Kyle MeansDaily Egyptian
As the SIU softball program continues to enjoy some of its best days, it has been able to witness the progression of its sport through the formation of the National Pro Fastpitch league, the first professional organization of softball teams.
The NPF, which is entering its third season this summer, continues to build its reputation using some former Salukis. One team in particular was relied heavily on former SIU softball stars - the Chicago Bandits, a team that according to its official team Web site will "steal your heart."
In order to get off the ground, the Bandits signed three SIU products - pitcher Amy Harre, third baseman Haley Viefhaus and her twin sister, utility player Adie. The three spent last season together, sporting the Bandit logo on the field and living together off of it, like the teammates they've long been.
"I loved playing with the twins this summer. We had a great summer, made lots of memories," Harre said. "You knew you had a friend in your corner no matter what happened and that was always nice to know."
Haley said the living arrangement was very reminiscent of their SIU days.
"To be able to room up with Amy again, it was like our weekend road trips every day," Haley said. "That was one of my favorite parts of the whole deal."
Things went well for the former SIU standouts as Chicago compiled a 41-7 record, the best in the league. They were a game away from a NPF championship but lost to the Akron Racers 5-4. Though the team was winning, there was little contribution from the former Salukis.
Harre, the Bandits' first pick in the 2005 NPF draft, did enough to ensure that she would return next season as did the Viefhauses, but the twins have other ambitions in mind.
Both plan to marry before the end of the year - Haley in July, Adie in September. Because of their plans, Haley and Adie decided to take off from professional softball for a year. The twins both said they plan to pursue lifelong dreams of becoming teachers.
"I've always wanted to be a teacher and a coach," Adie said. "For a while I didn't know if I'd be able to do both, but I've been lucky."
Adie plans to teach and coach from now on and hopes to eventually do it all on the college level.
Bandits' owner/general manager Bill Conroy recently held out hope for the return of the Viefhaus' in time for the 2007 season. But with 93 days left before the season. Haley is a semi-retired Bandit. Adie is fully retired, working in St. Louis as an assistant coach in softball at Washington University and teaching first grade at a local grade school. Haley is in Vienna teaching the game as a physical education teacher and softball coach at Vienna High School.
"Softball, especially for my family, has been just like a lifestyle than anything else," Haley said. "To think 'I may be done', that's a hard thing to say. But the nice thing is that knowing that I'm still going to be in the sport. And you never know, I may end up playing again next year. "
For Conroy, who has long admired SIU softball, this should be a disappointment. Conroy still has Harre though, who he says will figure heavily into what the Bandits do this season.
"We're happy to have her back, she did a nice job in relief for us," Conroy said. "She has a great attitude and is one of the hardest throwers in the world. We look forward to Amy being one of one of our starting, marquee pitchers."
Harre was used as a late-game reliever as a rookie. In her second season Harre is expected to start in a rotation that will feature two of the top five winners in the NPF - Peaches James and Jennie Finch, the Olympic hero and the sport's biggest star. She is excited about possibility to start again.
"This summer was a lot about learning, I think that's what I got out of the summer," Harre said. "I was put in a closer role which was very different for me, but my knowledge for next year is going to change again, which I'm excited about."
At SIU Harre established herself as one of the school's greatest starters, she holds five career records including most wins (90), complete games (90) and shutouts (49). Each mark is held by a large margin. Harre played with the Viefhauses for three years between 2002-2004. In 2004 the SIU team set a school record with 45 wins. In 2005 SIU beat that with a 47-win season. Head coach Kerri Blaylock gives the trio much credit in the building of the program.
"It's nice that they feel great about their experience here and my feelings are the same towards them," Blaylock said. "All three of them were such a huge part of the success of this program. I think they are going to do so well in life because of the kind of people they are."
The trio's ties to the current group of SIU players are still strong, as it is with Harre and senior second baseman Samantha Carter. Carter says not much has changed about their relationship, but much has been gained.
"It's good to know somebody that's playing pro ball," Carter said. "I like to say that my teammate went and played pro softball."
Carter agrees that having members of the softball family in the pros does much to help her and many young women who love softball. Carter says that the expansion of the game depends a lot on the expansion of the NPF.
Harre's willingness to reach out to others rivals that of the Viefhauses. As a Bandit, Harre spends much of her free time teaching softball to children. Much of her off-season has been spent across the country, instructing at softball clinics among other public appearances.
"I've been to Monroe, La., Virginia, Arizona and Chicago. I've just been all over," Harre said. "Almost every week I've been out somewhere trying to promote the league and try to give back all that I've learned in softball."
Reaching out to the community is important on all levels of the softball community. Conroy says its important for the NPF's development to get the youth interested in the game. Blaylock feels that community service is something that should be required of student-athletes.
"They knew that they needed to get back," Blaylock said. "And I think that you need to be able to give back to your community if you are someone who benefits from an athletic scholarship, or are just in a position where you can be a role model."
