Pretty Pitches Pretty Pitches

Ask any athlete or Wichita Eagle reader from the last several decades, and they'll know Bob Lutz well. After making a name for himself as a sports journalist, Bob became a sports columnist for The Eagle in the 1990's and wrote columns over some of the top sports stories from around the world, but particularly those in our own backyard. Following his storied journalism career, Bob now dedicates most of his time to what he calls his "second act," a program called League 42 that is dedicated to bringing the game of baseball to inner city kids. From the initial meeting including Bob and 4 other people, the league has grown to now serving 600 kids. The motivation behind League 42, how you can get involved, and the question everyone wants answered -- how does Bob Lutz deal with haters -- all on this episode of Pretty Pitches.

Follow League 42 on Twitter @League_42, Instagram @league42ict and Facebook @League 42.

You can find out more information at: https://league42.org/

We are changing it up a bit this week, and talking women in politics, but we are also talking women's sports, as this week's guest is Sedgwick County Commissioner Sarah Lopez-Lewis. After a successful career in healthcare, Sarah was inspired to run for the Sedgwick County Board of Commissioners after fighting for a safe space for her daughter in local schools. She's a fierce advocate for her kids, all kids, women and people of color, particularly those in the Hispanic community. She's also no stranger to sports, as she played soccer growing up and now cheers on her daughters, one on the soccer field, the other in the pool, and her son on the football field. How she was inspired to run for local government, her take on leading the way for the next generation and more all on this week's episode.

Girls United is a space for girls to come together and rewrite the societal norms for middle school girls and beyond. The group was started in 2018 by Jennifer Pillich -- a former basketball player and coach and an educator. She brought Girls United to Robinson Middle School last year, where girls can spend time together and build relationships with each other. The program includes events, mentorship, opportunities to connect with professionals, sports and more. This week, the Girls United girls are doing the interviewing -- check out their interview with Jen and support Girls United at www.girlsunited316.com

In his first year as the athletic director of Wichita State, Kevin Saal is making big moves, and we are here for it. From renovations and upgrades to the facilities, to game day experiences, and a massive improvement in resources for student athletes to navigate the name image likeness (NIL), Kevin Saal has proven that he is determined to improve Wichita State athletics for student athletes and fans. How he landed at WSU, his goals for the future and why women's sports are top of mind, all on this week's episode of Pretty Pitches.



Check out all things WSU athletics at www.goshockers.com

You can also follow Kevin Saal on Twitter @GoShockersAD

Officiating might just be the hardest position on any field, court or arena. Across the country, thousands of officials have walked away from the games they love, including hundreds in the state of Kansas alone. Many officials site poor interactions with fans as a reason for leaving, many detailing incidents of abuse. Abuse against officials has become such a problem that the Kansas House Committee of Education even drafted and proposed a bill earlier this year to make any form of verbal or physical abuse against officials a Class B misdemeanor, carrying a fine and jail time. But there are also joys involved with officiating, like being part of a team, staying close to the games you love and giving back to kids by allowing them to play the games you love. Francine Martin is working to both end abuse towards officials, while encouraging officials to lean in to the love of the game and give officiating a try.



Learn more about becoming an official with KSHSAA: https://www.kshsaa.org/Public/Official/NewOfficials.cfm

You can also follow KSHSAA on Instagram @kshsaachamps, Twitter @KSHSAA and Facebook at Kansas State High School Activities Association.

Veronica Alvarez always knew baseball was her game. But, in the world we live in, girls are sent to softball oftentimes before given a shot at baseball. While she had a successful career in softball, eventually her love brought her back to baseball where she is now the Coordinator of Player Development in Latin America for the Oakland A’s, the manager of the Women’s National Baseball Team and an integral part of the MLB Develops organization. How she charged into the world of the MLB, her advice to women on the national baseball team and why you need to change your thinking around baseball/softball, all on this week’s episode.