Arizona veteran coach Mike Candrea’s phone rang Tuesday and a voice he couldn’t believe was real was on the other side.
Binger native and MLB Hall of Famer Johnny Bench wanted to talk softball, specifically the Women’s College World Series.
One of baseball’s all-time greatest catchers has become a huge fan.
“I’m going, ‘Wait a minute. We’re talking about the Johnny Bench?’” Candrea said Wednesday. “He was talking about softball and how five years ago he never watched a softball game. Now, he’s just absolutely thrilled about the quality of athlete that he sees.”
As the WCWS prepares to open Thursday at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium, the sport will again be in the spotlight showing its tremendous growth.