There's No Place Like Home

On an early morning in 1998, after working a second shift, I went about my routine of grabbing some food and unwinding while watching some TV. Around 1am I came across a softball game on one of the ESPN platforms. As the game finished up, they announced that the championship series would be the following weekend in Durham, NC. The next morning I called a friend to see if she wanted to road trip to North Carolina for the weekend. We planned a whirlwind mini vacation and went to see the championship games. Some teams that were involved were the Orlando Wahoos, Durham Dragons and the Virginia Roadsters.
At the championship game they were tossing out trading cards to the fans. I was lucky enough to snag a pack!! There was a lot of great softball being played over that weekend. I was able to watch pitchers Debbie Doom and Kaci Clark become the winning pitchers of the championship and grab their autographs.
Debbie Doom on the mound during one of the games.
The Orlando Wahoos warming up before a game.
One of the Virginai Roadsters on third waiting for the chance to score.
Kaci Clark being interviewed by ESPN. Since 1998 I began following and supporting whatever teams I could. Travelling wherever I could make it to, especially when the teams were in NY or PA.
Meeting Clark at a game with the New York Juggernaught. The league has gone through many changes since I became a fan in 1998. Teams have come and gone under the WPF, WPSL, NPF and the most exciting letters now. The AUSL! In the 2000's I called the Akron Racers my home team. Being six hours from them, it was the closest league to me. For years I would make the trek. Sometimes for a double header and drive back. Yes, I realize that is a 12 hour drive for about 4 hours of games. It was worth if for this fan! Somewhere along the road, my mom began traveling with me to Ohio. We would make it a weekend series. We explored may parts of Akron. We would go to flea markets and little shops, train rides, restaraunts, museums and always a trip to Summit Racing in Tallmadge. Even if you are not a fan of racing, Summit is an impressive place to stop.
All Aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad! A fun excursion if you are ever in the area!
Many memeories were made in those moments at Firestone Stadium.
The Chicago Bandits have survived the storm and are still going strong! Another familiar face is Sam Fischer.
Always wearing the number 52, she is the chairperson of the Athletes Unlimited Softball Player Executive Committee and continues to grow this sport. This year, Athletes Unlimited listed home cities for their teams. One of those, Durham, NC where I began following pro softball. It is full circle it seems for me. So welcome home to the Blaze! Although Smith Family Stadium is even more of a trek for me then Akron, it is the closest and if I call any team my home team, it will be them. I am excited to see how this league grows! Softball is gaining more and more support and thanks to more exposure to viewing from ESPN, I am certain there will be more places to call home!

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