Outside The Chute

In Episode 207 of Outside The Chute, we sit down with Saskatchewan native Justin Laskowski, one of Canada’s rising stars in men’s fastpitch softball.

Justin takes us through his journey — from getting his start in the Saskatchewan fastpitch scene, to wearing the red and white for Team Canada on the world stage. We dive deep into his experience at the 2022 Men’s World Cup, where Canada captured silver, and what it truly means to represent your country at the highest level.

He also reflects on being a kid in the stands during Canada’s unforgettable 2015 World Cup gold medal run on home soil, and how that moment helped shape his dream of one day pulling on the maple leaf himself.

 In this episode, we cover:

• Growing up playing fastpitch in Saskatchewan

• Developing through the Canadian system

• Wearing Team Canada on the international stage

• The 2022 Men’s World Cup silver medal run

• The impact of the iconic 2015 gold medal game

• Lessons learned, mindset, and what’s next

Whether you’re a player, coach, or lifelong fastpitch fan, this episode is packed with insight, pride, and passion for the game.

 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more conversations with the biggest names in fastpitch from around the world.

In this episode of Outside The Chute, we sit down with Ryan Moore, Florida Vibe Team President and Executive Director of the American Collegiate League, to break down the rise of the Professional Softball League (PSL) and what it means for the future of fastpitch softball.

Ryan shares insight into the growth of professional opportunities for players, how the ACL fits into the development pathway, and why the Florida Vibe are positioned to be a major force heading into the 2026 season.

In this episode, we cover:

The launch and vision of the Professional Softball League

How the ACL is helping bridge college and pro softball

What players should know about future pro opportunities

Where fastpitch softball is headed over the next decade

 If you care about the future of fastpitch softball, hit Subscribe. Outside The Chute is where the game lives.

Topics include: fastpitch softball, professional softball, PSL softball, American Collegiate League, Florida Vibe, NCAA softball, softball podcast, women’s softball

What a great one we have for you this week, as Outside The Chute sat down and chatted with Softball Canada CEO, the one and only, Mike Branchaud.

We get into some great chats about the state of ball here in Canada, the direction the Men’s National Team is headed, the Women’s Olympic Team, some WBSC topics and so much more. 

This was such a great chat with Mike and we got to clear up a few things on here that have been some hot topics in the past.

Remember, share, like, subscribe….all that good stuff.  If you have a YouTube channel, go hit that subscribe button now.

Sponsors

Rawlings Canada

Tim Isenor Royal Lepage Atlantic

What an episode we have to kick off 2026, as we’re joined by one of the game’s most electric arms, its AUSL Cascade member and current US Women’s National Team member, the one and only, Kelly Maxwell. ️

Man, this episode has it all.

Kelly takes us back to where it all started, her journey through the college game at Oklahoma State and Oklahoma, and how those experiences shaped her into the pitcher she is today. We also dive into her move to the pro level in Japan, what she’s learned competing internationally, and what’s ahead this season in the AUSL with the expansion Cascade.

Plus, we talk about the honor of wearing the red, white, and blue while representing USA on the Women’s National Team and what’s in store on the road to LA 2028.

This was such a fun chat, We're so glad Kelly was able to take time out of her hectic schedule to come on and chat with us.

Before we get to it, make sure to drop a comment on the show and give us some sort of rating. Preferably something good.  You can follow Kelly on Instagram @kellymax28, we’re @outsidethechute on all social media platforms, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and Tik Tok.

Sponsors

Rawlings Canada

Tim Isenor Royal Lepage Atlantic

Outside The Chute sat down and chatted with co-author with her Dad, of the amazing book, “Recruiting Rules" and Oregon State University Freshman, the one and only, Amelia Struber.

What a fantastic chat this was as we got to hear Amelia tell us about how she got her start in the game, the ups and downs of the recruiting process, which in turn led to her and her father coming up with their awesome book, how things are going at Oregon State and so much more.

Amelia was such a pleasure to chat with, and I cannot wait to see how her university career and beyond plays out.

Before we get to it, make sure to drop a comment on the show and give us some sort of rating. Preferably something good.  You can follow Amelia on Instagram @ameliastreuber_2025, also, look for her book “Recruiting Rules” on Amazon, we’re @outsidethechute on all social media platforms, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and Tik Tok.

Sponsors

Rawlings Canada

Tim Isenor Royal Lepage Atlantic

Outside The Chute sat down and chatted with 2021 Rawlings Grand Slam Top Pitcher and  2022 Silver medalist at the Pan American Championships and WBSC World Cup with Team Canada, it’s the one and only, Zach Pierce.

This was such an awesome chat that Hopey and I had with Zippy, the guy is an absolute weapon.

We chat about getting his start in the game, playing a winter down in New Zealand, getting to represent the red and white at the 2022 World Cup, what the future holds and so much more.

Before we get to it, make sure to drop a comment on the show and give us some sort of rating. All this helps with the analytics of the pod and helps get more eyes on our game.  You can follow Zip on Instagram @zachpierce09, we’re @outsidethechute on all social media platforms, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and Tik Tok.

Sponsors

Rawlings Canada

Tim Isenor Royal Lepage Atlantic

Outside The Chute sat down with unquestionably the most resilient person that we’ve ever had on the pod, its University of Georgia alum, the one and only, Kendall Burton.

Listen, what Keni has gone through in her lifetime so far is crazy.  23 surgeries prior to even getting to college is one thing, but then to have a stroke 6 days after her first college ball game is another.

You’re gonna find out how she had to learn to walk, speak and read again after the stroke but then manages to go out and start in all 54 games her Freshman year, which was absolutely incredible.

We chat about going through all her adversities, transferring from UTSA to Georgia, fulfilling her dream of getting to play in the WCWS, what’s in store for the future and so much more.

Getting to hear Keni’s journey personally was so special for me. This conversation will move you, motivate you and remind you what’s possible when you believe in yourself.

Make sure to drop a comment on the show and give us some sort of rating.

You can follow Keni on Instagram @kenigrace, we’re @outsidethechute on all social media platforms, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and Tik Tok.

Sponsors

Rawlings Canada

Tim Isenor Royal Lepage Atlantic

Outside The Chute got get back one of the best to ever do it!

Recent inductee into the Softball Canada Hall of Fame and soon to be 2026 inductee into the ISC Hall of Fame, its good friend of the show, the one and only, Jeff Ellsworth.

We get to talk to Ellsy about the recent birth of his daughter Nylah, playing a big role in the foundation of the Whitecaps ladies program over on the Island, being apart of the great softball franchise that is the Hill United Chiefs, what’s in store down the road, and so much more.

Hopey and I were so pumped that Ellsy was able to join us for our 200th episode, this one is a dandy!

Before we get to it though , while you’re here make sure to drop a comment on the show and give us some sort of rating. Preferably something good.  You can follow Ellsy on Instagram @jeffellsworthrealtor, we’re @outsidethechute on all social media platforms, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and Tik Tok.

Sponsors

Rawlings Canada

Tim Isenor Royal Lepage Atlantic

Outside The Chute sat down and chatted with one of our favorite guests ever, the one and only, Kamalani Dung.

So we last chatted with Kama back in 2021 and you could say she’s done a little of this and a little of that over the past 4 years.  Actually, that’s an understatement, she has done a ton!

From walking the red carpet at the Grammy’s, to hitting homeruns in the Reggie Jackson Classic, she’s now making her pro comeback down in the Mexican League and we can’t wait to see her do her thing.

In this episode we talk all about what went in to this comeback, what the future holds and a crazy story about guenua pig from the 2018 Pan Ams that you’re not going to want to miss.

Before we get to it, make sure to drop a comment on the show and give us some sort of rating. Preferably something good.  You can follow Kama on Instagram @kama.dung, we’re @outsidethechute on all social media platforms, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and Tik Tok.

Sponsors

Rawlings Canada

Tim Isenor Royal Lepage Atlantic

Outside The Chute sat down and chatted with just an absolute star in our game, JMU alum and AUSL Bandits pitcher, the one and only, Odicci Alexander-Bennett.

Odicci first captured the hearts of fans across the country during her unforgettable run with James Madison University at the 2021 Women’s College World Series, where her dominance, passion, and pure love for the game made her a household name.

Since then, she’s continued to inspire — from her professional career and coaching, to being a role model for the next generation of athletes who dream big and play bigger.

We’re gonna chat about her incredible journey, learning to pitch against her grandparents water well, that iconic WCWS moment, her transition to the pro level, life off the field, and so much more.

Odicci was such a pleasure to chat with and I’m so excited to see what's in store down the line for such a huge influencer in our game.

Remember, while you’re here make sure to drop a comment on the show and give us a follow and some sort of rating. Preferably something good.  You can follow Odicci on Instagram @double_seas, we’re @outsidethechute on all social media platforms, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and Tik Tok.

Sponsors

Rawlings Canada

Tim Isenor Royal Lepage Atlantic