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The Softball Channel covering high school, travel, college, national and international women's fastpitch softball and the National Pro Fastpitch league.
 

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The historic first matchup between superstar pitchers Jennie Finch and Cat Osterman.
Jennie Finch vs Cat Osterman
Jamie Gray, a 13-year-old softball player, attempts to reinstate softball for the 2016 Olympics.
Saving Softball
Former Chicago Bandits star catcher Selena Collins talks about international softball.
The Selena Collins Show
First round of the 2008 National Pro Fastpitch College Senior Draft.
2008 NPF Draft Round 1
Fourth round of the 2008 National Pro Fastpitch College Senior Draft.
2008 NPF Draft Round 4
An introductory look at the Chicago Bandits of the National Pro Fastpitch league.
Meet the Chicago Bandits
Highlights from the Chicago Bandits 2006 season.
Chicago Bandits Highlights
Jennie Finch, Vicky Galindo and the Chicago Bandits host a press conference prior to the 2007 National Pro Fastpitch season.
Finch-Galindo Press Conference
Award-winning video about the last hurrah of an 18-U travel softball team.
Fastpitch Fever
The Softball Channel, the Chicago Bandits & NiFTy TV bring you LIVE Chicago Bandit home game broadcasts with looping repeats 24/7.
Chicago Bandit home games LIVE with looping repeats by The Softball Channel/Chicago Bandits/NiFTy TV
 

TSC Original Programming
The Softball Channel presents
"Bandits Weekly"
 
The one and only recap show for the Chicago Bandits pro softball team.  Starring Katie Korby & Jeremy Bloom.

Episode 3

 
Chicago Bandits professional softball weekly recap show.
Episode 3
July 16, 2008
Bandits vs
Washington Glory

 
 

TSC Original Programming
The Softball Channel presents
"Bandits Weekly"
 
The one and only recap show for the Chicago Bandits pro softball team.  Starring Katie Korby & Jeremy Bloom.

Episode 2

 
Chicago Bandits professional softball weekly recap show.
Episode 2
July 10, 2008
Bandits vs
Washington Glory

 
 

TSC Original Programming
The Softball Channel presents
"Bandits Weekly"
 
The one and only recap show for the Chicago Bandits pro softball team.  Starring Katie Korby & Jeremy Bloom.

Series Premiere!

 
Chicago Bandits professional softball weekly recap show.
Episode 1
July 3, 2008
Bandits vs Akron Racers,
Canada & Venezuela

 
The Illinois Center for Broadcasting.
Many thanks to the faculty and students from the Illinois Center for Broadcasting for their invaluable help in producing the live Bandit game broadcasts and “Bandits Weekly” recap show. The show can also be viewed on the ICB network at beonair.com.

 

Team USA will attempt to win a fourth consecutive gold medal in softball at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
USA Begins Title Defense Next Week
Sets Sights on Record-Breaking Fourth Gold Medal
In 2004 Team USA went 7-0, outscoring opponents 51-1 on its way to a third consecutive Olympic gold medal in Athens. And every indication is they’ll be able to repeat that amazing performance at the 29th Olympiad, starting next Tuesday when they meet Venezuela in game 1. Can any country mount a legitimate threat to the Red, White & Blue?  In a word, yes. Read the complete story in Softball Notebook’s 2008 Olympic Preview.
2008 Olympic TV Schedule

 

NPF Doing A Lot of Things Right
Best Venue for Post-Collegiate Ball After Olympics
8.7.08

Although all eyes are now focused on the Olympics half a planet away, a whole bunch of world-class athletes are competing in do-or-die softball games right here in the States—in the National Pro Fastpitch league. While there are only fifteen players on the current US Olympic squad, there are over a hundred players actively competing in the NPF—most of whom can hold their own with the Olympians. On June 6th a group of NPF All-Stars went toe-to-toe with Team USA and almost came out on top, losing by a thin 10-8 margin after leading for four innings. Read more. But can the NPF succeed as a business enterprise? While the jury may still be out, John Thorson—father of Chicago Bandit star pitcher and 2007 Rookie of the Year Kristina Thorson—discusses some of the things the Bandits organization is doing right. Read his Softball Notebook article
Hats Off To Those Making It Happen .

 

NPF Race Couldn't Be Any Closer
Three Teams Neck-and-Neck Heading for Finish Line
8.6.08
With only two weeks left in the 2008 National Pro Fastpitch regular season, the race for the best overall record has really tightened up.  Last year’s champs—the Washington Glory—still lead the pack, but both the Philadelphia Force and Chicago Bandits lie only one game behind them. The Glory and Force have been locked in a battle for the lead all season, but the suddenly resurgent Bandits—who occupied the league cellar back in June—are the real surprise. Read more.

 Check Latest NPF League Standings

 

Members of the Lemont Rockers travel softball team pay silent tribute to their late head coach, Jim "Didi" DiGregorio.
Members of the Lemont Rockers pay silent tribute to their late head coach, Jim "Didi" DiGregorio.
Lemont Rockers Win ASA Nationals
Dedicate Emotional Victory to Late Head Coach
8.4.08
Moline, Illinois
When head coach Jim “Didi” DiGregorio passed away from a heart attack last Wednesday, the Lemont Rockers travel softball team was faced with a tough question: “Should we play or go home?” The team not only decided to stay, they won the Amateur Softball Association 18-Under National Championship yesterday afternoon with a 5-1 victory over the Minnesota Sting Elite. On the backs of their jerseys was the simple phrase, “Do if for Didi.” After the game, an emotional Rockers team and their family and friends filled the diamonds and agreed that they'd put the championship trophy and the jerseys they wore to win the tournament in the casket with their coach. Read more.

 

Are You a Stats Nut?
If You Don't Follow the Numbers, Maybe You Should
Softball is a game defined by statistics that all work together to give an accurate picture of the action on the field. And following them closely can really enhance your enjoyment of the game—you can count on it! But deciphering the multitude of abbreviations and categories can be a daunting task. Crack their elusive code by reading our complete
Guide to Softball Statistics in Softball Notebook.

 

Softball Cartoons by JERRY KING
Softball cartoon by Jerry King for The Softball Channel.
Softball cartoon by Jerry King for The Softball Channel.

 

NPF Season Coming Down to Wire
Close Races Will Determine Playoffs, Championship
8.3.08
We may be in a holding pattern waiting for Olympic softball to begin, but there’s plenty of world-class softball going on right now in the National Pro Fastpitch league. With each of three teams having a legitimate shot at the league’s best record, and every team still alive to make the August 22nd playoffs, this promises to be the most exciting finish in NPF history. Read our recap of the league’s final month in our latest Softball Notebook article Home Stretch.