Outside The Chute

Episode 91 - Ian Fehrman

Outside The Chute sat down and chatted with 4 time ISC World Champion and former Canadian Men’s National Team member, Ian Fehrman.
Opie had an absolute excellent career in the game.  To go along with those 4 ISC rings, he has also won a ISF World Title and Pan Am gold in 2015, 2 Canadian Senior Men’s National Title’s, has been a 6 time ISC All World selection, as well as, a two time All Canadian.
We’re gonna talk to Opie about getting his start in the game, the epic run at the ISC’s with Jarvis, his time on the National Team and some hilarious stories from his time in the game.
Opie was such a treat to chat with and its very easy to see why he was so respected and loved by opponents and teammates.  This was a fun one for Hopey and I and I’m sure you’ll see why after listening.

Episode 90 - Samantha Findlay

Outside The Chute sat down and chatted with University of Michigan alum and 2005 WCWS Most Outstanding Player, Samantha Findlay.
Sam had an amazing 4 years at University of Michigan.  As a Freshman in 2005, she would have a Cinderella season.  She was named Big Ten Conference Freshman of the Year to go along with Michigan’s first ever, National Title at the Women’s College World Series, as well as, being named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.  In that final game against UCLA, Sam would hit a three run shot in the Top of the 10th inning to seal the deal for the Wolverines.  She would end her tenure with Michigan as the school’s all time career leader in Homeruns, Walks and RBI’s.  Sam then went on to win the 2008 NPF Championship with her hometown Chicago Bandits, before retiring from the game in 2012 to start a family.
We’re gonna talk to Sam about how she got her start in the game, the journey to get to the University of Michigan, that epic Freshman season, and much, much more.
Sam was an absolute pleasure to chat with, and I wish nothing but the best for her and her beautiful family moving forward.

Episode 89 - Sashel Palacios

Outside The Chute sat down and chatted with Arizona State Sun Devils alum and 2021 Olympian with the Mexican National Team, Sashel Palacios.
Sash has had a stellar career to date.  She excelled in her 4 years at Arizona State, twice being named to the Pac-12 All Defensive Team, as well as, being named a 1st Team All-Pac 12 in 2017.  She helped lead Mexico to a birth in the Olympics in Tokyo this past summer, and is set to take part in her third season with Athlete’s Unlimited.
We’re gonna talked to Sashel about getting her start in the game, the big influence her family plays in her life, her time at ASU and how she almost quit the game after her Freshman season, of course, the Olympic Games and much, much more.
Sash was an absolute pleasure to chat with.  I’m so happy I reached out to her to do this and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for her.

Episode 88 - Don Tricker

Outside The Chute sat down and chatted with former coach of the New Zealand Black Sox and current Director of Player Health and Performance for the San Diego Padres, Don Tricker.
Don has had a big impact on the game of softball.  He would play for the Black Sox from 1986 to 1991 and would go on to be named the head coach in 1998.  Don was instrumental in changing the culture of the New Zealand program and it payed off as the Black Sox would win the World Championship in 2000 and 2004 under his tutelage.  Today, Don finds himself in the Baseball world as he is working with the San Diego Padres as previously mentioned.
We’re gonna talk to him about not only getting his start in the game, but how his grandfather was one of the pioneers in bringing the game to New Zealand, some great stories from his time with the Black Sox and, of course, how he ended up in the biggest baseball league on the planet with San Diego.
Don was such a pleasure to chat with, it was so awesome hearing all his great stories from the game.  Trust me when I say this one is a can’t miss.

Episode 87 - Nicole Mendes

Outside The Chute sat down and chatted with 2021 Olympian, 2 time National Champion and Oklahoma Sooners alum, Nicole Mendes.
Nicole has had a spectacular career to date, as just mentioned she has won two Women’s College World Series, named to the 2017, 2019 and 2021 WCWS All Tournament Team, was the 2017 All-Big 12 Freshman of the Year, and most recently competed with Team Mexico at the 2021 Olympics.
We’re gonna talk to Nicole about getting her start in the game, the decision to attend Oklahoma, what it was like playing in that atmosphere at the WCWS, plus we also got the inside scoop on her recent announcement that she’s playing in Athlete’s Unlimited this upcoming summer.
Nicole was an absolute treat to chat with and I’m very excited to see what the future holds for her.  Trust me when I say this one is a good one!

Episode 86 - Ward Gosse

Outside The Chute sat down and chatted with Softball Newfoundland Hall of Famer, Ward Gosse.
Ward has had a spectacular career in the game which has spanned over 4 decades.  Wardo has been named an All Canadian 3 times, was a part of Newfoundland’s first Senior National Championship in 2012, named to the 2006 ISC All World Team and, of course, inducted into the Softball Newfoundland Hall of Fame back in 2014.
We’re gonna talk to Ward about getting his start in the game where he grew up in Bay Roberts, what it was like playing in his first Senior Nationals and ISC’s, his amazing stats and records he holds in the St John’s Senior Fastpitch League and much, much more.
Wardo was a treat to chat with and you’ll find out why he’s regarded as one of the good guys in our great game.

Episode 85 - Jayden Heavener

Outside The Chute sat down and chatted with Virginia Unity and Pace High School star, as well as, the #1 overall ranked player for the class of 2024 by Extra Innings Softball, Florida native, Jayden Heavener.
 Jayden has burst upon the scene in the last couple season’s and is now one of the most sought after recruits in the nation.  Last season as a Freshman at Pace High School, she went 11-3 with 252 strikeouts in 105 innings pitched and a 1.42 ERA, good enough for her to be named the Florida 5A Pitcher of the Year. 
In September she was named the #1 overall player by Extra Innings for her 2024 class, a recognition that’s been held by the likes of Megan Faraimo and Jordy Bahl to name a few.
We’re gonna talk to Jayden about all of this, along with her love for cross fit, scary movies and much more.
Jayden was an absolute treat to chat with and we’re so excited to see what the future has in store for this amazing individual.

Episode 84 - Giselle ”G” Juarez

Outside The Chute sat down and chatted with Oklahoma Sooners alum and the reigning WCWS Most Outstanding Player, Giselle "G" Juarez.
G had a fantastic college career, getting her start with Arizona State where she would be named a first team NFCA All-American before transferring to Oklahoma.  With the Sooner’s G would go 53-6, with a 1.74 ERA and 437 strikeouts.  She would be named a NFCA First Team All-American in 2019, as well as the Big 12 Pitcher of the Year.  Last season is where G definitely left her mark in Sooner history as she went a perfect 5-0 at the Women’s College World Series, leading Oklahoma to their 5th National Title.
We’re gonna talk to G about getting her start in the game, the role her Dad played helping in her development, the transfer from Arizona State to Oklahoma, of course, last year’s amazing title run and much, much more.
G was an absolute pleasure to chat with and I was so happy I was able to sit down, talk about her career, talk about what she has on the go now and talk about her wedding planning with her.  I wish G nothing but the best moving forward.