Bandits rookie Findlay making big first impression

It's no wonder rookie Samantha Findlay stepped right into a starting spot with the Chicago Bandits.

The first baseman from Lockport is used to making big first impressions. As a freshman at Michigan in 2005, she came up with one of the most amazing plays in NCAA softball history.

Findlay catapulted the Wolverines to their first-ever national title by belting a home run against UCLA in extra innings.

"It was the top of the 10th and the score was tied and I hit a three-run homer to put us up 4-1," Findlay said. "We still had to play the bottom of the 10th, but at least we got ahead."

Three outs later, Michigan became the first program east of the Mississippi River to win a national softball championship. The Wolverines still hold that distinction.

"My freshman year was so great. It was amazing. Just getting a chance to compete in that final game was amazing," said Findlay, who earned all-American honors this spring and was part of two Big Ten championship teams. "We had something special that year.

"Actually, every year at Michigan was great. It was a great experience. I'm going to miss it. But that chapter of my career is over now and I'm ready to move on."

Findlay had to move in a hurry.

Two days after Michigan bowed out of the NCAA super regionals this spring, Findlay was driving to Elgin to join her new team.

After years at Benedictine University in Lisle, the Bandits now play and practice at Judson University in Elgin.

"I was a little nervous at first. I just walked in and started practice and the rest of the team had been practicing for a week already," Findlay said. "But all of the girls on the team are really nice and supportive. They accepted me from the first day. They're great players and I'm really glad I'm getting the chance to play with them."

The feeling is probably mutual. Findlay has been an immediate help. With her reputation as a power hitter, it's no surprise that she leads the team in walks with 11. She also has 1 home run and has started every game at first base.

"It's nice to know that you can play on one of the highest levels and compete against so many great players," Findlay said. "I honestly didn't know if I was even going to play and it ended up that I got a starting role. I just want to work hard and keep my position."

Findlay would also love to keep wearing a Bandits uniform. She is thrilled to be back in the Chicago area, home to her family and too many good softball memories to count.

As a high school senior, she led Lockport to the state softball title - and was able to celebrate with her sister younger Angela, who then followed her to Michigan. The sisters played the last two seasons together at Michigan.

"Angela was a sophomore that year (with Lockport) and she made the last out in the (title) game - it was a grounder to her at second and she tossed it to me at first for the last out," Findlay said. "We were losing 6-0 in that game and came back and won 8-6. That's a great memory."

Findlay enjoys recalling how she and her sister got started in softball.

"We were always playing in the back yard, starting like when we were 5 and 3," Findlay said. "My dad (Joe) saw that we really enjoyed playing. He saw something special in us."

The 411: You can catch Findlay and the rest of the Bandits in action through Sunday at Judson College. They'll take on the Venezuelan National Team at 7:05 p.m. today and at 3:05 p.m. on Sunday.

Say hi to Syl

Injured Sky rookie Sylvia Fowles will be greeting fans at Taste of Chicago on Sunday.

The 6-foot-6 center, who has been out since June 3 with a sprained knee that she suffered after recording the first goal-tending in WNBA history, is scheduled to appear at the Chicago 2016 booth from 3:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Fowles earned a spot on the 2008 U.S. Women's Olympic basketball team that will play in Beijing.

Thanking Tamika

The WNBA showed its appreciation for Indiana Fever forward Tamika Catchings on Tuesday by naming her the recipient of the 2007 Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award.

The award recognizes Catchings' extensive charity work in the Indianapolis community through her Catch the Stars Foundation.

The former Stevenson High School star has provided opportunities for kids to achieve their dreams and goals through positive academic, sports and mentoring programs.

The WNBA, which named the award to honor the extensive philanthropic efforts of former all-star Dawn Staley, will make a $10,000 donation to a charity of Catchings' choosing.

Still going strong

She already has nine Olympic medals, but legendary swimmer Dara Torres wants more.

Thing is, she also has a 2-year-old daughter now. And she's 41.

Still, Torres is determined to earn a spot on the Olympic swimming team at the upcoming U.S. Swimming team trials, which will begin Sunday in Omaha, Neb.

If Torres, who won her first gold medal in 1984, makes the team, she would be the first swimmer to make five Olympic teams, and the oldest female Olympic swimmer ever.

- Patricia Babcock McGraw