Bandits Release Fox

ELGIN – The Chicago Bandits have released infielder Kristie Fox, team General Manager Aaron M. Moore announced today.

Fox, 24, played three seasons with the Bandits after completing her college career at the University of Arizona. Fox finished the 2009 season with a .231 batting average, collecting 24 hits in 104 at-bats. She struck out just five times on the season. During her three seasons in Chicago, Fox was a .265 hitter, collecting 78 hits and seven home runs. … Continue Reading

Bandits Add Trio Of Players To Bolster Roster, Crucial Part Of 2008 Title Run

ELGIN, IL – The Chicago Bandits of National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) announced today that they have signed three high-caliber players for the 2010 season. Players signing today are utility player Emily Friedman and pitcher Jessica Sallinger, and 2010 USA Women’s National Team selection, catcher Ashley Holcombe.

Sallinger was previously drafted by and pitched for the Bandits from 2006-2008, then spent 2009 with the now defunct Philadelphia Force. “I am very excited to be coming back to the Chicago Bandits,” said Sallinger. “This is where my professional career began and where I won a National Championship. I feel like I am coming back home and I am looking forward to another great year and hopefully another Championship as a Bandit!” … Continue Reading

Bandits set To Take The Northern League By Storm, Battle Of Sexes Set For August 9

story by Margaret Dixon – Joliet Jackhammers

JOLIET, IL – The Joliet JackHammers announced “Bandits and Boys” today, a Battle of the Sexes exhibition game against the Chicago Bandits of the National Pro Fastpitch league. The battle is scheduled for Monday, August 9 at 6:10 p.m.

“We are thrilled to be a part of bringing this event to downtown Joliet this summer,” said JackHammers General Manager Jamie Toole. … Continue Reading

Former Olympian Mendoza Signs With USSSA Florida Pride

USSSA Florida Pride General Manager, Don DeDonatis, announced today that former Olympic Gold (2004) and Silver (2008) Medalist, Jessica Mendoza has signed a contract to play for the USSSA Florida Pride.

“We are thrilled to sign another amazing athlete of world-class caliber to the USSSA Florida Pride,” commented DeDonatis. “We are committed to putting a top quality team on the field for NPF competition and we are also committed to exposing young softball players across the nation to these extraordinary athletes and people.”

Mendoza joins a Pride program that is moving into their second season of National Pro Fastpitch competition. In 2009, their inaugural season, the Pride went all the way to the Championship game of the NPF’s much heralded, Championship Series, before falling to the Series Champion, Rockford Thunder. … Continue Reading

RiverHawks vs. Bandits In “Battle of the Sexes”

LOVES PARK, Ill. – The Rockford RiverHawks have scheduled a game against some of the best ballplayers in the world, but it might not be the ballplayers you expected. It won’t even be the ballgame you might have expected.

The RiverHawks and the Chicago Bandits of National Pro Fastpitch announced jointly Wednesday that the teams have scheduled the “Battle of the Sexes” – an exhibition fastpitch softball – game for 7:05 p.m. Thursday, June 17 at Road Ranger Stadium.

The Bandits are members of the country’s only women’s professional softball league. A number of team members have represented the United States in the Olympics. Among them is Jennie Finch, a member of the 2004 gold medalists. The RiverHawks are members of the Northern League, an eight-team independent professional baseball league that will play its 18th season in 2010. … Continue Reading

2010 NPF Schedule Released

Nashville – National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) League Commissioner Cheri Kempf announced today the schedule for the 2010 season for the League’s four affiliate teams.

Four Teams will compete in the 2010 Season, one less with the loss of the Philadelphia Force. The Rockford Thunder also discontinued play, however the roster was passed to the latest NPF Franchise, the Tennessee Diamonds. Each team in the League will play a 50-game regular season schedule with all teams playing each other a minimum of 15 games.

The 2010 season will begin on Wednesday, June 9th with the Akron Racers traveling to NPF’s newest expansion Team, the Tennessee Diamonds. The Chicago Bandits, 2009 regular season Champion, will travel to Lubbock, TX to play the Florida Pride during opening week. The regular season will finish on August 22nd prior to the Championships in Sulphur, LA on August 26th-29th. … Continue Reading

Tennessee Diamonds National Pro Fastpitch Softball Team Announced

MARYVILLE, Tenn. – The National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) League announced today that a new professional women’s softball team, the Tennessee Diamonds, has been franchised and will begin play in 2010 in Blount County, Tenn. The last time a professional sports team operated in Blount County, Dwight D. Eisenhower was President of the United States.

“This is an exciting announcement for National Pro Fastpitch,” said Cheri Kempf, Commissioner of the National Pro Fastpitch League. “Tennessee is a fantastic location for this new team. The addition of the Diamonds adds an expansion team geographically in a great southern spot for the League — and the fact that it is located in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains will offer fans additional entertainment options while taking in a Diamonds game.” … Continue Reading

2008 Olympian Lappin Enters NPF Competition

Nashville – National Pro Fastpitch announces the signing of 2008 Olympic Team Member, Lauren Lappin, to the USSSA Florida Pride. Lappin, a silver medalist for Team USA in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, will be a rookie this season in the National Pro Fastpitch League.

Lappin will join former Olympic Team teammates, Caitlin Lowe, Kelly Kretschman, and Monica Abbott on the newly purchased USSSA Florida Pride roster.

Lappin was a 2006 graduate of Stanford University where she was a four time All Pac 10 Selection, two time Pac 10 Defensive Player of the Year, a 2004 WCWS All Tournament Team selection, and a two time NFCA All American. … Continue Reading

APF Client And ESPY Winner Taryne Mowatt Signs With Akron Racers Of NPF

AKRON, OH – Former University of Arizona star pitcher Taryne Mowatt (Corona, CA), the 2007 Women’s College World Series Most Outstanding Player and a two-time ESPY winner, has signed a professional playing contract with the Akron Racers of National Pro Fastpitch (NPF), Racers General Manager Joey Arrietta announced today. The contract is guaranteed for two years with a mutual option for year three. Financial terms were not disclosed per All-Pro Fastpitch (APF) and Racers policy.

“I’m’ thrilled to be coming back to the NPF,” said Mowatt, who played for the league’s Washington Glory in 2008 before spending the 2009 season on the Pro Fastpitch Xtreme (PFX) Tour. “I really missed the competitive atmosphere the NPF provides as well as the opportunity to pitch against the best players in the world. Joey and Akron have been involved with professional fastpitch since day one, and I know how much she and the city care about the game, so this was an easy decision for me.” … Continue Reading

2010 NPF Championship Tickets Released

Nashville – The National Pro Fastpitch and TicketLeap are excited to announce that All Session Tickets are now available to purchase. The Series will be played in Sulphur Louisiana and will be held August 26-29 at McMurry Park in Sulphur. The event will be hosted by, and with the cooperation of, the Sulphur Parks and Recreation Department and the support of the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The NPF Championship Series is the League’s hallmark event and is designed to feature the League’s outstanding talent in a playoff/tournament format. The top four Team finishers in the regular season League standings qualify for the Championship Series. The format is a best of 3 series between the #1 and #4 seed, along with a best of 3 series between the #2 and #3 seeds, with the winners of those two series’ facing off in a best of 3 Championship final. This will be the first time the event will be held in the state of Louisiana. … Continue Reading

Mowatt Signs With All Pro Fastpitch

Sparks, MD – Former University of Arizona star pitcher Taryne Mowatt (Corona, CA), the 2007Women’s College World Series Most Outstanding Player and a two-time ESPY winner, has signed a contract to be managed and represented by Maryland-based All-Pro Fastpitch, a division of API Sports Management & Marketing, it was announced today. Mowatt joins 2008 NCAA Player of the Year Angela Tincher, who has been represented by API since February, and recently signed APF clients Samantha Banister (Akron Racers/NPF), Sari Jenkins (Akron Racers/NPF), Callista Balko (U of Arizona/former NPF) Jenae Leles (U of Arizona/U.S. National Team/Rockford Thunder NPF), MeganWillis (U of Texas/Rockford Thunder NPF), Jennifer Martinez (U of Arizona) and Kelsey Hoffman Schmitt (Akron Racers/NPF). … Continue Reading

USSSA Purchases National Pro Fastpitch Franchise

NASHVILLE – The National Pro Fastpitch League announced today that the world’s largest amateur sports association has finalized their purchase of an NPF franchise. The USSSA Florida Pride will be at home at the association headquarters in Kissimmee, Fla.

During the 2009 NPF Season, the USSSA managed the team entity known as the Pride, but yesterday finalized their commitment to the women’s professional fastpitch softball by inking the deal. USSSA became involved shortly before the NPF season last year and saw their Pride Team go all the way to the finals of the Championship Series, finishing second to the Rockford Thunder.

“The involvement on the ownership level of the USSSA is a game-changer for women’s professional fastpitch softball,” commented NPF Commissioner, Cheri Kempf. “For an organization of this size and influence to join the National Pro Fastpitch team is a great day for the future of this game at the professional level.” … Continue Reading

Atlanta To Get Pro Softball Team

A group of investors has signed a letter of intent with the National Pro Fastpitch softball league to bring the Rockford Thunder – a six-year-old franchise from Rockford, Ill. – to the area, Atlanta attorney Preston Delashmit said.

Delashmit and his family would be the majority owners, he said. He declined to disclose financial terms of the deal.

The deal is pending league approval, Delashmit said.

The Rockford franchise won the 2009 league championship. The current owner, an Illinois attorney, said in August he had three children entering college and “we just have too much on our plate to continue to operate the Thunder at the level it deserves.” … Continue Reading

Southern Division For NPF Coming Soon?

When The National Pro Fastpitch League first started up a few years back, I was caught off guard by the locations of their teams. Texas had a team which was exactly what I expected. I had hoped it would be in the Dallas/Ft Worth area.

The surprise was the rest of the league being located up North. I guess really more in the Northeast. I know softball is popular in the Northeast, but I do not think of that area as a hot bed for softball. When I think of softball I think of California, Florida, Oklahoma, and of course Texas. I think of the southern part of the country. That is the part of the country that has really been left out of The National Pro Fastpitch League. … Continue Reading

2010 NPF Championship Series Announced

Nashville, TN – National Pro Fastpitch announced today the site for the 2010 NPF Championship Series. The Series has been awarded to Sulphur Louisiana and will be held August 26-29 at McMurray Park in Sulphur. The event will be hosted by, and with the cooperation of, the Sulphur Parks and Recreation Department and the support of the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention &Visitors Bureau.

The NPF Championship Series is the League’s hallmark event and is designed to feature the League’s outstanding talent in a playoff/tournament format. The top four Team finishers in the regular season League standings qualify for the Championship Series. The format is a best of 3 series between the #1 and #4 seed, along with a best of 3 series between the #2 and #3 seeds, with the winners of those two series’ facing off in a best of 3 Championship final. This will be the first time the event will be held in the state of Louisiana. … Continue Reading

Mizuno and Jennie Finch Ink Multi-Year Agreement

Norcross, GA (October 21, 2009) – Mizuno USA, Inc., announced today that the company has re-signed two-time Olympic Medalist and member of the National Professional Fastpitch’s Chicago Bandits, Jennie Finch, to a multi-year contract extension. Finch and Mizuno have partnered together since 2002, when she first joined the brand’s roster. Re-signing Finch will continue to help Mizuno build upon its leadership position in the fastpitch category.

“Re-signing Jennie Finch demonstrates Mizuno’s continued commitment to fastpitch softball and women’s athletics,” said Bob Puccini, President Mizuno USA, Inc., and Chairman, Mizuno Canada, Ltd. “Jennie is one of the elite athletes in the history of women’s fastpitch softball and continues to serve as an outstanding symbol for the character, dedication, and performance that both Mizuno and Jennie bring to the game. She is an excellent ambassador for female athletes all over the world.” … Continue Reading

Longtime Sports Executive Set To Bring Bandits To New Heights

Elgin, Ill. – The Chicago Bandits hired Aaron M. Moore on Wednesday to be the newest member of the Bandits front office, taking the role of General Manager.

“As an organization, the Bandits have always had the talent. I think that [Aaron Moore] is the missing link to a successful front office, and from the business side of the team,” said Chicago’s Owner and CEO Bill Sokolis. “I am looking forward to the 2010 season as well as beyond that.”

“With his experience in not only the NPF and softball, but other sports as well he has a lot of fresh ideas and ways to add more interest to the fans, to make them a bigger part of the game. I’m confident he’ll be able to lead the front office in a way that will take the Bandits to new levels of success,” added Sokolis. … Continue Reading

Crystl Bustos Named Racers New Field Manager

AKRON, Ohio – Akron Racers, President & General Manager, Joey Arrietta announced today, that two-time Olympic Gold medalist, Crystl Bustos has been named the Racers’ new Field Manager. Bustos, who retired from the Racers this past summer, has accepted the offer to take over the team from first-year manager, Barb Sherwood.

The Racers, under Sherwood’s tutelage, finished second in the NPF regular season standings but exited the NPF Championship Series with a 1-2 record against eventual champions, the Rockford Thunder. The Racers coaching staff including Sherwood, Radara McHugh (pitching coach), Crystl Bustos (hitting instructor)and volunteer assistant, Shawn Reis were named the 2009 NPF Coaching Staff of the Year after elevating the Racers from fifth to second place in the NPF standings. “Our coaching staff kept a very talented roster focused on improving every aspect of the game. I am grateful to all of them, especially Barb, who did a good job for us, “noted Arrietta. … Continue Reading

NPF First Year Streaming A Success

Nashville, TN – National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) entered the 2009 Season excited about the idea of live streaming over 80 games. To add to the excitement, in April, NPF announced the streaming outlet would be mlb.com. This outlet obviously would provide exposure of NPF to a broader audience of baseball enthusiasts that may crossover as fans.

Seventy-Seven games of the NPF regular season were streamed live. Akron Racers, Chicago Bandits, Philadelphia Force, and USSSA Pride streamed all twenty of their home games. In addition, the League streamed all nine of the Championship Series games from host site Akron, Ohio. In the end, the numbers were impressive for an inaugural year. In most cases, the NPF internet audiences out numbered the audiences of Minor League Baseball Teams doing similar streaming of live games.
… Continue Reading

NPF Office Moves to Nashville

Nashville, TN – National Pro Fastpitch announces the addition of two new staff members in the positions of Vice President of Development and Director of Operations. Further, the NPF League office is relocating from Denver, CO to Nashville, TN. With the physical move as well as the addition of staff, NPF is positioning for expansion of League teams as well as increased League oversight of all operations.

Gaye Lynn Wilson has been named Vice President in charge of Development for the League. Wilson has spent the last nine years of her career with Worth Club K, as Business Manager. Prior to that, Ms. Wilson was Head Coach at Daytona Beach Community College for five years before moving on board in 1995 with her alma mater, the University of Florida, to begin that softball program. For NPF, Wilson will have primary responsibilities with sponsors, suppliers, and licensing, and will contribute to brand growth and identity.
… Continue Reading

Rockford Thunder Wins 2009 NPF Championship

AKRON, Ohio – The Rockford Thunder captured their first Cowles Cup at Firestone Stadium on Sunday afternoon crowning them the 2009 NPF champions as they defeated the USSSA Pride 2-0 in the final game of the season. Rockford climbed back from a 1-0 deficit and near elimination to win both of their series on the weekend and become champions.

Cat Osterman led the way with her second complete game shut out of the day only allowing the Pride to have one single and a walk on the day. Between the two games on Sunday, Osterman struck out an amazing 26 batters and only gave up four hits. For the tournament, Osterman struck out 50 batters in 31 innings in five starts, pitching 31 of her team’s 41 innings. … Continue Reading

Bandits, Racers Sweep 2009 Awards

AKRON, Ohio The National Professional Fastpitch (NPF) womens professional softball league announced its 2009 individual and regular season awards today also releasing the members of the All-NPF team. The Chicago Bandits and Akron Racers, the league’s top two teams combined to sweep the 2009 NPF Awards and took 11 out of 18 slots on the All-NPF Team.

Akron Racers veteran Crystl Bustos captured both the Majestic Athletic 2009 Player of the Year award in addition to the Nokona American Glove Award as the 2009 Offensive Player of the year after concluding the 2009 regular season as the NPF league leader in batting average with a .382 clip and 27 RBIs, while finishing second with ten home runs. … Continue Reading

Focus On The Future For National Pro Fastpitch

On the heels of last week’s announcement from the IOC regarding their recommendation to not include softball on the 2016 slate, the National Pro Fastpitch League suddenly becomes a more important focus for the fastpitch softball community. Fans, players, manufacturers, and media outlets are all asking the question “What will become of softball at the highest level?” and wondering if the National Pro Fastpitch League has the wherewithal to step into the void that will inevitably be left by no further Olympic competition.

“We are obviously all disappointed by the decision of the IOC to omit softball as a medal sport in Olympic competition. Knowing the enthusiasm that has been generated for this sport in the past 13 years on the coat-tails of Olympic softball, the disappointment is surely felt worldwide by athletes, fans, coaches, and organizations,” commented Cheri Kempf, NPF Commissioner and President. … Continue Reading

Do Bandits have the upper hand in upcoming game with Flyers?

By Ted Cox / Daily Herald

Two very different sports worlds collide next week when the women’s National Pro Fastpitch Bandits travel to Alexian Field in Schaumburg to take on the Northern League Flyers.

It pits softball against baseball and, not to put too fine a point on it, a major-league team against a minor-league squad, but most of all it pits women against men in what’s being promoted as “Battle of the Sexes II,” the grudge-match sequel to Bobby Riggs’ tennis tussle with Billie Jean King in 1973. … Continue Reading

Chicago Bandits Announce All American Girls Night For July 18th Game

ELGIN, ILL- The Chicago Bandits of the National Pro Fastpitch have announced that 4 former players of the All American Girls
Professional Baseball League will attend All American Girls Night on Saturday, July 18, 2009 at the 7:05 pm game against the Venezuelan National Team at Judson University, in Elgin. The women who played in the AAGPBL from 1943-1954 will be
honored with a pregame ceremony. On this special night, the ballpark will be transformed to resemble the historic Wrigley
Field of the AAGPBL time period. The Chicago Bandits be will … Continue Reading

NPF To Participate In Major League Baseball’s Taco Bell All-Star Legends And Celebrity Softball Game And Fanfest

NPF Commissioner Cheri Kempf is pleased to announce that Major League Baseball’s Taco Bell All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game will feature four star NPF players, and in addition, seven NPF players will be in St. Louis to host clinics, meet fans and sign autographs at the MLB All-Star FanFest.

The Taco Bell All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game will be held on Sunday, July 12 at the home of the St. Louis Cardinals in Busch Stadium and is part of the festivities and games that surround Major League Baseball’s annual All-Star Game. … Continue Reading

Finch pitches perfect game; Bandits improve to 9-2

Allentown, PA. – With two down in the top of the seventh, Philadelphia Force (1-5) second baseman Emily Friedman worked Bandits’ pitcher Jennie Finch to a 3-0 count. With her perfect game on the line, Finch buckled down in the circle to force Friedman into a ground out at third base for the final out of the game. … Continue Reading

Thunder take season opener; Beat Racers 3-0

Thunder take season opener; Beat Racers 3-0
Osterman dazzles crowd with 16 strikeouts

ROSCOE, Ill. – Cat Osterman had a lot to do with the Thunder’s 2009 season opening, 3-0 win, over the visiting Akron Racers.

It was her poster night, fans got to see her two medals and she was dominant in the pitching circle for Rockford all night long. … Continue Reading

Force Drop Season Opener to Bandits

Elgin, Illinois – Looking to start off their 2009 campaign on the right foot, the Force traveled to Illinois to take on the defending NPF champions Chicago Bandits. In game one of the five game series the host Bandits defeated the Force by the final score of 5-1 in front of 300 fans and spectators.

With the season opening loss Philadelphia fell to 0-1 on the year, while the Bandits improved to 1-0 overall.

Earning the start for the Force was righty Jessica Sallinger. The Georgia Tech grad threw four complete innings and surrendered five runs on seven hits. She also had two strikeouts and a pair of walks. Closing out the final two innings was Stacy Birk. Birk recorded just two strikeouts in her first appearance of ’09 and did not allow a walk, run, or hit. … Continue Reading

NPF and MLB.com Partner To Stream NPF Games Live Onine In 2009-2010

DENVER, CO and NEW YORK, June 3, 2009–The National Pro Fastpitch League (NPF) and MLB.com, the official Web site of Major League Baseball, announced today a multi-year agreement in which they will partner to stream a schedule of 60 NPF games live online exclusively from the League’s official Web site at www.ProFastPitch.com. This free offering, which begins today on Opening Day of the 2009 NPF season, will mark the first time regular season NPF games will be streamed live on the Internet. In August 2008, NPF and MLB.com teamed up to stream the championship game of the NPF Championship Series on ProFastPitch.com and MLB.com. … Continue Reading

USSSA and NPF form Cooperative Partnership

Denver, CO – The National Pro Fastpitch League, is proud to announce a cooperative partnership with the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), which will immediately place USSSA in a Team Management position for the roster of players formerly under contract for the Washington Glory, which recently folded due to financial reasons.

This move will position women’s professional fastpitch in Central Florida (Osceola County) at the home of USSSA’s National Headquarters where thousands of young athletes will visit annually to participate in USSSA Tournaments and events. … Continue Reading

Coming Soon – The 2009 Chicago Bandits Fan Fest

Join the team for 2009 Chicago Bandits Fan Fest!

How do you gain access to top notch professional softball players from across the country? Go to the Chicago Bandits Fan Fest, that’s how!

The 5th annual Chicago Bandits Fan Fest starts Saturday, May 23 at 2 pm. Fans will have the opportunity to ask their favorite Bandits’ players their most burning questions during a fun Q&A session. Fans will also have the chance to get autographs and take pictures with everyone from starters to mascots! Your photo opportunities will not end there because the elusive Cowles and Majestic Cups will also be on hand to pose with in a picture! … Continue Reading

Force Hires Mental Game Coach

Allentown, PA – The Philadelphia Force is pleased to announce the hiring of Mental Game Coach, Jen Croneberger. Jen’s extensive training in mind-body fitness and holistic health, as well as business and team leadership, is a great addition to the Force family.

Jen has a long list of education and certifications in multiple fields pertaining to athletic development. She is currently a varsity softball coach at Unionville High School, an assistant softball coach at Ursinus College, and is the Founder and CEO of Excellence Training Camps, Inc. Most of her last 10 years have been spent working with young people, instilling confidence and building strength both mentally and physically. … Continue Reading

Force SIgn Free Agent Jessica Sallinger

Allentown, PA – The Philadelphia Force have added another arm to their already solid pitching staff by signing free agent Jessica Sallinger, previously of the Chicago Bandits. Last year with the Bandits, Jessica had a record of 12-6, with 7 complete games, while striking out 107 in 120 innings pitched.

Sallinger allowed only 41 earned runs, good enough for a 2.39 ERA. In 2007 Sallinger had a great season, being named to the NPF All Star team, along with teammate Jennie Finch, after compiling 9 wins and a 1.34 ERA in 104.1 innings. She also had 78 strikeouts and 7 complete games. As a rookie in 2006, Sallinger went 7-5, had a 1.62 ERA, all while striking out 48, and saving three games, in 69.2 innings pitched. … Continue Reading

NPF Holds 2009 Senior Draft Live On Internet

AKRON – National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) and its five-affiliate teams held the 2009 NPF Senior Draft on Tuesday night which was broadcast for the first time in league history live from the Cambria Suites Akron-Canton Airport location, official host of the event.

Each team had at least three selections in the five-round draft. The Akron Racers held eight of the 25 overall picks due to a draft-day trade with the Washington Glory for the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft, which gave Akron the top two picks in the draft. The Rockford Thunder, Philadelphia Force and Chicago Bandits rounded out the first round. … Continue Reading

Akron Racers Name Radara McHugh Pitching Coach & Director of Clinics

The Akron Racers have enhanced their staff with the addition of Radara McHugh. She will be the Director of Clinics as well as the Racers pitching coach during the 2009 season.

McHugh had left North Carolina as the program’s career record holder for wins (88), appearances (150), starts (130), innings pitched (861.2), shutouts (46) and strikeouts (686). She was also selected to ACC Top 50 Anniversary Team. Radara was the winning pitcher in the Women’s ASA Open Nationals and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in 2004? Her senior year at University of North Carolina is the only year for UNC to have ever won the ACC conference tournament in the history of the program. … Continue Reading

Harre Announces Retirement

Allentown, PA – Amy Harre, pitcher for the Philadelphia Force, has decided to retire from the NPF after four seasons. Her career numbers include a .571 winning percentage, 12 complete games, and a 1.80 ERA.

In her lone season with the Force, Harre had a record of 3-3, while striking out 26, and a 2.99 ERA. She pitched in all situations, leading the Force with 2 saves, and throwing a complete game.

A former #1 pick by the Chicago Bandits in the 2005 NPF Senior draft, she spent her first three seasons there, before signing with the Force. In her first season with the Bandits, Harre had 9 saves, and a 1.27 ERA in 44 innings pitched. Her second season, 2006, was her breakout season, being selected to the All NPF Team after leading the league with a 10-2 record, and had a 1.41 ERA. … Continue Reading

Little League International & NPF Partnership Announced

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (Feb. 11, 2009) – The National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) Softball League and Little League International have established a partnership that will provide the Little League Softball program with additional training and education resources, and expand awareness and opportunities for the NPF and the nearly 400,000 girls who play in the various divisions of Little League Softball.

“Partnering with the National Pro Fastpitch is a firm step forward for Little League Softball,” Stephen D. Keener, President and Chief Executive Officer of Little League Baseball and Softball, said. “Since the creation of the program, it has been a priority to promote the positive and unique aspects of softball as a sport, and the benefits of being a part of Little League. Establishing a relationship with the NPF can help to motivate children to play the game, while offering an educational element to Little League Softball coaches trying to grow their local programs.” … Continue Reading

Revised 2009 NPF Schedule Released

DENVER, CO — National Pro Fastpitch League Commissioner/President Cheri Kempf announced today that the League will field five teams during the 2009 season, including the 2008 NPF regular season and Championship Series Champions, Chicago Bandits, the Akron Racers, the Rockford Thunder, the Washington Glory and the Philadelphia Force. The New England Riptide has withdrawn from the NPF and will not compete in the 2009 season, citing economic duress. A new schedule has been released to reflect this latest development. … Continue Reading

Bandits Season Of Hard Work, Symbolized By Championship Ring

Elgin, Ill. – A season of hard work, passion for the sport, blood, sweat and tears, on display and symbolized by one thing, a 2008 NPF World Championship Ring. A season of dedication, in exchange for a lifetime of memories.

There it was, on display Friday night, in front of over 230 guests at the Heritage Ball Room in the Centre of Elgin. The white-gold ring, glittered with diamonds surrounding the large blue stone placed in the middle of the ring, showing off the name of the Chicago Bandits – the 2008 National Pro Fastpitch World Champions. … Continue Reading

Middleton Joins The Force In 2009

Allentown – The Philadelphia Force gave their fourth round pick (23rd overall) in 2009 to the Akron Racers for Kellie Middleton, team General Manager Tom Kleinman announced today.

Middleton, a two year veteran, played two years with the Akron Racers. She played Outfield for the Racers over the last two years. In 2007 she was the second selection in the 2007 NPF Draft. A speedy baserunner, Middleton stole 30 for 32 stolen bases in the first 37 games of the 2007 campaign. During her 2008 campaign she stole 11 bases before being sidelined with a broken hand. … Continue Reading

NPF Appoints Supervisor Of Officials

The National Pro Fastpitch League Office announced today the establishment of the position of League Supervisor of Officials and the appointment of Denny Mader to fill the position.

Mader has extensive experience in various levels of fastpitch softball as well as supervising, training, and scheduling of officials. In professional fastpitch, in particular, he has been the Umpires Coordinator for the Akron Racers since 2004, and most recently Mader served as the Umpire in Chief for the National Pro Fastpitch Championship Series in Kimberly, Wisconsin in August of 2008. … Continue Reading

Joan Joyce, The Missing Legend Ted Williams Could Not Touch

Last week I interviewed softball legend Joan Joyce for the Fastpitch Radio Show. Joan has an amazing story, and was so exciting to talk to. I started digging around on the internet, andI found this story about her pitching against the late and great Ted Williams. I thought I would share this story By Tom Yantz with you.

The chances of landing “The Splendid Splinter” one year after he had retired from the Red Sox looked slim. Still, an audience with Ted Williams was arranged at his baseball camp in Massachusetts in the summer of 1961. The idea: Come to Waterbury and play in an exhibition softball game to benefit the Jimmy Fund. … Continue Reading

Bandits Ring In The New Year With Bling

Elgin, Ill. – The Chicago Bandits are celebrating their 2008 Championship in style with a formal dinner and Championship Ring Ceremony Friday, January 16 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Heritage Ballroom in The Centre of Elgin. … Continue Reading