatum and her sister Taylor had stellar careers at Nebraska.  Tatum was the 2013 Big Ten Pitcher of the Year.  Tatum's name is all over the Nebraska record books for her pitching and hitting.  She ranks in Nebraska's Top Ten in no-hitters (2), wins (70), shutouts (24), complete games (69), innings (623.1), strikeouts (551), winning percentage (.714), home runs (46), RBI (158), total bases (367), slugging percentage (.556), doubles (38) and walks (87).

Following her career at Nebraska, she signed with the Pennsylvania Rebellion.  After one season there, Tatum and Taylor were traded to the Bandits.  Last season, she was 3-3 with an ERA of 4.81 and 12 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings.

This season, she is 0-1, but she has been doing damage with her batting.  She is 5-18 (.278), with 5 rbi's and 3 doubles.

During the recent homestand, I had the chance to catch up with Tatum.  We talked about her hitting and her goal of hitting a home run.  I think she'll do it this season.  We also talked about the championship season and other fun stuff.

In our interview last season, I learned Tatum has not been to "The Bean" in Chicago.  I had to find out if that has changed since then.

Tatum is another of the fine women athletes on the Chicago Bandits.  I continue to repeat that the Bandits are a class organization and players like Tatum prove my point.  You can learn more about Tatum and the Bandits at ChicagoBandits.com and also return here for recurring coverage.  Better yet, get out to see a game in person!

On the Beat with Tatum Edwards of the Chicago Bandits 2015

Today, the Johngy's Beat and Justin's World of Softball joint coverage of the 2015 Chicago Bandits features pitcher Tatum Edwards.  If Tatum looks familiar, it's because her twin sister Taylor is a catcher for the Bandits.
After a successful career at Nebraska, where she played alongside Taylor, she joined the PA Rebellion, again with Taylor.  Tatum went 1-3 and one save with a 5.13 ERA in 30 innings.
After the 2014 season, the Edwards sisters joined the Bandits.  Tatum has already surpassed her 2014 numbers.  She is 3-2 with a 4.63 ERA in 22.2 innings.
In the interview below, I believe I refer to Tatum as a rookie.  I should have referred to her as first year Bandit, because I knew she had played for the Rebellion last season.  I apologize to Tatum for that error.
Other than that miscue on my part, it was a fun interview.  We talked about Tatum being teammates with Taylor.  She also discussed pitching often at Nebraska and not quite as much in the NPF, but more this season with the Bandits.  We did have a little fun, too, when I brought up her handstands.
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.  Not only are these young women a fun bunch, they are very good!