It's kinda sad that we have to get our Glory info from other teams in the league, but I guess it's better than nothing.

According to this Rockford Thunder story, Mackenzie Vandergeest will join the Glory for 2009. This is HUGE news, as Vandergeest was an outstanding player for Rockford during the 2007 season, when she last played in the NPF.  She was named to the All-NPF team, thanks to finishing in the top 11 in the league in doubles, HRs, RBI, OB%, slugging %, HBP and walks, while batting .275. She was also an excellent defensive catcher, throwing out 4 of our runners in the 4-game series at Rockford in 2007, and finishing with 14 such assists on the year. Bottom line, she will be a great addition to the team.

So, what does this mean for the 2008 catchers? Honestly, I'm not even sure all of them want to return anyway. Callista Balko went back to finish her degree, and from the Sports Junkies radio interview last year, I kinda got the impression that this was just something to do for fun last summer. So I think she won't be back. (I got the same vibe from Taryne Mowatt too, by the way.) I also wonder if Leah English would want to return. Although she finally got some time at DH near the end of the season, that one base-running screw-up was held against her the entire rest of the season. The only time she was allowed to run the bases was on her HR, and I have to wonder if they would have removed her for that if they could. Even if she wants to come back, does the team even want someone that they think can't run the bases?

Hopefully, Callie Piper will return, though she may not see as much playing time as last year, so she may not want to either. We shall see.