Fast facts on the NPF's Chicago Bandits
As the Cowles Cup champion Chicago Bandits get set to open their National Pro Fastpitch season on Thursday in Rosemont, here are some fast facts the pro softball franchise:
<span class="leadin character">Down under connection: </span>The Bandits have a working relationship with Softball Australia. The partnership allows for seven Australian athletes to practice, train and compete with the rest of the Bandits roster during the 2017 season.
<span class="leadin character">She's back:</span> Coming out of retirement for a second time, former NPF Player of the Year Stacy May-Johnson will join the roster this season. The 33-year-old third baseman is a three-time All-NPF performer.
<span class="leadin character">Big deals:</span> The Bandits reshaped the roster by trading All-NPF performers Brittany Cervantes and Taylor Edwards, along with a pair of draft selections, to the Scrap Yard Dawgs in exchange for outfielder Emily Crane, catcher Taylore Fuller, a 2018 first-round pick and cash considerations.
<span class="leadin character">Late additions: </span>The Bandits have added former Michigan standout Abby Ramirez to the roster. The switch-hitting infielder and Chicago native was a two-time All-Big Ten performer. Veteran second baseman Danielle Zymkowitz, an All-NPF standout, has signed for a seventh season with the Bandits.
<span class="leadin character">New bosses: </span>University of Florida softball assistant coach Sharonda McDonald, who played six seasons in the NPF, will serve as the Bandits' new head coach. Her staff includes Kyla Holas and Kathy Horton. Toni Calmeyn is the team's new general manager.
<span class="leadin character">New team: </span>The Beijing Shougang Eagles, largely comprised of Chinese National Team players, joins the NPF and will play "home" games at the sites of other NPF teams.
Bandits schedule
Home: The Ballpark at Rosemont, 27 Jennie Finch Way, near Balmoral Avenue and Pearl Street.
All-time record: 348-199
Regular-season champions: 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013
Cowles Cup champions: 2008, 2011, 2015, 2016
Tickets: Call 877-7BANDIT or visit chicagobandits.com
DATE: OPPONENT, CST time
June 1: vs. Akron Racers, 7:05 p.m.
June 2: vs. Akron Racers, 7:35 p.m.
June 3: vs. Akron Racers, 7:35 p.m.
June 6: vs. Beijing Shougang, 11:05 a.m.
June 7: vs. Beijing Shougang, 7:05 p.m.
June 8: vs. Beijing Shougang, 7:05 p.m.
June 9: vs. Beijing Shougang, 7:35 p.m.
June 11: at USSSA Pride, 7:05 p.m.
June 12: at USSSA Pride, 7:05 p.m.
June 13: at USSSA Pride, 7:05 p.m.
June 14: vs. Texas Charge, 7:05 p.m.
June 15: vs. Texas Charge, 7:05 p.m.
June 16: vs. Texas Charge, 7:35 p.m.
June 20: at Scrap Yard Dawgs, 7:05 p.m.
June 21: at Scrap Yard Dawgs, 7:05 p.m.
June 22: at Scrap Yard Dawgs, 7:05 p.m.
June 23: at Texas Charge, 7:05 p.m.
June 24: at Texas Charge, 7:05 p.m.
June 25: at Texas Charge, 1:05 p.m.
June 27: at Akron Racers, 7:05 p.m.
June 28: at Akron Racers, 7:05 p.m.
June 29: at Akron Racers, 7:05 p.m.
June 30: vs. Team Canada, 7:35 p.m.
July 1: vs. Team Canada (DH), 5:35 p.m.
July 3: vs. Akron Racers, 7:05 p.m.
July 4: vs. Akron Racers, 1:05 p.m.
July 7: at Akron Racers, 7:05 p.m.
July 8: at Akron Racers, 7:05 p.m.
July 15: at Scrap Yard Dawgs, 5:05 p.m.
July 16: at Scrap Yard Dawgs, 1:05 p.m.
July 18: at Beijing Shougang, 4:05 p.m.
July 18: at USSSA Pride, 7:05 p.m.
July 19: at Beijing Shougang, 6:05 p.m.
July 20: at USSSA Pride, 6:05 p.m.
July 22: vs. USSSA Pride, 7:35 p.m.
July 23: vs. USSSA Pride, 3:05 p.m.
July 25: vs. Scrap Yard Dawgs, 11:05 a.m.
July 26: vs. Scrap Yard Dawgs, 7:05 p.m.
July 30: vs. Beijing Shougang, 6:05 p.m.
Aug. 1: vs. Beijing Shougang, 7:05 p.m.
Aug. 2: vs. Scrap Yard Dawgs, 7:05 p.m.
Aug. 3: vs. Scrap Yard Dawgs, 7:05 p.m.
Aug. 5: at Texas Charge, 4:05 p.m.
Aug. 6: at Texas Charge, 1:05 p.m.
Aug. 8: vs. Texas Charge, 7:05 p.m.
Aug. 9: vs. Texas Charge, 7:05 p.m.
Aug. 11: vs. USSSA Pride, 7:35 p.m.
Aug. 12: vs. USSSA Pride, 7:35 p.m.
Aug. 13: vs. USSSA Pride, 3:05 p.m.