Debuting earlier this summer, Women’s Pro Fastpitch softball started with a touring exhibition season. My friend Tony Feddeler and I made the downstate trip to Peoria to see USSSA Pride face the Smash It Sports Vipers.

We arrived early at Louisville Slugger Sports Complex, but there already was a lengthy line to enter. Once gates opened, the line moved quickly as the staff was ready for the crowd.

After locating our seats, we went to both sides of the field to see each team warming up. I exchanged pleasantries with Kayla Wedl, a former local collegiate star player, and a few others, but didn’t want to distract them from their pregame regimen. I also caught up with Scott Riggs, a friend from our days following the Chicago Bandits.

The Pride beat the Vipers 7–3, with the highlight a grand slam from Abbey Cheek, a former player with the Chicago Bandits. Pregame, I predicted Cheek would go yard, and she did it in the grandest way. We also got autographed team balls from the Pride.

The next day, we visited nearby Pleasant Hill Antique Mall. Tony is a vintage collector, while I dabble in pop culture items. This place was huge and had a wide variety of fantastic items. Tony bought much more than I did, but I did add to my Coke collection.

It was a short, but fun road trip. It was wonderful seeing my softball player friends and simply hearing the sounds at the ballpark. Seeing the standing-room-only crowds in Peoria and at their other games, I hope WPF expands to more teams and more cities next season. I know I will expand my road trip to watch more WPF games.

— John Wroblewski, online writer