Chicago Bandits ready to open 2016 NPF season

With the Chicago Bandits, the defending Cowles Cup champions, opening their National Pro Fastpitch season on Thursday against the Houston Scrap Yard Dawgs at the Ballpark at Rosemont, we asked general manager Aaron M. Moore to preview the season for us.

Q. It may be difficult for some people to believe, but this is the 13th season for NPF and 12th for the Bandits. How would you characterize the league today?

A. First word that comes to mind is stable. The league has fought the battle of attrition over the last five to six years. It finally feels like the league is ready for more growth and more excitement.

Q. With the loss of Monica Abbott to Houston, how do you view your pitching staff?

A. It'll be different without Monica, but I think our veteran pitchers are ready to step up to the challenge and our rookies seem ready to compete. Coach (Mike) Steuerwald will be able to utilize all six pitchers this season and it may lead to more of a baseball model. Michelle Gascoigne and Lacey Waldrop have both said they are ready to be No. 1.

Q. You lost some key veterans on the left side of your infield (Tammy Williams and Amber Patton). How concerned are you about defense?

A. More than their defense, we will miss their presence in the clubhouse and on the field. Tammy and Amber can't be replaced, so we're not even going to try. They were the best left side in softball for many years, so there will be some growing pains early on, but we brought in the All-NPF shortstop in Jill Barrett to play short and Natalie Hernandez is ready at third base.

Q. Williams and Patton also were great hitters. Brittany Cervantes (Offensive Player of the Year) returns for her fifth season, but what kind of hitting support will she have?

A. Definitely some question marks offensively for us, especially early on in the season. We're without the services of Cervantes and Taylor Edwards until at least June 10 as they finish their seasons in Japan, so others are going to get chances. Barrett can swing it and we're still very fast.

Q. You have a few players with local connections. Can you tell us more about them?

A. We currently have six players on the team that are from Illinois or played college ball in Illinois, so the local connection is definitely important to us. Our newest one, Allie Bauch, is a lot like Sammy Marshall in that she is from Illinois and played college ball in Illinois. Having local players is helping build the Bandits brand.

Q. You open against the Houston Scrap Yard Dawgs, which could create a new rivalry. What will it be like to face Monica Abbott?

A. Unfortunately, we won't get to face Monica until the Scrap Yard Dawgs' next trip to Rosemont because she's in Japan, but I do think it creates a rivalry. Monica is the best pitcher in the game and helped us win two championships. And, as they say, the only time you can be the best is by beating the best.

Q. Last year you finished second at 31-17 and came back and won the championship. Is 30 wins possible?

A. Absolutely possible. I think we'll be around 32-33 wins this season and should be in line for one of the four playoff spots. A lot depends on the start we have to the season, but our team seems focused and ready to go.

Q. The draft always brings in new talent. Who are some of the other new players around the NPF to watch this season?

A. Sierra Romero should able to transfer her college success into the professional level. The trio that just graduated from Missouri (Sami Fagan, Taylor Gadbois, Emily Crane) will also have a chance to make an impact in the league. The players in the pro league are so good that it really does take special players to come in and be successful.