Bandits Defeat Abbott, Diamonds 2-0
Published on July 17, 2010 under National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Chicago Bandits News Release
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 16, 2010) - Too many mistakes and two runs made the difference for the Tennessee Diamonds in a 2-0 loss to the Chicago Bandits in National Pro Fastpitch action.
The start of the game Friday night at Draper Diamond on the campus of Lipscomb University was delayed for one hour and 51 minutes due to lightning and rain in the area. The weather hampered the crowd with 128 fans in attendance.
In the first inning the Bandits capitalized on three errors on the first three batters. Stacy May led off with a fly to center that was dropped by. Vicky Galindo reached base on an error by shortstop Chelsea Spencer. May scored when Rachel Folden doubled to deep left field. Galindo also scored on the play when Diamonds' left fielder Carly Wynn threw the ball away.
The Diamonds threatened in the sixth. Angeline Quiocho led off with a single through the left side. Megan Rhodes was safe on an infield hit to third base. Quiocho advanced to third and Rhodes moved to second on a wild pitch with one out, but the Diamonds could not get them home.
Monica Abbott, 5-3, threw a complete game for the Diamonds. She gave up five hits and struck out nine. She walked one.
Kristina Thorson, 6-2, gave up one hit in five innings. She struck out three and did not walk a batter.
Nikki Nemitz opened the sixth inning for the Bandits in relief. In two innings she gave up two hits and struck out three. She earned her third save of the season.
The Bandits have a 2-1 lead in the series which continues Saturday at 7. The finale is Sunday at 2.
Warrior Custom Golf donates $200 gift cards for Bandits Golf Classic
Elgin - Chicago Bandits ticket representative Chris Hendrickson announced today the donation of 144, $200 gift cards from Warrior Custom Golf and a new set of wedges (pictured) to be given away at the
August 17 Chicago Bandits Golf Classic
The Chicago Bandits Golf Classic is being hosted by the Bandits at Marengo Ridge Golf Club in Marengo, Ill. and will feature a 9 a.m. shotgun start, scramble style golf outing with fun challenges at every hole. Marengo Ridge Golf Club features a beautiful course that mixes traditional course features with modern challenges for 18 holes that keep you engaged.
Along with golf, the golf classic will feature a silent auction and dinner with auction items from multiple Chicago sports teams and businesses (just received a Paul Konerko autographed bat and premier tickets to the Chicago Wolves among other items).
To participate it's just $75 a golfer, or $300 for a foursome. If you would like to have a Chicago Bandits player in your group, making it a fivesome, it's an extra $125, or $106.25 per golfer. A list of our players can be found at www.chicagobandits.com/team/roster . The $300 foursome price includes golf, carts with pin-point GPS, a swag bag at check-in, an extensive dinner following golf and a silent auction.
For more information or to register for the August 17 Chicago Bandits Golf Classic, call 877-7BANDIT. That's 877-722-6348!
Quick Facts:
Hosted by: Chicago Bandits
Date: August 17, 2010 (Tuesday)
Time: 8 am check-in, 9 am shotgun start
Where: Marengo Ridge Golf Club (
9508 Harmony Hill Road, Marengo, IL 60152)
Cost: $300 for foursome, $425 for foursome +1 player
Extra fun: we're planning hole activities such as "Home run hitter" where golfers must tee off with a baseball bat, the "punt, pass and kick" hole where golfers punt a football, kick a football off a tee and then throw it to decide where they start their tee shot from, and more. Each hole with a challenge will also feature a prize!
Contact: Andrew Phillips,
aphillips@chicagobandits.com
or 630.297.3991
Bandits, Sky to partner on youth softball night
ELGIN-The Bandits and Chicago Sky are joining forces to promote youth softball on Tuesday, August 10.
Bandits players will be attending the Chicago Sky basketball game versus the Phoenix Mercury at the All State Arena in Rosemont, Ill.
Bandits players will be available to sign autographs for any young fans attending that day's game. Bandits staff will also be on hand to give away discount coupons to the last home game series beginning August 19.
All Bandits home games are played at Judson University in Elgin, Ill. The August 19 series will be against the Tennessee Diamonds.
Don't miss out on the opportunity to meet your favorite Bandits players and watch a great basketball game!
To purchase tickets for the August 10 Sky game, go to http://www.wnba.com/sky/tickets/season.html or call 866-SKY-WNBA (866-759-9622).
For more information about the Bandits go to www.chicagobandits.com or call 877-7BANDIT (877-722-6348).
Chicago Bandits will head down to Nebraska for three game series
Hey softball fans, although the next Bandits' home game isn't until August, follow the team down to Bellevue, NE from July 20-July 22 when they take on the Akron Racers at the Cat Osterman Experience.
Starting Tuesday, July 20 the Bandits will play a three game series with the Racers on the Hall of Fame Fields at Cat Osterman's beautiful 40-acre softball site designed to provide the ultimate experience for softball athletes.
The state-of-the-art complex offers world-class softball fields with covered spectator seating, mist-cooled dugouts, individual team bullpens, and bricked batter boxes. Also located at the venue is an All-Star dining pavilion, Pro-Shop, and Player's Grill.
Kickoff for the first game will be at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 20 followed by a start time of 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 21 and 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 22.
Ticket prices start as low as $8 for an outfield seat and go all the way up to $13 for a premium seat.
Other activities during the weekend in Nebraska include two chances to attend a Bandits camp prior to the July 20 and 22 games. The camp includes six hours of training with the Bandits' players, lunch, a t shirt and a meet and greet autograph session with the players.
For ticketing and more information on how you can participate in this fun weekend please visit http://www.hoffields.com
Groups of 50 or more earn meet-n-greet, autograph session with Bandits
Hey Bandits fans,
If a chance to see your Bandits play at the Cat Osterman Experience, a beautiful 40-acre softball site designed to provide the ultimate experience for softball athletes, isn't enough motivation to follow your favorite NPF team to Nebraska than listen to this deal! If you and your friends or family can form a group of 50 people to head down to Bellevue, N.E. and check out one of the Bandits' games that runs from Tuesday, July 20 to Thursday, July 22 you'll receive a personal meet and greet autograph session with the team!
Kickoff for the first game will be at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 20 followed by a start time of 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 21 and 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 22. Ticket prices start as low as $8 for an outfield seat and go all the way up to $13 for a premium seat.
Other activities during the weekend in Nebraska include two chances to attend a Bandits camp prior to the July 20 and 22 games. The camp includes six hours of training with the Bandits' players, lunch, a t-shirt and a meet and greet autograph session with the players. For ticketing and more information on how you can participate in this fun weekend please visit http://www.hoffields.com
Sincerely,
Chicago Bandits Front Office
Small beginnings: The Amberly Waits story
Written by Blair Stenzel
At an age when most girls are worried about playing house, dress up and with Barbies, Bandits' rookie short stop Amberly Waits was playing catch with her grandpa, or as she called him, granddaddy.
"I think I was three when he bought me an old bat and ball and we'd play every day in his front yard," said Waits.
Amberly's grandfather, Jerald Don Waits, is responsible for the drive that has propelled Waits through her career. He was All-State in basketball and baseball during his high school years. Waits credits her athletic ability to her grandpa, as well as getting her started in softball. Prior to his passing, Jerald requested he get to see his granddaughter play softball.
"When we went to sign me up they needed girls, but I was a little bit under the age limit, I was four," said Waits, "but they went ahead and let me play anyway."
This proved to be a blessing in disguise for the Waits family. Jerald got to watch his granddaughter play one year of t-ball before he passed away after a tough ten year battle with colon cancer at the age of 54.
Waits credits her family with helping drive her through difficult times throughout her softball career. After losing her grandfather at an early age, Waits was hit hard again with the passing of her grandmother, who was also a pillar in her life. Her grandmother was always there whenever she needed something.
"Especially when things get really rough or I struggle, it really serves as a reminder that this is why I play," said Waits. "It hit me hard again when she passed because she really supported me."
If Waits' grandfather was the one who sparked her passion for softball, it was her siblings and parents that helped develop it. Growing up in Cleburn, Texas Waits and her siblings always seemed to find themselves playing some form of baseball in their free time.
"I'd go out to play with my brother and sister and we'd always end up playing baseball or something. We could be in the pool and we'd play water ball or be out in the pasture and we'd find something to play baseball with," said Waits.
She overcame her fear of the ball when her dad was playing ball with her and deliberately hit her in the leg with a tennis ball, "I was never afraid of the ball after that," laughed Waits.
The passion to play the game only grew stronger as she got older, continuing her career at Louisiana Tech University. It was her family who greatly impacted her softball career, and in turn, when tough times surfaced with her family, Waits would turn to softball to help her through it.
"Softball has always been a release for me," said Waits, "softball was what I would go to when things were happening and it was tough to be away."
To this day, Waits admits she still cannot get enough of the game. "Once I'm on the field I'm in my own zone, I don't think about anything else, nothing can get to me," explained Waits.
One thing is certain, Amberly Waits holds within her an undying passion for the game of softball. A passion that seems to be lacking in most professional athletes in modern times.
Too often we hear about a pro athlete protesting that his multi-million dollar salary is inadequate. Or we see a pro player loafing on the field in a little temper tantrum response to an argument with their coach.
Amberly Waits definitely does not make millions of dollars in one season, and her hustle on the field proves she is not in it for herself.
"Getting to be out here and play against some Olympians, there are some great players out here and it's pretty much a dream come true," said Waits, "I am very thankful for where I am now."
Although her granddaddy Jerald has passed on, Waits knows he is proud and still watches her on the softball field.
National Pro Fastpitch Stories from July 17, 2010
- Akron Racers Steal 5-4 Victory in Game Four - Akron Racers
- Bandits Defeat Abbott, Diamonds 2-0 - Chicago Bandits
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